In this guide, we will talk about one of the biggest issues in Windows 10 & 11: how to fix the microphone settings.
In general, Windows 10 & 11 don’t easily work with many recording devices, even if they’re part of the computer. What we’ve found through our experience is that if a mic connected to a computer isn’t working it’s usually a settings problem and not a problem with the microphone itself.
If you don’t have any problems just yet – you just have a new microphone and you are unsure how to install it – check out our microphone installation guide.
How To Fix Microphone Settings In Windows 10 & 11
Fix Microphone Settings In Windows 11 October 2021
One of the major issues when trying to fix microphone settings in Windows 11 is the slightly redesigned UI. Because of this, you’ll have to get familiar with the new Settings app and its interface. Otherwise, the process does exactly the same thing that it does on Windows 10.
First, get to the settings app and select “Privacy & Security” from the left-hand menu listing.
Afterward, focus on the right side of the Settings app and scroll down “App permissions” and “Microphone” after that.
Finally, you’re exactly on the page where you need to be. From here on out, the solution is almost seamless to understand even for beginners. Simply toggle the “Let apps access your microphone” switch if it is not turned on already. From there, turn on access for every app that you plan on using your microphone for communication and other activities.
Check If the Microphone Is Disabled
There are some instances when Windows 11 might not detect your drivers properly, seeing that it is a (very) new OS on the market. Because of this, you’ll need to check the device manager and/or, eventually, update the drivers yourself.
However, you should first check to see if this fact has “disabled” your device in the Device Manager. To access the Device Manager in Windows 10 or 11, simply type “device manager” in the search bar. Next, click on the app itself, as shown here:
Once you click on the appropriate icon, go to the “Audio inputs and outputs” dropdown, click on the arrow shape near the title, and then select your microphone device from the dropdown list. Right-click the appropriate device and select “Enable device.” That should now allow you to use your microphone properly.
Fastest Solution to Fix Microphone Settings In Windows 10 After April 2018 Update
If you’re still using Windows 10, and if the problem started after April 2018 (a major Windows 10 update), then the fastest solution might be this:
Many computers had a kind of privacy settings reset after Microsoft’s April major update. This reset made your apps and programs not able to access your webcam and microphone. Therefore, we should give them their access and permissions back. Follow me:
Open Settings from your start menu.
Click on Privacy in order to access all your privacy settings.
Select Microphone from the left pane and then click the Change button.
Now, turn on microphone for this device.
Turn on Allow apps to access your microphone.
Finally in the app list, make sure to turn on microphone access for every app you want to give permission to access your microphone.
Repeat the same exact steps but for your webcam this time.
Your mic still isn’t working?
Make sure it’s not a hardware issue
Let’s check that your mic isn’t damaged or faulty first and get that out of the way. The best way to check that is to connect your microphone to another computer running any operating system other than Windows 10.
If the microphone doesn’t work on the other computer too, that means it could be faulty. If it does work on the other computer that means you probably have a software problem on your Windows 10 computer.
On both PCs, if you’re using a desktop computer (not a laptop), make sure you’re connecting your microphone or headset to the back panel of the PC. The front audio ports aren’t always well connected to the motherboard.
Now that we know that it is a software problem, let’s get it fixed.
If none of these links above are relevant to you, keep reading.
Method I: Let’s fix some recording device settings
Right-click on the speaker icon in the bottom-right part of the screen and choose Sounds.
Click on the Recording tab in order to see your recording devices list.
A list of recording devices will appear. Try speaking into your microphone, and see if there any green bars rising next to one of them while you talk (as in screenshot).
If you don’t see any green bars skip to step 5. If you do see green bars when you talk into the microphone, but it still doesn’t work in some program, then that means that the mic is correctly configured in Windows, but the program is listening to the wrong recording device. Try changing that program’s settings.
Check if you can recognize which one of the devices in the list is your microphone. If you found it, click on it to highlight it, and then click Set Default.
Check again if you see green bars rising when you talk into the microphone. If you do your mic is now correctly setup. If not, continue to next step.
Double-click on the device that represents your microphone. The Microphone Properties window will appear. Click the Levels tab.
In the “Levels” tab make sure that “Microphone” and “Microphone Boost” are set to the maximum, you can do that by sliding them to the right until the first one shows 100 and the boost is set to +30.0 dB. Then click OK.
In the “Enhancements” tab (if found), make sure to uncheck the “Disable all sound effects” checkbox.
Now visit the “Advanced” tab too and make sure to uncheck the “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” checkbox and click “OK“. (Also uncheck the “Enable audio enhancements” check box if found).
In the main recording devices panel, go to the “Communications” tab and select the “Do nothing” radio button and then click OK.
Restart your computer and recheck your recording devices panel. If you see green bars rising when you talk into the microphone – your mic is now properly configured!
If you still don’t see any bars and you’re not 100% sure which one of the devices is the relevant one, try following steps 4-11 for every device on the list.
Method II: Uninstall and reinstall your microphone drivers
Open device manager, fastest way is through the search bar:
Open ‘Audio Inputs and Outputs’
Left-click on your recording device.
In the menu that opens up Click ‘Uninstall’.
Physically disconnect your microphone from the computer.
Restart the computer.
Reconnect microphone and let Windows re-install the drivers.
If your Windows 10 updating gets stuck, this may prevent you from getting the latest drivers automatically. Check this guide to fix it.
If it didn’t work, I would suggest that you install the latest driver found on your computer manufacturer’s website manually, because sometimes the latest driver isn’t the one compatible with your computer. So you should search for your computer model number on the manufacturer’s website, download the latest driver that is compatible with your model number and Windows 10 and check if it works.
If you found your computer model on the website but can’t see a version for Windows 10 there, this means there aren’t compatible drivers for it yet and you may have to wait until they release some new drivers.
Method III: Specific solution for users with IDT High Definition Audio Codec device
Open device manager, fastest way is through the search bar:
Open ‘Audio Inputs and Outputs’
Double click on your recording device ‘High Definition Audio Codec’.
Move to the ‘Driver’ tab.
Click ‘Update Driver’.
Then ‘Browse my computer for driver software’.
Click ‘Let me pickup a list of device drivers on my computer’.
Select ‘High Definition Audio Device’, and not ‘IDT High Def’, and click Next.
You will get a warning. Click “Yes”.
Check if it works.
Method IV: Specific solution for users with VIA HD Audio device
Many VIA users are experiencing problems with recording and/or playback since they moved to Windows 10. If you’re one of these people try to download and install Daniel_K’s modified drivers.
Method V: If the problem concerns your gaming headset or microphone + headphone combo:
First of all, make sure the connection type between your headset and your computer is the same. If your headset has 2 independent jacks, one for the audio and the other for the microphone, your computer must have independent ports as well. If it’s a 2 in 1 (one jack for both microphone and audio) then you computer must have one single port with a headset icon on it.
iPhone earphones and other headsets’ microphones with one single jack won’t work in case your computer has two ports, splitted. So you’ll need to buy one of these splitters:
If your headset has two independent jacks and you want to connect both of them to the one headset port in your computer you will need one of these splitters:
If your connection is the same on the headset and in the computer, but the microphone still doesn’t work, you may try to convert to USB connection, use one of these converters:
For 2 x 3.5mm jacks headsets
For 1 x 3.5mm jack headsets
Uninstall any VoIP programs and applications, like Skype, Teamspeak or any other voice calling programs, then restart your computer and if your microphone works again now you can reinstall them.
Method VI: If you are using recording software
People who use recording software (Audio recording / screen recording) have to check that your software is up-to-date, some people reported that an old version of flashback express screen recorder was muting their microphones.
Hopefully, using these methods helped you fix the microphone settings on your Windows 10. If not, keep reading!
Please note:
If you still have problems after reading this article and going through the steps, please ask your question in our forum, where we have an expert on the subject that will try his best to help you. As we learn more information through the forum we update this article with advice that is tailored to specific devices.
Every day, we encounter different problems on our computers and other devices that require immediate response so that our work won’t be put on hold. From typical system errors and installation of various devices to simple information about technical terms, our website offers most of your computer-related questions, especially for Windows 10. Check us out now and you may find helpful tutorials. Or you may directly ask about How To Remove Your WiFi Card.
341 Comments
Your style is so unique in comparison to other people I’ve read
stuff from. Thanks for posting when you hav the opportunity,
Guess I will just bookmark this page.
Hey Eve, thank you so much, I’m so glad you liked the article. I do post regularly so make sure to take a look every now and then and if you have any problem that’s not listed, you can tell us bout it in the forums and we will help you immediately and maybe create an article to help other people with the same issue. Have a great day!
Hello,I have a problem with my mic settings in windows … i have a laptop ASUS TUF Gaming FX505DD/DT/DU , and when i try to access the microphone settings , i only click on it and the windows close.I have tried to uninstall as you said up,but i can’t access the settings,because when i am using the mic i hears a noise in background like a buzzing.Can you give me an advice?Thanks
hey i need help regarding this could you assist me
My microphone is very tempremental, some times it works and is clear and loud, other times i can not be heard, sound times i sound like i am in a tin can miles away, i have tried everything and many headsets with mics???
You are my hero. Thank you so much
You’re always welcome Fran, I’m glad I could help ☺
My microphone is very tempremental, some times it works and is clear and loud, other times i can not be heard, sound times i sound like i am in a tin can miles away, i have tried everything and many headsets with mics???
If you only knew how much grief you saved me this weekend! I spent well over 3 hours combined between Micro Center TS, ASUS TS and Microsoft TS about my microphone issue for Windows 10 OS…. Not a single person in 4 asked about the privacy settings. I would hug you if I could, so here is a virtual one instead. Seriously, this is a 5 month old PC and in that time, I have had the optane with windows problems, blue screen of death causing hard drive failure and now the mic.
Thank you very much for taking time to research and put this all in one place.
CB
Wow I’m really speechless Charles. Thank you so much for this amazing comments, it really helps me keep the good work. I’m so sorry you had to suffer with inexperienced TS. Please don’t hesitate to tell us if you need any help, you can always create a thread on our forums and I’ll make sure to reply as fast as possible: https://win10faq.com/forums/
Have a great day!
I have a pair of Beats Studio 3 Wireless headphones. Sound will sporadically work through output and the microphone does not work at all. I tried all of the steps shown here. Any ideas, Mina? Thank you!
Hello Alison, I want you to check your Recording devices and make sure you see the Headset device for your Beats headphones. If it’s there, make sure it’s enabled and set it as default. If you can’t find it at all, then you should unpair the headphones and pair it again. Please keep me updated and I’ll do my best to help you with it. Good luck!
May Lord bless you peace in your life and provide you the best in your life, you just solved my issue! I’m really happy from your help ?
Thank you so much Oyeishtam for your kind words and prayers, I’m glad I could help ☺
i’ve tried all these methods and non of them have worked and I know ,the microphone on my headset works ,please help
It is incredible, that a windows update disabled access to camera and mic, with no warning. I missed numerous meetings, bought new devices, couldn’t talk to my colleagues, couldn’t do video editing…. a real pain, until I discovered that MS had changed the meaning of apps from “store apps”, to “all applications”. It’s completely irresponsible of them to do this!
Thanks for your article!
Hey Dave, I’m so sorry to hear these troubles you got. Bright side, you got it solved so fresh comeback 😀 You’re always welcome!
My microphone doesn’t pop up when it needs to and it isn’t damage, because i haven’t had it for so long it just stopped working after the 1803 update for Windows
Hello Cecilie, I’m sorry for the issue. Please keep updating your computer, maybe on of the latest updates may fix this. Also once you got the latest version, retry all the steps and tips we introduced and then you may be able to make it work again. Good luck and keep me updated!
amazing
Thanks ☺
Wow, thank you so much. You are a lifesaver.
Harry, you’re always welcome! I’m glad I could help ☺
I’ve put my Vonyx mic in to my laptop with a single jack. My laptop only has one input, but i doens’t registrate the mic, my mic is new so no idea what’s wrong.. Any ideas?
Hello! If you laptop has a single input, then you must connect a full headset so that a microphone can work. Headphones without microphone can work but single microphones can’t. That’s why I recommend that you buy a 3.5 mm microphone to USB dongle or converter so it can be connected on your computer and it will work if everything else is alright.
This might be the solution I need for my Purple Panda external mic that won’t work on my single input (Dell/Windows 10). Question, does it matter if the USB converter has one or two inputs for the 3.5mm if I am only using it for a mic input?
You need one with two inputs and put the microphone jack into the microphone input.
none of these solutions worked for me sadly, my computer used to run fine with any headset but a while ago my headset started to cut out periodically and now it doesnt work at all, ive tried many different headphones and none of them work. permissions are on and ive updated all my sound drivers.
Hello Matthew, I’m sorry to hear that. Please make sure you didn’t update the Audio drivers using Windows update or so, just do it manually by downloading the latest drivers found on your laptop/computer manufacturer’s official website. These are the only ones I can rely on. Also, if nothing works, maybe you should try resetting your Windows without removing any files. It’s an option and it may make things work again.
i have all my audio drivers updated to the most recent ones and ive also tried restoring to previous versions of windows, im starting to think it might be an wiring problem.
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What a great site
Super Article MINA MAGUED MOUNIR , very usefull information
now i am fan you
thank you
Oh thank you Reddy, this is very kind of you!
i have pair of steel series arctic 5 (usb), i have done all this but it doesnt work. my computer is a asus vivopc x
Hi there,
I appreciate the article greatly, however i have tried every point on the list and countless other fixes that i can find on the internet to no avail.
My microhpone is being detected by the PC, and it shows volume levels moving only if i blow air into it heavily – however no audio can be heard when i speak into it. I have tried multiple jacks, getting the USB adaptor and also buying a new headset however it seems to be an issue imbedded in my PC somewhere. Have tried all the fixes above, not sure what else there is to do. So i know it is not a fault with the microphone on the headset.
Would appreciate any help, thank you.
I have tried about 7 different pairs of headphones all with microphones on my pc. I have a splitter and I’ve tried usb connecting microphones. I had a pair of USB microphone/headphone combo working for a while then after I stopped using it it just never worked again. I have tried everything on the entire internet and nothing has worked
I don’t even have any audio enhancements listed for my microphone at all. They disappeared with the Fall Creator’s Update. https://imgur.com/nRSwJMn
Tried everything, and the ONLY thing that works is having my computer go back to before the May comprehensive update was installed. Since my computer seems to want to reinstall this every other day, every other day my mic stops working, and I have to roll it back again. This is rapidly becoming intolerable. During my once again try everything, I saw that under events, in devices, this message: \FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0887&SUBSYS_1462CB24&REV_1003\4&324bd67b&0&0001 requires further installation.
What does that mean? I tried getting drivers from the headset manufacturer, that isn’t it.
Well..Mr.Mounir thanks for troubleshooting this issue maunally..
Thanks
Regard Ziyyara
Hi Mina,
I have a Dell Latitude 72xx on Windows 10. Similarly, Microphone refuses to work. It prompts for Admin password each time I try to enable mic.
However, I have no problem with the mic on another account.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Your style is so unique in comparison to other people I’ve read
stuff from. Thanks for posting when you hav the opportunity,
Guess I will just bookmark this page.
Hey Eve, thank you so much, I’m so glad you liked the article. I do post regularly so make sure to take a look every now and then and if you have any problem that’s not listed, you can tell us bout it in the forums and we will help you immediately and maybe create an article to help other people with the same issue. Have a great day!
Hello,I have a problem with my mic settings in windows … i have a laptop ASUS TUF Gaming FX505DD/DT/DU , and when i try to access the microphone settings , i only click on it and the windows close.I have tried to uninstall as you said up,but i can’t access the settings,because when i am using the mic i hears a noise in background like a buzzing.Can you give me an advice?Thanks
hey i need help regarding this could you assist me
My microphone is very tempremental, some times it works and is clear and loud, other times i can not be heard, sound times i sound like i am in a tin can miles away, i have tried everything and many headsets with mics???
You are my hero. Thank you so much
You’re always welcome Fran, I’m glad I could help ☺
My microphone is very tempremental, some times it works and is clear and loud, other times i can not be heard, sound times i sound like i am in a tin can miles away, i have tried everything and many headsets with mics???
If you only knew how much grief you saved me this weekend! I spent well over 3 hours combined between Micro Center TS, ASUS TS and Microsoft TS about my microphone issue for Windows 10 OS…. Not a single person in 4 asked about the privacy settings. I would hug you if I could, so here is a virtual one instead. Seriously, this is a 5 month old PC and in that time, I have had the optane with windows problems, blue screen of death causing hard drive failure and now the mic.
Thank you very much for taking time to research and put this all in one place.
CB
Wow I’m really speechless Charles. Thank you so much for this amazing comments, it really helps me keep the good work. I’m so sorry you had to suffer with inexperienced TS. Please don’t hesitate to tell us if you need any help, you can always create a thread on our forums and I’ll make sure to reply as fast as possible:
https://win10faq.com/forums/
Have a great day!
I have a pair of Beats Studio 3 Wireless headphones. Sound will sporadically work through output and the microphone does not work at all. I tried all of the steps shown here. Any ideas, Mina? Thank you!
Hello Alison, I want you to check your Recording devices and make sure you see the Headset device for your Beats headphones. If it’s there, make sure it’s enabled and set it as default. If you can’t find it at all, then you should unpair the headphones and pair it again. Please keep me updated and I’ll do my best to help you with it. Good luck!
May Lord bless you peace in your life and provide you the best in your life, you just solved my issue! I’m really happy from your help ?
Thank you so much Oyeishtam for your kind words and prayers, I’m glad I could help ☺
i’ve tried all these methods and non of them have worked and I know ,the microphone on my headset works ,please help
It is incredible, that a windows update disabled access to camera and mic, with no warning. I missed numerous meetings, bought new devices, couldn’t talk to my colleagues, couldn’t do video editing…. a real pain, until I discovered that MS had changed the meaning of apps from “store apps”, to “all applications”. It’s completely irresponsible of them to do this!
Thanks for your article!
Hey Dave, I’m so sorry to hear these troubles you got. Bright side, you got it solved so fresh comeback 😀 You’re always welcome!
My microphone doesn’t pop up when it needs to and it isn’t damage, because i haven’t had it for so long it just stopped working after the 1803 update for Windows
Hello Cecilie, I’m sorry for the issue. Please keep updating your computer, maybe on of the latest updates may fix this. Also once you got the latest version, retry all the steps and tips we introduced and then you may be able to make it work again. Good luck and keep me updated!
amazing
Thanks ☺
Wow, thank you so much. You are a lifesaver.
Harry, you’re always welcome! I’m glad I could help ☺
I’ve put my Vonyx mic in to my laptop with a single jack. My laptop only has one input, but i doens’t registrate the mic, my mic is new so no idea what’s wrong.. Any ideas?
Hello! If you laptop has a single input, then you must connect a full headset so that a microphone can work. Headphones without microphone can work but single microphones can’t. That’s why I recommend that you buy a 3.5 mm microphone to USB dongle or converter so it can be connected on your computer and it will work if everything else is alright.
This might be the solution I need for my Purple Panda external mic that won’t work on my single input (Dell/Windows 10). Question, does it matter if the USB converter has one or two inputs for the 3.5mm if I am only using it for a mic input?
You need one with two inputs and put the microphone jack into the microphone input.
none of these solutions worked for me sadly, my computer used to run fine with any headset but a while ago my headset started to cut out periodically and now it doesnt work at all, ive tried many different headphones and none of them work. permissions are on and ive updated all my sound drivers.
Hello Matthew, I’m sorry to hear that. Please make sure you didn’t update the Audio drivers using Windows update or so, just do it manually by downloading the latest drivers found on your laptop/computer manufacturer’s official website. These are the only ones I can rely on. Also, if nothing works, maybe you should try resetting your Windows without removing any files. It’s an option and it may make things work again.
i have all my audio drivers updated to the most recent ones and ive also tried restoring to previous versions of windows, im starting to think it might be an wiring problem.
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What a great site
Super Article MINA MAGUED MOUNIR , very usefull information
now i am fan you
thank you
Oh thank you Reddy, this is very kind of you!
i have pair of steel series arctic 5 (usb), i have done all this but it doesnt work. my computer is a asus vivopc x
Hi there,
I appreciate the article greatly, however i have tried every point on the list and countless other fixes that i can find on the internet to no avail.
My microhpone is being detected by the PC, and it shows volume levels moving only if i blow air into it heavily – however no audio can be heard when i speak into it. I have tried multiple jacks, getting the USB adaptor and also buying a new headset however it seems to be an issue imbedded in my PC somewhere. Have tried all the fixes above, not sure what else there is to do. So i know it is not a fault with the microphone on the headset.
Would appreciate any help, thank you.
I have tried about 7 different pairs of headphones all with microphones on my pc. I have a splitter and I’ve tried usb connecting microphones. I had a pair of USB microphone/headphone combo working for a while then after I stopped using it it just never worked again. I have tried everything on the entire internet and nothing has worked
I don’t even have any audio enhancements listed for my microphone at all. They disappeared with the Fall Creator’s Update.
https://imgur.com/nRSwJMn
Tried everything, and the ONLY thing that works is having my computer go back to before the May comprehensive update was installed. Since my computer seems to want to reinstall this every other day, every other day my mic stops working, and I have to roll it back again. This is rapidly becoming intolerable. During my once again try everything, I saw that under events, in devices, this message: \FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0887&SUBSYS_1462CB24&REV_1003\4&324bd67b&0&0001 requires further installation.
What does that mean? I tried getting drivers from the headset manufacturer, that isn’t it.
Well..Mr.Mounir thanks for troubleshooting this issue maunally..
Thanks
Regard Ziyyara
Hi Mina,
I have a Dell Latitude 72xx on Windows 10. Similarly, Microphone refuses to work. It prompts for Admin password each time I try to enable mic.
However, I have no problem with the mic on another account.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards