Microphone on new webcam stopped working

pam SH 20 Reputation points
2026-06-25T15:00:38.0366667+00:00

The microphone on my webcam has stopped working only after a month, the voice had become faint and now completely gone. In settings sound input no device is detected for microphone only the camera I tried with another new webcam but that too did not detect microphone device.

Microsoft System Center | Other

Windows for home | Other | Devices and drivers
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Lucus-V 13,210 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-06-25T19:31:41.7266667+00:00

Hi pam SH,

Are AI answer suggestions helpful to you?

If the problem persists:

  • If you're on Windows 10:
    • Open Settings
    • Navigate to Update & Security
    • Select Windows Update from the left-hand menu
    • Click on View update history
  • If you're on Windows 11:
    • Open Settings
    • Go to Windows Update
    • Click Update history

Then give me the screenshot of that window. Remember covering any PII before posting to public community.

Additionally, please provide me your webcam model, so I can better understand the situation.

If you have further information, please feel free to let me know.

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.

3 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. pam SH 20 Reputation points
    2026-07-01T17:40:12.29+00:00

    I had tried everything but nothing changed. So decided to get new webcam with microphone which works fine. So it was a faulty webcam in that it has a bad microphone.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Ivan B 124.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-06-25T21:38:00.4633333+00:00

    Hi ,

    Search for msinfo32.exe in the search bar, take a screenshot, and post it here so we can see the correct laptop model or desktop configuration.

    Does the external camera not recognize the microphone, or did you test a pair of headphones and it didn't recognize them?

    Thanks

    Was this answer helpful?

  3. AI answer

    2026-06-25T15:00:55.4433333+00:00

    Follow these steps on the affected PC (Windows 10/11) to troubleshoot the missing webcam microphone:

    1. Check physical device and connections
      • Make sure the webcam is firmly plugged into a working USB port.
      • If the webcam has a hardware mute button or switch, make sure it is not muted.
      • Test with a different USB port on the same PC.
    2. Verify microphone privacy settings
      • Windows 11:
        1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
        2. Make sure Microphone access is On.
        3. Make sure Let apps access your microphone is On and, if needed, Let desktop apps access your microphone is On.
      • Windows 10:
        1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
        2. Under Allow access to the microphone on this device, select Change and turn it On.
        3. Under Allow apps to access your microphone, turn it On.
        4. Under Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone, turn on the apps you use.
        5. Ensure Allow desktop apps to access your microphone is On (if shown).
    3. Make sure the webcam mic is the default input device
      • Windows 11:
        1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
        2. Under Input, open Choose a device for speaking or recording and select the webcam microphone (if it appears).
        3. Select the > next to the device, then use Start test under Microphone test and speak. Use Play under Recorded sample to confirm audio.
      • Windows 10:
        1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
        2. Under Input, ensure the webcam microphone is selected under Choose your input device.
        3. Speak and check Test your microphone to see if the bar moves.
    4. Check that apps can hear the mic
      • In the calling/recording app, make sure Mute is not enabled and the correct microphone is selected in that app’s audio settings.
    5. Reinstall audio / USB audio drivers If no input device appears at all for either webcam, reinstall the audio drivers:
      1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
      2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
      3. For each audio device related to USB or the webcam, right-click and select Uninstall device.
      4. If available, check Delete the driver software for this device / Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then select Uninstall.
      5. Restart the PC. Windows will attempt to reinstall the audio devices automatically.
      6. If they do not reinstall, open Device Manager, right-click Sound, video and game controllers, and select Scan for hardware changes.
      7. After devices reappear, right-click the audio driver and select Update driver.
    6. Run the Recording Audio troubleshooter (Windows 11/10)
      • Windows 11:
        1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
        2. Scroll to Advanced and choose Input devices under Troubleshoot common sound problems.
      • Windows 10:
        1. Select Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
        2. Run the Recording Audio troubleshooter.

    If, after these steps, two different webcams still show only the camera and never a microphone device in Input, this points to a system‑level audio/USB issue on that PC rather than the webcams themselves. In that case, continue with driver reinstallation and privacy checks, and consider updating all system drivers from the device manufacturer.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.