Troubleshoot Microphones

Use this Windows 10 troubleshooting path for a microphone that works in some apps or devices but not all.

1. Check microphone privacy access.
   • Go to Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
   • Turn on Allow apps to access your microphone.
   • Turn on Allow desktop apps to access your microphone.
   • If the device is a webcam with a mic, also check Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera and make sure camera access is on.
2. Make sure the correct input device is selected.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   • Under Input, confirm the intended microphone is selected in Choose your input device.
   • Speak into the mic and check Test your microphone. If the line moves, Windows is receiving audio.
3. Raise the microphone level.
   • In Start > Settings > System > Sound, under Input, select Device Properties for the microphone.
   • Open the Levels tab.
   • Increase Microphone and Microphone Boost as needed, then select OK.
4. If others cannot hear the microphone, verify basic device state.
   • Make sure the headset or microphone is connected correctly.
   • If the headset has a mute button, make sure it is not active.
   • If it is Bluetooth, make sure it is paired and connected.
5. Run the Recording Audio troubleshooter.
   • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
   • Run Recording Audio.
6. Reinstall the audio drivers if Windows is not detecting the microphone.
   • Warning: uninstalling drivers temporarily removes audio devices until Windows reinstalls them.
   • Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
   • Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   • Right-click each audio device and select Uninstall device.
   • Check Delete the driver software for this device, then select Uninstall.
   • Restart the PC.
   • If Windows does not reinstall automatically, open Device Manager, right-click Sound, video and game controllers, and select Scan for hardware changes.
   • Then right-click the audio driver and select Update driver.
7. For Realtek software behavior in third-party apps, try disabling audio enhancements.
   • Open the microphone properties from the recording device settings.
   • Turn off Enable audio enhancement if present.
   • If available, try changing the microphone sample rate and bit depth in the Advanced tab.
   • This is relevant when the microphone works in Windows tools such as Sound Recorder but not in non-Microsoft apps.
8. If the issue continues, install the latest audio driver from the PC manufacturer.
   • This is especially relevant for Realtek-based systems after a clean Windows installation.
   • Restart after installation and test again in the affected apps.

If the microphone works in Windows test pages or Sound Recorder but not in specific third-party apps, the most relevant checks are: privacy access, correct default input device, disabled audio enhancements, and updated manufacturer audio drivers.

References:

• Fix microphone problems
• Context Internal microphone Realtek(R)Audio does not detect any sound when used in non windows or microsoft-based apps. - Microsoft Q&A My laptop's internal microphone doesn't pickup any sound when I use it with apps other than sound recorder and settings, this problem occured after I reinstall (clean install) my Windows11. It is not a hardware issue since i can record with it using the sound recorder app and I've tested listening to my mic in control panel>sound>recording tab. I've tried reinstalling the driver through device manager, and no issue with the permissions every app i want is allowed access to my mic. Please help, I've been struggling with this for weeks.