microphone on laptop running windows 11 missing and cant talk to copilot

Question

microphone on laptop running windows 11 missing and cant talk to copilot

Cyrus Atashkar 0

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Thomas4-N 21,530 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Cyrus Atashkar,

To narrow this down, could you check whether the microphone appears under Settings > System > Sound > Input, and whether it works in Sound Recorder?

If it is missing or does not work there, this is a Windows audio device or driver issue.
If it works there but not in Copilot, the issue is likely limited to Copilot permissions or the app.

Please share what you see in those two places, along with your laptop model.

Thomas4-N 21,530 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-06T14:42:11.63+00:00

Hello Cyrus Atashkar,

Just check in to see how things are going. Let me know if you need anything.
Cyrus Atashkar 0 Reputation points

2026-09-06T17:21:24.4+00:00

Thank you **Thomas4-N. **The microphone is working now, but when I speak to Copilot, I hear an echo of both my voice and Copilot’s voice, and the audio quality is much worse than normal. What surprises me is that this only happens when my laptop is connected to the manufacturer's charger.
Thomas4-N 21,530 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-09T07:16:30.53+00:00
Hello Cyrus Atashkar,

Thank you for clarifying. Since the echo appears only while the manufacturer’s charger is connected, please test whether this also affects a normal microphone recording:

Open Settings > System > Sound.

Under Input, select the built-in microphone.

Use Start test while unplugged, then repeat while charging.

Play both samples and compare them.

Please also let me know:

The exact laptop model.

Whether the echo disappears when using headphones.

Whether the charging test recording also contains the echo.

If the recording is affected only while charging, this likely needs investigation through the laptop manufacturer’s audio, chipset, BIOS, charger, or hardware support. If recordings remain clear and only Copilot Voice echoes, we can look into Copilot next.
Thomas4-N 21,530 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-10T15:00:38.39+00:00

Hello Cyrus Atashkar,

Just check in to see how things are going. Let me know if you need anything.

Answer 2

If the microphone is missing in Windows 11, fix the Windows microphone input first. Copilot depends on the same microphone access and input device.

Turn on microphone permissions.
- Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
- Turn on Microphone access.
- Turn on Let apps access your microphone.
- If needed, turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone.
- If the laptop camera includes a microphone, also go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and make sure camera access is on.
Check that the correct input device is selected.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
- Under Input, select the built-in microphone in Choose a device for speaking or recording.
- Open the device properties, select Start test, speak, then Stop test and Play. If there is no input, raise the Input volume.
Check simple hardware states.
- Make sure the microphone or headset is connected correctly.
- If the laptop has a mic mute button or key, make sure it is not muted.
- If using Bluetooth audio, make sure the device is paired and connected.
Run the Windows sound troubleshooter.
- Go to Settings > System > Sound.
- Scroll to Advanced.
- Under Troubleshoot common sound problems, choose Input devices.
- For more options, select All sound devices under Advanced.
Reinstall the audio driver if Windows is not detecting the microphone.
- Warning: uninstalling the audio device temporarily removes sound input until Windows reinstalls the driver.
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click the audio device and select Uninstall device.
- Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then select Uninstall.
- Repeat for other audio devices if needed.
- Restart the PC.
- After restart, if Windows does not reinstall it 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.

If the microphone starts working in Sound test or Sound Recorder, voice input in Copilot should work as well.