Headphone mic not showing up

Try this in order on Windows 11:

1. Check the physical connection.
   • Make sure the headset plug is fully inserted.
   • If the PC has separate audio jacks, confirm the headset is connected to the correct mic/headset jack.
   • If it is USB, try a different USB port.
   • If headphones are plugged in, unplug and reconnect them once.
2. Make sure the headset mic is selected as the input device.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   • In Input, look under Choose a device for speaking or recording and see whether the headset microphone appears.
   • If it appears, select it.
3. Test the microphone.
   • In Start > Settings > System > Sound, select the microphone device.
   • On the device properties page, select Start test, speak normally, then select Stop test.
   • Use Play under Recorded sample to confirm whether input is being captured.
4. Check microphone privacy permissions.
   • Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
   • Turn on Microphone access.
   • Turn on Let apps access your microphone.
   • Turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone.
5. Run the built-in troubleshooter.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
   • In the Audio section, select Run.
   • Also in Sound, under Advanced, use Input devices under Troubleshoot common sound problems.
6. Reinstall the audio driver if Windows is not detecting the mic.
   • Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
   • Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   • Right-click the audio device and select Uninstall device.
   • If shown, check Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then select Uninstall.
   • Restart the PC.
   • 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.
7. If the headset still does not appear, check whether Windows is detecting any disconnected or disabled recording device.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound > More sound settings > Recording.
   • In the Recording tab, right-click the blank area and enable Show disconnected devices and Show disabled devices.
   • If the headset mic appears, enable it.

If the headset still does not show after these steps, the issue is most likely with the audio driver or how the headset connection is being detected by the PC.

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