Fix: Microphone not working issue on Windows 11

The microphone is one of the most important components of your PC, and it can be frustrating when you encounter problems with it. Additionally, with the launch of the new Windows 11, many users are confused on how to fix any microphone-related issues.

Whether you're participating in or hosting an online team meeting, taking an online course, or just connecting with friends online via Skype, Discord, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams, you need a good and effective microphone. However, when the microphone is not working properly for some reason, you may face communication difficulties.

While making a voice call, video chat, or recording audio, the microphone may keep cutting off, causing audio interference, going undetected, or it may stop working entirely. This issue may occur with your system microphone, headset, external microphone (USB), or both.

While Windows 11 has tons of features and an easy-to-use interface, if you're not yet comfortable with the new operating system, you might be confused by some of the troubleshooting procedures. This article will guide you on how to fix microphone issues on your Windows 11 PC. Let's see how.

Method One: Check Privacy Settings

If you disable the microphone from the privacy settings, applications on your system may not be able to access the microphone. Follow these steps to enable the microphone in privacy settings:

Step 1: Simultaneously press the Win I keys on your keyboard to open Settingswindow.

Step 2: In the Settings app, go to the left side of the pane and click Privacy & Security.

Step 3: Now, navigate to the right side, scroll down and find App permissions.

Click Microphone below it

##Step 4:On the right of the next screen side, go to Let the app access your microphone and check if it's turned on.

If not, move the toggle switch to the right to turn it on.

Step 5: Now, click Let apps access your microphone to expand the section.

You will find a list of all Windows applications. Find your app and enable it to access the microphone if it's not already enabled.

*Note - The applications listed here are only new applications and not all applications installed on the system, so it is recommended to default to Enable microphone permission for all apps. Follow these steps to enable microphone access for all desktop applications:

Step 6: Scroll down and go to Options-Let desktop applications access your microphone .

Move the slider to the right to turn it on.

Now, go back to the app you are using, the app's microphone should now be working.

Method 2: Set Microphone to Default

Sometimes, microphone issues may occur simply because it is not set to default. Let's see how:

Step 1: Press the Win R keys simultaneously on your keyboard to launch the Run Command window.

Step 2: In the Run command search box, type mmsys.cpl and press Enter to open the sound dialog box.

Step 3: In the "Sound" dialog box, go to "Recording" tab and select the correct Microphone.

Now, press the

Set Defaults button at the bottom.

Step 4: Also, double-click your microphone to open its properties dialog box.

Step 5: Here, select the "Levels" tab and increase the Speaker volume level to maximum.

Step 6: You can also increase the Microphone Boost level if available.

Press

Apply and then OKSave changes and exit.

You have now successfully set the desired

Microphone as the default microphone, which should resolve all microphone issues on your Windows 11 PC.

Method 3: If Others Can't Hear You

While first you have to check that the headphones are properly connected to your device and this won't cause problems, if this doesn't help, check your The headset is selected as the input device and tests your microphone. That's it:

Step 1: Right-click Start and select Settings from the menu.

Step 2: In the "Settings" application, click the "System" option on the left.

Step 3: Now, go to the right side and click on Sounds.

Step 4:On the right side of the next screen, scroll down a little and under the "Enter" section , go to "Select a device to use for speaking or recording."

Here, click the drop-down menu next to it and check if your headset is selected as the default microphone.

*NOTE –If not, you can follow Step 1 in Method 2 to 3Set it as default.

Step 5: If your headset has not been added as an input device yet, click Pair a new input device next to Add device .

Step 6: Now, click on Microphone to open its settings.

Step 7: In the right pane of the next screen, under the General section, click next to Audio of the drop-down menu (Allow applications and windows to use this device for audio) and set it to "Allow".

Step 8: Now, go to Input settings and navigate to Test your microphone.

Click the Start Test button to check your microphone and speak for at least 5 seconds.

Step 9: Click Stop the test when finished.

This can help you resolve any microphone issues on your Windows 11 PC.

Method 5: What to do if you have microphone issues on Skype

Step 1:LaunchSkype and in the upper left corner, Click on the three horizontal dots ( More ) next to your profile name.

Select a setting from the list.

Step 2: In the Skype Settings window, click Audio and Video options.

Step 3: Now, go to the right side, scroll down and under Audio, go to Microphone.

Here, select your headphones from the drop-down list next to it.

Step 4: Also select the speakers or headphones of your choice in the Speakers section.

Step 5: You can also click Test Audio to check the selected speaker or microphone.

You can now communicate using Skype and others should be able to hear you.

Method 6: Run the Windows Recording Audio Troubleshooter

Step 1:Press the Win I shortcut key on your keyboard to open " Settings"App.

Step 2: In the Settings window, click System Options on the left.

Step 3: Now, move to the right side and click on Sound.

Step 4: On the right side of the Sounds screen, scroll down to the Advanced section.

Here, under the Resolve common sound problems option, click Input Devices.

Step 5: RecordingAudioThe troubleshooter will now start running.

Step 6: It will display a screen where you have to select the device that you have to troubleshoot.

SelectMicrophone.

Step 7: The troubleshooter will now start detecting any issues.

If it finds any issues, it will automatically apply the fix.

When finished, close the Troubleshooter and Settings windows. Restart the system and the microphone should now be working properly.

Method 7: Remove Echo from the Microphone

It can be annoying if everything you speak on the microphone has an echo. While using headphones can solve the problem of your microphone picking up sound from your PC speakers, it may not always help. It's possible that some audio settings are turned on and causing the problem. Follow these instructions to get rid of the echo issue:

Step 1: Simultaneously press the Win R keys on your keyboard to open Run Command.

Step 2: In the Run Command window, type mmsys.cpl in the search bar and press Enter to open the Sound window.

Step 3: In the "Sound" dialog box, go to "Recording" tab and double-click your Microphone to open the Properties window.

Step 4:Now, click on the Listen tab and check if the box next to "Listen to this device" is unchecked .

If checked, uncheck the box and press OK to save changes and exit.

#Selecting this field may cause your voice to echo on the microphone. Unchecking this field may help resolve microphone issues on Windows 11 PCs.

Now, listen to the sound produced by the microphone. When finished, uncheck the box and press OK to exit.

Method 8: Check if the device driver is disabled

Step 1:Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager .

Step 2: In the "Device Manager" window, go to "Audio Input and Output " section and click it to expand it.

Right-click on your Microphone and find the Enable device option. If you can see the Enable device option in the menu, it means your microphone is disabled.

Just click Enable device

Once done, close the Device Manager window and restart your PC, the microphone issue should get fixed.

Method 9: Update Device Driver

Step 1: Press the Win R hotkey to open the "Run" commandwindow.

Step 2: In the Run command search bar, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Device ManagerWindow.

Step 3: In the Device Manager window, click to expand the Audio Input and Output sections.

Right-click Microphone and select Update Driver from the right-click menu.

Step 4: In the Update Driver window, click Automatically search for drivers Options.

Now Windows will start detecting any available updates for the driver. If available, it will automatically update it to the latest version.

When finished, exit the Device Manager window and restart your PC. Now, check if the microphone issue is resolved.

If the problem is with the Xbox microphone, go to Settings>Game>Capture> Capturing audio while recording gameplay>Disable.

If this doesn't work, then you must check if the audio hardware is working properly. For example, if you are using an external microphone like a USB microphone, then remove it from the port and plug it into a different port to check if it is working properly now. It is recommended to plug the USB microphone directly into the device port without using an extender. Make sure the microphone isn't loosely connected, the wires or cables aren't damaged, the microphone is closer to your mouth, or the microphone's physical mute isn't turned on.

Alternatively, you can also try recording your voice to double-check whether there is indeed a problem with the microphone or other issues. If the microphone problem only occurs while playing games or Discord, Zoom or other similar applications, then use a specific application to resolve the microphone issue.

Also, this may sound obvious, but make sure there are no loose connections.

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