7 Quick Ways to Fix Microphone Not Working in Windows 11/10

Jul. 25, 2022 / Updated by Vivi to Windows 11

It is reported that many people are stuck with the microphone not working issue in Windows 11 or Windows 10. In fact, the microphone not working properly issue may occur due to many reasons. A single solution may not do the trick. So here we select 7 quick solutions to help you fix the microphone not working issue on the Windows 11/10 PC.


Contents:

Way 1. Allow the PC to access the microphone

Way 2. Update audio drivers

Way 3. Run the Recording Audio troubleshooter

Way 4. Set Microphone as default device

Way 5. Restart Windows Audio Service

Way 6. Reinstall the microphone

Way 7. Disable app-exclusive control


Way 1. Allow the PC to access the microphone

Usually, most software and programs have the access to the microphone on your computer, but some don't. For the later, you need to allow them to access the microphone. Otherwise, you will encounter the microphone not working issue on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC. So make sure that the applications or programs that you are using can access your microphone.

Step 1. Press Windows + I altogether on your keyboard to open Settings.

Step 2. On the left pane, select Privacy & Security.

Step 3. One the right pane, select Microphone.

Step 4. Turn on Microphone access.

Step 5. Turn on "Let apps access your microphone", and turn on the applications under it.

Windows 11 Microphone access

Now restart your computer and check if the Windows microphone not working issue is fixed. If not, try next solution.

Way 2. Update audio drivers

It is of great importance to keep the drivers on your computer up-to-date. Without up-to-date graphics drivers, your computer may have display issues, such as blue screen of death, screen flickering, and horizontal or vertical lines. Likewise, when the audio drivers are corrupted or outdated, you may encounter microphone not working issue on Windows. Thanks to Driver Talent, it is quite easy to update drivers on Windows.

Driver Talent is a user-friendly driver update utility that can diagnose driver-related issues, and download & install the latest drivers for various devices, including Motherboard, Network card, Display card, Audio card, USB WLAN card and so on, from famous brands such as Intel, AMD, Nvidia and Realtek.

Now click the button below to install Driver Talent.

Download Driver Talent

Then follow the three steps to update your audio drivers so as to fix the microphone not working in Windows 10/11.

Step 1. Scan your drivers.

update audio drivers

Step 2. Update your audio drivers with one click.

microphone not working

Step 3. Restart your PC.

Way 3. Run the Recording Audio troubleshooter

Windows' built-in Recording Audio troubleshooter can detect, diagnose and solve some common audio problems. Whenever you encounter hardware issues you should always try to make good use of the corresponding troubleshooter built in Windows.

To run the Recording Audio troubleshooter:

Step 1. Press Windows + I altogether on your keyboard to open Settings.

Step 2. On the left hand side, select System.

Step 3. On the right hand side, select Troubleshoot, and then click Other troubleshooters.

Step 4. Find Recording Audio, and click on the Run button.

Step 5. Select the device that isn't working properly, and click on Next.

Step 6. Then follow the on-screen instruction to fix the issue.

After that, restart your computer and check to see if the microphone not working on Windows 11/10 issue is solved.

Way 4. Set Microphone as default device

Step 1. Press Windows + I again.

Step 2. Select System, and then open the sound section.

Step 3. Find "More sound settings", and click on it.

Step 4. Go to the Recording tab.

Step 5. Select the microphone you want to use and click Set Default.

Step 6. Click Apply and then OK.

Way 5. Restart Windows Audio Service

Windows Audio service allows users to modify the service settings. Your microphone can't work properly on Windows 11/10 if this service is accidentally stopped. So you had better take a look at the services and make sure they are running.

Step 1. Press Windows + S altogether on your keyboard.

Step 2. Type services.msc in the search box and press Enter.

Step 3. Locate Windows Audio, right-click on it, and select Restart.

restart Windows Audio

Step 4. Restart your PC and check whether the Windows 11 microphone no sound issue or Windows 10 microphone no sound issue has been fixed or not.

Way 6. Reinstall the microphone

Step 1. Press Windows + X, and select Device Manager.

Step 2. Locate "Audio inputs and outputs", and double-click on the device.

Step 3. Select Uninstall device.

Step 4. Click Uninstall again.

Step 5. Click the Scan hardware changes icon to allow Windows reinstall the microphone.

After that, reboot your computer and see if the microphone issue in Windows 10/11 is fixed.

Way 7. Disable app-exclusive control

Some applications and programs may take exclusive control of the default microphone, which could lead to some microphone issues when you are trying to use another app or program. Thus you can try disable exclusive control to see if this helps.

Step 1. On the Taskbar, right-click the speaker icon, and click "Sound settings".

Step 2. Click "More sound settings".

Step 3. Open the Recording tab, right-click Microphone, and then select Properties.

Step 4. Navigate to Advanced, and go to the Exclusive Mode section.

Step 5. Uncheck the box before "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device".

Step 6. Make sure the box before "Give exclusive mode applications priority" is also unchecked.

Step 7. Click on Apply and then OK.


Hope these 7 quick ways can help you fix the microphone not working in Windows 10/11.




Read more:

1. How to Fix Windows 11 Headphone Echo Issue

2. 7 Simple Ways to Fix Audio/Sound Crackling on Windows 11

3. How to Fix No Sound on Windows 11

4. Fix: Windows 11 WiFi Icon Missing

5. How to Fix "Windows can't connect to this network" Error in Windows 11




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