Fix microphone problems - Microsoft Support (2024)

Make sure apps have access to the microphone

If your microphone isn't detected after updating Windows 11, you may need to give your apps permission to use it. Here's how:

1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and make sure Microphone access is turned on.

2. Make sure Let apps access your microphone is turned on, then choose which apps have access. Desktop apps won't appear in this list.

If you want to give access to desktop apps, make sure thatLet desktop apps access your microphoneis turned on. You can't turn off microphone access for individual apps.

Others can't hear me

Try the following solutions:

• If your headset has a Mute button, make sure it isn'tactive.

• Make sure that your microphone or headset is connected correctly to your computer.

• Make sure that your microphone or headset is the system default recording device. Here's how to do this in Windows 11:

  1. Select Start>Settings> System > Sound.

  2. InInput, go toChoose a device for speaking or recording, and select the device you want.

     See Also

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  3. To test your microphone, speak into it. InVolume, make sure the blue bar moves to make sure Windows hears you.
     

The microphone volume is too low or does not appear to be working at all

Try the following solutions:

• Make sure that the microphone or headset is connected correctly to your computer.

• Make sure that the microphone is positioned correctly.

• Increase the volume of your microphone. Here's how to do this in Windows 11:

  1. Select Start>Settings> System > Sound.

  2. InInput, select a microphone to see its properties.

  3. InInput volume, make sure the blue bar adjusts as you speak into the microphone.

  4. If it doesn't, go to Test your microphone and Start test.This will help you troubleshoot any issues with your microphone.

Make sure apps have access to the microphone

If your microphone isn't detected after updating Windows 10, you may need to give your apps permission to use it.

• To let apps access the microphone, select Start,then select Settings > Privacy > Microphone . Select Change, then turn on Allow apps to access your microphone.

• After allowing access to the microphone, you can choose which Microsoft Store apps can access these features under Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone, and give access to non-Microsoft-Store desktop apps by ensuring that the switch beneath Allow desktop apps to access your microphone is set to On.

Others can't hear me

Try the following solutions:

• If your headset has a Mute button, make sure it isn'tactive.

• Make sure that your microphone or headset is connected correctly to your computer.

• Make sure that your microphone or headset is the system default recording device. Here's how to do this in Windows 10:

  1. Select Start,then select Settings > System > Sound .

  2. InInput, ensure your microphone is selected inChoose your input device.

  3. To test your microphone, speak into it and check Test your microphone to make sure Windows is hearing you.
     

The microphone volume is too low or does not appear to be working at all

Try the following solutions:

• Make sure that the microphone or headset is connected correctly to your computer.

• Make sure that the microphone is positioned correctly.

• Increase the volume of your microphone. Here's how to do this in Windows 10:

  1. Select Start, then select Settings > System > Sound .

  2. InInput, ensure your microphone is selected under Choose your input device, then select Device Properties.

  3. On the Levels tab of the Microphone Properties window, adjust the Microphone andMicrophone Boost sliders as needed, then selectOK.

  4. Speak into your microphone while checking under Test your microphone to make sure your settings work. If you see the line moving from left to right, your microphone is working. If you see no change, the microphone is not picking up sound.

Others cannot hear me in Skype calls

Make sure that your microphone or headset is the Skype default recording device. Here's how:

1. If Skype is not open, select Start, then Skype to open it.

2. In the upper right corner of the Contacts List in Skype, select More, then Settings.

3. In Audio & Video, under Microphone, make sure your microphone or headset is selected.

4. Under Speakers, make sure your preferred speaker or headset is selected.