How to Resolve Microphone Detection Problems in Windows

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A comprehensive guide to solving mic issues in Windows 11

Co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: May 16, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Microphone Not Detected by Apps
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• Microphone Not Detected by Windows
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• People Can't Hear You
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• Video

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If you're trying to use a microphone in Windows 11 but it isn't working, there's usually an easy fix. In this guide, we'll walk you through troubleshooting microphone problems in Windows 11, covering everything from your microphone not being detected to people not hearing you when you speak.

Fixing Microphone Problems in Windows 11

• If a certain app isn't detecting your microphone, you may just need to select it as your default mic in Settings > System > Sound > Input.
• If Windows 11 isn't detecting your microphone at all, try uninstalling and reinstalling it in Device Manager.
• If your microphone is detected but people can't hear you, check the physical volume controls on the mic and boost the volume in your Sound settings.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Apps Aren't Detecting the Microphone

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1. 
   1
   Open your Windows Settings. If an app you're using isn't detecting your microphone, the app may not have the correct permission to access it. To open your settings, click the Start menu and select Settings (the gear icon).

   • Use these troubleshooting steps if you're trying to use your microphone in an app like your web browser, Zoom, Slack, Discord, or any video or audio app but it's not showing up or available to use.
2. 
   2
   Click the System tab and select Sound. The System tab is in the left panel. Once you click this option, you'll see the Sound option in the right panel.
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3. 
   3
   Make sure the correct microphone is selected under "Input." If you have multiple microphones connected to your PC (including the built-in microphone, usually called something like "Microphone array"), ensure the one you want to use is the one that's selected.

   • To test the microphone, click its name, boost the input volume to the maximum, then click Start test. Start speaking to see if your voice is detected.
   • If your voice isn't detected, the microphone itself may be powered off or muted.
   • If you don't see the microphone you want to use under "Input," you'll need to add it. Click Add device, then select the device type (e.g., Bluetooth), and follow the on-screen instructions to install.
   • If you cannot get Windows to detect the microphone, jump to Windows Isn't Detecting the Microphone.
4. 
   4
   Click Privacy & security. If your microphone still isn't working, the issue may be related to permissions. Click this option in the left panel to get started.
5. 
   5
   Click Microphone under "App permissions." You may have to scroll down a little bit in the right panel to find this option.
6. 
   6
   Enable both "Microphone access" and "Let apps access your microphone." If either of these switches is in the off position, your microphone likely won't work when you try to use it with Windows.
7. 
   7
   Choose which apps can access your microphone. If any apps you want to use the microphone in have their switches set to Off, click the necessary switches to turn microphone access on.

   • If you don't see a list of apps with dedicated On/Off switches, click Let apps access your microphone to expand the options.
8. 
   8
   Turn on "Let desktop apps access your microphone." If this switch was disabled, click it to enable it now. This ensures non-Windows apps, such as your web browser, the Zoom desktop app, Slack, and other programs, can access your microphone when needed.
9. 
   9
   Close and reopen the app you need to use the microphone in. When you reopen the app, you may be prompted to grant it permission to access your microphone. If prompted, allow it the requested permission.

   • If you're using a web browser, look for a microphone icon in the address bar. If there's a line through it, click the icon, then select Always allow (or similar) to unblock it.
10. 
    10
    Allow access to your camera (if needed). If you're using a webcam, it likely has its own microphone built in. If your microphone isn't working, try unblocking your camera using these steps:

    • Reopen your Windows Settings.
    • Click Privacy & security.
    • Click Camera in the right panel.
    • Enable "Camera access" and "Let apps access your camera" if disabled.
    • Toggle on all apps through which you need to use your camera and microphone.
    • Toggle on "Let desktop apps have access to your camera."
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Section 2 of 3:

Windows Isn't Detecting the Microphone

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1. 
   1
   Open the Device Manager. If Windows isn't detecting your microphone at all, you can use this method to uninstall and reinstall the microphone drivers. To open Device Manager, right-click the Windows Start menu and select Device Manager.
2. 
   2
   Click the arrow > next to "Sound, video and game controllers". This expands media-related devices.
3. 
   3
   Uninstall any audio devices or drivers. To rule out issues with your sound card and any other connected audio devices, you'll want to uninstall all the audio drivers you see listed. To uninstall:

   • Right-click an audio device or driver and select Uninstall device.
   • If prompted, check the box next to "Attempt to remove the driver for this device".
   • Click Uninstall to confirm.
   • Repeat for all audio devices.
   • Restart your computer (don't skip this step). When your computer boots back up, it will automatically reinstall the drivers for all connected audio devices.
4. 
   4
   Reopen Device Manager and scan for new drivers. To make sure drivers were installed for your audio devices, reopen Device Manager, right-click "Sound, video and game controllers", and select Scan for hardware changes. This will force Windows to install the default drivers.
5. 
   5
   Update the drivers to the latest versions. To make sure Windows is using the latest available drivers, you can use Device Manager to check for and install updates. Expand "Sound, video and game controllers" again, right-click each audio device, and select Update driver. If new drivers are found, follow the on-screen instructions to install them.
6. 
   6
   Reconnect your physical microphone (if applicable). If the microphone that isn't working is one you connect to your PC via Bluetooth or USB, you may need to reconnect the mic now to make it work:

   • Open Windows Settings.
   • Go to System > Sound.
   • Look for your microphone under "Input." If it's not there, click Add device, and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall it.
7. 
   7
   Try a different microphone if it's still not detected. If Windows still won't detect your microphone, there is likely a problem with the microphone itself, or it may not be compatible with your computer. If you just need a microphone for audio/video calls, most earbuds (including wired earbuds and AirPods) have built-in microphones you can use, and you may have some extras lying around.

   • In general, most PCs have built-in microphones. If the mic in your headset (or external microphone) isn't working, you can use the built-in mic instead.
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Section 3 of 3:

People Can't Hear You or Volume is Low

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1. 
   1
   Check the mute or volume control on your microphone. If you're using a headset or microphone that has buttons or sliders that control volume, double-check to make sure the microphone isn't muted. Even if your input volume in Windows isn't muted, the physical mute options on your microphone can prevent people from hearing you.
2. 
   2
   Ensure the microphone is properly connected or paired.

   • If you're using a USB microphone or headset, try unplugging it and plugging it back in, and/or plugging it in to a different USB port.
   • If the mic or headset uses Bluetooth to connect wirelessly, open your Windows Settings, click Bluetooth & devices in the left panel, and make sure the Bluetooth switch at the top is set to "On."
   • If you don't see a green dot next to your connected microphone, click the Connect button. If it doesn't show up in the list at all, put the microphone or headset into pairing mode, click Add device at the top, select Bluetooth, and click your device to connect it.
3. 
   3
   Increase the microphone's volume and run a test. Here's how:

   • Open your Windows Settings.
   • Click System in the left panel.
   • Click Sound.
   • Under "Input," select your microphone or headset. If it doesn't appear as an option, click Add device to add it now.
   • Click the microphone device's name.
   • Drag the volume slider all the way to the right.
   • Click Start Test, then speak into the microphone.
   • Click Stop Test, then click Play to play back the recording.
4. 
   4
   Run the Recording troubleshooter. If you weren't able to hear anything while testing, you can run this special Windows troubleshooter. Here's how:

   • Open your Windows Settings.
   • Click System in the left panel.
   • Click Sound.
   • Under "Advanced," click Input devices next to "Troubleshoot common sound problems."
   • Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. 
   5
   Make sure the correct microphone is selected in your settings. If you're trying to use the microphone in a certain app like Google Meet, Zoom, or something else, you may need to select the correct microphone in the app's settings.

   • For example, in Google Meet, you can click the arrow next to the microphone icon while in a meeting to select a different option.
   • In the Zoom desktop app, before a meeting, click your profile photo and select Settings. Then, click Audio, select a microphone, and click Test microphone to see if it's working.
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