How To Fix Microphone Not Working On Windows 10

Windows 10 was released by Microsoft last 2015 and is still the latest version of their operating system to date. With the release of the new version on windows update that comes with exciting new features. Although this is a solid operating system, there are instances where certain issues can occur such as the microphone is not working which we will be addressing today. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle ways on how to fix Microphone not working on Windows 10 PC.

How To Resolve Microphone Not Working On Windows

There are several factors that can cause this problem ranging from disabled access in Microphone settings to its settings not correctly set up. Listed below are the troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this.

Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.

Solution 1: Run Windows Troubleshooter

Estimate Cost : 0

Time Needed : 3 minutes

Windows Troubleshooter is a tool that is designed to diagnose and resolve automatically issues that your computer might encounter. Although troubleshooter does not usually fix all problems and is not the only solutions, however it is one of the first solution to try to fix issues on your computer.

  1. Click on Start menu or Windows logo key located at the lower left

    Microphone Not Working
    You can also just press the Windows key on your keyboard.

  2. Click on Settings.

    Microphone Not Working On Windows
    It's an icon that looks like a gear to open Windows Settings section.

  3. At windows setting section, click on Update and Security.

    Microphone Not Working On Windows
    Such an option can often be found below.

  4. Click on Troubleshoot at the left pane.

    Microphone Not Working On Windows
    You will be presented with different kinds of troubleshooters you can use.

  5. At right pane, click on Additional Troubleshooters.

    Microphone Not Working
    This will show you specific troubleshooters.

  6. Locate and Click on Recording Audio.

    Microphone Not Working
    It's under the Find and Fix other problems section.

  7. Click on Run the Troubleshooter tab.

    Microphone Not Working
    A new window opens.

  8. Select the device that you want to troubleshoot, then click on Next.

    Windows will now check for problem drivers. Wait for it to complete.Microphone Not Working

  9. After troubleshooting process is complete and it could not identify any problem, click on Close and Exit Settings Section.

    If a problem is detected, it will display recommended solutions to fix it.Microphone Not Working On Windows

Tools
  • Windows 10
Materials
  • Windows PC

Check if Mic still not working on Windows 10.

Solution 2: Enable Microphone to fix Microphone Not Working On Windows

Make sure Microphone access on apps is enabled. When Microphone access is disabled, it may be the cause that when you use your microphone in an app it is not working.

  1. Click on Start or Windows logo key located at the lower left
  2. Click on Settings, an icon that looks like a gear to open Windows Settings section
  3. At windows setting section, click on Privacy tab.
  4. Click on Microphone under App permissions tab located at the left pane.
  5. Click the Change button under Allow access to the microphone on this device. Make sure access for this device is turned On.
  6. Under Allow apps to access your microphone, toggle ON the option to allow access to apps for this device.
  7. Exit Settings Window

Check if Microphone is Not Working On Windows 10 issue still occurs

Solution 3: Set Microphone as Default Device to fix Microphone Not Working On Windows

Try to set as the Default Recording device for your voice input from the speaker icon and see if it resolves the problem.

  1. Right Click on the Volume or Speaker icon located on your lower right, then click on Sounds
  2. At Sound settings, click on Recording tab. You should see your recording devices list.
  3. If there are no list of recording devices at the recording tab, Right click on an empty space and click on “Show Disabled Devices” and “Show Disconnected Devices” from the drop down menu.
  4. Click to highlight your Microphone device and then select Set Default and then Default device.
  5. Click on your Microphone and click Properties.
  6. At Microphone Properties, click on Levels tab.
  7. Make sure microphone is not muted. Also, make sure to Set microphone volume to 100.
  8. Click OK to apply changes made.

There are instances wherein your microphone as well as the icon may not be listed as such, however you should be able to recognize it for yourself.

Once Mic has been set as default device for recording devices, Check if Microphone isn’t Working On Windows 10 issue still occurs

Solution 4: Update Device Drivers

If your microphone is not working after updating your Windows operating system, it is highly possible that either the drivers are outdated, incompatible, missing and or corrupted. If this is the case, you may need to update driver from device manager that help fixes bug and resolves the issue.

  1. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open RUN box
  2. At RUN box, type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter or click OK to open Device manager section
  3. When Device Manager window opens, click on Audio inputs and outputs to expand it. You will see a list of your input device and output devices.
  4. Right click on your Microphone and then select Uninstall device from the drop down menu.
  5. Click on Uninstall at the prompt message.
  6. At the upper portion, click on Action tab.
  7. Select Scan for hardware changes from the drop down menu. Windows will automatically detect your Microphone and install it.
  8. Right Click on your Microphone again and click Update Driver from the drop down menu.
  9. You will be given two options: Search Automatically for Drivers or Browse my computer for driver software” Select the option “Search Automatically for Drivers”. Windows will now search for drivers to update. It will download and install audio drivers automatically.
  10. After update is complete, click on Close to exit.

Check if Microphone issue Not Working On Windows 10 still occurs

Solution 5: Restart Windows Audio Service

If this audio devices service is stopped or having issues, it is possible that this is the cause of the issue. To help fix the problem with your microphone, it is recommended to restart Windows Audio Service.

  1. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open RUN dialog box
  2. At RUN dialog box, type “services.msc” and press Enter or click OK to open Windows Services section
  3. Locate Windows Audio at the right pane. The list is arranged alphabetically making it easy to locate.
  4. When Windows Audio is located, right click on it and select Restart from the drop down menu.
  5. After process is complete, Double click on Windows Audio again to open Properties.
  6. If Mic still doesn t work, , click on Start up tab Windows Audio Properties section and make sure it is set to Automatic.
  7. Make sure Service Status is Running. If not, click on Start button.
  8. Click Apply to apply changes made.
  9. Click OK to exit properties section.

After restarting Windows Audio Service, Check if Microphone problems on Windows 10 still occurs

Solution 6: Perform a Restore point

If the solutions mentioned above fails to fix the problem, the issue can be fixed easily if you have created a system restore point. The purpose of this tool is mainly restoring your PC’s setting back to the time you created restore point, mainly this is a backup or system protection for future issues just like this especially if you just experienced this issue after a Windows update.

It is highly recommended that creating a restore point before adding and after removing program to your PC. If you haven’t done it yet, then follow this steps to help create a restore point.

  1. At the search bar located at the lower left beside the start button, type System Restore.
  2. Click on Create System restore point result, this will open system properties section.
  3. At the system properties section, click on System Restore tab. you will see the recommended restore point or you can choose a different restore point.
  4. You may also click on scan for affected programs tab to know which programs and drivers will be affected after the restore, once you are okay with it, click close
  5. Highlight the restore point that you want your system to go back to.
  6. Once chosen restore point is highlighted, click on Next.
  7. Click on Finish. Windows will now create the restore point. This may take a while, wait for it to complete.

After creating a system restore point, check if Mic Not Working On Windows 10 issue still occurs.


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