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Microphone Not Working on Windows 11?

Test your mic in one click, then follow the fixes below — ordered from most to least likely.

No signup required Nothing is ever uploaded Works in Chrome, Edge & Firefox

🎤 Microphone Test

Speak normally and watch the meter move.

Not started

Your audio is processed locally and is never recorded or sent anywhere.

🎙️ Record & Playback

Record ~10 seconds and hear exactly how you sound.

Not started

Recording is capped at 10 seconds and stays in your browser's memory only — it's never uploaded, and it's cleared when you leave or refresh the page unless you download it.

How to fix a microphone on Windows 11

Start the mic test above first. If you get a permission blocked message or the meter stays flat, work through these steps. Test again after each one.

1. Turn on microphone access

  1. Open Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone.
  2. Turn on Microphone access.
  3. Turn on Let apps access your microphone and Let desktop apps access your microphone. Browsers and most call apps count as desktop apps.

2. Select the right input device

  1. Go to Settings → System → Sound.
  2. Under Input, choose your microphone. Headsets often show up twice (for example “Headset” and “Headphones”); pick the one with “Microphone” or “Headset” in the name.
  3. Click the device to open its properties, raise Input volume, and use Start test to check it.

3. Check for a disabled or muted mic

  • In Settings → System → Sound, click More sound settings and open the Recording tab. Right-click empty space and tick Show Disabled Devices; if your mic appears greyed out, right-click it and choose Enable.
  • Look for a mute switch on your headset cable, or a mic-mute key on your laptop keyboard.

4. Too quiet? Boost the level

In that same Recording tab, open your mic’s Properties → Levels. Raise the level, and add a little Microphone Boost if available. Too much boost adds hiss, so record a clip above to find the sweet spot.

5. Reinstall the driver

  1. Right-click the Start button and open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Audio inputs and outputs, right-click your microphone, and choose Uninstall device.
  3. Restart your PC. Windows reinstalls the driver automatically.
Using a headset with one plug? Headsets with a single 3.5 mm plug need a combined headphone/mic jack. On a PC with separate pink and green jacks, you’ll need a small splitter adapter or the mic won’t be detected.

Still stuck? Search for Get Help in the Start menu and run the audio troubleshooter — Windows can reset audio services it finds misbehaving.

Windows 11 microphone FAQ

Why is my microphone not working on Windows 11?

The most common causes are microphone access being turned off in Settings under Privacy & security, the wrong input device being selected under System and Sound, or the mic being disabled or muted. Work through those three before reinstalling drivers.

How do I test my microphone on Windows 11?

Use the microphone test on this page for an instant check in your browser, or go to Settings, System, Sound, pick your microphone under Input, and use Start test in its properties.

Why is my mic so quiet on Windows 11?

Raise Input volume in the microphone's properties under Settings, System, Sound. For more gain, open More sound settings, go to the Recording tab, open the mic's Properties, and adjust Levels and Microphone Boost. Positioning the mic closer to your mouth also helps a lot.

Does this test record or upload my voice?

No. All audio processing happens locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, and the optional Record & Playback clip is discarded when you leave or refresh the page unless you download it.

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