How to solve Microphone Not Working on Windows 10

Jun. 24, 2022 / Updated by Daphne to Windows 10

Recently, many users have reported that there is no sound from the microphone when using a laptop, and the laptop may have recently undergone a Windows update. There are many factors that cause the microphone to not work on the laptop, such as driver damage, incorrect microphone settings, hardware problems, etc. If you do encounter a problem with the built-in microphone, don’t worry, you can try the following 5 solutions to fix the laptop’s microphone not working properly.

How to solve Microphone Not Working on Windows 10

Solution 1. Check Microphone Driver on the PC

Always remember to check the associated drivers on your PC firstly when you encounter any computer problems. Outdated microphone drivers are incompatible with the new-installed Windows system and will cause computer problems such as a no sound PC, a mute microphone, a recording fail, etc. So it is necessary to uninstall and reinstall the microphone driver, and sometimes you also need to update the sound card drivers to the latest version.

You could run Driver Talent on your PC to quickly reinstall as well as update all the drivers. Driver Talent is a safe and professional driver troubleshooter with premium driver management features. (Note: If there is no such tool on your PC, you could get it directly by clicking the button below.)

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Here are 3 easy steps to fix microphone driver issue:

Step 1. Check Drivers on the PC

Click Scan and Driver Talent will detect all the drivers and find problematic microphone driver or sound card driver on your PC.

Step 2. Fix the Driver Issues

You may see a list of drivers waiting to be repaired or updated. Come to the Uninstall menu and click the button Uninstall to remove the microphone driver.

Note: Please back up your drivers before uninstall them.

And then click the button Repair or Update in Download & update menu to download and install proper drivers.

repair and update.png

Step 3. Restart Your PC

The new-installed drivers will take effect after a computer restart.

Once all the driver issues are fixed, the microphone will work. Now, have a mic check to see if the internal microphone works fine on Skype or other software.

If the specific repair makes no help to the problem, don’t worry and go on reading the content in Method 2.

Solution 2. Turn on the Microphone in Windows 10 Settings

Except for microphone driver issues, it is likely a forgetfulness of turn on the microphone in Windows 10 Settings.

Here’s how to check if the internal microphone is on:

Step 1. Use Windows shortcut keysWin + I to open the Settings.

Step 2. Select the Privacy.

Step 3. Click Microphone in the left column.

Step 4. Toggle the switch of Let apps use my microphone to On.

Now speak to your laptop to check if the internal microphone can work. If not, you need to do more complex settings by following steps in Method 3.

Solution 3. Fix Microphone in Sound Settings

Modifying the sound settings may help alleviate the pain of "notebook microphone not working", which is a way to unmute the microphone.

Step 1. Set the microphone as the default device

1. Right-click the "Start" menu.

2. Select the control panel.

3. Click Sound, and then open the dialog window.

4. Select the "Recording" tab, and then find "Microphone" in the list of recording devices.

Note: If you can't find it, right-click on the list and select Show Disabled Devices. Then right-click on the microphone and select Enable.

5. Select the microphone, and then click the Set Default button below the list.

Step 2. Increase the Volume

1. In the "Sound" dialog window, select "Microphone".

2. Click the Properties button.

3. In the pop-up "Microphone Properties" dialog window, select the "Level" tab.

4. Set both volume to a higher value.

Note: If there is a red mark next to the speaker icon, click it once to turn it on.

Step 3. Disable All Sound Effects

1. Select the "Enhancements" tab.

2. Check the option to disable all sound effects.

3. Click OK to complete it.

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Solution 4. Use Windows Troubleshoot

Windows 10 can solve the microphone not working issue by its Troubleshoot option. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Open the Control Panel.

Step 2. Select the Troubleshoot.

Step 3. Click Troubleshoot audio recording under the Hardware and Sound item.

Step 4. Click the button Next on the pop-up dialogand Windows 10 will detect and repair the problem automatically.

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Solution 5. Check the Hardware

If you still fail in unmuting the microphone with methods above, there may be some problems with the hardware on your PC. You’d better check the internal microphone on your laptop, or send the device to repair.

Any knowledge to solve microphone not working is welcome. Don't hesitate to let us know if you have any questions about how to fix the microphone not working problem on your Windows 10 Fall Creators Update/Creators Update/Anniversary Update. Please comment in the section below or click the LEFT MENU on this page for help. Any other driver issues, please see Windows Driver Solutions on this site.

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