Fix Microphone Problems in Windows 10

Posted on by Summa Lai

If you are having trouble with your microphone features, the following information can help you troubleshoot and resolve issues.

Make sure apps have access to the microphone

Microphone settings

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’t active.
  • 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. In Input, ensure your microphone is selected in Choose your input device.
    3. To test your microphone, speak into it and check Test your microphone to make sure Windows is hearing you.
      Sound settings

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. In Input, 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 and Microphone Boost sliders as needed, then select OK.
    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

Skype settings

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.

Ref: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-microphone-problems-5f230348-106d-bfa4-1db5-336f35576011