You'll be presented with several different solutions. We recommend following the solutions one by one and checking your microphone after each one to check if the problem is gone. If you think you know what the problem is, though, you can jump directly to the corresponding solution.
Solutions 1-3 are basic checks and configurations everyone should make sure they’ve done.
If you’re planning to get new wired headphones/headset or if you think you might be having a hardware issue, solution 4 would walk you through the hardware basics that you need in order to avoid common compatibility issues.
If you’re using a Bluetooth recording device then all the solutions will be helpful, but pay extra attention to solution 5.
Solutions 6-9 will help you fix your audio drivers and give you some other general tips that could tip the scales in favor of your microphone actually doing its job.
Solution 1: Set correct microphone access permissions
Solution 2: Set default recording device
Solution 3: Disable app-exclusive control
Solution 4: Make sure your hardware is compatible with the mic
Solution 5: Connect your Bluetooth headset manually
Solution 6: Install the right audio driver for your computer
Solution 7: Uninstall the microphone if it exists in the Devices and Printers section
Solution 8: Uninstall suspicious VOIP apps
Solution 9: Perform Windows Update
Updated: 12/05/2021 by Computer Hope
When referring to computer microphones, there are two varieties: external or internal. An external mic is a peripheral outside your computer, such as a desktop device [shown right], or as part of a headset. Essentially, if you do not have one of these devices attached to your sound card or USB port, you don't have an external mic.
Internal microphones, as the name implies, are built into the body of a laptop, or the bezel of a computer monitor or laptop screen. You can find them by physically examining the hardware and looking for a few small holes that are close to one another. However, we find it easiest to confirm with software. To proceed, select your operating system from the list below and follow the instructions.
- Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11
- macOS
- Smartphones and tablets
The information in this section helps you determine if you have an internal or external microphone on a Windows-based PC.
Or, open the Windows 10 Start menu, and select Windows System > Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel, click Hardware and Sound.
Tip
If you use the Large icons or Small icons view instead of the Category view in Control Panel, click the Sound option and skip to step 4.
- Click the Hardware and Sound option in the left navigation menu, then click Manage audio devices near the center-right portion of the screen.
- At the top of the window that appears, click the Recording tab. If you have an internal or external microphone, it displays in the middle section.
- If you have more than one input device, you can switch to another by selecting it, and then clicking the andbuttons.
macOS
The information in this section helps you determine if you have an internal or external microphone on a computer or laptop running macOS. For example, a MacBook or iMac.
- In the menu bar, click the Apple icon to open the Apple menu, and choose System Preferences.
- Click the Sound icon in the System Preferences window.
- In the Sound menu, click the Input tab. If you have an internal or external microphone, it displays in the middle section.
- If you have more than one input device [microphone], you may change between them by clicking a different device.
Smartphones and tablets
All smartphones and tablets come equipped with a microphone or device capable of recording a voice and is enabled by default. On the latest versions of iOS and Android, a small indicator appears whenever an application is accessing the microphone.
Microphone permissions can be changed in the Permissions section inside your Settings app.
Most laptop computers integrate a microphone into the bezel that surrounds the screen, so you can record your voice or use it alongside your webcam. If you're having problems using it with a certain application, your first troubleshooting step is to eliminate hardware problems. Windows 8.1 enables you to test and correct problems with the microphone using the troubleshooter, but you can also record test clips through Sound Recorder to check the quality.
Using Troubleshooting
-
Typing "Troubleshooting" while viewing the Start screen and then clicking "Troubleshooting" from the search results opens the trouble-shooting program. You can find the applicable troubleshooting tool by clicking "Hardware and Sound" and then "Recording Audio." The wizard then walks you through steps to test the microphone and correct any problems.
Other Options
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If you need only to verify that the microphone is picking up sound, right-click the speaker icon from the Desktop mode's notification area and then select "Recording Devices." Speak normally and look at the 10 horizontal bars displayed to the right of the listed microphone. If your microphone is picking up sound, one or more of the bars should turn green. Double-clicking the microphone accesses its volume and mute settings. Alternatively, search for and open Sound Recorder and record an audio test. If the test acceptably plays back, the microphone works fine.
You're in a Skype call, and you get told you can't be heard — or if you are coming through, it sounds like you're using a tin can on a string. It's something that happens to even professional streamers.
It could be that you've got a good quality headset plugged in, but for some reason your Windows laptop's trying to record using its awful built-in microphone. Or it could be something a bit trickier to deal with.
Here's how you figure it out.
1. At the bottom-right of the screen, in your taskbar, find the tiny icon that looks like a speaker. You might need to click on the icon that looks like an up arrow, which will show you icons that have been hidden from your taskbar.
Press the up arrow at the bottom of the screen to show hidden icons. Ross James/Business Insider
2. Right-click the speaker icon and select "Open Sound Settings."
Right-click the speaker icon to get your audio options. Ross James/Business Insider
3. Scroll down to "Input." Windows will show you which microphone is currently your default — in other words, which one it's using right now — and a blue bar showing your volume levels. Try talking into your microphone. If the blue bar jumps around as you raise and lower your voice, that means it's working correctly.
My laptop is currently using the correct microphone, and the microphone is working. Ross James/Business Insider
4. If your computer is using the wrong microphone, you can change it by clicking on the drop-down menu and selecting a new option — make sure the right microphone is plugged in correctly, or it won't appear.
Select the microphone from the list to set it as your active preference. Ross James/Business Insider
However, this method will only let you know if Windows is detecting your microphone — it won't tell you how you actually sound.
If you want to know exactly how your microphone sounds, Audacity is a free audio recording program that will allow you to hear yourself. All you need to do is download it, select your microphone in the menu at the top of the program, and hit record.
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