Microphone not working on Windows 10 is a rare but annoying glitch. In this article, Taimiephi.vn will guide you through some ways to fix Microphone issues on Windows 10.
Troubleshooting Microphone Problems on Windows 10
Method 1: Check hardware connections
Method 2: Verify drivers to fix non-functional microphone
Method 3: Check audio options on Windows
Method 4: Disable Hands-Free mode
Method 5: Examine sound settings in applications
Method 6: Verify app permissions
Method 1: Check hardware connections to fix non-functional microphone
To address microphone issues on Windows 10, the first step is to examine if there are any hardware issues with the microphone connection. The process is relatively straightforward.
First, unplug the microphone jack and then plug it back in. A notification on the computer screen will confirm that Windows has detected new hardware.
If still no sound, open the Start Menu and type Device Manager into the Search box, then click to open the Device Manager window from the search results.
Next, in the Device Manager window, expand the Audio inputs and outputs section. If the microphone is connected to the computer, it will be displayed here. If not, try unplugging the device and plugging it back in.
If the device still doesn't appear, try unplugging and plugging into a different USB port. In case the microphone still doesn't show in the Device Manager window, try using a different cable and check for any issues. Alternatively, plug the microphone into another Windows 10 computer to see if the device is operational.
If all the above solutions are not feasible, it's likely that the microphone is faulty. Take the device to the place of purchase for assistance and warranty claims.
Method 2: Check drivers to fix non-functional microphone
If your microphone is listed in the Device Manager window, right-click on it and select Properties. Then, click on the Driver tab. Here, locate and click Update Driver => Search automatically for updated driver software.
In case you can't find the driver for the microphone, you can visit the manufacturer's website to find the latest device driver versions and install them.
Finally, check if the microphone is functioning properly. If not, explore some troubleshooting methods mentioned below.
Method 3: Check audio options on Windows
Windows comes with integrated default audio devices that may need adjustments before you can use your microphone. To tweak audio options on Windows, first open the Start Menu, then type Audio into the Search box. From the search results, click on Manage audio devices.
In the Audio devices window, click on the Recording tab. Here, find the microphone you want to use, right-click on it, and select Enable in the displayed window.
If you don't see your microphone device here, click on Show Disabled Devices to display all hidden devices. Locate and right-click on your microphone, then choose Enable.
You can also click on the Set as default device option to establish it as the default device. If it's the default device, you'll see a green checkmark and the label Default Device.
Method 4: Disable Hands-Free mode
If using a Bluetooth device but want to use an independent microphone, ensure that the Hands-Free mode is disabled. To do this, follow the steps below:
- First, open the Start Menu.
- Type Manage Audio Devices into the Search box, and click on it from the search results to open the Sound window.
- Next, click on the Playback tab and Recording tab, right-click on the Hands-Free Bluetooth devices, and select Disable.
- Finally, try opening the microphone on your Windows 10 computer to see if the device is operational.
Method 5: Check sound settings in applications
If the above solutions seem unpromising, the next step is to check the sound settings within the application you are using. Sometimes standalone applications will integrate settings options to choose the default audio device.
Usually, you can find these options by opening the Settings menu and selecting the Audio tab. However, some applications may lack these settings.
If you can't find any sound settings page, you may search online for how to change the microphone in a specific application.
After making the changes, restart your application and check if the microphone is operational.
Method 6: Check permissions for applications
On Windows 10, users can allow or deny specific permissions for applications, including whether they can access the microphone.
If an application is not granted permission to access and use the microphone, it won't be able to utilize your microphone even if you set it as the default recording device.
To access permissions for applications, follow the steps below:
- Open the Start Menu.
- Type microphone privacy settings into the Search box.
In the Microphone Privacy window, scroll through the applications and find the one you're using. Click the toggle switch next to the app to switch it ON. Also, ensure the option Allow apps to access your microphone is set to ON.
Note: Only Microsoft-based apps will be displayed here. If you're using apps like Microsoft Teams or Skype, this step may resolve microphone not working issues.
In this article, Mytour has just guided you through some ways to fix microphone issues on Windows 10. You can also explore methods to adjust the Microphone on your computer for clearer singing and chatting with others.
Even with Windows 11, microphones sometimes fail to work. To address this issue, refer to the article here.
- Read more: How to fix microphone issues on Windows 11
Additionally, if you're facing network connection issues, readers can refer to the article on Mytour about 8 simple ways to troubleshoot network connection issues to learn how to fix the problems.