Using Windows 11 has not been a smooth experience for everyone, despite the cool features it offers. The main reason for this is the frequent unwanted errors. For instance, sometimes the device will not detect peripherals like microphones, and sometimes security updates will fail to install.

We have quite a few guides on the latter already, so in this guide, we will discuss the former; microphone not working on Windows 11. Since this specific issue can be caused due to several reasons, a single troubleshooting method will not do the trick. We have listed quite a few options below, so proceed with the one that fits your situation the best.

1. Check the Microphone Cable and Jack

Before we move into the system-related troubleshooting methods, checking the physical connection of the microphone is worth a shot. Doing a hardware check is a good way to rule out obvious issues before tweaking the settings on your PC.

Double-check that the microphone is connected to a functioning jack. You can try plugging your headphones/earphones into another device to ensure that this issue is not hardware-related. We also recommend shifting to a different sitting position and checking if the microphone works fine. In some cases, the microphone might not be able to hear and record your voice simply because you are sitting too far away.

Moreover, you can also try using your smartphone as a microphone on Windows and check if that works. Once you are sure that this issue is not related to the microphone device, proceed with the troubleshooting methods below.

2. Allow Your Computer to Access Your Microphone

By default, some applications and programs on your computer are allowed to access the microphone and camera on your Windows device while some are not. If you are trying to use the microphone on an application that is not allowed to access it in the first place, you will run into errors like the one at hand.

In situations like this, you can manually provide microphone access to the application via Windows Settings.

Here is how you can do that:

  1. Press Win + I together to open Windows Settings.
  2. Select Privacy & Security from the left pane.
  3. Choose Microphone on the right side of the window.
    Microphone settings
  4. Turn the toggle on for Microphone access.
    Microphone access option
  5. In the same window, turn the toggle on for Let apps access your microphone.
    Microphone access settings for apps
  6. Expand Let apps access your microphone and make sure that the toggle for your targeted application is turned on as well.
    Apps in Microphone access section

Alternatively, you can make this change in the Sound properties dialog. Follow the steps below if you want to take that route:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type mmsys.cpl in the text field of Run and click Enter.
    Run dialog
  3. In the Sound dialog, head over to the Recording tab.
  4. Right-click on Microphone and choose Properties from the context menu.
    Properties option in context menu
  5. Head over to the Advanced tab and uncheck the options under Exclusive Mode.
    Exclusive mode in Microphone properties
  6. Click Apply > OK to save the changes.

3. Run the Recording Audio Troubleshooter

Microsoft is often aware of the issues users are facing or might face in the future, which is why it has developed a set of troubleshooters that come with the latest Windows versions. There is a troubleshooter for almost every hardware and software-related issue like network issues, keyboard not working, or Windows not downloading the latest updates.

In this method, we will run the Recording Audio troubleshooter, which will scan the system for potential issues and recommend fixes accordingly.

Follow these steps to proceed:

  1. In Windows Settings, choose System from the left pane.
  2. Choose Troubleshoot on the right side of the window.
    Troubleshoot
  3. Click on Other troubleshooters to access a list of troubleshooters available.
    Other troubleshooter in Windows
  4. Locate Recording Audio and click on the Run button with it.
    Run button
  5. After the initial scan, select the device you are having issues with and click Next.
  6. The troubleshooter will now run a scan again and if it identifies the fix, click on Apply this fix to proceed.
  7. Once the process is completed, restart your PC and check if the issue is fixed.

You can also try increasing the sound of your microphone via Control Panel and see if that makes a difference.

4. Re-install Your Microphone

Another reason why you might be facing the microphone issue is because of outdated or faulty drivers. Since drivers connect your hardware devices to the system, even a minor issue with them can prevent you from using the device properly.

In this method, we will first update the microphone drivers and see if that makes a difference. If the issue persists, we will uninstall the device and then re-add it back.

Here is how you can do that:

  1. Type Device Manager in Windows search and click Open.
  2. In the following window, look for the Audio inputs and outputs section and expand it.
  3. Right-click on the targeted device from there and choose Update driver from the context menu.
    Update driver option
  4. Then, click on Search automatically for drivers. Windows will now scan the system for available driver updates. If it identifies any updates, install them and check if that fixes the issue for you.
    Search your system for drivers

If you are still having trouble using your microphone, proceed with reinstalling the device:

  1. Launch Device Manager and right-click on your targeted device in the Audio inputs and outputs section.
  2. Choose Uninstall device from the context menu.
    Uninstall device
  3. In the following dialog, uncheck the box associated with Attempt to remove the driver for this device.
  4. Click on the Uninstall button again.
    Uninstall button
  5. Once done, click on the Scan hardware changes icon at the top. The system will now detect the microphone and install it back.

5. Restart the Windows Audio Service

There is also a possibility that the service required for the microphone to function is not working. Fortunately, fixing the problems with Windows services is quite easy. In most cases, simply restarting the service will do the job for you.

Follow these steps to restart the Audio service.

  1. Open Run by pressing Win + R together.
  2. Type services.msc in Run and click OK.
  3. In the following window, locate Windows Audio and right-click on it.
  4. Choose Restart.
    Restart option

You can now close the Services window and check if you can use the microphone now.

Use Microphone on Windows 11 With Ease

You should now be able to use the microphone on Windows 11 with ease. If all fails, you can try performing a reset or getting your device checked for hardware issues by a professional.