Learn what causes the Microphone is not working on Windows 10,8,7 issue9 Methods to Fix Microphone Not Working on WindowsQuick temporary solution: Run mic calibration to speak instantlyRun Windows Troubleshooter for MicrophoneCheck if the microphone is enabledSet Microphone as Default Recording DeviceUnmute the microphoneCheck your Microphone DriversRestart Audio ServiceCheck Mic settings in SteamLast Resort: Use System Restore Point
Previously, external microphones were a common thing. Nowadays, the utmost majority of computers and laptops have audio input devices integrated directly into them or related external devices, such as headsets or speakers. In such scenario, it might be a little bit tricky to identify the cause of the audio input problem, however, if you follow the given instructions attentively, you’ll solve it in no time. If you do not want to waste time trying to identify the issue, we recommend starting with a simple hardware check. In other words, if you’re using an external microphone or a device with integrated one, try plugging it to another computer and checking whether it recognizes the voice and functions properly. If it doesn’t, in the majority of cases you should simply replace or bring the damaged hardware to be repaired. You can also try plugging a different audio input device to your computer to see if it works properly then, and if not, you can continue to find your way towards the specific fix that works for you. This simply helps to cross out possible problem cause scenarios. In case you have connected your mic to another computer and it appeared to be working properly, plug it back to your computer and start applying the suggested fixes as described below. The provided instructions are also good in case you’re using a laptop with internal audio input device, or if you’re receiving Microsoft Teams Your Microphone is not working error.
9 Methods to Fix Microphone Not Working on Windows
That’s it – we hope that you have managed to fix microphone doesn’t work on Windows 7,8 or 10 problem easily. If you have discovered another method to solve the issue, do not hesitate and share with our community below!
Run Windows Troubleshooter for Microphone
One of the easiest ways to solve Realtek Microphone not working is to run a Windows Troubleshooter, which will automatically identify and fix the issue, or suggest the fix for you. Here’s what you need to do:
Check if the microphone is enabled
One of the reasons to headset microphone not working is that it might be disabled in the system. To check and enable it, follow the given instructions:
Set Microphone as Default Recording Device
Another common reason why your microphone isn’t working is that it is connected, but not set as a default audio input device on your computer. To fix this problem, follow the given steps:
Unmute the microphone
If external or internal Microphone is not working on Windows 10, 8 or 7, it might be that it was previously muted. To check this case and unmute the audio input device, follow the provided instructions.
Check your Microphone Drivers
Your microphone might not be working due to incorrect drivers or outdated driver software. Drivers are known to provide software interface to hardware devices, or, in other words, they tell hardware how to run on certain operating system. Matching drivers are essential for hardware to function properly, so definitely check whether your audio input device drivers are up to date or even need to be reinstalled.
Restart Audio Service
Restarting Windows Audio service is known to be a good fix for Windows 10 microphone is not working realtek problem. Windows Services are commonly known as a pack of applications that are automatically launched with a computer boot. They are typically viewed as the essential ones for the functioning of the operating system. That said, Windows Audio is one of them. If it gets stopped or disabled for some reason, no other services dependable on it won’t function properly. Here’s an easy guide on how to restart or enable Windows Audio Service:
Check Mic settings in Steam
If you’re experiencing audio input problems while playing on Steam, you might have to configure the Steam audio settings separately. TIP. If you notice that microphone doesn’t work on specific app, such as Microsoft Teams, Skype, Adobe Connect, Zoom, or another, please check that particular program’s audio input settings. It might have the microphone muted/disabled or it fails to recognize the default system mic.
Last Resort: Use System Restore Point
System Restore points are computer system “snapshots” saved at a particular time moment. They save settings and other important information held by the computer at that time. That said, you can use system restore points to go back into the system that didn’t have microphone problems. However, you must at least approximately know when these problems started to occur. We recommend this method only if the microphone problems started appearing recently, but you cannot find the reason why no matter how hard you try. To restore your system using Restore Points, follow the given steps:
