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Microphone not working on Windows 11

Laptop array, USB mic, headset or Bluetooth — the same order of checks finds the fault.

First, test it.
The mic test shows in seconds whether the device works at all — that decides which steps below apply.
Open the mic test

Three places can block a microphone or camera, and all three must say yes: the operating system (privacy settings), the browser or app (site permission or device picker) and the hardware (mute switch, shutter, cable). Work through them in that order.

  1. Does Windows hear it? Settings › System › Sound › Input: select your microphone, then speak and watch Test your microphone. If the bar moves, Windows is fine and the app is the problem — see the Zoom, Teams, Discord or Meet guides below.
  2. Input volume. Same screen: Input volume slider — set to 80–100. Click the device name to open its properties and check it is not disabled (“Don’t allow” button means currently allowed; “Allow” means it is disabled — click it).
  3. Privacy switches. Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone: Microphone access on, Let apps access your microphone on, and Let desktop apps access your microphone on. Each app in the list has its own switch.
  4. Hardware mute key. Most business laptops have a mic-mute key (often F4, Lenovo/HP/Dell show an LED on the key when muted). Press it once and re-check the bar.
  5. Exclusive mode. Sound › More sound settings › Recording tab › your mic › Properties › Advanced › untick Allow applications to take exclusive control. Also look at the Levels tab: the small speaker icon must not be red (muted).
  6. Disabled or hidden device. In the Recording tab, right-click empty space › Show Disabled Devices; if your mic appears greyed out, right-click › Enable. Set the right one as Default Device and Default Communication Device.
  7. Driver. Device Manager › Audio inputs and outputs › your mic › right-click › Update driver, or Uninstall device and restart (Windows reinstalls it). Realtek/laptop audio drivers from the manufacturer’s support page are usually newer than Windows Update’s.
  8. Troubleshooter. Settings › System › Troubleshoot › Other troubleshooters › Recording Audio (on newer builds it opens in the Get Help app).
  9. Bluetooth headsets. Windows exposes two devices: “Headset (Hands-Free)” carries the mic; “Headphones (Stereo)” does not. Apps must use the Hands-Free one. Re-pair the headset if neither appears.

Then prove it

Open the mic test and speak: the meter and waveform must move. Record 5 seconds and play it back to hear what others will hear.

Did it work?

Run the mic test again. If the device now registers here, every app that has permission will see it too.

Related guides

Mic not working in ZoomNobody can hear you, or Zoom says “Unable to detect your microphone”Mic not working in TeamsFor the new Teams app and Teams in a browser, on Windows and Mac.Mic not working in DiscordDesktop app, browser and mobileMic not working in Google MeetMeet is a web app: the browser’s permission and the OS privacy switch for the browser are what matter.Mic not working on MacMacBook internal mic, USB or Bluetooth headset, external interface.

Questions, answered

Sound settings shows “No input devices found”.

Windows sees no mic: check the hardware, step 6 (disabled devices) and step 7 (driver). A USB mic on an unpowered hub is a common cause — plug it straight into the PC.

The bar moves in Windows but not in my app.

The app is using another device or lacks permission (step 3). See the app guides: Zoom, Teams, Discord, Meet.