Test your microphone in Windows or Mac settings first

The fastest way to check whether your microphone is working is to open your computer's built-in sound settings and run a quick test. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Sound, scroll down to Input, and look for Microphone. You'll see a blue bar that moves when you speak — if it jumps when you talk, your microphone is picking up sound. On Mac, open System Preferences > Sound > Input, select your microphone from the list, and watch the Input level meter at the bottom. Speak normally, and the meter should show activity.

If you don't see any movement when you speak, your microphone may not be connected, may be muted, or may not have the right permissions. Before you troubleshoot further, check that the microphone is actually plugged in (if it's external) or that you're testing the right device if you have multiple microphones connected.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and Mac both have built-in sound settings where you can watch your microphone respond to your voice in real time.
  • A moving input level meter means your microphone is working; no movement usually means it's muted, unplugged, or not selected as the default device.
  • If your microphone shows activity in settings but doesn't work in apps, the app may need permission to use the microphone or may have its own mute button.
  • External microphones need to be plugged in and selected as the default input device before Windows or Mac will use them.
  • Restarting your computer fixes many microphone problems because it resets audio drivers and clears temporary glitches.

Check if your microphone is muted or set as default

Many microphone problems are actually mute problems. On Windows, look at the Volume mixer — go to Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer and scroll down to Advanced. Look for any app that shows a muted speaker icon (a speaker with a line through it) and click it to unmute. Also check that your microphone is set as the Default input device by going back to Sound > Input and confirming the microphone you want to use is selected at the top.

On Mac, open System Preferences > Sound > Input and make sure your microphone is highlighted in the list. If you have multiple microphones (built-in, USB, Bluetooth), the wrong one might be selected. Also check the Input volume slider on the right — if it's all the way to the left, turn it up. Some external microphones also have their own physical mute button or volume dial on the device itself, so check those too.

Test your microphone in a real app or browser

Settings show whether your microphone is working, but apps have their own permission systems. Open a browser and go to a microphone test site like Google Meet (meet.google.com), Zoom, or WebRTC Samples (webrtc.github.io/samples). These sites will ask permission to use your microphone — click Allow when prompted. Then speak and watch the sound wave or meter respond. If it moves, your microphone works in that app.

If the meter doesn't move, the app may not have permission. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and make sure Microphone access is turned on. Then scroll down and check that the specific app you're testing has microphone permission switched on. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Microphone and look for the app in the list — if it's not there, the app hasn't asked for permission yet, so open the app again and allow it when prompted.

Restart your computer and update audio drivers

A restart fixes many microphone problems because it resets audio drivers and clears temporary glitches. Shut down your computer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then test your microphone again in settings. If it still doesn't work, your audio driver may be outdated or corrupted.

On Windows, right-click the Start button and open Device Manager. Look for Audio inputs and outputs, click the arrow to expand it, and right-click your microphone. Select Update driver and choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will check for a newer version. On Mac, audio drivers update automatically through System Updates, so go to System Preferences > General > Software Update and install any available updates.

Disconnect and reconnect external microphones

If you're using an external USB microphone or a microphone plugged into the headphone jack, unplug it completely and wait 5 seconds. Then plug it back in. Your computer will detect it as a new device and may install drivers automatically. Once it's connected, go back to your sound settings and make sure it's selected as the default input device — sometimes a newly connected microphone doesn't become the default automatically.

If your microphone still doesn't appear in the device list after reconnecting, try a different USB port (if it's USB) or a different cable (if it's plugged into the headphone jack). Some USB ports on the back of a desktop computer work better than ports on the front. If you're using a Bluetooth microphone, make sure it's in pairing mode and that your computer's Bluetooth is turned on. Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices on Windows or System Preferences > Bluetooth on Mac to check.

Check for physical damage or blockages

Built-in microphones are usually located near the top of your laptop screen or on the edge of your monitor. Look closely to see if the microphone hole is blocked by dust, dirt, or a sticker. Gently clean it with a dry, soft cloth or a can of compressed air held at least 6 inches away. Do not poke anything into the hole, as you can damage the microphone inside.

If you're using an external microphone, check the cable for visible damage, kinks, or bent connectors. If the cable is damaged, it may not make a good connection. Also make sure the microphone itself isn't cracked or dented. If the microphone has been dropped or exposed to liquid, it may need to be replaced. Test with a different microphone if you have one available — this tells you whether the problem is the microphone itself or your computer's audio system.

Troubleshoot when one app won't use your microphone

Sometimes your microphone works in settings and in one app but not in another. The most common reason is that the app doesn't have permission. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and scroll down to find the app that isn't working. Make sure the toggle next to it is on. If the app isn't in the list, it hasn't asked for permission yet — open the app, try to use the microphone feature, and allow permission when prompted.

If the app has permission but still won't use your microphone, check whether the app has its own microphone settings. Open the app's preferences or settings menu and look for Audio, Microphone, or Input device. Make sure your microphone is selected there, not a different device. Some apps also have a mute button inside the app itself — look for a microphone icon with a line through it and click it to unmute. If nothing works, try closing the app completely and opening it again, or restart your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my microphone work in settings but not in Zoom or Teams?

The app probably doesn't have microphone permission. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and turn on the toggle for that app. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Microphone and add the app to the list. You may need to restart the app after granting permission.

My built-in microphone stopped working after an update. What do I do?

Updates sometimes change audio settings or reset permissions. First, restart your computer. Then check that your built-in microphone is still selected as the default input device in your sound settings. If it's not listed at all, go to Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac) and look for audio devices. If your built-in microphone is listed but disabled, right-click it and select Enable device.

Can I test my microphone without opening any apps?

Yes. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Sound > Input and speak while watching the blue input level bar. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound > Input and speak while watching the input level meter. If the meter moves, your microphone is working.

What if I have multiple microphones connected and I don't know which one to use?

Go to your sound settings and look at the list of input devices. Unplug or disable all but one microphone, then test it. If it works, you've found a working microphone. If it doesn't work, try the next one. Once you find one that works, you can set it as the default so your computer uses it automatically.

My external microphone is plugged in but doesn't show up in settings. What should I do?

Unplug it and wait 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Your computer should detect it and install drivers automatically. If it still doesn't appear, try a different USB port or cable. If you're using a very old microphone, your computer may not have drivers for it — check the microphone manufacturer's website to see if updated drivers are available.