Microphone Not Working

A microphone that stops working prevents calls and recordings. This page covers the most common causes and fixes. Start with browser permissions, then check system settings and hardware connections.

You can use the online microphone test to confirm whether your device is working.

Check Browser Permissions

Browser permissions are the most common cause of microphone issues. Each browser handles permissions differently.

Click the lock or microphone icon in your browser's address bar
Set microphone permission to "Allow"
Refresh the page after changing permissions
If no icon appears, check browser settings for site permissions

Use the online microphone test to verify permissions are working. If the test shows no activity, permissions are likely the issue.

Check Physical Mute Switch

Many devices have physical mute buttons or switches that override software settings.

Check for a mute button on your headset or microphone
Look for a mute switch on laptop keyboards (often Fn + F4 or similar)
Verify USB microphones don't have inline mute controls
Test the microphone after toggling any physical mute switches

Verify Input Device Selection

Your system may be using the wrong microphone. Check which input device is active.

Windows: Right-click the speaker icon → Open Sound Settings → Check the Input device dropdown
Mac: System Preferences → Sound → Input → Select the correct microphone
Disconnect and reconnect USB microphones if they're not appearing
Test each available input device to find the working one

Close Other Applications

Only one application can access your microphone at a time. Other apps may be blocking access.

Close Zoom, Teams, Skype, Discord, or other communication apps
Check Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) for background processes
Restart your browser after closing other applications
Try the microphone test again

Check System Volume Settings

Microphone input volume may be muted or set too low in system settings. If volume is too low, see the guide on microphone too quiet for detailed steps to increase input levels.

Windows: Settings → System → Sound → Input → Ensure volume slider is up and not muted
Mac: System Preferences → Sound → Input → Adjust input volume slider
Enable microphone boost if available (Windows Sound Settings)
Test the microphone after adjusting volume

Update Audio Drivers

Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can prevent microphone detection. If your microphone isn't detected, check the guide for microphone not detected on Windows 11 or Windows 10 for platform-specific troubleshooting.

Windows: Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers → Right-click audio device → Update driver
Mac: System Preferences → Software Update → Install any available updates
Restart your computer after updating drivers
Test the microphone again

Test Hardware Connection

Physical connection issues can prevent microphone detection.

Unplug and replug USB microphones
Try a different USB port
Test the microphone on another computer
Check for visible damage to cables or connectors
For wireless microphones, check battery level and reconnect

Verify Microphone Works

After trying these steps, use the online microphone test to confirm the device is working. The test shows real-time volume levels and allows you to record playback to verify audio quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my microphone not working?

Microphone issues are usually caused by denied browser permissions, physical mute switches, wrong input device selection, or another application using the microphone. Check browser permissions first, then verify system settings.

How do I fix microphone not working in Chrome?

Click the lock icon in Chrome's address bar, select Site Settings, then set Microphone to Allow. If that doesn't work, go to chrome://settings/content/microphone and ensure microphone access is enabled globally.

My microphone works in one app but not another. Why?

Only one application can access your microphone at a time. Close other apps using the microphone, then try the app again. Also check if the app has its own microphone permission settings.

How do I test if my microphone is working?

Use the online microphone test to check if your device is detected and working. The test shows real-time volume levels and allows you to record and play back audio to verify quality.