With a laptop microphone not working, people on a call say they cannot hear you, the sound meter in Windows stays flat, or a recording comes out silent. You may also see it described as "mic not working" or "my microphone is not working in my laptop".
The microphone itself rarely breaks. The usual faults are a mute key, a privacy switch, the wrong input device, or an app that has its own mic choice. This page goes from the quick checks to the driver and repair options. If you also have no sound from the speakers, the guide on laptop sound not working covers the output side.
Common causes
1Mic muted by a key or the app
How to tellA microphone key light is on, or the call app shows a slashed mic icon
What fixes itPress the mic mute key on the top row, and unmute inside the call
2Windows microphone access is blocked
How to tellApps say they cannot reach the microphone, and the Settings toggle is Off
What fixes itTurn on Microphone access in Settings, Privacy and security, Microphone
3Wrong input device selected
How to tellLevel bar does not move when you speak, but a headset or webcam mic is listed
What fixes itChoose the laptop microphone array as input in Sound settings
4Input volume is too low or the device is disabled
How to tellBar moves slightly or not at all, and the device shows Disabled in the list
What fixes itRaise the input volume and enable the device in Sound settings
5Driver glitch after an update
How to tellWorked before an update, and the device list shows no microphone entry
What fixes itUpdate, roll back or reinstall the audio driver in Device Manager
6Headset plug detected, so internal mic is off
How to tellMic dies when something is plugged into the headphone jack, even a loose plug
What fixes itUnplug the jack, or pick the right device when the pop-up asks
How to fix it, step by step
Check the mute key and the app's mute button
Some laptops have a key with a microphone crossed out, often on the top row, with a small light. Press it and look at the light. Also look inside your call or recording program for a muted mic icon, because that is separate from the laptop.
Unplug headsets and Bluetooth devices
Windows may be using a headset mic instead of the built-in one, and a Bluetooth earbud in range can take over input. Unplug the headset and turn off nearby Bluetooth, then test again.
Allow microphone access
In Settings, find Privacy and security and open the Microphone page (on Windows 10 it sits under Privacy). Turn on Microphone access and let the app you use. Desktop apps have their own switch further down the page.
Pick the right input in Sound settings
In the same Sound area, under Input, choose the laptop's own microphone and watch the level bar while you speak. If you see an entry marked Disabled, open it and choose Allow.
Raise the input volume and mute enhancements
In the same Input properties, drag the volume to a high but not full level. If there is an option for audio enhancements, try turning it off, since an enhancement can cut a quiet voice entirely.
Run the recording troubleshooter
The Recording Audio troubleshooter, found in Settings under Troubleshoot, can do this for you. It resets stopped audio services and tells you when it finds a disabled device.
Update or reinstall the audio driver
Open Device Manager, expand "Audio inputs and outputs" and "Sound, video and game controllers". Right-click the microphone or audio entry, choose Update driver, or remove the device with Uninstall device and reboot the laptop. Do not use driver sites you do not know.
Restart, then test with a recording
Restart the laptop, open Voice Recorder, say a few words and play them back. If you hear yourself, the laptop is fine and the fault is inside the call app.
Laptop microphone not working: how to test the mic
Go to System, then Sound, in Settings and look at the input level bar. Speak at a normal volume and watch it jump. A moving bar proves the microphone and driver are fine. A flat bar with the right device chosen points to mute, privacy or a driver fault. A second test is the Voice Recorder app, because it uses the system default path and is not affected by a call app's own settings.
You are in a video meeting and nobody hears you. The level bar in Windows moves, so the mic works. You open the meeting app's audio settings and find it is set to a headset you left at home.
Microphone not working in video calls only
If the Windows test works but one meeting tool stays silent, look at that tool's audio settings and pick the laptop microphone by name. Browsers ask for permission per website, so click the lock near the address and allow the microphone, then reload the page. Also check that no second app is holding the microphone, since some programs lock it in exclusive mode; close recorders and games, then try again. Webcam problems often come together with this, so see laptop camera not working.
Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows 7 notes
Menu names change by version. On Windows 11 and recent Windows 10 builds, use Settings, then System, then Sound. On Windows 7, right-click the speaker icon, choose Recording devices, right-click the microphone and choose Enable, then Set as Default Device. The idea is the same in all: the mic must be enabled, set as the default, not muted, and allowed for the app.
Mic problems on phones and other devices
Searches for "mic not working in phone" land here too. On a phone the checks are different, such as a blocked app permission, a case covering the mic hole, or a lint-filled hole. The phone guide for phone microphone not working covers those steps.
When to give it to a technician
If the microphone is missing from Device Manager and Sound settings after a driver reinstall, or the level bar is dead even in the BIOS-level audio check some makers offer, the microphone or its cable may have failed. A laptop has a tiny pinhole mic in the bezel or near the camera. A technician can test it and replace it. Cost depends on whether the mic is part of the camera module. A cheap USB headset or desk mic is a fast stop-gap.
Do not poke the mic hole with a pin or a needle. You can damage the sensor, and it is rarely clogged on a laptop.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my laptop microphone not working on Windows 10?
Usually the Microphone access setting is off, the wrong input device is chosen, or the level is too low. Start with Settings, then Privacy, then Microphone, and then the Sound settings page.
How do I fix a mic that works in Windows but not in a meeting?
Choose the laptop microphone by name inside the meeting tool's audio settings and allow the microphone in the browser, then reload. The mic itself is fine in that case.
Why does my mic stop when I plug in earphones?
Windows may switch input to the earphones' mic or to a jack that has no mic. Pick the correct input device in Sound settings, or use earphones that have a microphone built in.
Can a driver update break the microphone?
Yes. If it stopped right after an update, roll back the audio driver from Device Manager, or restart to let Windows reinstall it.
Is a laptop microphone cheap to repair?
A software fix costs nothing. A hardware fix needs the lid opened, and the price depends on the model, and on whether the mic is built into the camera module.