If you are experiencing issues with your microphone on Windows 11, you are not alone. This problem can be frustrating, especially when you need to attend virtual meetings or make important calls. Fortunately, there are several fixes you can try to get your microphone working again. This article will discuss some of the most effective solutions to help you troubleshoot the microphone problem on Windows 11. We will also answer frequently asked questions to help you understand the issue better.

Adjust your Windows Sound Settings

Open up your Windows Settings. Under System, click on Sound.

Select the correct Input device from this list of devices.

Select the mic that is not working on your PC in your input devices list. Change and test your preferred Format. You will most likely want to use the 2 channel 48’000 Hz or 44’100 Hz option. Below, change the input volume for your device. Depending on which Windows 11 version you currently use and if your device supports it, you can change additional settings, like enabling the Enhance audio option.

I prefer to disable this option when using high-end audio devices, but this will come down to personal preference. When clicking Advanced, your Sound Control Panel will open up, where you can change each Audio Enhancement. Make sure to disable audio enhancements to fix potential microphone issues.

Troubleshoot Sound Problems

Select Troubleshoot common sound problems for your audio Output or Input device in your sound settings. This will take a minute to identify potential issues with your device and will help you fix them if possible.

Advanced Sound Settings > Troubleshoot common sound problems

Update Audio Driver

If nothing helped you out, navigate to More sound settings to open up your Sound Control Panel.

Right-click your audio device and select Properties. On this window, click on Properties in your General section. In the Driver tab of this window, select Update Driver. If this option is greyed out, the device’s driver should be up to date.

Windows OS Update

Your current window version could also be the culprit of low sound volume. In your settings window, navigate to the Windows Update tab. Ensure Windows is up to date. If this is not the case, select to install the new update, which will require you to restart your PC.

Faulty Device

After looking at your window settings, make sure that your microphone is not faulty by trying to use it on another PC, or by retrying to connect through another port.

Disable 3rd Party Applications

Some PC’s also come with 3rd party audio software, such as Lenovo PCs. In this case, it would be the Nahimic application. Open it up by searching for the app in your start menu search. This application will automatically open up when connecting a new audio device, and it will ask you which device you just plugged in to optimize its settings and effects. Disable all added effects in this application's Audio section, but some might help increase your sound volume.

Application Audio Settings

Open up the application or game where you’d like to increase the sound input or output volume. In this example, we will use Discord, but the process is pretty much the same for each application. On Discord, navigate to your Settings.

Under Voice & Video, you can select the correct audio input and output device. Below, increase the Input and Output volume to your liking.

Discord User Settings > Voice & Video > Voice Settings

When scrolling to the bottom of the window, you can also Reset all Voice Settings in case your custom settings cause your volume problem.

Discord User Settings > Reset Voice Settings

There could be several reasons why your microphone is not working on Windows 11. Some common causes include outdated drivers, incorrect settings, hardware issues, or a faulty microphone.
To check your microphone settings in Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Sound > Manage sound devices. Select the microphone you are using and click on Device Properties. From there, you can adjust the volume, levels, and other settings.
If your microphone is not detected in Windows 11, make sure it is properly connected to your computer. You can also try updating your audio drivers, troubleshooting the hardware, or using the built-in Windows troubleshooter.
Not necessarily. Before buying a new microphone, try troubleshooting the problem using the solutions we've outlined in this article. In most cases, you can fix microphone issues on Windows 11 without having to replace your microphone.