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To set up a microphone in Windows 11, connect it, select it under Settings > System > Sound > Input, and run Windows’ built-in test. If the test works but an app cannot hear you, check microphone privacy permissions and the app’s selected input.
Connect the microphone and select it in Windows
- Connect the microphone to your PC. If it is Bluetooth, open Start > Settings > System > Sound, find Input, select Add device, and follow the prompts.
- Under Input, select the microphone you want to use. A built-in mic, wired headset, standalone microphone, or Bluetooth mic may appear, depending on what is connected and detected.
- If more than one input is listed, choose the device you intend to speak into. A connected microphone is not necessarily the one Windows or an app is currently using.
Microsoft’s microphone setup and testing guide describes the Sound > Input path for adding Bluetooth devices and selecting a connected microphone.
Test the microphone and adjust its level
- On the selected microphone’s properties page, find Input settings and choose Start test.
- Speak in your normal voice, then choose Stop test.
- Select Play to listen to the sample. If it is too quiet, raise the Input volume slider and test again.
Playback confirms that Windows can capture audio from the selected device. It does not by itself confirm that a particular app has permission to use the microphone or is configured to use that same input.
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Allow apps to use the microphone
- Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
- Turn on Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone.
- If the intended Microsoft Store app has its own toggle, turn it on.
- For traditional desktop software, turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone. Desktop apps may not appear as separate entries in the list.
These privacy controls are separate from selecting an input device. See Microsoft’s instructions for microphone app permissions. When an app is accessing the mic, Windows shows a microphone icon in the notification area.
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For calls or recording in a browser, Windows permission may not be the only control. Microsoft notes that Edge can request microphone permission for individual websites; allow access for the site if prompted. Details are in Microsoft’s Windows camera, microphone, and privacy guidance.
Fix common microphone setup problems
The microphone does not appear under Input
- Check that the microphone is connected correctly. For Bluetooth, confirm it is paired and connected.
- Reopen Settings > System > Sound and check Input again.
- Run the Input devices troubleshooter at Settings > System > Sound > Advanced > Troubleshoot common sound problems.
- If those checks do not help, try updating the audio driver. Microsoft outlines these steps in Fix microphone problems.
The microphone appears, but nobody can hear you
- Check for a mute switch or button on the microphone or headset.
- Confirm that the intended device is selected under Sound > Input.
- Check the Windows microphone privacy controls, then check the app’s own input selection and permissions.
The test recording is too quiet
Open the selected microphone’s properties, run the test, and increase Input volume if playback is low. A quiet recording alone does not establish that the microphone is defective.
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The test has no signal
If the device is selected but Windows records no signal, audio enhancements or sound effects may be interfering. Microsoft recommends checking Additional device properties and disabling enhancements if those controls are available for the device. Their location varies by manufacturer. Retest after changing the setting. See Microsoft’s audio enhancement instructions.
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Voice typing cannot hear speech
Check the selected input, microphone privacy permissions, and input level. Also verify the language selected for voice typing. Microsoft’s voice typing troubleshooting guide covers these checks.
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