Short answer: most "dead" mics are muted, blocked by privacy settings, or not the device your computer is listening to. Check the mute switch, allow microphone access in your system settings, and pick the right mic as your input. Then run our mic test to confirm the bar moves when you talk.
First: find out where it fails
Open the mic test, press Start and talk.
- The meter moves: your mic works. The problem is inside the app you're using, like Zoom, Teams or Discord. Jump to fix 7.
- The meter stays flat: the computer can't hear the mic. Start at fix 1.
- The browser says permission was blocked: go to fix 3.
1. Is it muted on the hardware?
Many headsets have a mute switch on the cable or a button on the earcup. Some laptops have a mic-mute key, often with a light on it. Check these first. It's the most common cause by far.
2. Is it actually connected?
For a wired headset, unplug it and plug it back in firmly. For USB mics, try a different USB port. For Bluetooth, make sure the headset is paired and connected, not just paired.
3. Has the system blocked access?
Windows 10 and 11: go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. Turn on Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone. Turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone too, since apps like Zoom and Discord count as desktop apps.
Mac: choose Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone, then turn on the switch next to each app that needs it, including your browser.
4. Is the right mic selected?
Your laptop's built-in mic, your webcam's mic and your headset are all separate devices. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Sound and choose your mic under Input. On a Mac, open System Settings > Sound > Input and select it there.
5. Is the input volume too low?
On Windows, in Settings > System > Sound > Input, select your mic and drag the Input volume slider up, then use the built-in test. On a Mac, drag the input volume slider in Sound settings. A level near zero makes a working mic look dead.
6. Run the built-in troubleshooter (Windows)
Go to Settings > System > Sound > Advanced > Troubleshoot common sound problems, and choose Input devices. It checks the usual settings automatically and often fixes them.
7. Check the app's own audio settings
Video call and chat apps choose their own input device, separate from Windows or macOS. Open the app's audio or voice settings and pick the same mic you just tested. Also close other apps that may be holding the mic.
8. Reinstall or update the audio driver (Windows)
If Windows doesn't detect the mic at all, open Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers, and uninstall the audio device. Restart, and Windows reinstalls it. You can also choose Update driver from the same menu.
9. Test it on another device
Plug the mic or headset into a different computer or phone and run the mic test there. If it fails everywhere, the hardware itself is the problem. If it works elsewhere, the issue is your computer's settings or port.
Quick reference
| What you see | Most likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Meter flat, no errors | Muted or wrong device | Fixes 1, 4 |
| "Permission denied" | Privacy settings | Fix 3 |
| Works in the test, not in Zoom | App settings | Fix 7 |
| Very quiet voice | Input volume | Fix 5 |
| Mic missing from the list | Connection or driver | Fixes 2, 8 |
Once your mic is sorted, check that others can see you with the webcam test, and that you can hear them with the speaker test. If you're setting up a new PC for calls, our guide to checking your PC specs shows where to find what's inside.
Sources
Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected] and we'll check it.