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Audacity is Not Recording Sound: 7 Tested Solutions to Fix it
Make sure that your microphone is connected correctly to your PC
5 min. read
Published onJune 26, 2024
published onJune 26, 2024
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If Audacity is not recording the sound from your microphone, that’s usually because of incorrect software or Windows settings for audio. Sometimes you may also see theError opening recording deviceerror message, which typically shows an improper input or enabled sound device.
Other reasons may include incorrect MME settings, improper sample rate, an outdated app or plugins interfering with your recording. However, before anything else, make sure that the mic is correctly connected to the right port in your PC and it’s detected by Windows.
What can I do if Audacity is not recording sound?
1. Make sure you’ve selected the right input
I common problem when I start a recording session is that I don’t plug in my mic before starting Audacity. Even if I notice and plug it in, the app doesn’t add it directly so I must restart the app to see it in the recording menu. We also have a guide on how totest your microphone on Windows 11that might come in handy.
2. Set the correct recording settings in Audacity
Audacity’s default settings include the recommended checked options above, but if you’ve changed them by mistake, you may have problems recording.
3. Adjust the sample rate of the track and mic
You can experiment with the sampling rate according to your audio devices, but 44100 Hz is the standard recording settings for most audio devices.
4. Monitor the input and set the mic volume
Audacity may not record sound because the mic volume is too low, so this method will not only tune the volume before recording but also avoid this issue.
5. Allow apps to access your microphone
In Windows 11, there is also a menu calledLet desktop apps access your microphone. Audacity may be under that section so enable it as well.
6. Update the microphone driver
This solution is only if your microphone is not delivering any sound in any recording apps.
7. Reinstall Audacity
As a last resort, you may reinstall Audacity. This way, you will be sure to have the latest version with all the default settings in place, avoiding the Audacity not recording sound issue.
That’s it! To sum our guide up, this problem might be caused by some simple settings in Audacity and/or Windows. if Audacity is not recording the sound, the solutions above should have helped you fix the problem. Our guide onhow to download and use Audacitywill also offer a lot of extra information.
If Audacity refuses to work, you can look at our list of thebest vocal recording software for Windowsand get a better tool.
For any other questions or suggestions, feel free to use the comments section below.
More about the topics:Microphone issues,sound
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
