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USB Microphone Not Working on Windows: Fixed

Find out expert recommended solutions to fix microphone issues

5 min. read

Updated onApril 17, 2024

updated onApril 17, 2024

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Key notes

Upgrading the operating system might hurt your peripherals. For instance, many users reported that the USB microphone is not working in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Though upgrade is not the only cause here, it’s one of the prominent ones. But you don’t have to revert to the previous iteration just yet. Instead, several solutions will help get things up and running.

This guide will walk you through the issues leading to the microphone not working on Windows and its solutions.

Why is my USB mic not working?

Not all microphones are compatible with the audio jack of a laptop or desktop computer. Although the audio jack is the most widely utilized port for a wide range of audio devices, specific devices use the USB port as a secondary port.

Devices that connect to a computer via USB are simple to operate. Drivers for them are typically general, and they are already present, allowing the device to be used immediately.

Compared to microphones that connect via an audio jack, these microphones are not any less capable. Moreover, several of them have the superior sound quality to the competition.

Accordingly, if your USB microphone is not working, or if you have connected a microphone via an audio jack to a USB adapter and the microphone is not being identified, try the fixes listed below to troubleshoot your situation.

Users have faced different forms of this error including:

Regardless of the exact issue you have, the solutions below will get it fixed.

How can I fix the USB microphone not working issue?

1. Reinstall the drivers

Your USB microphone might work again after the sound drivers have been reinstalled. Here is a step-by-step guide to assist you in doing this effectively.

Unplug your USB microphone from the Windows 10 device, and then plug them back in.
PressWindows+Rto openRun, typedevmgmt.msc, and click OK.
Locate the problematic microphone, right-click on it, and select Uninstall device.
Again, click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt.
Similarly, uninstall the driver for the USB port that microphone was plugged into under theUniversal Serial Bus controllersentry.
Unplug the microphone and restart the computer.
When the computer restart, Windows will automatically install the drivers.

Once done, verify if the USB headset microphone that was not working is functional. In case the problem persists, head to the following method.

Also, find out what to do ifWindows doesn’t install the driversafter you restart the computer.

2. Run the Hardware and Sound troubleshooter

The built-in troubleshooters are pretty effective if the USB microphone doesn’t work in Windows. You may also try running the other troubleshooters about the microphone in case this one doesn’t work.

Once done, check if the USB headset microphone is not working in Windows 10 or Windows 11 problem is resolved.

3. Update your microphone drivers

Also, look at thedriversyou have installed for your USB microphone. If they are not compatible withyour Windows version, you will have to look on the manufacturer’s website for the correct version andupdate the drivers manually. This should fix the USB mic not recognized issue quite fast.

However, there is a more straightforward method. You can update your drivers automatically by using adedicated driver updating third-party app. This will save you the time and effort of manually searching and downloading the latest driver versions.

4. Update the app accessing your microphone

If you are facing a problem with the USB microphone not showing up or not working in Windows 10 or Windows 11 on a specific app, the problem lies with the app itself. In this case, you should check for compatibility.

Check the system requirements to verify if the app is meant for your device. Also, if an updated version of the app is available, download and install it right away.

5. Additional solutions

If your USB microphone is still not working correctly, maybe the following workaround will prove helpful:

How do I fix the USB microphone not working on Windows 11?

If the USB microphone is not working in Windows 11, you first must verify that the desired microphone has been configured in the audio settings.

Also, check the connections, and verify that the port and the cable are not damaged. In this case, the USB microphone will not be recognized. You mayupdate the microphone driversas well.

Besides, if the problem started recently, it could be misconfigured system settings or applications installed in the past. So here, instead of identifying the problem manually, a simple solution would be toperform a System Restore.

Does a USB mic need a driver?

Yes, the USB microphone will need a driver to function on a Windows device. Though, you might not have to download it manually.

When you plug in the microphone, Windows looks through its database for the dedicated driver and installs it automatically.

So, as long as you use a microphone manufactured by a reputed brand, the installation of drivers should be automatic. Details regarding it would be listed on the product’s description page.

That’s it! By the time you reach this part of the guide, you should have things up and running if the USB microphone is not working in Windows 10 or 11.

Also, determine what to do if themicrophone’s volume is too lowin Windows.

Use the comments section below to let us know if these methods worked for you or if you need any further assistance on this issue.

USB Microphone Not Working on Windows: Fixed#

Why is my USB mic not working?#

How can I fix the USB microphone not working issue?#

1. Reinstall the drivers#

2. Run the Hardware and Sound troubleshooter#

3. Update your microphone drivers#

4. Update the app accessing your microphone#

5. Additional solutions#

How do I fix the USB microphone not working on Windows 11?#

Does a USB mic need a driver?#