Windows privacy/device settings can block a microphone even when the hardware is connected.
If the live test passes, the investigation can usually move away from total hardware failure and toward the affected app, permissions, routing or configuration.
Try the simple causes first
- 1
Open Windows Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and verify microphone access is enabled.
- 2
Verify the intended input under System > Sound > Input.
- 3
Run DeviceOK microphone test in the browser after changing permissions.
Work through the problem in order
- 1
Open Windows Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and verify microphone access is enabled.
- 2
Verify the intended input under System > Sound > Input.
- 3
Run DeviceOK microphone test in the browser after changing permissions.
- 4
If it works in DeviceOK but not one app, check that app's own input-device setting.
Use the passing DeviceOK test to narrow the problem to the specific app or settings layer.
If DeviceOK also fails, step back to permissions, connection, OS configuration, and device-level troubleshooting.