Step 1: Test the mic
Click Test my microphone and speak. If the bar moves, Windows is fine and the problem is inside an app — see Zoom, Teams or Discord. If it does not move, work through the Windows fixes below.
Step 2: Windows privacy permission
- Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone.
- Turn on Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone.
- Enable Let desktop apps access your microphone (covers Zoom, Discord, Teams desktop).
Step 3: Select & enable the input device
- Settings → System → Sound → Input: choose the right device; the test bar should move.
- Right-click the speaker icon → Sound settings → More sound settings → Recording.
- Right-click empty space → Show Disabled Devices, enable your mic, and set it as Default.
- Open its Properties → Levels and raise the Microphone level (and Microphone Boost if present).
Step 4: Driver fixes
- Device Manager → Audio inputs and outputs: right-click your mic → Update driver.
- If it still fails, Uninstall device and reboot — Windows reinstalls the driver.
- Run Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Recording Audio.
Step 5: Free a mic held by another app
Only one app can hold an exclusive mic. Close Zoom, Teams, Discord and OBS, then retest. In Recording → Properties → Advanced you can also untick Allow applications to take exclusive control.
FAQ
My mic works in this browser test but not in Windows apps — why?
The hardware and driver are fine. A specific app has the wrong device selected or lacks the desktop-app microphone permission. Fix it in that app and in Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone.
Why is my microphone greyed out in Windows Sound settings?
It is disabled. Right-click in the Recording tab, choose Show Disabled Devices, then enable and set it as Default.
Does this mic test upload my audio?
No. It runs locally with the Web Audio API. Nothing is recorded, stored or uploaded.