The microphone on the laptop does not work: causes and solutions

Skype and other voice communication applications have long become familiar and frequently used tools. But what to do if the microphone on the laptop does not work, and you just can’t talk? The reason does not always lie in the breakdown of the device. Probably, the software environment settings have changed due to updates or incorrect user actions. This happens both in the popular Windows 7 and in the latest version of Windows 10. To correctly diagnose the problem, it is worth taking your time and carefully analyzing the settings data.

Updates not working properly

If the microphone on the laptop stopped working after updating the operating system, the easiest way is to try to return to a working state. This is done through the boot menu of Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows 10. To call it, you need:

• turn on the laptop;
• even before the system starts loading, the logo appears — press the F8 key.

Advice! The button can be pressed and released as soon as the device is turned on. Usually this function key is not tied to BIOS actions. After pressing F8, the boot menu will appear.

Here you need to use the arrows to select the item Return to the previous state of the system (with workable parameters). After pressing enter, the interface will prompt you to select a saved restore point. Scrolling through the dates, you can find a working configuration and turn on the built-in microphone by rolling back updates.

Drivers not working properly

The modern user often uses utilities that automatically find and update software for each detected device in the system. Often this doesn’t work correctly. As a result, the built-in microphone does not work. To confirm the fear that the problem lies in the driver programs, you will need:

• enter the command devmgmt.msc;

In the window that opens, you need to find the Sounds and Audio Devices section. For any problems with the drivers, it will be deployed. At the same time, next to the name of the failed device is yellow triangle icon.

Important! This method works in any operating systems: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.

To update the drivers, you need to download them from the laptop manufacturer’s website. To do this, you need to find the correct sound by model name and type of operating system. When the drivers are downloaded, they are installed immediately. After restarting the computer, the microphone usually turns on without user action.

Crash in settings

What to do if, after reinstalling the drivers, the microphone on the laptop still does not work? The answer is simple: you need to check the operating system settings. This will require:

• right-click on the speaker icon in the tray, next to the clock;
• in the drop-down menu, click on Recording Devices.

The sound settings window will appear on the screen with the Recording tab active. Here you need to right-click on a free space and tick both items for displaying devices.

If the microphone is on the list, but there is no green check mark next to its name and icon — it should be active. To do this, right-click on the device name, select Use default communication device from the drop-down menu. This microphone setting on a laptop can be knocked down if headphones are connected to the wrong jack on the model case.

Followed by check that the communication device is turned on. To do this, click on the name of the RMB microphone. If there is no Enable option in the menu that appears, then the device is active and it is worth restarting the maintenance program. To do this, you need to check the Disable box. After that, you need to right-click again and turn on the microphone on the laptop using the corresponding menu item.

Advice! Checking the performance of the device is quite simple: you need to clap your hands or speak. The recording level indicator is displayed to the right of the microphone name. When a sound arrives, it should show a change, be painted over from the bottom up. If this happens, then the microphone was able to turn on.

Low recording levels

If the microphone on the laptop does not work, it is worth checking the recording levels configured in the system. They may have been accidentally adjusted. For example, when an external microphone was used, or as a result of the actions of some program. To get to the desired settings section, you must:

• right-click on the speaker icon near the clock in the tray;
• select Recording devices from the menu;
• select LMB microphone in the settings window;
• Click the Properties button in the lower right corner.

In the window that appears, you can configure the microphone on the laptop. Go to the Levels tab. Here, moving the sliders to the right, they achieve gain and change the overall sensitivity of the microphone. By setting some value, you can click OK and check the operation of the device.

Another program is blocking the sound

If the microphone is not working in Skype or another program, another application that is running may be blocking it. Easiest restart the system. Launching Skype after that, you can check if the sound is being recorded. If for some reason it is impossible to restart the operating system, do the following:

• right-click on an empty spot on the taskbar and select Task Manager from the menu;

• press Ctrl+Alt+Del and select Start Task Manager;

• press Ctrl+Shift+Esc;

• press Win + R and enter the taskmgr command.

In all of these cases, the Task Manager starts. In it you need to go to the Applications tab. If one of the running tasks is not used for work, you can safely close it. Perhaps in such a simple way it will be possible to turn on the built-in microphone on a laptop.

Hardware problems

Perhaps the reason that the microphone on the laptop does not work is cable exit from the motherboard connector. This could happen due to vibration, including when carrying the device from place to place.

Advice! To make sure that the audio devices in the system are working properly, you should connect an external microphone and try to record sound from it.

If everything worked out, then you need Take your laptop to a repair shop. With some skills in working with a screwdriver, you can do everything yourself. However, before that, you should look on the Internet for exactly how to disassemble the case and remove the nodes in order to get to the laptop motherboard and insert the desired cable into the connector.

The most difficult reason for the inoperability of a microphone is its physical damage.. In this case, the part or conversion board requires a complete replacement. It is recommended to make repairs only in the service, especially if the warranty on the laptop has not yet expired.

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