If you’ve got an Acer laptop and your mic isn’t playing nice with Windows 11 or 10, don’t sweat it too much. It’s pretty common and usually boils down to some settings that got mixed up or something small that got missed in Windows. Sometimes, though, it’s a bit more serious and might be a hardware problem. I’m here to walk you through some steps to figure out what’s up and hopefully get your microphone back on track.
Also see: Microphone Not Working After Windows 11/10 Update
Page Contents
Ensure the microphone is set as the default device
First things first, make sure your Acer laptop’s mic is set as the default device in Windows 11 or 10. This means telling your computer, “Hey, this is the microphone I want you to listen to.”
- Right-click the Sound icon in the taskbar and select Open Sound settings.
- Scroll down to the Input section, click on Choose a device for speaking or recording and pick your microphone from the list.
- To tweak things further or make sure it’s the top choice for all apps, click on the microphone you selected to see more options.
By doing this, your computer knows to use your chosen mic over any other audio input, like one from your monitor or graphics card. It’s a quick fix if your computer’s been listening to the wrong thing.
Pro tip: How to Test Microphone on Windows 11 to See If It’s Working
Check microphone privacy settings in Windows 11
If your Acer laptop’s mic isn’t working in Windows, first up, make sure Windows is actually allowed to use it. Both Windows 10 and 11 have settings that might stop apps from using your mic, which could be the culprit.
- Open Settings by hitting Windows + i.
- Head over to Privacy & Security (Windows 11) or Privacy (Windows 10).
- Click on Microphone under App permissions.
- Make sure the switch for Microphone access is flipped to On and that apps are allowed to use your mic.
Turning these settings on lets apps use your mic, which might just fix your problem.
Might be useful: How to Hear Yourself on Mic in Windows 11
Adjust the microphone volume levels
Sometimes, if your mic seems dead, it’s just really quiet or the settings are off. Tweaking a few things might just bring it back to life.
- Right-click the Sound icon in the system tray and pick Sounds.
- Hit the Recording tab, find your mic, and press Properties.
- In the Levels tab, play with the slider to boost your mic volume. Make sure it’s not muted.
- Check out the Enhancements tab, if it’s there, and fiddle with the settings to see if anything helps.
Learn more: How to Increase or Boost Microphone Volume in Windows 11
This step can make a big difference if your mic is technically working but just not picking up sound well.
Update or reinstall microphone drivers
Driver problems can mess with your hardware. If your Acer’s mic is on the fritz, giving its drivers a refresh might do the trick. Windows makes it pretty straightforward to handle this through Device Manager.
- Right-click the Start button and go to Device Manager.
- Find Audio inputs and outputs and expand it.
- Right-click your mic and choose Update driver. Let Windows look for the newest driver and install it for you.
- If updating doesn’t fix it, try right-clicking the mic again and hitting Uninstall device. Restart your laptop, and Windows should pick it up and reinstall the driver.
Keeping drivers fresh can solve a lot of problems and make sure your mic plays nice with your laptop.
Check the physical microphone and hardware
Last up, it’s worth considering that there might be a physical problem with the mic or related bits and bobs. Here’s how to check:
- Take a look at the laptop’s built-in mic for any visible damage or gunk blocking it.
- Try plugging in an external mic to see if it works better. If it does, your laptop’s mic might be the issue.
- If you think it’s a deeper hardware problem, like a disconnected mic, you might need to talk to Acer support or take it to a pro.
Checking for physical problems can help rule out software issues, so it’s a good step to take.
Linked issue: Bluetooth headphones connect but not in Playback Devices
Concluding thoughts
In summary, fixing mic problems on an Acer laptop with Windows 10 or 11 usually starts with simple stuff like checking privacy settings or making sure your drivers are up to date. A lot of people can sort out their mic issues by diving into the Sound settings, making sure the mic is the default, and using Windows’ troubleshooters. But don’t forget to peek at the physical mic too for any obvious issues. Fingers crossed, one of these steps gets you back to being heard loud and clear!
