If you’re having trouble with your microphone and can’t get a friend to test it for you over Skype, Discord, or in a game, another good way to test if a mic is working is by hearing yourself on the mic. You can easily do this with the help of an option called “Listen to this device” in Windows 11 or 10 microphone properties.
This method should work regardless of whether you’re using an HP, Dell, Lenovo, or any other laptop or desktop PC, as long as it’s running on Windows 11 or Windows 10. It should work on most microphones, whether it’s a headset, headphone, or standalone mic, as long as it is properly connected, detected, and enabled in Windows.
Also see: How to Increase or Boost Microphone Volume in Windows 11
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How to test your mic on Windows 11 or 10
Here are the detailed instructions to listen to your own voice from your own microphone to see if your mic is actually working correctly:
- In the notification area on the taskbar (lower right corner of your desktop screen), right-click on the speaker icon, then click on Open Sound settings. Alternatively, you can open the sound settings by going to the Start menu > Settings > System > Sound.
Windows 11
Windows 10
- In the Sound settings window, click on the Sound Control Panel link under Related Settings on the right.
Windows 11
Windows 10
- In the Sound Control Panel window, go to the Recording tab, and then select your microphone that is currently in use. Right-click it and select Properties.
- If you have multiple microphones on the list, you should enable only the one that you are going to use (or set it to “Default device”) and disable the rest if you are not going to use them.
- Some headsets and headphones may come with built-in mics that you may not be aware of. If you have multiple mics enabled when an app or game needs a mic, Windows will simply use the one that was set to be the default device.
- In the Microphone Properties window, go to the Listen tab, and enable the checkbox that reads “Listen to this device.” Click Apply for it to take effect.
- Now, try to speak into your microphone. You should be able to hear your own voice. It’s recommended that you use a headphone instead of a speaker to avoid echoes.
- Once you have finished testing, be sure to disable the “Listen to this device” option to avoid hearing your own voice all the time.
Related: Windows 11 Mute Microphone Hotkey (How to)
Microphone’s volume too low or hardly can be heard
If your microphone’s volume is too low or hardly can be heard, you can adjust the volume level of your microphone in the same Properties window. Follow these steps:
- Go to the Levels tab in the same Properties window.
- Check the volume level of your microphone and increase it to your preference.
- If there is another level called “Boost,” you can also try to increase it to your preference. Boost helps to amplify the input of your mic to pick up even more sound. It’s useful if your mic’s volume is still too low even when its volume is set to 100.
Useful tip: How to Record Voice With Microphone on Windows 11/10
What are the common causes of microphone issues in apps or games?
If you’re still having microphone issues in apps or games, here are some common causes and fixes:
- Wrong Microphone Selected: When you have multiple microphones connected to your computer, your app or game may select the wrong one by default. This can result in your microphone not working or recording sound from the wrong source. To fix this issue, you need to go into the app or game’s settings and select the correct microphone.
- Microphone Muted: Sometimes, your microphone may be muted in the app or game’s settings. This can happen if you accidentally muted it or if someone else muted it. To fix this issue, you need to go into the app or game’s settings and make sure that your microphone is not muted.
- Hardware Switch Muted: Some microphones and headphones have a hardware switch that allows you to quickly mute and unmute your microphone. If your microphone is not working, check to see if this switch is in the unmute position.
- Low Microphone Volume: If your microphone volume is too low, people may not be able to hear you properly. To fix this issue, you need to go into the app or game’s settings and increase the microphone volume.
- Microphone Not Enabled: Sometimes, your microphone may not be enabled in Windows, which can result in it not working in apps or games. To fix this issue, you need to go into Windows Settings and make sure that your microphone is enabled.
By identifying and fixing these common causes of microphone issues in apps or games, you can ensure that your microphone is working properly and that you can communicate with others effectively.
