How to Select and Check Your Microphone Input on a Windows PC

Before you start

Choosing a microphone input in Windows is a local system setting. It tells Windows and your apps which input device to record from, and it does not need an online service. Browser-based microphone tests work differently. Whether a given test processes audio only in your browser or sends any of it elsewhere depends on that tool, so read its privacy information before you use it.

• Connect the microphone first. USB microphones, 3.5 mm headsets, webcams with built-in microphones and Bluetooth headsets each appear as a separate input device.
• On a laptop, the built-in microphone is listed next to any external microphone you connect, so decide which one you want to use.
• If the microphone or headset has a hardware mute switch or button, turn mute off.
• Note which device is currently selected so you can switch back if the change makes things worse.
• If a video call or recording app is open, expect it to keep its own microphone choice until you change it there or restart it.

Step-by-step instructions

Change the microphone input in Windows 11

• Open Settings and go to System > Sound. You can also right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar and choose Sound settings.
• Scroll to the Input section. Under 'Choose a device for speaking or recording', select the microphone you want to use.
• Select that device to open its properties. Adjust the Input volume slider and use Start test to see how loud your voice is.
• Leave the Output section alone unless you also want to change your speakers or headphones. The output device is a separate setting.

Change the microphone input in Windows 10

Open Settings and go to System > Sound. Under Input, pick your microphone from 'Choose your input device'. The 'Test your microphone' bar below it should move when you speak. Use Device properties to change the input level for the selected microphone.

Use the classic Sound control panel

The classic panel works in both versions and offers a few extra options. In Windows 11, open it from More sound settings at the bottom of the Sound page. In Windows 10, use the Sound Control Panel link under Related settings. You can also type mmsys.cpl in the Run dialog. Open the Recording tab, right-click your microphone and choose Set as Default Device. Windows also has a separate Default Communication Device, which some calling apps use, so set that as well if a call app keeps picking another microphone. Under Properties, the Levels tab controls the input level. The Advanced tab lists the sample rate and bit depth formats that your device driver offers.

Allow apps to use the microphone

In Windows 11, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. Turn on Microphone access and 'Let apps access your microphone'. If you use a traditional desktop program, also turn on 'Let desktop apps access your microphone'. In Windows 10, the same switches are under Settings > Privacy > Microphone. These switches only grant or block access. They do not choose which microphone is used.

Select the microphone inside your app

Many calling, streaming and recording apps have their own microphone selector, and that setting can override the Windows default. Look for it in the app's audio or device settings. Browsers ask for microphone permission separately for each site, and the permission prompt or the site's settings may let you pick a specific microphone.

Check the output

• Speak at your normal volume and watch a level meter: Start test in Windows 11, the 'Test your microphone' bar in Windows 10, or the green bar next to the device on the Recording tab. If a different device's meter moves, the wrong input is selected.
• Adjust the input level until your speech peaks are clearly visible without constantly reaching the top of the meter.
• Record a short clip with the built-in recorder (Sound Recorder in Windows 11, Voice Recorder in Windows 10). Play it back through your output device and listen for distortion, low volume or background noise.
• If your calling app has a microphone test, run it too, because the app may use a different device or apply its own processing.

A good result in Windows settings confirms the system input path, not exactly what other people will hear. Call apps may apply automatic gain or noise suppression that changes the sound. Choosing a higher sample rate does not make a microphone better than its hardware. For calls, the default format is usually enough. For recording projects, match the rate your project uses. Many Bluetooth headsets switch to a lower-quality hands-free mode while the microphone is active, which can affect both recording and playback.

Common problems and next steps

The microphone is not listed

Reconnect the device or try another USB port. On the Recording tab, right-click an empty area, choose Show Disabled Devices, and enable the microphone if it appears. If it is still missing, check Device Manager for a driver warning, or install the manufacturer's driver if the device needs one.

The level meter does not move

Check the hardware mute and the microphone privacy switches, and confirm that the meter you are watching belongs to the selected device. On the Levels tab, make sure the microphone is not muted and the level is not at zero. Some Bluetooth headsets show up as separate entries for playback and for the microphone, so choose the entry that is meant for input.

An app still uses the wrong microphone

Change the microphone in the app's own settings, set the Default Communication Device in the Recording tab, and then restart the app. Some apps only read the device list when they start.

Your voice is too quiet, too loud or noisy

Raise or lower the input level first, then check the microphone's position. Some drivers offer a microphone boost on the Levels tab. Use it carefully, because it also amplifies background noise. To reduce noise, move closer to the microphone, move away from fans and keyboards, or turn on the noise suppression your calling app provides. To undo any change, select your previous microphone again as the default device.