Microphone is no longer working - what to do?

If the microphone stops working, there can be many reasons. In this practical tip, we present you with some suggested solutions.

Broken microphone: hardware problems

The problem may not be with your computer, but with the microphone itself:

1. Check that you have inserted the device properly. Microphone sockets are usually framed in pink and are marked with a handheld microphone (see picture).
2. Test the microphone on another device. If it does not work there either, a cable break can be the cause of the fault.
3. If the device just doesn't work on your computer, test another microphone on your computer. If the error also occurs here, the problem is either with your sound card or with incorrect settings.

Micro no longer works - Windows settings as the cause

If you have checked whether the microphone is still working properly on another device, you should carry out the following steps on your computer:

1. Open the Control Panel and then click on "Hardware and Sound". Now click on "Sound" and then on "Recording Devices".
2. You will now see a list of all the microphones that are available to you (see screenshot). If your microphone is there, right-click on it and then on "Activate" and, if necessary, on "Set as default device".
3. If your microphone is not shown there, your computer will not recognize it. This can happen if your sound card or microphone is broken. In some cases, however, only (the current) drivers are simply missing.

The right audio drivers for the microphone

Your microphone can also not be recognized if important drivers are missing.

1. With a USB microphone, the driver is included with the device. Otherwise, you can also download the driver from the manufacturer's website. A simple Google search should suffice for this.
2. A driver for the sound card can also be helpful. Which driver you need for this depends on your sound card. It is best to read the operating instructions for your motherboard.
3. Alternatively, download Everest and check which motherboard you have.
4. If you know your motherboard, you will find the right driver in our download area. How to successfully check and install drivers can be found in the appropriate practical tip on the topic.

Our practical tips also tell you how to set up your sound card optimally.