How to Fix Microphone Issues on Windows 8/8.1
Microphone issues on Windows 8 or 8.1 are common due to driver conflicts or incorrect configuration settings. Users may experience no sound, low sound input, distortion, or the system may fail to detect the mic at all. The guide will help you understand the issues and the fixes to restore the proper microphone functionality on your PC.
5 Fixes to Mic Not Working Issues on Windows 8
If your microphone is not detecting sound or is not working properly, there may be issues with software or hardware. It can happen out of the blue, for example, after a driver update or installing a new application. To access the microphone settings and fix the problems, follow the guide:
Sound and Mic Test Settings
- If your microphone has stopped working in Windows 8, fix that by following the steps below:
- Go to the sound icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen in the system tray..
- Select “Sound Settings”.
- If you see the mic scale is moving, then the mic is working. If it doesn’t move at all while speaking into the mic, there must be something wrong with it.
- In this way, you can check if the mic is really not working.
Troubleshooting the Microphone in Windows 8
- Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix your mic in Windows
- Keeping the previous tab open, select the Recording tab, and click Next to start the troubleshooter.
- Follow the screen prompt by checking your device (microphone). If the troubleshooter finds the problem, agree to apply the recommended fix.
- If the troubleshooter finds no problem, then follow the next step given.
Check Level And Mute
- In the Recording tab, select Mic and then Properties.
- Go to the Levels tab.
- Ensure the volume is up
- Try to increase, if there is a Microphone Boost.
- Ensure the speaker icon next to the slider is not muted.
Click Ok and try the mic again.
Check the Device Manager (Audio Drivers)
- Sometimes, the Audio Drivers are not updated or have gone corrupt (installed from an unauthorized source). To check the drivers, follow the steps:
- Press the Windows Key + X and Select the Device Manager.
- Expand Audio Inputs and Outputs.
- Find your microphone or audio device.
- Right-click Update Driver Software, choose Search Automatically.
- If updating does not work, right-click Uninstall, then Reboot. Windows itself downloads the new drivers.
- Return to the recording tab and test the mic after updating the drivers.
Set Mic As Default
- Set the Built-in Mic as the default by following the steps:
- Open Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Sound.
- Click the Recording Tab.
- Look for your microphone in the list.
- If you find your device, right-click in the list and select Show Disabled Devices.
- If it is greyed, make it enabled.
- Click Set Default at the bottom.
- Click Apply, then OK.
Microphone Settings Windows 8 vs 8.1
The settings of the mic in Windows 8 and 8.1 are related but differ in the following aspects.
| Step / Feature | Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 |
| Access Sound Settings | Charms bar → Settings → Control Panel → Sound | Right-click Start or sound icon → Sounds → Recording (faster) |
| Mic Test | Works, but sometimes buggy | More stable and responsive |
| Troubleshooter | Access via Control Panel → Troubleshooting → Hardware & Sound → Recording Audio | Same path |
| Levels & Mute | Volume slider + Boost. | Same interface |
| Device Manager / Drivers | Older driver model may need manual install. | Updated audio stack, auto-updates are more reliable. |
| Set Mic as Default | Control Panel → Sound → Recording → Set Default, disabled devices may not refresh | Same steps. |
The Charms Bar is a feature introduced in Windows 8 that provides quick access to common system functions such as Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings. It is displayed on the right side of the screen.
