Fix Speakers or Mic Not Working on Windows or Mac

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

No matter what kind of computer you're using, if you're suddenly unable to hear the sound your apps are supposed to be producing or communicate with others using your microphone, you're in for a very frustrating experience.

Whether your speakers or microphone aren't properly connected, haven't been configured properly, or aren't at an appropriate volume level because they've been mistakenly muted, there's a lot of things to check.

This guide will take you through checking both your speakers and microphone to make sure that your computer and the app you're working with can make use of them like they're supposed to.

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2. If Your Microphone Isn't Working

If the microphone that's built-in or attached to your computer isn't picking up your voice, it may not be connected or configured properly. Check the following to be sure that others are able to hear you within whatever app or software you're using.

Make sure your microphone is properly connected

If you're using an analog microphone

Make sure the microphone is plugged into the Pink audio port.

If you're using a digital microphone

In most cases, USB ports output power to drive the devices we've plugged in. Sometimes certain USB ports don't have enough power to properly drive the device we've connected. Make sure the USB cable has been fully connected/seated. If this doesn't have an effect, try using a different USB port on your computer.

Make sure the microphone or headset isn't muted

Depending on the microphone or headset you're using, it may have its own mute button or switch. These types of buttons and/or switches do not report their status to your computer, but may have an indicator light to let you know that your microphone has been 'locally' muted in this way. Always make sure your microphone has not been locally muted by a physical button or switch.

There may be a small indicator light nearby the mute button or switch; this is a great way to tell if your microphone has been locally muted.

Check the microphone's volume on your computer

There's a possibility that your microphone is working just fine, but the volume of your microphone may be set too low, and others are unable to hear you. Check the volume of your microphone (sometimes referred to on your computer as the recording or input device) to be sure it is at an adequate level.

Check the Mic Volume on Windows

1. Using your right mouse button, Right click on the speaker in your System Tray, and select Open Sound settings.
   

1. Under Input, select Device properties.
   

1. Make sure Disable is not checked, and make sure the volume is at a reasonable volume.
   

1. A volume between 50 and 75 is usually appropriate.

Check the Mic Volume on Apple macOS

1. Open the Apple Menu, then select System Preferences.
   

1. Select Sound.
   

1. Select the Input tab at top, and make sure the Input volume is at a reasonable volume.
   

1. A volume between 50 and 75 is usually appropriate.

Check the app or software you're using

Many apps and software programs that make use of your microphone have their own built-in mute controls. This is typical primarily on audio & video conferencing software to prevent other users from interrupting or disturbing the presenter and/or other attendees.

For example, the following depicts the popular conferencing program GoToMeeting, and what a muted and unmuted microphone looks like. Always make sure that you have not mistakenly muted yourself within whatever app or software program you're using. 

Unmuted Microphone

A green circle with a microphone in it is shown when you can be heard by others.

Muted Microphone

A microphone with a cross in a red circle is shown when you can't be heard by others.

Make sure your computer is using the right microphone

Depending on your computer setup, you may actually have multiple 'input' or 'recording' devices connected at any given time. If you're attempting to use one microphone, but your computer believes it should be using a different one, this could be the cause of your problems.

The following will demonstrate how to make sure your computer is using the right microphone (sometimes referred to as an Input or Recording device).

Select Your Microphone on Windows

1. Using your right mouse button, Right click on the speaker in your System Tray, and select Open Sound settings.
   

1. Under the Input header, make sure the correct microphone is selected within the Choose your input device dropdown box. 
   

Select Your Microphone on Apple macOS

1. Open the Apple Menu, then select System Preferences.
   

1. Select Sound.
   

1. Select the Input tab at top, and make sure the correct device is selected.
   

If nothing else has worked, reboot your computer

If none of the suggestions have resolved your microphone issue, reboot your computer and try again. This may seem like a useless step, but sometimes the audio services on a computer can fail. Rebooting can restart those services and potentially resolve the issue you're experiencing.

If you're still experiencing problems after a reboot, your microphone or headset may be malfunctioning. Try a different device, or reach out to the manufacturer for further assistance.

 

To Reboot a Windows Computer

Before you restart or shut down your PC, make sure to save all necessary work to prevent data loss.

1. Select the Start menu, then select Power.
   

1. Select Restart.
   

To Reboot a Mac

1. Select the Apple menu, then Shut Down...
   

1. Wait for your computer to shut down, and turn off.
2. Wait 10 seconds.
3. Turn your Mac back on by pushing the Power button on the keyboard.
   

3. If Your Speakers or Headphones Aren't Working

If the speakers or headphones you've got connected to your computer aren't producing sound at all, there's a chance they may not be connected or configured properly. Use the following to be sure that your machine is outputting sound to the proper device.

Make sure your speakers or headphones are properly connected

If you're using analog speakers or headphones

Make sure the speakers or headphones are plugged into the Green audio port.

If you're using digital speakers or headphones

In most cases, USB ports output power to drive the devices we've plugged in. Sometimes certain USB ports don't have enough power to properly drive the device we've connected. Make sure the USB cable has been fully connected/seated. If this doesn't have an effect, try using a different USB port on your computer.

Check for adequate volume levels and muting

While many sets of speakers and some headsets have their own volume knobs or wheels, many users tend to forget that your computer also has its own volume adjustments, including the ability to mute sound output entirely. This is important to check.

Check Volume Levels and Muting on Windows

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Volume Mixer.
   

1. You can set each application's audio level from here. If the icons at the bottom are blue then nothing has been muted.
   

Check Volume Levels and Muting on Apple macOS

For an Apple Mac you can just check the volume slider and make sure it's set to your liking.

Make sure your computer is using the right speakers or headphones

As was previously mentioned for microphones, your computer also has numerous 'Output' devices that it can send its audio to. Making sure your computer is sending audio to the correct device can make the difference between hearing nothing and hearing everything you expect to be hearing.

Select the Correct Audio Output Device on Windows

1. Left-click the speaker icon.
   

1. Click the arrow.
   

1. Make sure the correct playback device is selected.
   

Select the Correct Audio Output Device on Apple macOS

1. If you are not using external headphones or speakers, make sure none are plugged in.
2. Click the Apple Menu, and choose System Preferences.
   

1.  Click Sound.
   

1. Choose Output at the top. Make sure your device is selected, the “Output volume” slider is not all the way to the left, and the Mute checkbox is not selected.
   

If nothing else has worked, reboot your computer

If none of the suggestions have restored audio to your speakers or headphones, reboot your computer and try again. This may seem like a useless step, but sometimes the audio services on a computer can fail. Rebooting can restart those services and potentially resolve the issue you're experiencing.

If you're still experiencing problems after a reboot, the speakers or headphones you're using may be malfunctioning. Try a different device, or reach out to the manufacturer for further assistance.

To Reboot a Windows Computer

Before you restart or shut down your PC, make sure to save all necessary work to prevent data loss.

1. Select the Start menu, then select Power.
   

1. Select Restart.
   

To Reboot a Mac

1. Select the Apple menu, then Shut Down...
   

1. Wait for your computer to shut down, and turn off.
2. Wait 10 seconds.
3. Turn your Mac back on by pushing the Power button on the keyboard.