Built-in microphone is not working in Windows 10 – ThinkPad

Steps and instructions for Built-in microphone not working in Windows 10 – ThinkPad

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Steps and instructions for Built-in microphone not working in Windows 10 – ThinkPad

Symptom

The built-in microphone is not working after upgrading to Windows 10, and the system is updated with the latest audio driver. Refer to the following steps to troubleshoot this issue. If the issue persists after trying all the steps, contact Lenovo local support for hardware diagnosis.

For additional, related issues, see:

Applicable Brands

ThinkPad

Operating System

Windows 10

Solution

Step 1: Make sure the microphone is set as default and not disabled.

  1. Right-click the Windows icon.
  2. Select Settings.
    Settings
  3. Select System.
  4. Select Sound. Select the Device properties option under Input.
    Device properties
  5. Make sure the Disable option is not checked. Try the Test button and check the sound.
    Disable option

Or

  1. Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar.
  2. Select Open Sound settings.
  3. Select Device properties.
  4. Make sure Disable is not checked for the microphone.

Step 2: Use the Troubleshoot option.

  1. Right-click the Windows icon.
  2. Select Settings.
    Settings
  3. Select System.
  4. Select Sound.
  5. Select Troubleshoot.

For more details, see How to run Windows Troubleshooters - Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Step 3: Check the Listen to this device option.

This step will help if there is more than 1 microphone device connected to the laptop. For example, an external microphone.

  1. Right-click the Windows icon.
  2. Select Settings.
    Settings
  3. Select System.
  4. Select Sound.
    Sound
  5. Select the Device properties option under Input.
    Device properties
  6. Select Additional device properties under Related Settings.
    Related Settings
  7. Select the Listen tab. Select Listen to this device​.
    Listen to this device

Step 4: Unmute or increase microphone volume.

  1. Select the Windows icon.
  2. Select Settings.
    Settings
  3. Select System.
  4. Select Sound.
  5. Select the Device properties option under Input.
  6. Select Additional device properties under Related Settings.
  7. Select the Levels tab. There is a mute symbol next to the audio icon if the volume is muted. If the mute symbol is there, click the symbol to unmute, and make sure the volume is set to 50 or higher.

Step 5: Update drivers from Manufacturer (Support Site) or Microsoft.

Updating drivers with the Manufacturer driver (From Lenovo Support Site)

  1. Select the Search icon and type device manager in the search box. Select Device Manager on the menu.
    Device Manager
  2. Navigate to Sound, video and game controllers. Right-click Realtek High Definition Audio, Conexant SmartAudio, or IDT High Definition Audio, and then choose Uninstall.
  3. Select the Search icon, type Control Panel in the search box, and then click Programs and Features. On the list of apps, uninstall anything related to Realtek, Conexant, or IDT & Dolby, and then reboot.
  4. After the reboot, go to the Lenovo Support site at http://support.lenovo.com to download the new audio driver.
    Note: Go to Lenovo Support Site and select your product first before proceeding to download the driver.
    or
    Download drivers automatically using the Lenovo System Update (LSU). Download the LSU using the following URL: Lenovo System Update.

Updating drivers with the Microsoft driver

  1. Select the Search icon and type Device Manager in the search box.
  2. Click to expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click the device, and choose Update driver.
  3. A pop-up wizard is displayed. Click the Search automatically for updated driver software option.

Using the built-in Microsoft driver

If updating the drivers does not work, try using the built-in Microsoft driver.

  1. Select the Search icon and type Device Manager in the search box.
  2. Click to expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click the device, and choose Update driver.
    Update driver
  3. Click Browse my computer for driver software.
  4. Click Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
  5. There should now be a list of drivers.
  6. Choose and install the Microsoft driver (should be a High definition Audio driver).

Step 6: Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

If the issue is still not resolved, try the Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.
Make older programs compatible with this version of Windows


Document ID:HT104054
Original Publish Date:08/28/2015
Last Modified Date:02/04/2025