How to Fix 'Cannot Adjust Microphone Settings on PC'

How to Fix 'Cannot Adjust Microphone Settings on PC'

Many of us rely on our PCs for day-to-day tasks, entertainment, and most importantly, communicating with the rest of the world. Whether it's for a work meeting, a class, or catching up with loved ones, the microphone on your PC plays a vital role. But what happens when you suddenly can't adjust your microphone settings? It can be a frustrating experience, but fear not! Here is a step-by-step guide to help fix the issue and get your microphone back on track.

1. Check the Hardware

Before diving into more complex solutions, let's start with the basics. Make sure your microphone is correctly plugged in if it's an external device. Try unplugging it and plugging it back in. If it's a Bluetooth device, ensure it's properly paired. It's also worth trying your microphone on another PC to check if the issue might be with the device itself.

2. Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in tool to help identify and fix various issues, including sound problems.

1. Open the Start menu and go to Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security, then Troubleshoot.
3. Select Additional troubleshooters, and find Recording Audio.
4. Run the troubleshooter and follow any recommended fixes.

3. Check Microphone Permissions

For privacy reasons, Windows allows you to control which apps can access your microphone. If you've accidentally denied access, you might find your microphone unusable in certain apps.

1. Go to Settings and select Privacy.
2. Click on Microphone under App Permissions.
3. Make sure Allow apps to access your microphone is turned on.

You can also scroll down to see and manage which specific apps have permission to use your microphone.

4. Update Your Audio Drivers

Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can cause issues with your microphone settings. Updating them might solve the problem.

1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
2. Look for Audio inputs and outputs, click on it to expand.
3. Find your microphone, right-click on it, and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the prompts.

5. Check Your Sound Settings

Sometimes, the issue could be due to the wrong input device being selected or the microphone levels being set too low.

1. Right-click the Speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Sound settings.
2. Under Input, make sure the correct microphone is selected from the dropdown menu.
3. Click on Device properties and check if the volume is appropriately set.

6. Disable Audio Enhancements

Audio enhancements can sometimes interfere with your microphone's performance.

1. Open Sound settings as before.
2. Click on Device properties under your microphone settings.
3. If available, select Additional device properties.
4. In the window that opens, go to the Advanced tab.
5. Uncheck Enable audio enhancements and apply the changes.

7. Reset Your System’s Sound Settings

If all else fails, you might need to reset your system's sound settings to default.

1. Go to Sound settings.
2. Scroll down to Advanced sound options and click on App volume and device preferences.
3. Here you'll find an option to Reset the sound settings. This will default all your input and output device selections.

8. Consider System Recovery Options

For persistent issues, Windows offers a couple of recovery options that might help without affecting your personal files.

1. System Restore: This returns your system to an earlier point in time before the microphone issues began.
2. Reset This PC: As a last resort, resetting your PC lets you choose to keep your files but reinstalls Windows.

Before attempting system recovery, make sure to back up your important files as a precaution.

Conclusion

Having issues with your PC's microphone can be a real inconvenience, especially when you rely on it for several essential tasks. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to fix the 'Cannot Adjust Microphone Settings on PC' issue. With a little patience and some troubleshooting, your microphone will be up and running in no time. Remember, it's often a simple fix, so don't feel overwhelmed. Happy chatting!