My microphone input stopped working several years ago, and I haven't been able to find the cause. I replaced the motherboard with a Gigabyte B450M K, performed a clean Windows 11 installation, reinstalled and updated the audio drivers, checked microphone privacy permissions, and reset the Windows Audio services. None of that helped.
I've tested several 3.5 mm microphones, as well as Bluetooth headphones with microphones connected through a USB dongle. The dongle and headphone playback work normally, and all of the microphones work on other devices. Windows detects the microphone devices, but the input level never moves and no sound is recorded.
I've also checked the available microphone sources and tested the rear motherboard audio port. What else could cause every microphone input to be detected but register absolutely no audio?
2 Answers
Make sure Windows is actually using the intended input device. Even with one physical microphone connected, Windows may list several recording sources. Check the Sound settings and select the correct microphone as the input, then verify its input volume and test level. Also confirm it isn't muted in the classic recording-device properties.
Check Device Manager for any audio or USB devices marked with a yellow warning icon. A driver or device error there could explain why Windows lists the hardware but doesn't receive input. It would also be worth testing the microphones on another computer, although you’ve already confirmed that the microphones and headset work elsewhere.
I went through the available input sources and tested them, but none of them show any activity. The wired microphone was connected to the rear motherboard jack, and the Bluetooth headset microphone failed too.