Windows Microphone Settings 7

Check that your microphone is configured correctly in Windows 7, and learn how to fix the settings if it is not.

If your microphone doesn't seem to be working, or if you tried our microphone test and the line didn't move, something could be wrong with your microphone settings.

Here is how to configure the microphone in Windows 7:

Step 1Click on the Windows symbol at the bottom left of the screen (box number 1 in the following image), and then click Control Panel (box number 2 in the following image).

Step 2Click “Hardware and Sound”.

Step 3: Under “Sound,” click “Manage Audio Devices.”

Step 4Click the “Burn” tab.

Step 5: Now you will be able to see a list of recording devices. Try speaking into the microphone, and look for the green bars that appear as you speak (see screenshot).

Step 6: If you saw green bars increasing while you spoke that means your microphone is set up correctly (what to do if your microphone still doesn't work even though it says it's set up correctly?)

Step 7:If you did not see green bars while speaking into the microphone, continue following the instructions.

Step 8Check if you can recognize which of the devices in the list is your microphone. Follow the following instructions for the same. If that doesn't work or you are not sure which device your microphone is, go through the instructions for all devices one by one.

Step 9: Click the corresponding device to highlight it, and then click “Default”.

Step 10: Double-click the device and in the window that opens, click on the “Levels” tab.

Step 11: Drag the slider to the right, until the number '100' appears next to it.

Step 12:Click “OK”.

Step 13: Now you can check again if the green bars appear when you speak into the microphone: if so, your microphone is configured correctly. If you have tried following this procedure for all devices, but there are still no green bars, click here.

Well, sorry, we can't help here. If that is the case, then the problem is with the program, probably in the program settings. The program could be listening to the wrong microphone.

The good news is, you have now verified that the problem is not with your Windows 7 settings.

What to do if you don't see the green bars moving on any device?

Try right-clicking inside the “Recording” tab (Follow steps 1-4 if you forgot how to get there) and check if the words “Show disabled devices” have a V next to them. If not, click on them to make the V appear.

This may add additional devices to the list. Perform steps 5-13 on these devices as well, until you see green bars when you speak into the microphone.