How to fix sound recording problems in Windows 10

1. Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).
2. Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
3. Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer’s security and performance

• Restoro has been downloaded by 0 readers this month.

Even though the possibility of recording sound on a computer is a basic function and something we take for granted when it works correctly, configuring and troubleshooting it can be difficult when it doesn’t work out of the box.

Users have faced problems with recording sound in every version of Windows, or any other operating system for that matter, and Windows 10 is no exception. Today we’ll go through some of the most common sound recording fixes.

Can’t record sound on PC? Here are 5 solutions to fix it

1. Update your drivers

Drivers are the pieces of software that help the OS communicate with the hardware components and are usually the first thing to check. Windows Update delivers a reliable method of updating the drivers in most cases.

To do so just click on the Start menu button, open the Settings window and select Update & Security. From the left pane select Windows Update and click on the Check for updates button in the right half of the window.

If Windows Update fails to update your sound card and recording hardware drivers then you’ll need to download them from the manufacturers’ website. There you’ll usually find a Support or Download section where you’ll find the latest drivers.

We strongly recommend TweakBit Driver Updater (100% safe and tested by us) to automatically download all the outdated drivers on your PC.

2. Enable microphone / recording device

If your computer uses more than one recording device some of them might be disabled. To check if the correct one is enabled right click on the volume / speaker icon from the Windows taskbar and select Recording devices.

In the resulting window locate your recording device and make sure it is enabled. If it isn’t you can do so by right clicking on it and selecting Enable. Disabled devices might also be hidden and you’ll have to right click the device list and select Show disabled devices.

3. Adjust microphone levels

Each device has its own input and output levels which can be adjusted depending on your needs. You can do this from the same Recording devices window by right clicking on your device and selecting Properties. Under the Levels tab you’ll find sliders for adjusting the input level similar to the ones in the below image.

Try changing the values found here and check if these help with your problem. Some microphones even have a Boost option that needs to be enabled for it to work properly.

4. Select the correct recording device

Run a System Scan to discover potential errors

If you have multiple recording devices installed on your machine Windows might not know which one to use and you’ll have to select it manually as the default recording device.

This can be achieved from the same window opened in the second solution. Right click on the device you want to use and select Set as default device.

This will let Windows know which of the installed devices you want to use and make it the default one for all situations. If you tend to switch between recording devices, like the microphone and stereo mix, then you’ll have to change it each time you want to use one or the other.

5. Grant audio recording permission

Windows 10 introduced new privacy options that give us more control over the data we share and how we, and other users, access the installed hardware. These are options that we can all benefit from but sometimes they can cause problems if not configured correctly.

These options can be found by clicking the Start menu button and opening the Settings window. Now go to Privacy and select the Microphone tab.

Here you’ll find a list of all the apps installed on your system that can use the microphone and you can enable or disable access for each one of them independently. There is also a master switch at the top that disables and enables access to the microphone for all applications.

6. Try a different recorder application

Sound recording applications are a dime a dozen and some can work differently from others. The fact that one of them doesn’t work for you doesn’t mean that all of them won’t work and sometimes the problem might be with the application and not with your PC.

Some applications, depending on the way they connect to the recording device, might also need to be updated in order to work with recent versions of Windows.

Before you start looking for faults in your system you might want to consider trying a different recording application. The Microsoft application Store offers many sound recording alternatives to the default Windows Voice Recorder, like Recorder 8 or Quick Voice Recorder which can record sound in higher quality, different formats and even save them your OneDrive account.

7. Run the built-in audio troubleshooter

If you still can’t record sound on Windows 10, try running Microsoft’s dedicated audio recording troubleshooter. This tool automatically detects and repairs audio issues that may prevent you from recording sound on your computer.

Here’s how to launch the audio troubleshooter:

1. Go to Start > type ‘settings’ > double-click on the first result to launch the Settings page
2. Navigate to Update & Security > select Troubleshooter > right-click on the ‘Recording Audio’ troubleshooter
3. Run the tool and follow the on-screen instructions to fix the problem.

• ALSO READ: Quick fix: Windows 10 build has no audio

8. Clean boot your computer

If certain apps and programs are preventing you from recording audio on your computer, try performing a clean boot. Placing your machine in Clean Boot allows you to identify any third party apps that are causing this problem.

Here are the steps to follow to place your computer in Clean Boot State:

1. Go to Start > type msconfig > hit Enter to launch System Configuration
2. Go to the General tab > select Selective startup > uncheck Load startup items
3. Go to the Services tab > check Hide all Microsoft services > click Disable all
4. Click Apply > click OK > Restart your computer and try to record audio again.

There you go, we hope that the solutions listed above helped you fix the problem. If you record audio again, use the comments below to tell us which solution worked for you.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:

Fix sound problems in Windows 10

If you’re having audio problems, the following suggestions might help. The tips are listed in order, so start with the first one, see if that helps, and then continue to the next one if it doesn’t.

If multiple audio output devices are available, check that you have the appropriate one selected. Here’s how:

Select the Speakers icon on the taskbar.

Next, select the arrow to open a list of audio devices connected to your computer.

Check that your audio is playing to the audio device you prefer, such as a speaker or headphones.

If this doesn’t help, continue to the next tip.

The audio troubleshooter might be able to fix audio problems automatically.

To run the troubleshooter

In the search box on the taskbar, type audio troubleshooter, select Fix and find problems with playing sound from the results, then select Next.

Select the device you want to troubleshoot and then continue through the troubleshooter.

You can also launch the troubleshooter from audio Settings. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound > Troubleshoot.

If running the troubleshooter doesn’t help, continue to the next tip.

To check for updates

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Do one of the following:

If the status says «You’re up to date, go to the next tip.

If the status says «Updates are available,» select Install now.

Select the updates you want to install, then select Install.

Restart your PC and see if your sound is working properly.

If that didn’t solve your problem, continue to the next tip.

Try these steps

Check your speaker and headphone connections for loose cords or cables. Make sure all cords and cables are plugged in.

If you have multiple 5mm jacks to plug into, especially on a surround sound system, make sure all cords and cables are plugged into the correct jack.

If it’s not clear which jack goes with which cord, consult your hardware manufacturer, or try the most obvious outputs one at a time and see if they work.

Note: Some systems use a green jack for output and pink for mic input and others will be labeled «headphone» or «microphone.»

Make sure the power is turned on and check the volume level.

Make sure the mute setting is not turned on, and try turning up all the volume controls.

Remember some speakers and apps have their own volume controls. Be sure to check them all.

Try connecting your speaker and headphones to a different USB port.

It’s possible that your speakers won’t work when your headphones are plugged in. Unplug your headphones and see if that helps.

If your cables and volume are OK, see the next sections for additional troubleshooting.

Check to make sure your audio devices aren’t muted and haven’t been disabled.

Right-click the Speakers icon on the taskbar, and then select Open Volume mixer.

You’ll see a set of volume controls for your devices. Make sure none of them are muted. If any of them are muted, you’ll see a red circle with a line through it next to the volume control. In that case, select the volume control to unmute.

Check your device properties to make sure that your devices have not been disabled by mistake. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound .

Select your audio device, and then select Device properties. Be sure to select Device properties for both the output and input devices.

Make sure the Disable check box is cleared for the output and input devices.

If that didn’t solve your problem, continue to the next tip.

Hardware problems can be caused by outdated or malfunctioning drivers. Make sure your audio driver is up to date and update it if needed. If that doesn’t work, try uninstalling the audio driver (it will reinstall automatically). If that doesn’t work, try using the generic audio driver that comes with Windows. If you’re having audio issues after installing updates, try rolling back your audio driver.

To update your audio driver automatically

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select it from the results.

Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.

Right-click the listing for your sound card or audio device, such as headphones or speakers, select Update driver, then select Search automatically for updated driver software. Follow the instructions to complete the update.

If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, look for one on the device manufacturer’s website and follow those instructions. If that doesn’t work, try uninstalling your audio driver.

To uninstall your audio driver

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select it from the results.

Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.

Right-click the listing for your sound card or audio device, select Uninstall device, select the Delete the driver software for this device check box, and then select Uninstall.

Restart your PC.

Note: Be sure to save documents and any other current work before you restart.

This restart will automatically prompt your PC to reinstall your audio driver.

To restart, select Start > Power > Restart .

If those options didn’t work, try using the generic audio driver that comes with Windows.

To use the generic audio driver that comes with Windows

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select it from the results.

Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.

Right-click the listing for your sound card or audio device, then select Update driver > Browse my computer for driver software > Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.

Select the audio device whose driver you want to update, select Next, and then follow the instructions to install it.

If these steps didn’t solve your audio issue, visit your device manufacturer’s website and install the most recent audio/sound drivers for your device. Following is an example of a driver download page for a sound device manufacturer.

If you have audio issues after installing updates

If your audio was working before you ran Windows Update and now isn’t working, try rolling back your audio driver.

To roll back your audio driver

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select it from the results.

Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.

Right-click the listing for your sound card or audio device, then select Properties.

Select the Driver tab, then select Roll Back Driver.

Read and follow the instructions and then select Yes if you want to roll back your audio driver.

If rolling back your audio driver didn’t work or wasn’t an option, you can try to restore your PC from a system restore point.

Restore your PC from a system restore point

When Microsoft installs updates on your system, we create a system restore point in case problems arise. Try restoring from that point and see if that fixes your sound problems. For more info, see «Restore from a system restore point» in Recovery options in Windows 10.

If you’re connecting to an audio device—such as headphones or speakers—using USB or HDMI, you might need to set that device as the default audio device. If you’re using an external monitor that doesn’t have built-in speakers, make sure that the monitor isn’t already selected as your default output device. if it is, you won’t have any audio. You can check that when you set your default output audio device. Here’s how:

In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel, then select it from the results.

Select Hardware and Sound from the Control Panel, and then select Sound.

On the Playback tab, right-click the listing for your audio device, select Set as Default Device, and then select OK.

If setting your audio device as the default device doesn’t help, continue to the next tip for additional troubleshooting.

Sometimes having audio enhancements on can result in audio issues. Disabling them may resolve your issue.

In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel, then select it from the results.

Select Hardware and Sound from the Control Panel, and then select Sound.

On the Playback tab, right-click the Default Device, and then select Properties.

On the Enhancements tab, select either the Disable all enhancements or the Disable all sound effects check box (depending on which option you see), select OK, and try to play your audio device.

If that doesn’t work, on the Playback tab, select another default device (if you have one), select either the Disable all enhancements or the Disable all sound effects check box (depending on which option you see), select OK, and try to play audio again. Do this for each default device.

If turning off audio enhancements doesn’t help, see the next sections for additional troubleshooting.

In the search box on the taskbar, type services, then select it from the results.

Select each of the following services, right-click, and then select Restart:

Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

If restarting these services doesn’t resolve your issue, see the next sections for more troubleshooting.

In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel, and then select it from the results.

Select Hardware and Sound from the Control Panel, and then select Sound.

On the Playback tab, right-click (or press and hold) Default Device, and then select Properties.

On the Advanced tab, under Default Format, change the setting, select OK,and then test your audio device. If that doesn’t work, try changing the setting again.

If trying different audio formats doesn’t help, see the next sections for additional troubleshooting.

Many updates require you to restart your device.

To check and see if you have installed updates pending and need to restart

Save your work and close all open applications.

Select Start > Power . If you have installed updates pending, you’ll see options to Update and restart and Update and shut down.

Select one of those restart options to apply the updates

If restarting doesn’t help, see the next section for additional troubleshooting.

Some audio problems might be caused by an issue with the audio system’s IDT High Definition Audio CODEC. This can be fixed with a manual driver update which allows you to choose the sound driver you want to use.

Note: Not all systems will have an IDT High Definition Audio CODEC.

To check and see if you have one, and to manually update the driver

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select it from the results.

Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.

Look for IDT High Definition Audio CODEC. If it’s listed, right-click it and select Update driver, then select Browse my computer for driver software > Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.

You’ll see a list of pre-installed drivers. Select High Definition Audio Device, and then select Next.

1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy , and then select Microphone from the left menu.

Under Allow access to the microphone on this device, select Change. Make sure the toggle is turned On.

If you’re having this issue with a specific app, scroll down to Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone and make sure that the toggle next to that app is turned On as well.