Microphone button is stuck on 'off' how do fix this?

Hi,

What is the microphone model?

If it's a laptop, try unmuting it using the keyboard by pressing fn + the key with the microphone icon, or just press f1 to f12 on the key with the microphone icon.

Do you have any third-party antivirus software?

If it's a laptop, what is the laptop model?

Thanks

Follow these steps in Windows 11 to fix a microphone that stays muted even though other sound works:

1. Check the physical mute control
   • If the headset or microphone has a hardware Mute button or switch, make sure it is not set to Mute. A lit red/amber LED often means the mic is muted.
   • Some laptops have a keyboard mic-mute key; press it once to toggle the microphone back on.
2. Confirm microphone privacy settings
   • Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone (Windows 11 path is equivalent to the Windows 10 steps below).
   • Under Allow access to the microphone on this device, select Change and turn the toggle On.
   • Make sure app access is allowed for the apps being used (for example, Zoom) under the list of apps that can access the microphone.
3. Make the correct device the default and test it
   • Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   • Under Input, choose the microphone or headset in Choose a device for speaking or recording.
   • Select the > next to the device, then under Microphone test choose Start test, speak normally, then Stop test and Play the recorded sample.
   • If nothing is recorded, the mic is still muted or blocked.
4. Check input volume / levels
   • In Settings > System > Sound, select the microphone under Input.
   • Adjust the Input volume slider up.
   • Test again using the built-in microphone test.
5. Reinstall or update audio drivers (if the mic is not detected or still not working)
   • Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
   • Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   • Right-click the audio device and select Uninstall device. If available, check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (or Delete the driver software for this device) and select Uninstall.
   • Restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the audio device automatically.
   • If needed, go back to Device Manager, right-click the audio driver, and select Update driver.

If the internal microphone still cannot be enabled after these steps but external headsets work, this can indicate a hardware issue with the built-in mic or its mute circuitry; in that case, device manufacturer support may be required.

References:

• Fix microphone problems
• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• internal microphone on windows 11 not working - Microsoft Q&A