When you want to set up and test your microphone on Windows, where do you start? Oftentimes with most USB microphones, including the Logitech Blue Yeti, Windows will find, download, and install the microphone drivers automatically.
But if you want to know how to set a new microphone on Windows 10 or Windows 11, it’s relatively simple to set up and test a microphone, just follow this guide.
Enable microphone on Windows 10
First, you need to make sure that your microphone access is enabled to start using it on Windows 10. Follow these steps.
1. Open Settings by using the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut.
2. Go to Privacy.
3. In the left pane of Privacy, under App permissions, click Microphone.
4. Click Change under “Allow access to the microphone on this device.”
5. Microphone access for this device should be turned on. If it is off, turn in on to enable your microphone on Windows 10.
As you might have noticed, you can also pick whether you want to Allow apps to access your microphone.
When turned on, you can pick which specific Microsoft Store as well as any desktop apps you want to have access to your microphone.
Enable microphone on Windows 11
The process to enable your microphone on Windows 11 is almost identical to the process as it is on Windows 10. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Open Settings by using the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut.
2. Click Privacy & security in the left pane.
3. Under App permissions, click Microphone.
4. Turn the Microphone access toggle on to enable microphone access on Windows 11.
Like Windows 10, Windows 11 also allows you to pick which apps you want to grant access to your microphone below.
Located below the Microphone access toggle, you can turn on (or off) Let apps access your microphone and pick which the apps you will use regularly with your microphone.
Install a microphone on Windows 10
Now that you have microphone access is enabled, you have to make sure Windows knows what device you want to use.
To install a new microphone or recording device that you want to use, follow these steps.
1. Open Settings by using the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut.
2. Click System.
3. Click Sound from the left pane and pick the microphone or recording device that you want to use from the Choose your input device dropdown menu under Input.
Device not appearing on this list? Click Troubleshoot to try to fix the issue.
Install a microphone on Windows 11
With the microphone or recording device physically connected to your PC, follow these steps:
1. Open Settings by using the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut.
2. Go to System > Sound.
3. Under Input, click to pick the microphone or recording device you want to use from the Choose a device for speaking or recording list of devices.
If your microphone or recording device does not appear on this list, you can click Add device to add a new device.
Test a microphone on Windows 10
Now that microphone access is enabled and your microphone is installed, it’s time to test it out! If you need to test a microphone that’s already installed, follow these steps.
1. Open Settings by using the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut.
2. Go to System > Sound.
3. In Sound, go to Input and under Test your microphone, look for a blue bar indicator that fills when you speak into the microphone or other recording device that you installed.
4. If you don’t see any activity in the blue bar under Test your microphone, click Troubleshoot to try to fix your microphone.
Test a microphone on Windows 11
1. Open Settings by using the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut.
2. Go to System > Sound.
3. In Sound, go to Input and select the device you want to test. and click the arrow as indicated to be taken to the microphone or recording device properties.
4. Under Input settings, go to Test your microphone and click Start test.
5. Speak into your microphone or recording device and you should see the Input volume (blue bar) rise and fall with your voice. Click Stop test when finished.
6. You should see the results of your most recent test after you click Stop test.
If you didn’t see any movement in the blue bar, you may need to proceed with steps to troubleshoot your audio device. Ensure that the audio device is securely plugged into your computer. A loose connection can often be to blame.
Do you have any issues with your microphone or other audio devices on Windows 10 or Windows 11? Let us know in the comments!
