How to fix a mic that’s too quiet on Windows 10

An online meeting requires a working mic so that others can hear you speak. Laptops all come with a mic built-in and if you’re on a desktop, you can buy a cheap mic to connect to your system via the audio jack.

An expensive mic or sound-proof recording studio setup isn’t needed for daily meetings. You can minimize the noise around you and that alone will be enough. Alternatively, you can also use a pair of earbuds.

Fix mic too quiet on Windows 10

An internal mic doesn’t need to be set up. Drivers for the device are installed when you set up your system. They’re bundled with the same drivers that are used by the speakers.

Unlike speakers though, you don’t get a lot of settings for the mic. There is no quick mute/unmute button on your keyboard that can control it. In fact, if you want a quick mute/unmute button, you’ll need an app for the job.

A common problem lots of users face with their mic is that the volume is too low and subsequently, they’re too quiet on calls. Here are a few things you can do to fix this problem.

1. Increase mic volume

Windows 10 has a volume setting for the mic which means it is possible your mic is turned down too low. 

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray.
2. Select Sounds from the menu.
3. Go to the Recording tab.
4. Double-click your mic.
5. Go to the Levels tab.
6. Use the Microphone slider to set the volume level for the mic.

2. Enable/increase mic boost

Mic boost is an audio enhancement that is applied to the mic on top of the current volume. If your mic is still quiet after adjusting the volume, you can enable or increase the boost.

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray.
2. Select Sounds from the menu.
3. Go to the Recording tab.
4. Double-click your mic.
5. Go to the Levels tab.
6. Increase the boost until your mic’s volume is suitably loud.

3. Check app’s volume settings

Windows 10 has volume settings for the mic but so do some apps. If the app you’re using your mic with has audio settings, check if there’s a dedicated setting for the mic.

1. Access the app’s settings.
2. Look for audio or device settings.
3. Check for a volume slider and increase it to as far as it goes.

4. Check audio device manager

Desktop/laptop manufacturers like HP and Dell install an audio managing app on your system that can control the volume.

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Go to Hardware and sound.
3. Look for an audio manager or, use Windows Search to open it.
4. Go to the microphone settings.
5. Change the volume level and enable boost if there’s an option for it.

5. Remove/disable virtual audio devices

If you’ve installed a virtual audio device e.g. an app that allows you re-route audio between apps, it may be the reason the mic is too quiet.

1. If the virtual device is essential for you, explore its settings to see if you can boost the mic volume or increase it.
2. If the virtual device isn’t essentially, uninstall it and make sure you restart your system after.

Conclusion

A mic is an essential hardware component and that’s why it’s almost always present on a laptop or desktop. The device doesn’t get as much attention in terms of software though which is why an easy-to-access settings panel for the mic is absent on Windows 10. There are no enhancements that work with it to cancel noise which is why users have to dig around to find the right setting for its volume.

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Fatima Wahab

Fatima has been writing for AddictiveTips for six years. She began as a junior writer and has been working as the Editor in Chief since 2014. Fatima gets an adrenaline rush from figuring out how technology works, and how to manipulate it. A well-designed app, something that solves a common everyday problem and looks

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