Troubleshooting USB Microphone Not Working

If your USB microphone isn’t being detected or isn’t capturing audio during your test or interview, it could be due to connection issues, permissions, or system settings. This can lead to missing audio input, which may affect your ability to communicate clearly, result in incomplete recordings, or even lead to your test/interview session being flagged or disqualified. Follow the steps below to fix it quickly.

✅ Common Causes and Fixes

What Might Be Wrong	What You Can Do
USB mic not recognized by the system	Unplug and reconnect the mic. Try a different USB port (avoid USB hubs if possible).
Wrong mic selected as input	Go to your system or browser settings and choose your USB mic as the default input device.
Mic is muted	Check for a mute button on the mic or cable, and unmute it.
Permissions not granted	Allow microphone access in your browser and operating system settings.
Outdated or missing drivers	Restart your system. If it still doesn’t work, update audio or USB drivers.
USB port is faulty	Try plugging the mic into another USB port or device to test.
Background apps using the mic	Close other apps like Zoom, Skype, or Teams that may be locking mic access.

Still not working? Try these:

• Restart your device
• Test the mic on another device
• Try a different USB cable if the mic is detachable

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🛠 Final Check: Confirm Mic is Detected

1. Check if your mic is listed and selected as the input device:

• Windows:

  Settings > System > Sound > Input > Choose your input device

• Mac:

  System Settings > Sound > Input > Select USB Microphone

2. Run a Mic Test to confirm it’s working well.