Don’t be too quick to discard your earphones if the mic isn’t working. We often tend to become impatient with such technical difficulties very quickly. And why wouldn’t we? Imagine you have an urgent online meeting with your boss or colleagues and your mic won’t work. If you’ve been through this, you know how embarrassing it can be. To help save you from future embarrassment in online zoom meetings, we have some promising solutions! Let’s find out how to use earphone mic on PC Windows 10 successfully.
However, just because the mic of your headphones isn’t working on PC Windows 10, doesn’t mean they are broken. The earphone mic not working is a frequent issue. And, more often than not, it is easily fixable too!
Handy tips on how to use earphone mic on PC Windows 10
There are no elaborate or complex processes. You just need to know how to use earphone mic on PC Windows 10. Just understand some hacks and the basics of what to do in case the mic doesn’t work. So, let’s get started!
Set your headphones or earphones as the default device
Access the sound settings on your PC running Windows 10 and right-click on the sound icon in your taskbar. The resulting little window will show you the option for sound settings. Click it.
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Select the option for ‘mic’ under Input
At sound settings, you’ll find a drop-down menu under the heading of Input. In the drop-down menu, select your mic. However, there is the possibility that you might not find the option for your mic. No need to panic! You’ll find another option called ‘Manage sound devices.’ Simply click that.
You’ll come across a list of sound devices under the disabled heading. Identify your earphones or headset and enable them.
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Test your earphone’s mic
An important step in learning how to use earphone mic on PC Windows 10 is to test the mic. This will help you find out whether the problem is at your end.
Once you have enables the mic you can test it. You’ll see a ‘Test your mic option. Speak into the mic to check if it’s working. If the mic is functioning okay and receiving input or sound, you’ll see the volume level change.
Troubleshooting
In case any problem arises with the mic, you can always troubleshoot it. Sometimes it’s not about learning how to use earphone mic on PC Windows 10. There can be issues with it too. However, you can mostly fix them easily!
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Run the troubleshooter on your Windows 10
Open sound settings on your pc. Under the ‘Input’ heading you’ll find the troubleshooting option. Click it and follow the instructions on the screen. Your computer will take you through steps to fix any issue there may be.
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Update the sound drivers on your pc
Often, the issue is centered around old drivers. Sometimes your pc does not automatically update them for various features.
To update the sound drivers, go to the Device Manager window. Click on the option titled Audio inputs and outputs. Find the ‘microphone driver’ option and right-click on it. A tiny drop-down menu will show you an ‘update driver’ option. Click it.
Next, click on the ‘select automatically for updated driver software’ option. Your pc will locate the updated driver for you. In case there isn’t one, you can search the web for it.
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Check for the Microsoft permissions
It’s possible that your pc hasn’t given access to some apps to use your microphone. Which is why your mic won’t work. To check that, go to your PC’s settings and click the Privacy tab. To your left, you’ll find the app permissions option. Access it and click on the microphone. Make sure that the ‘Allow apps to use your microphone’ option is turned on.
Whenever an app is using your microphone, you’ll find a mic icon on your taskbar. To make sure your desired apps can use your mic, there’s another step. Go to ‘Choose which Microsoft apps can access your microphone’ and turn the toggle on for the ones you want.
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Change the default format
Access the sound settings and go to the Sound Control Panel. Right-click on the headphones or (if you have the earphones plugged in) speakers. Select properties.
Click on the tab that says ‘Advanced’ and test the different formats. Test every format before selecting one. You’ll hear chimes when you’re testing the format.
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Check to see if the earphones are plugged in correctly
Sometimes no elaborate guide on how to use earphone mic with PC Windows 10 will work. It’s because the problem is with plugging in the earphones. Sometimes there are two ports. One for the mic and the other for audio. Make sure you have plugged it into the right port.
If your pc has two ports and the earphones only have a single jack, you’ll need to get an adapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use earphone mic on PC Windows 10?
Don’t be too quick to discard your earphones if the mic isn’t working. We often tend to become impatient with such technical difficulties very quickly. And why wouldn’t we? Imagine you have an urgent online meeting with your boss or colleagues and your mic won’t work. If you’ve been through this, you know how embarrassing it can be.
However, just because the mic of your headphones isn’t working on PC Windows 10, doesn’t mean they are broken. The earphone mic not working is a frequent issue. And, more often than not, it is easily fixable too!
To help save you from future embarrassment in online zoom meetings, we have some promising solutions! Let’s find out how to use earphone mic on PC Windows 10 successfully.
Handy tips on how to use earphone mic on PC Windows 10
There are no elaborate or complex processes. You just need to know how to use earphone mic on PC Windows 10. Just understand some hacks and the basics of what to do in case the mic doesn’t work. So, let’s get started!
- Set your headphones or earphones as the default device
Access the sound settings on your PC running Windows 10 and right-click on the sound icon in your taskbar. The resulting little window will show you the option for sound settings. Click it.
- Select the option for ‘mic’ under Input
At sound settings, you’ll find a drop-down menu under the heading of Input. In the drop-down menu, select your mic. However, there is the possibility that you might not find the option for your mic. No need to panic! You’ll find another option called ‘Manage sound devices.’ Simply click that.
You’ll come across a list of sound devices under the disabled heading. Identify your earphones or headset and enable them.
- Test your earphone’s mic
An important step in learning how to use earphone mic on PC Windows 10 is to test the mic. This will help you find out whether the problem is at your end.
Once you have enables the mic you can test it. You’ll see a ‘Test your mic option. Speak into the mic to check if it’s working. If the mic is functioning okay and receiving input or sound, you’ll see the volume level change.
- Troubleshooting
In case any problem arises with the mic, you can always troubleshoot it. Sometimes it’s not about learning how to use earphone mic on PC Windows 10. There can be issues with it too. However, you can mostly fix them easily!
- Run the troubleshooter on your Windows 10
Open sound settings on your pc. Under the ‘Input’ heading you’ll find the troubleshooting option. Click it and follow the instructions on the screen. Your computer will take you through steps to fix any issue there may be.
- Update the sound drivers on your pc
Often, the issue is centered around old drivers. Sometimes your pc does not automatically update them for various features.
To update the sound drivers, go to the Device Manager window. Click on the option titled Audio inputs and outputs. Find the ‘microphone driver’ option and right-click on it. A tiny drop-down menu will show you an ‘update driver’ option. Click it.
Next, click on the ‘select automatically for updated driver software’ option. Your pc will locate the updated driver for you. In case there isn’t one, you can search the web for it.
- Check for the Microsoft permissions
It’s possible that your pc hasn’t given access to some apps to use your microphone. Which is why your mic won’t work. To check that, go to your PC’s settings and click the Privacy tab. To your left, you’ll find the app permissions option. Access it and click on the microphone. Make sure that the ‘Allow apps to use your microphone’ option is turned on.
Whenever an app is using your microphone, you’ll find a mic icon on your taskbar. To make sure your desired apps can use your mic, there’s another step. Go to ‘Choose which Microsoft apps can access your microphone’ and turn the toggle on for the ones you want.
- Change the default format
Access the sound settings and go to the Sound Control Panel. Right-click on the headphones or (if you have the earphones plugged in) speakers. Select properties.
Click on the tab that says ‘Advanced’ and test the different formats. Test every format before selecting one. You’ll hear chimes when you’re testing the format.
- Check to see if the earphones are plugged in correctly
Sometimes no elaborate guide on how to use earphone mic with PC Windows 10 will work. It’s because the problem is with plugging in the earphones. Sometimes there are two ports. One for the mic and the other for audio. Make sure you have plugged it into the right port.
If your pc has two ports and the earphones only have a single jack, you’ll need to get an adapter.
FAQs
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Can I use my phone earphone mic on PC?
Usually, you can use any earphones on your PC. That means your phone earphone mic will work on your PC too. However, sometimes a PC laptop or computer may have separate ports for mic and audio. For that, you’ll need an adapter.
2. Can I use earphones as a mic and speaker on a PC?
If your earphones have a built-in mic, your PC will, in most cases, automatically use it as both audio input and output. However, at times you’ll have to do it manually. Right-click on the volume icon in the taskbar. Go to sound settings. In the drop-down menu choose your headphones as both Playback and Recording default device.
3. How to use Apple headphone mic on PC windows 10?
In order to use the Apple headphones mic on a PC windows 10, configure the audio settings.
Step 1: Launch the Control Panel
Step 2: Find the sound or hardware and sound option
Step 3: Choose ‘recording’ and then find an external mic
Step 4: Enable the Apple Earbuds as a mic to use them
4. How to use earphones on PC windows 10 Pro?
To use earphones on a PC, click on the sound icon located at the bottom right corner of the screen. It will launch sound settings. From there, open the sound control panel. Now, select your headphone as your default input device on the control panel.
5. Why is my earphone mic not working on PC?
Sometimes, you’ll need to manually enable the mic. Go to the sound settings and enable the mic. Speak into it to see if it works. Apart from that, an easy fix to this problem is plugging in a USB headset with a built-in mic.