By MicProbe · Updated
Why is my mic so quiet?
If people can barely hear you, first find out whether your voice is quiet in a saved recording or only in a particular call. Turning up your headphones makes playback louder; it does not make your microphone louder for other people.
Start with the same microphone and listening volume
Select the microphone by name in both the browser and the calling app. A laptop, webcam and headset can all supply different inputs. Speak at your normal volume, then listen to a short recording without changing your speaker or headphone volume between comparisons.
If there is no voice at all, check the device's mute control and microphone permission first. Increasing the input level cannot fix a blocked microphone.
Check microphone position before increasing the level
Make sure you are speaking toward the part of the microphone intended to pick up your voice. Follow the device maker's positioning guidance; the correct side and distance depend on the microphone. Keep a headset's microphone clear of clothing and check that a cover is not obstructing it.
Try a closer position if appropriate, then compare using the same words. Keep the room and your speaking effort similar. If moving closer helps, you may not need more input gain.
Adjust the input, then listen for distortion
On Windows 11, open Settings → System → Sound and select the microphone under Input. Use its recording test and adjust Input volume if needed. These are microphone controls, separate from the output volume. See Microsoft's microphone troubleshooting steps.
If your microphone or audio interface has a gain control, change it gradually and listen again. Stop increasing it if louder words become rough or distorted. A control at its maximum is not a target, and adding gain may make background noise more noticeable too.
Use the result to choose the next check
- Quiet in every recording: recheck the chosen input, positioning and input level. If another microphone works with the same setup, compare the original device's connection and manufacturer guidance.
- Clear locally, quiet in one app: check that app's selected microphone and input controls. Follow the guide to sound that changes in calls.
- Soft words disappear entirely: this may be a different problem from low overall volume. See microphone cutting out.
- Loud enough but hard to understand: see muffled microphone sound before adding more gain.
Check your recording with MicProbe
MicProbe lets you listen to your recording and review the level checks available for that test. Select the app you use and follow the recording guide. After one adjustment, test again under comparable conditions.
The result describes the recording; it cannot set your device's gain, identify a faulty component or certify how loud you sound to another person. The selected app's microphone settings are approximated locally. Read the test's scope and limits.