Introduction
Experiencing issues with your Chrome microphone not working can be frustrating, especially during important meetings or calls. Common symptoms include the microphone not being detected or audio input being unavailable in applications like Google Meet and Zoom. This guide will help you troubleshoot and fix the “Chrome microphone not working” issue across various platforms.
Quick Fixes to Try First
- Restart your computer and check if the issue persists.
- Ensure the microphone is not muted or physically disconnected.
- Try using a different browser to see if the problem is Chrome-specific.
Granting Microphone Permissions in Chrome
To allow microphone access in Chrome, follow these steps:
- Open Chrome and click on the three-dot menu at the top right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Select Privacy and security, then Site settings.
- Under Permissions, select Microphone.
- Choose Sites can ask to use your microphone. If Don’t allow sites to use your microphone is selected, no site can use it.
- Check the Not allowed to use your microphone list. If the site you need is there, select it and change Microphone to Allow.
These steps follow Google’s guide to using your camera and microphone in Chrome. For every permission Chrome can grant, see our site settings guide. If Chrome is managed by your work or school, your administrator may control these settings.
Checking Site Permissions
If your microphone is not working on a specific site, verify that the site has the correct permissions:
- Go to the website where the microphone is not working.
- To the left of the web address, click the View site information icon.
- Select Site settings.
- Ensure Microphone is set to Allow.
Selecting the Correct Input Device
Ensure Chrome is using the correct microphone:
- Open
chrome://settings/content/microphonein a new tab. - Select the Down arrow at the top and choose the microphone you want sites to use.
Windows Instructions
To select the correct input device in Windows:
- Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
- Under Input, choose the microphone you want to use.
- To test it, select the arrow next to the microphone, then Start test under Input settings, and speak normally.
macOS Instructions
To select the correct input device on macOS:
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Sound in the sidebar.
- Click Input.
- Select the microphone you want from the list and check the input volume slider.
OS Microphone Privacy Settings
Windows
Ensure microphone access is enabled in Windows:
- Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
- Turn on Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone.
- Chrome is a desktop app, so also turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone.
macOS
Ensure microphone access is enabled on macOS:
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
- Click Microphone.
- Turn on Google Chrome. You may need to quit and reopen Chrome for the change to work.
Linux
For Linux users, ensure microphone permissions are properly configured via the system settings of your Linux distribution, generally found under Settings > Sound or Privacy.
Check the Video Call App
Google Meet, Zoom and other call apps have their own microphone setting. Make sure you are not muted in the call and that the app has the right microphone selected. If you use a headset, check that the mute switch on the cord is off. Google’s Meet audio troubleshooting guide covers echo and quality problems.
If nothing has helped, leave the call, rejoin it, restart Chrome, then restart your computer. If the microphone still does not work, contact its manufacturer.