My input device (microphone) is not appearing in options in my lenovo commputer? It worked before

Hi,

Since the microphone was working before, this issue is usually related to microphone permissions, audio drivers, or the input device being disabled in Windows settings.

What is the exact model of your device?

In the search bar, type MSINFO32 and hit Enter.

Please share a screenshot of that window.

I first suggest following the AI suggested solutions above. If the issue still persists, please continue with the steps below:

1. Restart the Windows Audio services:

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, then restart the following services:

Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

After restarting the services, restart your computer to apply the changes.

2. Reinstall the audio driver:

Open Device Manager > Audio inputs and outputs and Sound, video and game controllers.

Right click the microphone or audio device, then select Uninstall device.

Restart the computer to allow Windows to reinstall the driver automatically.

3. Install the latest audio driver:

Go to your computer manufacturer’s support website, download the latest audio driver for your specific model, then install it and restart your computer.

Try these steps in order on the Lenovo running Windows 10 or 11 to restore the missing microphone input device:

1. Enable microphone access in Settings
   • Windows 11: Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
     • Turn Microphone access to On.
     • Turn Let apps access your microphone to On.
     • Turn Let desktop apps access your microphone to On.
   • Windows 10: Select Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
     • Select Change, then turn on Allow apps to access your microphone.
     • Under Allow desktop apps to access your microphone, set the switch to On.
   • If using a camera with a built‑in mic, also go to Settings > Privacy & security (or Privacy) > Camera and make sure access is turned On.
2. Make sure the correct input device is selected
   • Windows 11: Start > Settings > System > Sound.
     • Under Input, select the desired microphone and then test it.
   • Windows 10: Start > Settings > System > Sound.
     • Under Input, choose the microphone under Choose your input device.
     • Speak into the mic and check Test your microphone to confirm Windows detects sound.
3. Check physical connection and mute
   • Confirm the headset or external mic is firmly plugged in (for jack headsets, fully insert into the correct audio jack).
   • If the headset has a hardware Mute button or switch, make sure it is not muted.
   • For Bluetooth headsets, ensure they are paired and connected.
4. Increase microphone level (if it appears but is very low)
   • Windows 11: Start > Settings > System > Sound.
     • Under Input, select the microphone, then under Input settings choose Start test, speak, then Stop test and adjust the Input volume slider.
   • Windows 10: Start > Settings > System > Sound.
     • Under Input, select the microphone, then Device Properties.
     • On the Levels tab, raise Microphone and Microphone Boost as needed.
5. If the microphone device does not appear at all, reinstall audio drivers
   • Right‑click Start and select Device Manager.
   • Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   • Right‑click the audio device(s) and select Uninstall device.
   • Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device or Delete the driver software for this device, then select Uninstall.
   • Repeat for any other audio devices if needed.
   • Restart the computer so Windows reinstalls audio devices automatically.
   • If they do not reinstall, open Device Manager again, right‑click Sound, video and game controllers, and select Scan for hardware changes.
   • After devices reappear, right‑click the audio driver and select Update driver.
6. Run the Recording Audio troubleshooter (Windows 10)
   • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
   • Run the Recording Audio troubleshooter and apply any fixes it suggests.

After these steps, reopen Wispr and other meeting/note‑taking apps and verify they are using the correct input device in their own audio settings.

References:

• Fix microphone problems
• Microphone does not give input after 2026-04 Security Update (KB5083769) - Microsoft Q&A
• internal microphone on windows 11 not working - Microsoft Q&A
• Internal Microphone not detected - Microsoft Q&A
• I don't see an audio input device - Microsoft Q&A
• My audio inputs and outputs suddenly disappeared, how do i fix this? - Microsoft Q&A