Chromebooks are pretty affordable than most Windows laptops, and many people use them for school or business purposes. Some Chromebooks have their own internal microphones, while others require you to install an external one.
However, sometimes your Chromebook microphone might not work, which can lead to serious delays in work or meetings. To fix this issue, we have prepared a list of the reasons why your Chromebook microphone isn’t working anymore and what you can do to fix it!
Why is your Chromebook microphone not working?
Various things can cause your Chromebook microphone to stop working, from software to hardware issues. Sometimes, it’s a simple settings issue or perhaps a faulty cable or USB port. Whatever the case, the best thing to do is roll out each cause and find the reason.
Here are 11 possible reasons why your Chromebook microphone is not working.
1. Sensitivity is too low
You might have your mic sensitivity too low. If you fear your microphone will pick up your headset audio, here is how you can fix it. In other instances, your sensitivity settings might have been modified without your knowledge, and this is why your Chromebook mic isn’t working.
The microphone on a Chromebook is usually located next to the webcam camera. Since your sensitivity is too low, you might be too far away for it to capture the audio signals.
2. Blocked permissions
Some of the apps or websites that you are trying to use your Chromebook microphone might have blocked permissions. You might have disabled these permissions on past occurrences, and this is why your Chromebook mic isn’t functioning.
3. Interference of apps/extensions
Some apps or extensions might interfere with your Chromebook microphone, stoping its functions. Your Chromebook microphone won’t work because of these software configurations.
In this case, at least you won’t have to worry about your product hardware.
4. Input source
You need to check your Chromebook microphone settings. Your mic might be disabled in these audio settings, preventing it from working. You need to make sure your audio drivers are up-to-date as well, as lack of updates is usually the main reason behind many computer-related issues.
5. Faulty online software
Various people use Skype, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and other online conference platforms. Your microphone might not be set to default on these platforms, or these apps might be buggy. Hence, your Chromebook isn’t working appropriately.
6. Bugged updates
Every OS has some updates bugs from time to time. Sadly, this is also true when it comes to Chromebook updates. Some faulty updates might change the settings on your OS. In other instances, some software/hardware issues might also arise.
7. Faulty USB port
If you are using an external microphone on your Chromebook, make sure your USB ports are good. A faulty USB port can result in the Chromebook microphone not working as it should.
You also need to rule this out to determine whether your mic is faulty or your USB ports are.
8. Damaged audio jack or earbuds
Other input source issues such as a damaged audio jack or earbuds might make your Chromebook microphone not working. If you have ruled out the USB ports issue, then it is most likely your audio jack, earbuds, or the microphone itself that is faulty.
If you are using a Logitech G432 mic, here is why it stopped working and what you can do to fix it!
9. Faulty mic
The internal microphone of a Chromebook might be defective. In other cases, your external microphone might be defective. You need to figure out exactly which hardware is faulty to resolve the issue.
10. Low power
In some laptops, including Chromebooks, microphones tend to be affected by the battery power. Low battery power will usually make most things work slowly or thoroughly halt certain activities on your PC.
11. Defective internal mic
Some products come with defective parts. This stands true for anything, not just Chromebooks. If your Chromebook microphone isn’t working, despite doing everything in your power to fix it, then you are most likely dealing with a defective product from the get-go.
How to fix a Chromebook microphone that is not working?
As you can see, there are various reasons why your Chromebook microphone isn’t working or has stopped working.
The bright side is that most of these microphone issues have easy fixes. Here are 13 ways to fix your Chromebook microphone that has stopped working.
1. Change sensitivity
To change the microphone sensitivity on a Chromebook microphone, select Time on the bottom right of your screen. The Audio Settings are next to the volume slider. Click on it. Under the Input tab, drag your microphone slider either left or right according to your preferences.
Noise cancellation might affect how you hear others or yourself while speaking in the microphone. To adjust this setting, go again to Audio Settings, and under the Input option, you will have the ability to either turn noise cancellation on or off.
To change the output volume on your Chromebook, click on Time, and drag the volume slider either left or right until you find the right balance and you hear everyone clearly.
Keep in mind that the internal Chromebook microphone is usually situated next to your webcam camera, so you might need to move closer as well.
2. Configure permissions
Permissions are generally the most common reason why your Chromebook microphone isn’t working. To change what apps or sites have access to your Chromebook microphone, click on the three vertical dots on the top right of your Google Chrome browser.
There, go to Settings> Privacy & Security > Site Settings. Under the Permissions tab, click on Microphone. Now you have to individually select which sites are blocked or not. Click on allow for the websites on which you want to use your Chromebook microphone.
3. Use guest mode
Extensions and apps can interfere with your Chromebook microphone, rendering it useless. To disable extensions on Chromebook, click on the three vertical dots on the top right of our Google Chrome browser.
Go to More Tools, and click on Extensions. Here you need to toggle off each extension at a time and check your microphone to see if the issue persists. To do this, toggle off an extension and then open a video conference to test your microphone.
Another way to solve this is to use guest mode on your Chromebook, as it will prevent apps from disrupting your microphone. Log out of your primary account and enter guest mode by clicking on Sign in as Guest.
It is located on the bottom-left of the login page. Try to register your microphone and check to see if it is working. If it works, you need to identify which apps use your microphone simultaneously.
Be mindful that not all apps close entirely and are still active in the background. However, with guest mode, all these issues are usually solved.
4. Change input source
Bluetooth headsets/mics have to be appropriately connected on your Chromebook to work. The input source might be affected by faulty updates, settings, or faulty devices. Change your input source to an external USB microphone.
Try different audio jacks because the jack might be damaged. Similarly, headset cables/wires might be defective and prevent you from using your microphone. If all other issues aren’t the cause, you will have to change them.
Some of these devices might have some special activation buttons, so you need to identify which one is it and press the right button. If this doesn’t solve the problem, then it’s a software issue.
5. Use other online conference software or change settings
Some online conference apps might be buggy, or they weren’t properly installed on your Chromebook, hence why your microphone isn’t working. Try Zoom or other online conference apps if your microphone doesn’t work on Skype.
Reinstall the conference software that you want to use after uninstalling it. You might also want to check your settings because the conferencing tool might not be using your mic:
- To set your microphone to default in Google Meet, click on the three vertical settings dots, and go to Settings. The audio tab under Microphone is where you can change your default microphone.
- For Microsoft Teams, when you are in a video meeting, you can click on the three horizontal dots and click on Show device settings. From there, under Microphone, you can select which microphone you want to use as default.
- If you are using Zoom, go to the bottom left and find a microphone icon. Click on the arrow pointing up, and under Select, a Microphone, select which microphone you want to use for Zoom as default.
If the problems persist, companies love clients that point out issues with their products. You can report the app issue directly to the company and receive guided assistance as a client.
6. Reset settings, Beta channel
Even if your input source doesn’t have any damage and you still have Chromebook microphone issues, then it’s clearly a software issue caused by buggy operating system updates. To change this, you need to enter into the Beta channel.
However, if you do this, everything on your Chromebook will be deleted, so backup your data.
Don’t worry about the things that you have on Google’s servers, such as Drive and Gmail, since they won’t be affected. Now let’s proceed with the Beta channel tip to fix your Chromebook microphone.
Launch Chrome and click on Menu>About Google Chrome>Additional Settings>Change Channel, and select the Beta/Developer (unstable) option. Now you will practically use the dev channel that is generally for testing new features.
Since every buggy update will be removed, test your Chromebook microphone to see if it’s working. It would be best if you used this fix as a last resort after you’ve already tried everything else.
7. Use another USB port
Your external Chromebook microphone might not be working due to a faulty USB port. You need to test the other USB ports on your Chromebook and see if the issue persists. If your microphone is working, you should consider repairing that faulty USB port in the future.
8. Check audio jack and earbuds
If your jacks or earbuds are damaged, your microphone won’t work correctly on your Chromebook. If you use the Logitech G933 headset and it flashes red, here is what you need to do.
9. Replace Mic
All devices can come with defective parts, and your Chromebook might be that unlucky defective product. Your internal microphone was defective before it was delivered to you, so you will need to replace it by taking it into service.
10. Charge laptop
Some Chromebooks might not have their mics working due to low battery levels. Make sure your laptop is fully charged and check your battery performance settings.
Samsung Chromebook 4 is among the best Chromebook laptop for school; however, energy levels might drop faster due to usage.
11. Use an external mic
If you didn’t use an external mic until now, or you suspect that your internal Chromebook mic is defective, then it’s time to change. Use an external mic if you don’t want to repair the internal one or if you want to get a higher quality sound.
Ensure you get the exact adaptors and jacks that will work on your device.
12. Powerwash laptop
Another last resort option is to powerwash your Chromebook into factory settings and see if your mic is working. To do this, you need to be aware that you will lose all your data, so proceed with caution.
Click on the clock, as it will open your quick settings. Click on gear icon> Advanced>Reset Settings> click on Reset. Now your Chromebook will go back to factory settings, and any bug issue with your microphone should be solved.
13. Take Microphone to service
If you suspect that your external microphone is the reason for your problems, you have to switch back to your internal microphone.
To enable your internal microphone, go back on this list to point 2 or 5. If you still want to use your external microphone, you will need to take it to service for inspection.
