Windows mic not working? Diagnose it in this order.
Do not reinstall everything at once. First decide whether the problem is detection, input selection, permissions, routing or hardware.
1. Check whether Windows sees an input
Open Settings → System → Sound and look under Input. If nothing relevant is listed, focus on connection, power, Bluetooth/USB state and Device Manager. If it is listed, continue before replacing hardware.
2. Select it and run the built-in test
If the Windows test records audio but one app does not, the device path is probably working and the next checks are permissions and the app’s own input selector.
3. Check privacy permissions
Windows exposes microphone access and app/desktop-app access separately. A healthy microphone can be silent inside an app when access is disabled.
4. Check mute and input level
Verify physical mute, software input volume and the exact Bluetooth/USB device selected.
5. Then troubleshoot drivers
Only after detection, selection, permissions and mute have been checked should you move deeper into the input troubleshooter and drivers.