How to Connect a Wired or Wireless Mic to a Laptop

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Use an external microphone with any computer & troubleshooting
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Most computers have a built-in microphone. However, if you want better sound quality or your internal mic is faulty, you may want to use an external mic. This wikiHow article teaches you how to connect an external mic to your laptop with troubleshooting steps.

Connect a Mic to a Laptop

  1. Connect your mic to your computer using a wired connection or Bluetooth.
  2. Open the Settings menu on Windows or System Settings on Mac.
  3. Click System > Sound on Windows or Sound > Input on Mac.
  4. Select your external mic as your input device.
Section 1 of 5:

Using a Wireless Mic on Windows

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  1. You’ll need to check the user's manual to find out how to put your specific mic model in pairing mode. Most Bluetooth devices have a button you press and hold. This may be the Power button or a dedicated pairing button.
  2. 2
    Open the Bluetooth menu. Use the following steps to do so:
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click the Settings/Gear icon.
    • Click Devices (Windows 10) or Bluetooth & devices (Windows 11).
    • Click Bluetooth & other devices (Windows 10 only).
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  3. 3
    Ensure Bluetooth is turned on. Check the toggle switch next to “Bluetooth.” Make sure it is turned on. If it is not, click it to turn it on.
  4. 4
    Click Add device or + Add Bluetooth or other device . If you are using Windows 10, click Add Bluetooth or other device . If you are using Windows 11, click Add device .
  5. 5
    Click Bluetooth . It’s the first option in the list. Select this option to pair a standard Bluetooth device to your laptop. [1]
  6. If you don't see your microphone listed here, it might not be discoverable. It also might be off or not charged. Check your microphone's manual for more information.
  7. Some manufacturers have a default code listed in the manual that you'll need to enter from your laptop to successfully connect the two. Follow any on-screen prompts to connect your wireless microphone. [2]
  8. 8
    Ensure your Bluetooth microphone is selected as the default input device. Use the following steps to do so: [3]
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click the Settings/Gear icon.
    • Click System .
    • Click Sound .
    • Select your Bluetooth microphone below “Input.”
  9. 9
    Test your microphone. To do so, click your wireless microphone in the Sound Settings menu. Then click Start test . Speak into the microphone. Click Stop recording when you are done. Click Play next to “Recorded sample” to hear the microphone playback.
    • You can adjust your mic volume using the slider bar on the Input Settings page.
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Section 2 of 5:

Using a Wireless Mic on Mac

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  1. You’ll need to check the user's manual to find out how to put your specific microphone model in pairing mode. Most Bluetooth devices have a button you press and hold. This may be the Power button or a dedicated pairing button.
  2. 2
    Open the Bluetooth Settings menu. Use the following steps to do so:
    • Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner.
    • Click System Settings (if you are using macOS Ventura or earlier, click System Preferences instead.)
    • Click Bluetooth.
  3. 3
    Ensure Bluetooth is turned on. Check the toggle switch next to “Bluetooth” to ensure that it is turned on. If it is not, click the toggle switch to turn it on.
  4. 4
    Click Connect next to your wireless microphone. Your microphone should appear in the list of available devices. When you hover the mouse cursor over it, you will see Connect appear to the right of it. Click Connect to continue.
  5. Some manufacturers have a default code listed in the manual that you'll need to enter from your laptop to successfully connect the two. Follow any on-screen prompts to connect your wireless microphone. [4]
  6. 6
    Ensure your Bluetooth mic is selected as the input device. Use the following steps to do so: [5]
    • Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner.
    • Click System Settings (if you are using macOS Ventura or earlier, click System Preferences instead.)
    • Click Sound .
    • Click the Input tab at the top of the menu.
    • Ensure your Bluetooth mic is selected as the input device.
  7. You'll see the input level change as you speak. If it does nothing, you might have set up the connection incorrectly and should try again.
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Section 3 of 5:

Using a Wired Microphone

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  1. Use the appropriate USB port or 3.5mm input jack located on the sides of your laptop.
  2. Most microphones and USB devices are plug-and-play, meaning they will work as soon as you plug them in. However, some devices may require you to download drivers. Check the user’s manual for your microphone to see if you need to download any drivers and for instructions on how to do so. You may be prompted to download the drivers as soon as you plug your device in.
  3. 3
    Open the Sound/Input settings on your computer. Use one of the following steps to do so.
    • Windows: Click the Windows Start menu > Settings > System > Sound .
    • Mac: Click the Apple icon, and click System Settings > Sound > Input .
  4. 4
    Ensure your microphone is selected as the input device. Click your microphone to make sure it is selected as your input device.
  5. 5
    Test your mic. Speak into your microphone. You should be able to see the meter moving as you speak. If you don’t see the meter moving, adjust the volume on your microphone. You can do so using the settings in the Input menu or on your mic.
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Section 4 of 5:

Using an Audio Interface

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  1. 1
    Purchase an audio interface. An audio interface is used to connect professional audio equipment, such as microphones and instruments, to a computer. They convert analog audio signals to digital. You can purchase an audio interface online or at a music or electronics shop. They range in price from about $50 up to $400 or more.
    • Some audio interfaces have multiple inputs for multiple mics or instruments. Some have built-in effects and more. Some audio interfaces are designed for recording music, while others are designed for streaming or recording podcasts. Find an audio interface that fits your needs.
    • Some devices can be used as an audio interface. Devices such as mixer boards , podcast mixers , DJ controllers , and guitar effects processors may have a microphone input.
  2. 2
    Connect your audio interface to your computer. Most audio interfaces will connect to your computer using a USB port. Connect your audio interface to a free USB port on your computer.
    • For best results, make sure you are using a high-speed USB cable and you are connecting to a USB-C port or a USB 3.1 or higher port
  3. 3
    Download drivers if needed. Some devices may be plug-and-play, but some devices may require you to download additional drivers. Check the user’s manual for your audio interface to see if it needs specific drivers and for instructions on how to download those. You may be prompted to download drivers when you connect it.
  4. 4
    Connect your microphone to your audio interface. Look for a port labeled “Mic In” or “Audio In” and connect the mic using this port. Most mics will connect to an audio interface using an XLR cable or a ¼ inch connection. Some mics may connect with a 3.5mm input.
  5. 5
    Open the Sound/Input settings on your computer. Use one of the following steps to do so.
    • Windows: Click the Windows Start menu > Settings > System > Sound .
    • Mac: Click the Apple icon, and click System Settings > Sound > Input .
  6. 6
    Select your audio interface as the input device. Click the name of your audio input device below “Input” to ensure your audio interface is selected as the audio input device.
    • If your audio interface has multiple inputs, you may need to select the correct input on your audio interface (i.e., “Audio Input 1”, “Audio Input 2”)
  7. 7
    Adjust the mic volume. You can do so on your audio interface or using the controls in the Input Settings menu on your computer.
  8. 8
    Test your mic. Speak into your microphone. You should be able to see the meter moving as you speak. If you don’t see the meter moving, adjust the volume on your microphone. You can do so using the settings in the Input menu or on your mic.
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Section 5 of 5:

Troubleshooting

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  1. 1
    Check the physical connection. Check the cables to make sure they are not damaged or frayed. Check the connector to make sure it isn’t damaged or clogged with debris. Make sure they are fully connected to the correct input and not loose.
  2. 2
    Make sure your microphone is connected to the correct input. Some older computers have a separate 3.5mm jack for headphones and a microphone. Make sure you are plugged into the correct input. Additionally, some audio USB devices require a high-speed USB port (USB 3.1 or higher). Make sure you are plugged into the proper USB port.
  3. 3
    Make sure your microphone is turned on and not muted. Some microphones may have an on and off button or a mute button. Make sure your mic is turned on. Also, check to make sure the mute button isn’t engaged.
  4. 4
    Check your microphone volume. The volume may be located in one of three places: on your microphone or headset, on your audio interface, and in your computer settings. Check the volume on your microphone or headset first. If you are using an audio interface, adjust the input volume and gain settings on your audio interface. Finally, use one of the following steps to check the volume in your computer settings:
    • Windows: Click the Windows Start menu > Settings > System > Sound . Click your microphone or audio interface and adjust the volume slider bar.
    • Mac: Click the Apple icon, and click System Settings > Sound > Input . Click your microphone or audio interface and use the slider bar to adjust the volume.
  5. 5
    Make sure you have the correct output device selected. If you want to monitor your microphone input, you need to make sure you have the correct audio output device selected . Use the following steps to do so:
    • Windows: Click the Windows Start menu > Settings > System > Sound . Select the correct output device (i.e., internal speakers, headphones, audio interface) below “Output.”
    • Mac: Click the Apple icon, and click System Settings > Sound > Output . Select the correct output device (i.e., internal speakers, headphones, audio interface).
  6. 6
    Make sure the app you are using has access to your microphone. Whenever a program tries to use your microphone or webcam for the first time, you are asked if you want to allow that program to access your device. If you inadvertently said “Do not allow,” the app will not be able to access your microphone. Use the following steps to check if the app you are using is able to access your microphone: [6]
    • Windows: Click the Windows Start menu > Settings > Privacy & Security (or Privacy on Windows 10), Microphone > Change (Windows 10 only). Ensure access to your microphone is turned on. Then click the toggle switch next to the apps you want to allow access to your microphone.
    • Mac: Click the Apple icon > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone . Click the toggle switch next to the apps you want to allow access to your microphone. [7]
  7. 7
    Update your audio drivers (Windows only). You can update your drivers by updating your operating system . On Mac, that’s the only way to update your audio drivers. On Windows, you can update your audio drivers manually using the following steps:
    • Right-click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click Device Manager .
    • Expand Audio Processing Objects
    • Right-click your audio driver.
    • Click Update drivers .
    • Click Search automatically for drivers .
    • Follow the prompts to install new drivers if they are available.
    • Restart your computer.
  8. 8
    Install or update your microphone drivers. If your microphone or audio interface comes with third-party drivers that need to be installed, make sure you install them. If you already have them installed, check to see if they need an update. You can do that within the software that comes with your microphone. Additionally, you can use the following steps to update your microphone drivers in Windows:
    • Right-click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click Device Manager .
    • Expand Audio inputs and outputs
    • Right-click your microphone
    • Click Update drivers .
    • Click Search automatically for drivers .
    • Follow the prompts to install new drivers if they are available.
    • Restart your computer.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/pair-a-bluetooth-device-in-windows-2be7b51f-6ae9-b757-a3b9-95ee40c3e242
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/15290/windows-connect-bluetooth-device
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-set-up-and-test-microphones-in-windows-ba9a4aab-35d1-12ee-5835-cccac7ee87a4
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/blth1004/mac
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-mz/guide/mac-help/mchlp2567/mac
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-microphone-problems-5f230348-106d-bfa4-1db5-336f35576011
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-gw/guide/mac-help/mchla1b1e1fe/mac

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Turn on your Bluetooth microphone and make sure it's discoverable.
      2. Click Start .
      3. Click Settings .
      4. Click Devices .
      5. Click to turn the switch on next to "Bluetooth".
      6. Click the action center icon that looks like a speech bubble in the taskbar.
      7. Click Connect .
      8. Click your microphone in the list of available connections.
      9. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect your microphone and laptop.
      10. Test your microphone in Settings > System > Sound .

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