Wireless options are the best if you are always on the go working with your phone or laptop. Bluetooth headsets for instance allow you to enjoy seamless music from your laptop without the stress of cable clutter. If you are using Windows 10, you may have experienced some issues with getting your Bluetooth headset Mic to work. This is quiet common when trying to make a VOIP. In such cases, apps such as Skype use your built in Mic by default. If you are experiencing issues with getting your Bluetooth headset Mic to work, don’t worry. You should be able to fix the problem with some to the solutions listed below.
Preliminary Checks
- The first thing to do is to confirm that Bluetooth is turned on in Windows as well as on your headphones.
- Check if the headsets are paired with a different device via Bluetooth. If this is the case, turn it off and plug in your headsets and see if they work again.
- Set your headsets as the default device by right –clicking the volume icon on your computer’s system.
- Check if the headsets are muted by looking for a red circle with a slash through it in the Windows volume control. If the headsets are muted, tap on the speaker under the mixer volume to unmute it.
- Balance the sound levels of your headsets. Go to Sound Settings > Sounds and click the Levels tap to verify your headsets volume settings. Click balance to adjust the level.
- Use an alternative set of headsets to know if the issue is with the headsets or computer. If the headsets are ok, the problem could be with the operating system, the drivers, or other settings on the computer.
Possible Fixes
You may not have to try them all. Work your way down the list until you find a solution that works for you.
Solution 1: Allow Access to your headset microphone (for Windows 10 users)
Before using your headset microphone, you should allow the application to access your headset microphone. This is how you can allow access.
- Click the Start button and then click the Settings icon
- Click Privacy
- Click Microphone
- Click the Change button. Make sure the Microphone for this device is turned on.
- Make sure Allow apps to access your microphone is turned on.
If this does not fix your MIC issue, there are other fixes you can try.
Solution 2: Set Your Microphone Device as Default
Your headset Mic may not be set as the default device on your computer or may be disabled. The microphone volume could also be so low that it can’t record your sound clearly. The following steps allow you to set your microphone device as default.
Step 1: Hold down the Windows logo key and press the R key on your keyboard at the same time. This brings up the Run dialog. Type control and press Enter.
Step 2: In Control panel, select Large icons from the View by drop menu
Step 3: Select Sound
Step 4: Select the Recording tab, then right click on any empty place inside the device list and tick Show Disabled Devices.
Step 5: Right click the Headset Microphone and click Enable.
Step 6: Right click the Headset Microphone again and select Set as Default Device.
Step 7: Right click it again and click Properties
Step 8: Click the Levels tab, then drag the volume slider towards the largest value.
Step 9: Click OK, then Click OK.
Solution 3: Update Your Audio Drivers
Another solution for resolving your Bluetooth headset Mic woes is updating the audio drivers. The Mic on your headset won’t work if you are using an outdated audio or headset driver. So, you need to update the driver to see if it fixes the issue. You can either update your drivers manually or automatically. The manual process is technical, risky and time consuming. We don’t recommend the manual process unless you have excellent computer knowledge. Here is how to manually update your audio drivers.
Step 1: Press the Windows key +R
STEP 2: Type devmgmt.msc and click OK. This will open the Device Manager
Step 3: In the Device Manager, expand the Sound, video and game controllers category.
Step 4: Right –click on your headphone from the list and select Update Driver
Step 5: Select Search automatically for drivers
Step 6: Device Manager will download and install the compatible drivers for the headsets.
You can also update the headset drivers by installing Windows updates
How to Install Windows Updates
Step 1: Press the Windows key+ I.
Step 2: Click on updates and security
Step 3: Open Windows updates tab
Step 4: Download and install pending Windows 10 updates.
By installing the latest Windows updates, the outdated sound and headphone drivers will be updated automatically. There are automatic utility tools for updating the drivers quickly. However, check out reviews from reputable sites before using any. Some of them might be malicious.
How to Update Audio/Sound Driver Using a Utility Tool
For faster updating of the audio drivers, you need to update the driver using a genuine driver download, then update the utility tool. The utility tool scans your drive and picks up the faulty one in a short time. Once this is done, the utility tool automatically downloads and installs the best version for your computer. After downloading your utility tool, follow the following steps to update your audio/ sound driver and solve issues such as Windows can’t recognize your headphones issue:
- Scan the computer by starting the utility tool, then click scan to perform a full scan.
- The utility tool displays a list of all outdated, broken, incompatible, missing, or corrupt drivers including the audio/sound driver.
- To fix the audio/sound driver click repair. Your utility tool will automatically download and install the best match of your audio/sound driver. You can also update other problematic drivers.
- To prevent any crashes when installing new updates, remember to back up your drivers.
- Lastly, reboot the computer to effect the driver update.
Solution 4: Restart Bluetooth Services
To restart Bluetooth services, first press the Windows key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog box. Enter “services.msc” into the dialog box, and click OK. The services window will pop up, Right click Bluetooth Support Service and select Restart. Toggle your headsets on and off to check if your Mic works on re-connection.
Solution 5: Close Other Apps that Have Access to Your Headset Microphone
In some cases, communication apps such as Skype, Zoom and Skype can interfere with your headset microphone and make it not to work properly. Shutting down all programs that utilize the headset microphone can solve the problem. Close all these apps and then check whether the problem is resolved.
Solution 6: Troubleshoot Hardware Issues
If your headsets are still not working, there could be a problem with your computer or headsets. In this case, there are a number of things that you need to do.
First, connect your headset to another port on your computer. This will solve any problems you are experiencing because of the port that you are using.
If it doesn’t work, connect the headset to another computer and see if the problem is fixed. If the problem is not solved, then you should contact your computer vendor for advice.
If all of the above solutions fail, the issue may be with your headsets. Contact your headset manufacturer for support.
Solution 7: Rollback the Drivers
You can roll back the audio and/or Bluetooth drivers in the event that a Windows Update triggered the problem. If there was no update, then update the drivers to the newest version available. Follow the following steps to roll back a driver.
Step 1: Right click Start > Device Manager. Double click the Sound, Video and game controllers category, and right click your Bluetooth driver.
Step 2: Select Properties.
Step 3: Click the Driver tab and then click the Roll back option.
Note: If there was no update, you can’t roll back; you need to update the drivers to the newest version available.
Solution 8: Perform a System Restore
A system restore takes you back to where you were before the problems with your headsets began. To restore the system:
- Type System Restore in the search bar and select Create a Restore Point.
- In the System Properties window, click System Restore
- When you see the Restore system files and settings window, click Next.
- Select the restore point you want to go back to and then click Next
Solution 9: Repair or Replace
If none of the fixes we have discussed works, you should take your computer to a technician or return it to the manufacturer if they are still under warranty. If the headphones are the problem, get a replacement.
Final Thoughts
Problems with your Bluetooth headset Mic can be frustrating. I hope one of these fixes has solved the problem for you allowing you to use all the features your Bluetooth headset came with. This brings us to the end of our article. Keep it here for related content.
