Microphone Not Working in Edge Browser [Easy Fixes]

If your microphone is not working in Microsoft Edge, you may notice that websites cannot hear your voice during video calls, online meetings, voice searches, or audio recordings. This problem is common on both Windows 11 and Windows 10, especially after a browser update, a Windows privacy change, or incorrect microphone permissions.

In many cases, the issue is not caused by the microphone itself. Instead, the problem usually comes from disabled permissions, wrong audio input settings, outdated drivers, browser cache conflicts, or blocked website access inside Edge.

This guide explains the complete process to troubleshoot and fix microphone problems in the Edge browser.

Table of Contents

Microphone Not Working in Edge Browser [Complete Process]

To fix the microphone not working in Microsoft Edge, first make sure microphone access is enabled in Windows privacy settings and inside the Edge browser. Then check whether the correct microphone is selected as the default input device. You should also allow microphone permissions for websites, clear Edge cache, update the browser, and restart audio services if necessary. In some cases, updating the microphone driver or disabling browser extensions can also solve the issue.

Let’s resolve this issue by learning the steps in detail!

Step 1: Check Whether the Microphone Works Outside Edge

Before changing browser settings, you should first confirm that the microphone is actually working on your computer. This helps determine whether the issue is related to Microsoft Edge or the microphone itself.

Open the Windows Search bar and type Sound settings. Open the matching result. Inside the Sound settings window, scroll down to the Input section. Here, you should see your connected microphone listed.

Speak into the microphone and watch the Input volume bar move. If the bar responds to your voice, the microphone is working correctly at the system level.

You can also test it manually.

Go to Settings > System > Sound > Input > Test your microphone

Click the Start test button and speak normally. Windows will display the percentage of sound detected from your microphone.

If the microphone does not respond here, the problem is likely related to the device, audio driver, headset connection, or microphone hardware rather than Edge itself.

If you are using a USB microphone or headset, unplug it and reconnect it to another USB port. If you are using a wireless headset, reconnect the Bluetooth device and test it again.

Once the microphone works properly in Windows, move to the next step.

Step 2: Enable Microphone Access in Windows Privacy Settings

One of the most common reasons the microphone stops working in Edge is that Windows privacy settings block browser access to the microphone.

Microsoft Edge depends on Windows microphone permissions. Even if Edge settings are correct, the browser cannot use the microphone if Windows access is disabled.

Open the Windows Settings app.

Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone

In Windows 10, the path is:

Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone

Now make sure the following options are enabled:

Microphone access
Let apps access your microphone
Let desktop apps access your microphone

Scroll down and confirm that Microsoft Edge is allowed to use the microphone.

If any of these options are disabled, Edge may fail to detect voice input during meetings, calls, or voice recordings.

After enabling the settings, close Edge completely and reopen the browser.

Then test the microphone again on the website where you originally noticed the issue.

Step 3: Allow Microphone Permissions in Microsoft Edge

Even if Windows permissions are enabled, Edge can still block microphone access for specific websites.

For example, if you accidentally clicked Block when a website requested microphone access, Edge will continue blocking the microphone until you manually change the permission.

Open Microsoft Edge. Go to: Settings and more > Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Microphone

You can also type the following directly into the Edge address bar: edge://settings/content/microphone

Inside the Microphone settings page, make sure the option called Ask before accessing is enabled.

Below that, you will see a list of blocked websites.

If the website you are trying to use appears under the Block section, click the trash icon next to it to remove the restriction.

Then reopen the website and allow microphone access when Edge asks for permission again.

You should also verify that the correct microphone device is selected from the dropdown menu at the top of the page. Many computers have multiple audio input devices, such as built-in microphones, USB microphones, webcams, or Bluetooth headsets.

Selecting the wrong device can make it seem like the microphone is not working, even though the browser is functioning normally.

Step 4: Set the Correct Default Microphone in Windows

If Windows is using the wrong input device as the default microphone, Edge may capture audio from the incorrect source.

This often happens after connecting Bluetooth headphones, USB microphones, webcams, or gaming headsets.

Open: Settings > System > Sound
Under the Input section, select the microphone you actually want to use.
Then click the microphone name to open additional settings.
Make sure the following settings are configured correctly: ‘Allow apps and Windows to use this device for audio’ and ‘Input volume is set high enough.’
After that, return to the main Sound page and test the microphone again.
You can also open the classic Sound Control Panel for additional settings.
Go to: Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound > Recording
Right-click your preferred microphone and select Set as Default Device.
Then right-click it again and select Properties.
Under the Levels tab, increase the microphone volume if necessary.
Under the Advanced tab, uncheck the option called: Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
Click Apply and then OK.

This prevents other applications from locking the microphone and blocking Edge from using it.

Step 5: Restart Microsoft Edge Completely

Sometimes, the Edge browser itself may temporarily freeze microphone permissions or audio processes.

A simple browser restart can often solve the issue.
Close all Edge windows completely.
To ensure Edge is fully closed, open Task Manager.
Press: Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Under the Processes tab, locate any running Microsoft Edge processes.
Right-click them and select End task.

Now reopen Microsoft Edge and revisit the website where the microphone was not working.

If the issue was caused by a temporary browser glitch, the microphone should now function correctly.

Step 6: Clear Edge Browser Cache and Cookies

Corrupted browser cache or stored website data can sometimes interfere with microphone permissions and audio features.

Clearing cache files can refresh website settings and resolve hidden conflicts.

Open Microsoft Edge.
Go to: Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data
Under the Clear browsing data now section, click Choose what to clear.
Select the following items: ‘Cached images and files’ and ‘Cookies and other site data.’
Set the time range to All time.
Then click Clear now.
After clearing the cache, restart Edge and revisit the website.

You may need to log in again to certain websites after deleting cookies.

When the website asks for microphone permission again, click Allow.

Step 7: Disable Edge Extensions Temporarily

Browser extensions can sometimes interfere with microphone permissions or block audio access inside websites.

Privacy tools, ad blockers, VPN extensions, and security add-ons are the most common causes.

To test this, temporarily disable all extensions.

Open Edge and go to: Settings and more > Extensions > Manage extensions
You can also type: edge://extensions
Disable all installed extensions using the toggle switches.
After disabling them, restart Edge and test the microphone again.

If the microphone starts working, one of the extensions is causing the problem.

Enable the extensions one at a time until you identify the problematic extension.

Once identified, remove or replace that extension.

Step 8: Update Microsoft Edge Browser

Using an outdated version of Edge may cause compatibility issues with websites, microphone APIs, or Windows audio services.

Updating the browser can fix bugs and improve microphone support.

Open Microsoft Edge.
Go to: Settings and more > Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge
Edge will automatically check for updates and install them if available. After the update finishes, restart the browser. Then test the microphone again.

Keeping Edge updated also improves security, website compatibility, and overall browser performance.

Step 9: Update the Microphone Driver

An outdated or corrupted audio driver can prevent Edge from detecting microphone input correctly.

Updating the microphone driver may fix the issue immediately.

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand the section called: Audio inputs and outputs
Right-click your microphone and select Update driver. Choose: Search automatically for drivers
Windows will search for the latest compatible driver and install it automatically.
You should also update the main audio driver under: ‘Sound’, ‘video and game controllers.’
After updating the drivers, restart your computer and test the microphone in Edge again.

If the issue started after a recent driver update, you can also try rolling back the driver.

Right-click the device, select Properties, then open the Driver tab and choose Roll Back Driver if available.

Step 10: Reset Microsoft Edge Settings

If none of the previous methods work, resetting Edge may solve deeper browser configuration problems.

This process restores Edge settings to their default state without deleting your saved passwords or bookmarks.

Open Edge and go to: bSettings > Reset settings

Click: Restore settings to their default values

Then confirm the reset. After Edge resets, restart the browser and test the microphone again.

This removes broken permissions, corrupted settings, and browser conflicts that may be preventing microphone access.

FAQs

Why is my microphone not working only in Microsoft Edge?

This usually happens because Edge does not have permission to access the microphone. Incorrect browser permissions, blocked websites, disabled Windows privacy settings, or browser extensions are common causes.

How do I allow microphone access in Edge?

Open Edge and go to:

Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Microphone

Enable Ask before accessing and remove blocked websites if necessary.

Why does Edge detect the wrong microphone?

Your computer may have multiple audio input devices connected, such as webcams, Bluetooth headsets, or USB microphones. You need to manually select the correct microphone in both Windows Sound settings and Edge microphone settings.

Can browser extensions block microphone access?

Yes. Privacy extensions, VPN tools, ad blockers, and security add-ons can sometimes interfere with microphone permissions or website audio functions.

Does clearing the browser cache fix microphone issues?

Yes. Corrupted website cache or stored permissions can prevent websites from accessing your microphone correctly. Clearing the cache and cookies often resolves the problem.

Why is my microphone working in Chrome but not in Edge?

The issue is usually related to Edge-specific permissions, extensions, or browser settings rather than the microphone hardware itself.

Microphone Not Working in Edge Browser [Fix]