How do I check my microphone settings in Windows?

If you are unable to hear yourself or if your microphone has failed the equipment test, close all other programs that have access to your microphone (Skype, Zoom, etc.) and be sure to make noise during the equipment test

Follow these steps to check your microphone settings:


There are 2 different ways you can access your microphone settings from your Windows computer: from the Sound icon or the Control Panel.

Sound Icon

1. Right-click on the Soundicon, typically located at the bottom-right of your screen.

2. Select Recording Devices.
3. A Sound window will open. Locate the Default Device, indicated by a green checkmark.

4. You will see gray bars to the right of the selected device. Speak at a normal volume and look for the bars to become green.
5. If the bars do not become green, the microphone is not picking up sound. Follow the troubleshooting steps below.
6. Access the microphone properties by double-clicking on the default device, or right-click on it, and select Properties.
7. In the Internal Mic Properties window, select the Levelstab.

8. Increase the volume by moving the Microphone Arrayslider to the far right.

9. Next, make sure your microphone is not muted. If the sound icon is allblue, it is not muted.
   If the microphone has a red "no"icon in it, it is muted. Click the sound icon to unmute it. 

10. Select OK and return to the interview.

Control Panel

1. Click the Start menu, typically found at the bottom-left of your computer, and select Control Panel. Alternatively, search for Control Panel in your Start

2. In the Control Panel, select Hardware and Sound.​

3. In Hardware and Sound, select Sound.

4. In the Sound window, select the Recordingtab.

5. In the Recording tab, locate the Default Device, indicated by a green checkmark. 

6. You will see gray bars to the right of the selected device. Speak at a normal volume and look for the bars to become green.

7. If the bars do not become green, the microphone is not picking up sound. Follow the troubleshooting steps below.
8. Access the microphone properties by double-clicking on the default device, or right-click on it, and select Properties.
9. In the Internal Mic Properties window, select the Levelstab.

10. Increase the microphone volume by moving the Microphone Array slider to the far right.

11. Next, make sure your microphone is not muted. If the sound icon is allblue, it is not muted.
    If the microphone has a red "no"icon in it, it is muted. Click the sound icon to unmute it. 

12. Select OK and return to the interview.

13. If issues persist, restart your computer and take another practice question.

If restarting your computer doesn't resolve the issue, we recommend using another device for the interview.