How To Change Mic Sensitivity In Windows 10 And 11? (Easy Fixes To Try!)

Not often do we realize this but one of the most important pieces of hardware that we use is the microphone. Online business meetings, calls with friends and family or even gaming experiences need the support of a good microphone.

There are many kinds of problems that can lead to mics not functioning properly or developing lower sensitivity. This usually happens due to poor network connections and lower mic sensitivity settings.

So, how to fix mic sensitivity in Windows 10?

To changemicrophone boost sensitivity in Windows 10, open the Settings window, select the Input option and Choose your input device and click on its property box which will open up the Microphone Properties window. Now, select the Levels tab and then change the sensitivity according to your need.

There are a couple of ways you can improve the audio quality of your mic and we will explore each one of them in detail. If you are facing any issues with your mic, then follow these steps to fix the problem.

What is Mic Sensitivity?

The degree to which a capsule picks up sound is referred to as mic sensitivity. A microphone capsule is typically made up of internal components such as a diaphragm and a solid plate that use sound waves to measure changes in air pressure.

A sensitive device will have an easily vibrating diaphragm, which means it will measure smaller changes in air pressure, resulting in greater sensitivity. Because of this type of internal design, condenser mics (b) are generally more sensitive.

As a result, condenser models are commonly used in static studio recording environments to capture natural and detailed sounds. Dynamic microphones (a) on the other hand, use customize components that are less susceptible to movement and electricity.

As a result, they are less sensitive and are best suited for live recording and audio recording of louder sounds. One thing to keep in mind about microphone boost sensitivity is that it cannot be increased or decreased after a sound has been recorded.

While there are software solutions available to clean up or restore damaged sound files features, the audio was recorded at a specific level. You can't change the sensitivity of your microphone boost after the fact, so what you've recorded is what you've recorded.

This is why, in order to get a good result for srecording the first time, it's important to understand the difference between mic volume and sensitivity.

What Are The Different Solutions To Sensitivity Issues?

1. Troubleshooting via Windows?

All Windows operating systems such as Windows 10 come with a troubleshooter service for hardware and software services.

If you have any issues with your mic, you could first launch the troubleshooter to understand what the problem is and then fix sensitivity in Windows 10.

Follow this guide to use the Windows troubleshooter to fix sensitivity.

1. From the Start menu, click on the Control Panel to enter the system settings
2. Find the Troubleshooting option and click on it to open the window
3. On the left-hand side of the Troubleshooting window, click on View All
4. There will be an option for Playing Audio. Click on it
5. Click Next and do as the troubleshooter asks. The troubleshooter will take you through a series of steps
6. If Windows does find a problem, it will offer you solutions as well
7. Follow the on-screen instructions and you should have a resolution soon
8. Once the troubleshooter has performed its actions, record an audio clipping and see how the quality was
9. Restart the computer post the troubleshooting, if required to fix sound microphone boost sensitivity windows 10

2. Adjusting The Mic Volume Levels

Low mic volume can be a major cause of low mic sensitivity.

There is a simple solution for this so please do follow the below-mentioned steps just like these steps to use apple earbuds as mic on pc.

1. From the Start menu in Windows 10, click on the Control Panel to enter the system settings
2. Now you need to locate and click on the Hardware and Sound option
3. In case, your folder view is set to Small/Large icons, then you need to scroll through the options and find the option for Sound
4. If you were in the Hardware and Sound window, you need to click on the Sound option
5. Once the Sound window opens, you will see an option for Recording. This should be in a separate tab. All your recording devices should appear here. If they aren't, then make sure they are connected to your computer
6. Now, right-click on your mic and then select Properties
7. Under mic properties, there should be four tabs – General, Listen, Levels, and Advanced
8. Click on the Levels tab
9. Check the sound level. It should be at the maximum (100). If it isn't, then drag the slider towards 100
10. If you tend to speak loud, then you could reduce this a bit in Windows 10
11. Once your changes are done, click on OK so that the changes get applied and fix mic sensitivity in windows 10

Changing the volume level should take care of the sensitivity issues you are facing. To check if it worked, record audio with your mic and then see how the output sounds. If you have any pairing issues, check out this guide on skullcandy bluetooth pairing.

3. Fix Driver Issues

Not always can you blame the hardware for faults? Sometimes, device drivers get outdated leading to incompatibility or reduced performance.

You need to keep all your driver software update to get the best possible performance from your Windows 10 computer. Follow these steps to update your device drivers and fix mic sensitivity in windows 10.

1. Open an Explorer window and type Device Manager
2. Alternatively, click on Start, then Settings followed by Devices
3. In the Devices window, click on Sound, video, and game controllers
4. You should see your microphone listed there
5. Right-click on your microphone and select Update Driver
6. You will need an active internet connection to update your drivers
7. In the next window, you will get two options. Select the first one (automatically search for driver software)
8. Now your computer will look for the updated sound driver software online and if this is one, it will ask you if the installation can begin
9. Once it is done, you will need to restart your computer
10. However, if your driver is up-to-date, then you will be prompted about the same
11. Sometimes, you might need to visit the microphone manufacturer's website and then download the driver manually to fix microphone boost sensitivity

4. Enhancement Settings

Now, this option might not be available for everybody as it completely depends on the hardware you are using.

However, it is still worth a try. Follow the below steps to work on the enhancement settings

1. Launch the Control Panel,  and click on Hardware and Sound
2. Click on the setting for Sound
3. Find your microphone and, right-click on it and select the Properties option
4. Next to Levels, you should see a separate tab for Enhancements
5. If it is there click on it
6. There should be settings like Background Noise suppression and Acoustic echo cancellation
7. Tick the boxes next to these options to enable them
8. Click on OK and exit the sound window
9. Record an audio recording and see if there was a change in the mic quality

5. Use 3rd Party Audio Managers

Some computer manufacturers provide their own sound audio and adjust microphone software that is in-built. This softwares can sometimes override the default Windows settings and can lead to performance issues.

The Windows 10 software depends on the computer brand you use. Some of the most popular ones are the Realtek Audio Manager sound and the Conexant SmartAudio.

Check which sound software you have and then open it to inspect the sound settings. If you don't know your way around such software, you can contact the software helpdesk or look for guides online.

6. Cleaning Your Mic

If the software settings don't take your problem away then maybe we need to look elsewhere for a solution. Dirt particles, water droplets, or moisture features that can block the mic leading to loss of audio.

The in-built microphones on our laptop are prone to getting dirty over time and there is a possibility that something is blocking it and leading to lower performance. Locate your microphone on the laptop. These are usually found on the top, next to the webcam, or sometimes at the bottom as well.

The mic could be single or double depending on the manufacturer and if you can't locate it then you can search for it online or check the Windows 10 instruction booklet that came with your laptop.

After you locate the mic, take a cotton swab and dip it in lukewarm water. You could also use a mild alcohol-based cleaner. Now squeeze excess water out of the cotton swab.

Excessive water in the swab can cause permanent damage to the mic. Gently, wipe the mic with the cotton swab a couple of times. This should remove dirt or dust from the mic fixing microphone sensitivity settings and sound.

Every couple of weeks you need to repeat the cleaning process since mics are prone to attract dust and get clogged, reducing overall performance in Windows 10.

Alternative Video: How to Change Microphone Volume/Sensitivity on Windows 11?

Conclusion on Mic Sensitivity in Windows 10 & 11

Mics are an integral part of our Windows 10 computer usage daily and we really need them to function at peak sound performance. Mics are often not thought about, they are a small piece of sound hardware in the entire computer ecosystem.

But the only time they really matter to us is when they stop working or don't perform well. While buying laptops or other sound devices that come with mics and it has best features, it is always a good results idea to check their Windows 10 specifications as well.

If you are a musician, recording professional, etc then you will need to invest in a good results mic that produces great audio quality.

FAQs About Mic Sensitivity Issues