Windows
Microphone was muted by the keyboard mute key
Microphone input was reported as not working. The keyboard Microphone Mute key was turned off, then a microphone test in Windows Settings passed.
Killed once by someone from XL.net, on 2025-12-29.
Affects
Versions
- Windows
Apps
- Windows Settings
Hardware
- Keyboard with Microphone Mute key
What you see
- Microphone does not appear to be working
- Microphone input is unavailable until the keyboard mute key is turned off
Why it happens
Likely The keyboard Microphone Mute key was on, which muted microphone input.
When it shows up
A Windows computer has a keyboard with a dedicated Microphone Mute key and the microphone stops responding.
You are in this case if:
- Keyboard has a Microphone Mute key
- Microphone test in Windows Settings is available
1 fix below
The steps that killed it
The steps are behind a quick check
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Keeping it away
- Check the keyboard Microphone Mute key before escalating microphone issues.
Someone from XL.net killed this on a Windows computer on 2025-12-29. It is written up from that one repair, so it cites no outside page.