Issue in allowing microphone access to desktop applications such as Chrome.

Hi Yasiru, I am Paulo and I'd like to help.

The Privacy option for the microphone in Windows Settings doesn't have an on/off for individual Desktop apps or Win32 apps. This is because desktop apps have their own settings for the microphone unlike UWP apps or apps downloaded from the MS Store. It is either to disable access to all desktop apps or allow them.

In this case, if you want to allow Chrome's Google Meet to access the microphone, make sure that in Chrome's Settings, the website is allowed.

See "Allow Meet to use your camera and microphone" in Google's article
https://support.google.com/meet/answer/7317473?...

Hi Paulo,

Thank you for the reply.

I have already been given access to Google meet in the browser. You can see them with the below screenshots. But still, Google Meet shows disabled Mic and asks me to give permission for chrome to use the microphone via Microphone Private Settings. But the entire section which corresponds to giving access to desktop apps is missing.

Hi Yasiru,

Can you try the following:

- Right-click on the speaker icon on your taskbar then click Sounds
- On the Sound window, click the Recording tab
- Select your microphone and click on Set as default
- Double-click on it to open the Microphone Properties
- Click on the Levels tab then set it to 100

If that didn't work, try options 3 and 4 in the link below and see if it helps
https://www.guidingtech.com/fix-google-meet-mic...

(Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.)

Hi Paulo,

I tried the above steps but sadly with no luck. The issue is still there. Google Meet Settings show that the mic is off.

As mentioned in the article, I cannot enable Mic Desktop apps as below to let chrome use it.

Sorry but unfortunately, I'm out of ideas. :/ I hope somebody else has better suggestions to fix the problem.

Thanks a lot for the help and ideas.

Really appreciate spending your valuable time helping me out !!!.

Hello, I'm Louie, and I'm happy to help you today. Hope you're doing well and safe there. I'm sorry that you're having trouble with your microphone. Try the following solutions below. You may skip the steps you've already performed but it would be best to try it again just to make sure.

If you have microphone issues, make sure your privacy settings are configured properly

Select Start > Settings > Privacy , and then select Microphone from the left menu.

Under Allow access to the microphone on this device, select Change. Make sure the toggle is turned On.

If you’re having this issue with a specific app, scroll down to Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone and make sure that the toggle next to that app is turned On as well.

Try also running the Recording Audio Troubleshooter while your headphone is connected.

1. Open Start Menu.
2. Type and search for "Troubleshoot settings". Open it.
3. In the right pane, if you can't see the said troubleshooter or no recommended troubleshooter is listed, click on Additional troubleshooters.
4. Now, look for the said troubleshooter and click it.
5. Click on "Run the troubleshooter"
6. Select the microphone of your headphone and proceed.

Also try checking Microphone if it was disabled in Sounds > Recording
If yes, kindly try this:

1. Right-click on Speaker icon in the right-side of your taskbar and select Sounds.
2. Click Recording tab and see if the microphone of your headphone is listed there.
3. If not, right-click and make sure the option "Show Disabled devices" is checked.
4. If the said device is now visible, right-click on it and select Enable.
5. To make it default, right-click on it again and select Set as Default device.

If that doesn't help, kindly roll back, update or reinstall your audio input driver of your headphone by following the steps below:

To roll back the said driver (restore the previous installed driver):
1. Open Start Menu.
2. Type Device Manager and Open it.
3. Double-Click on the category "Audio inputs and outputs".
4. Under this category, right-click on the driver of your audio input device and select "Properties".
5. Click the "Driver" tab and look for "Roll Back Driver" button* below and click it.
6. Next select a reason why you're rolling back and click Yes.
7. Restart your computer.

*If the option to roll back driver is grayed-out, the reasons are the following:
- Your computer hasn't had a previous driver installed for the said device.
- Your computer did not retain the driver files from the original version installed.

If that doesn't work, kindly try updating the said driver:

1. Locate again the said driver
2. Right click on it and select "Update Driver".
3. Next select "Search Automatically..."
4. Restart your computer.
5. If the issue persists, repeat step 1 to 2, and now select "Browse my computer for drivers"
6. Click on "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer".
7. Make sure the option "Show compatible hardware" is checked.
8. Select Generic device first and click Next. Check your audio input and if the issue is still there, try other device on the list.

If that doesn't still work, please try uninstalling the said driver:
1. Locate again the said driver
2. Right click on it and select "Uninstall device".
3. Restart your computer. It will automatically search and install the driver.

If the issue still persists, kindly go to Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update. If there is a "View optional updates", click it. Next, click on Driver updates and see if your headphone driver is listed there. If so, check that driver and click on "Download and install".

I would also recommend you to try the steps provided on the support link below for solutions regarding microphone issues:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/403488...

Hope this helps and looking forward for good results.

Sincerely,
Louie

Hi All,

The issue was resolved only after updating Windows. I updated to Version 21H2 and the automatically missing section," Allow Desktop applications to access microphone ", appeared under microphone privacy settings. 

I'm glad that the issue is resolved!
Whenever you need help we will be here for you.

You take care and keep safe always :)

Regards,
Louie