<p>Follow these steps in order on the new Windows 11 PC:</p>
<ol>
<li>
<p><strong>Check microphone connection</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>If using a wired headset or mic, make sure it is firmly plugged into the correct audio jack or USB port.</li>
<li>If using Bluetooth, make sure the device is powered on and in pairing mode.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Make sure Windows sees the microphone</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Select <strong>Start</strong> > <strong>Settings</strong> > <strong>System</strong> > <strong>Sound</strong>.</li>
<li>Under <strong>Input</strong>, look for the microphone under <strong>Choose a device for speaking or recording</strong>.
<ul>
<li>If it appears, select it and use it as the default.</li>
<li>If it does not appear, continue with the next steps.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Allow apps to use the microphone</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Select <strong>Start</strong> > <strong>Settings</strong> > <strong>Privacy & security</strong> > <strong>Microphone</strong>.</li>
<li>Turn <strong>Microphone access</strong> <strong>On</strong>.</li>
<li>Turn <strong>Let apps access your microphone</strong> <strong>On</strong> and enable access for the apps that need it.</li>
<li>If using desktop apps (like Teams, Zoom, browsers), make sure <strong>Let desktop apps access your microphone</strong> is <strong>On</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Set and test the microphone</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Go to <strong>Start</strong> > <strong>Settings</strong> > <strong>System</strong> > <strong>Sound</strong>.</li>
<li>Under <strong>Input</strong>, select the microphone to use.</li>
<li>Select <strong>></strong> to the right of the device to open <strong>Properties</strong>.</li>
<li>Under <strong>Input settings</strong>, select <strong>Start test</strong> and speak normally.</li>
<li>Select <strong>Stop test</strong>, then <strong>Play</strong> to hear the recording.</li>
<li>If volume is low, move the <strong>Input volume</strong> slider to the right.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>If others cannot hear anything</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>If the headset has a physical <strong>Mute</strong> button or switch, make sure it is not muted.</li>
<li>For Bluetooth headsets, confirm they are paired and connected.</li>
<li>In <strong>Settings</strong> > <strong>System</strong> > <strong>Sound</strong>, under <strong>Input</strong>, confirm the correct device is selected.</li>
<li>Run the <strong>Input devices</strong> troubleshooter under <strong>Troubleshoot common sound problems</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>If Windows says “no microphone found” or shows no input devices</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Reinstall audio drivers:
<ol>
<li>Right-click the <strong>Start</strong> button and select <strong>Device Manager</strong>.</li>
<li>Expand <strong>Sound, video and game controllers</strong>.</li>
<li>Right-click each audio device and select <strong>Uninstall device</strong>. Check <strong>Attempt to remove the driver for this device</strong> if available, then select <strong>Uninstall</strong>.</li>
<li>Restart the PC. Windows will try to reinstall audio devices automatically.</li>
<li>If nothing appears, open <strong>Device Manager</strong> again, right-click <strong>Sound, video and game controllers</strong>, and select <strong>Scan for hardware changes</strong>.</li>
<li>After devices reappear, right-click the audio driver and select <strong>Update driver</strong>.</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Confirm the microphone is installed and test again</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Go back to <strong>Start</strong> > <strong>Settings</strong> > <strong>System</strong> > <strong>Sound</strong>.</li>
<li>Under <strong>Input</strong>, confirm the microphone now appears.</li>
<li>Select it, open <strong>Properties</strong> (the <strong>></strong> button), and use <strong>Start test</strong> / <strong>Play</strong> to verify it works.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<p>If after these steps no input device appears at all, the issue is likely with the microphone hardware or the PC’s audio hardware and may require device manufacturer support.</p>