Microphone Not Working Due to Privacy Settings in Windows 11 or Windows 10

If your microphone suddenly stops working, but the microphone is listed in Device Manager. You have tested other microphones, and they are having the same problem. You checked, and the audio levels are set as they should be and the microphone is not muted. However when you run the Microphone Wizard it gives the following error.

Figure 1: The Wizard could not start

The privacy settings for the microphone in Windows 11 or Windows 10 might prevent apps and websites from using the microphone of your computer. Privacy settings give you control over which apps and websites can use your microphone.

This error can be tied to privacy issues in Windows 11 or Windows 10. Follow these steps to resolve microphone-related issues.

1. Using the start menu, open Settings

2. Go to Privacy

3. Scroll down the left-hand side and select Microphone under App Permissions

4. Switch on Allow apps to access your microphone

5. Test that this has resolved your error.