WhatsApp desktop is a convenient way to access WhatsApp on your computer. However, some users have reported issues with the microphone not working properly on WhatsApp desktop. There are a few potential reasons why this can occur.
Microphone Settings in WhatsApp
The first thing to check is your microphone settings within WhatsApp desktop itself. Open WhatsApp desktop and click on the three dots in the top right corner. Go to Settings > Audio and Video. Make sure that the microphone is not muted and that WhatsApp has permission to access your microphone.
You may need to check a box next to “Allow WhatsApp to access your microphone” and/or select the correct microphone from the dropdown menu. Try toggling the mute microphone button on and off as well. If the microphone works in other applications, then this points to a settings issue within WhatsApp.
Microphone Settings in Your Operating System
If the microphone settings look correct in WhatsApp, the next place to check is your operating system settings. Go to your Sound/Microphone settings in Windows or Mac and confirm the following:
- The correct microphone device is selected
- The microphone volume is turned up
- The microphone is not disabled
- WhatsApp has permission to use the microphone
Toggle the mic on and off in your system settings to test it out. If your mic works outside of WhatsApp, then there are no issues with your microphone itself.
Update Your Audio Drivers
Outdated or corrupt audio drivers can sometimes cause microphone issues in specific applications. Try updating your audio drivers to the latest available version:
- On Windows, open Device Manager, expand the Audio inputs and outputs section, right click on your microphone device and select Update Driver.
- On Mac, open the App Store and install any available updates for macOS and your Mac model to get the latest drivers.
- You can also try reinstalling your audio drivers from the motherboard or sound card manufacturer’s website.
Be sure to restart your computer after updating audio drivers to fully initialize the changes.
Quit and Relaunch the WhatsApp Desktop Application
A simple application restart can sometimes resolve microphone glitches in WhatsApp desktop. Completely quit out of the WhatsApp desktop application and relaunch it to see if this fixes the missing microphone issue.
On Windows, right click on the WhatsApp icon in your system tray and select Quit. Or use Task Manager to fully end the WhatsApp process. Then restart WhatsApp and check if the microphone works.
On Mac, right click on the WhatsApp icon in your Dock and select Quit. Or use Force Quit to fully end the WhatsApp process. Then restart WhatsApp and test the microphone again.
Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp Desktop
If your microphone is still not working in WhatsApp desktop, uninstalling and reinstalling the application can potentially resolve any software bugs that may be causing problems with the mic.
On Windows:
- Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features
- Select WhatsApp Desktop and click Uninstall
- Restart your computer
- Download and install the latest version of WhatsApp Desktop from https://www.whatsapp.com/download
On Mac:
- Go to Finder > Applications
- Drag WhatsApp from Applications to the Trash
- Empty Trash
- Restart your Mac
- Re-download WhatsApp Desktop from https://www.whatsapp.com/download
Check if reinstalling WhatsApp desktop resolves the microphone problem.
Check for WhatsApp Web Issues
WhatsApp desktop runs through WhatsApp Web. So any bugs or glitches with WhatsApp Web can also affect the desktop application. Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Make sure WhatsApp Web is allowed to access your microphone in your browser settings
- Log out of web.whatsapp.com in your browser and log back in
- Clear your browser cache and cookies
- Try a different browser like Chrome, Firefox, Edge etc
If the microphone works fine on WhatsApp Web, then the issue is isolated to the desktop application. But if it also does not work on WhatsApp Web, then there are likely broader issues happening with WhatsApp Web that are carrying over to desktop.
Allow WhatsApp Through Your Firewall and Antivirus
Overzealous firewall or antivirus software can sometimes block applications from accessing your microphone. Add WhatsApp to the allow list in your firewall and antivirus programs.
You may need to add exceptions for the following:
- WhatsApp Desktop application
- WhatsApp Web browser extension or plugin
- Microphone access for WhatsApp’s services and processes
Refer to your specific firewall or antivirus software’s documentation for exact instructions on adding exceptions. This will ensure WhatsApp is not improperly blocked from the microphone.
Use a USB Microphone
As a workaround, try using an external USB microphone with WhatsApp desktop instead of your built-in mic. Plug in the USB microphone and set it as the default recording device in your operating system sound settings.
Then restart WhatsApp desktop and check if the USB microphone is detected and works properly. This can determine if the issues are specifically related to your built-in mic drivers or not.
Update Your Operating System
Having the latest OS updates and patches is always a good idea to fix general bugs and improve compatibility with apps like WhatsApp desktop. Ensure your Windows or Mac OS is fully updated:
- On Windows, check for Windows Updates in Settings.
- On Mac, go to System Preferences > Software Update.
Updating your operating system can potentially include microphone driver updates as well that may resolve problems.
Troubleshoot USB or Headset Issues
If you are trying to use a connected USB or Bluetooth headset microphone with WhatsApp desktop, there are a few additional things to check:
- Make sure the headset is securely plugged in or paired via Bluetooth.
- Confirm the headset microphone is set as the Default Device in your sound settings.
- Try testing the headset mic in another voice recorder app or phone call.
- Update headset drivers or reset Bluetooth connections.
- Use a different headset to isolate the issue.
Headset-specific problems like these could prevent the mic from working properly in WhatsApp desktop.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If you still cannot get your microphone to work in WhatsApp desktop after trying all these troubleshooting tips, you should reach out to WhatsApp support for additional help.
You can contact WhatsApp support from within WhatsApp on your mobile device:
- Open WhatsApp and tap More options > Settings > Help.
- Tap Contact us, then tap the issue you are having.
- Explain the microphone problem you are experiencing with WhatsApp Desktop.
WhatsApp can investigate your issue further, check for known bugs causing microphone problems, and provide specialized troubleshooting advice.
Conclusion
Having microphone issues with WhatsApp Desktop can certainly be frustrating. But in most cases, the problem can be resolved through troubleshooting steps like checking app settings, updating audio drivers, reinstalling the app, verifying OS and browser software, and allowing WhatsApp through firewalls and antivirus.
Be sure to methodically work through each troubleshooting area covered here to isolate the cause. Check both the WhatsApp desktop application itself as well as your broader operating system and browser software. Trying a USB microphone can also determine if the issues are specific to your built-in mic driver. And reaching out to WhatsApp support can provide more personalized help if needed.
With the proper triage and troubleshooting, you should be able to get your WhatsApp desktop microphone working properly again for clear voice calls and voice messages.