Microphone Not Working in Chrome on a Website: How to Fix It
Updated 2026-10-18
When a website can’t hear you, the cause is usually one of a handful of settings: the site permission, the device Chrome is using, operating-system privacy controls, or the input volume. Work through these checks in order.
1. Allow the microphone for the site
Click the icon on the left of the address bar → Site settings → set Microphone to Allow, then reload the page. If you clicked “Block” once, Chrome will not ask again until you change this.
2. Check which microphone Chrome is using
Chrome uses its default device, which may be a webcam, a monitor, a phone or a virtual device with no signal. Choose the right one in chrome://settings/content/microphone. On LiveToka you can also pick the device directly in the list next to “Audio Input”.
3. macOS: allow Chrome in Privacy & Security
System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone → make sure Google Chrome is switched on. Quit and reopen Chrome after changing it.
4. Windows: allow desktop apps to use the microphone
Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone → turn on Microphone access and Let desktop apps access your microphone. Chrome counts as a desktop app.
5. Check the input device and volume in the OS
- macOS: System Settings → Sound → Input — choose the right device and watch the input level move when you speak. Raise the input volume if it is low.
- Windows: Settings → System → Sound → Input — choose the device and use “Test your microphone”.
6. Close apps that hold the microphone
Some apps take exclusive control of the microphone (video-call apps, recording software). Quit them, or on Windows open the device properties → Advanced and untick “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device”.
7. Bluetooth headsets
Bluetooth headsets switch to a low-quality “headset” mode when their microphone is used, and some do not expose a microphone at all. Try the built-in microphone to rule this out.
8. Make sure the page uses HTTPS
Browsers only allow microphone access on secure pages (https). If the address bar shows “Not secure”, the site cannot use your microphone.
💡 Still silent? Open a new Chrome profile or a guest window and try again. If it works there, an extension is likely interfering.
New accounts get 10 free minutes. Sign in with Google — no credit card required.
Related guides
- How to Set Up Your Microphone for Accurate Live Transcription
- Capture Computer Audio in Your Browser with VB-CABLE on Windows
- Route Mac Audio into Your Browser with BlackHole
Use cases
- Real-Time Lecture Transcription & Translation for Students
- Transcribe and Translate Interviews in Real Time
Frequently asked questions
Why does Chrome not ask for microphone permission anymore?
You probably blocked it once. Reset it in Site settings for that website, or in chrome://settings/content/microphone.
The level meter moves but nothing is recognized. Why?
Check that the selected language matches what is spoken, and reduce background music or noise. On LiveToka a hint appears if audio is detected but no speech is recognized.