Symptoms
If your microphone suddenly stops working, but the microphone is listed in Device Manager. You've 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
Cause
The privacy settings for 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.
Resolution
This error is usually tied to privacy issues in Windows 11 or Windows 10. Follow these steps to resolve microphone-related issues.
Using the start menu, open Settings
Go to Privacy
Scroll down the left-hand side and select Microphone under App Permissions
Toggle on Allow apps to access your microphone
Test that this has resolved your error.
