How to fix a microphone that's too quiet
Updated 2026-09
If people keep asking you to speak up, it's rarely your voice — it's almost always gain, distance, or the wrong input device selected.
Check you're not on the wrong device
Laptops often have two or more inputs (built-in mic, plus whatever's plugged in). If a call app defaults to the built-in mic while you're wearing a USB headset, you'll sound distant and quiet even though your headset mic is fine. Confirm the input device explicitly in both your OS settings and the call app.
Raise input gain, not just app volume
Most call apps have their own microphone level slider separate from the OS input level — both need to be reasonably high. Raise the OS-level input gain first (System Sound settings), then adjust the app's own level.
Distance and directionality matter more than most gear
Most built-in and budget USB mics are cardioid or omnidirectional with a short effective range. Moving from 60cm to 20cm away from the mic often makes a bigger difference than any setting.
Still not working? Run the microphone test to confirm exactly what's failing, or check the driver directory.