Record a short Windows microphone test, then reconnect the microphone directly without a hub and move its cable away from chargers or power adapters. Lower excessive Input volume or microphone boost and compare once with Audio enhancements off. If the same buzz follows the microphone to another device, the cable or microphone is likely the cause.
Before you continue
RecordSave a short sample so you can compare changes.
IsolateTest the cable, port, hub, and charger separately.
Open Settings > System > Sound > Input, select the microphone, and use Start test. Speak at a normal distance and listen for the buzz before changing anything.
2
Reconnect the microphone directly
Disconnect USB hubs, adapters, or extension cables and connect the microphone to a supported port on the PC. For an analog microphone, push the plug in fully.
3
Separate the cable from power sources
Move the microphone cable away from laptop chargers, power strips, monitors, and other power adapters. If the buzz appears only while a laptop is charging, test briefly on battery.
4
Select the intended input
In Settings > System > Sound > Input, choose the microphone you are testing. Make sure Windows is not recording from a webcam or controller microphone instead.
5
Lower excessive gain
Open the input-device properties and reduce Input volume or microphone boost a little. Record the same phrase again. Very high gain can make electrical noise much more noticeable.
6
Compare Audio enhancements off
Turn Audio enhancements Off for one recording. If speech becomes cleaner, leave the problematic enhancement off; if not, restore the previous setting.
7
Test the microphone on another device
Use the same microphone and cable on another compatible computer or recorder. Buzz on both devices points to the microphone or cable; a clean second-device test points back to the first PC, port, power supply, or driver.
If the buzz changes when you touch the connector or move the cable, stop using a damaged cable and replace it with a compatible one.
If noise appears only in one app, select the same input inside that app and disable its extra noise, gain, or monitoring effect one at a time.
If every microphone buzzes only on one PC, install the official audio and chipset updates for that PC. Do not install an unknown driver-cleaner or audio booster.
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows 11.
The written steps follow the current help pages linked below. The saved video is an older walkthrough and may show different labels.
