Changing your audio input device on Windows is straightforward but the setting location changed across versions, and some apps ignore the system default entirely. Here’s how to handle both.
Changing the default audio input (Windows 10 and 11)
Quick method: Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar > Sound settings > scroll to Input > select your device from the dropdown.
Full method: Settings > System > Sound > Input > Choose your input device.
Classic Control Panel: Right-click the speaker icon > Open Sound settings > Sound Control Panel > Recording tab > right-click your device > Set as Default Device.
Per-app audio input (Windows 11)
Windows 11 lets you set different input devices per application. Settings > System > Sound > scroll down to Advanced > App volume and device preferences. Each app currently using audio will appear with its own input/output dropdowns.
When the app ignores your default
Some apps – Zoom, Teams, Discord, OBS – have their own audio selectors that bypass the Windows default. Change the device inside the app directly.
Discord: User Settings > Voice and Video > Input Device
Zoom: Settings > Audio > Microphone
Teams: Settings > Devices > Microphone
OBS: Audio Mixer > right-click source > Properties
Troubleshooting input not detected
If your device isn’t showing: check physical connection, Device Manager for errors under Audio inputs and outputs, right-click in the Recording tab and show disabled/disconnected devices, update audio drivers, or check microphone privacy in Settings > Privacy > Microphone.