Why is My Voice Recorder Not Working? How to Fix It?

It is not unusual to encounter Windows Voice Recorder not working when you try to record sound. Different reasons can cause this issue, try the following methods to troubleshoot it.

Microphone Access is Disabled

One of the most common reasons why Windows Voice Recorder not working is that your microphone access might be turned off. To resolve this issue:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone.

2. Switch on the "Allow apps to access your microphone" toggle. Ensure that the Voice Recorder app is allowed access.

Outdated or Corrupted Audio Drivers

If your audio drivers are outdated or corrupted, the Voice Recorder may not be able to capture sound correctly. How to fix:

1. Press Windows + X to open Device Manager.

2. Expand the Sound, video, and game controllers section.

3. Right-click your audio driver and select Update driver.

If updating doesn't fix the Windows sound recorder not working problem, try uninstalling the driver and restarting your computer. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

Corrupt Windows Voice Recorder App

Another potential issue is that the Voice Recorder app itself might be corrupted. Follow the steps to fix it.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.

2. Locate Voice Recorder and click Advanced options.

3. Select Reset to restore the app to its original state. 

Windows System Issues

If your system is experiencing broader issues, it can lead to the Windows sound recorder not working. Performing a system update or running a system scan might resolve this problem.

1. Ensure your Windows OS is up to date by going to Settings > Update & Security.

2. Or open System File Checker (SFC) as an administrator and type sfc /scannow.

Try a Free Third-Party Alternative 

If after trying all of these solutions, your Windows Voice Recorder still not working, you can consider using a third-party audio recorder, such as iTop Screen Recorder. This free software provides a simple interface to record high-quality audio, including system and external audio. It also offers a free editor to trim unwanted audio parts.

1. Download, install and launch this free audio recorder. 

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2. Go to Only Audio section in Record tab. Enable the Speaker or Mic, you can also try the Voice Changer to change your voice. Click REC to start capturing sound. 

3. Go to the Files tab to check your voice recordings, listen, edit, or share it.