5 Ways to Fix the Windows 10 Voice Recorder App Not Recording Audio

What good is a voice recorder if it can't register your voice? Get it working again with our guide.

The Windows 10 Voice Recorder app is handy for recording audio on your computer. However, you may encounter issues where the app fails to record audio. This can be frustrating, especially if you need to use the app for important tasks.

Some practical methods to fix the Windows 10 Voice Recording app include reinstalling the app, updating your Windows software, or even performing a system restore. As we cover these methods, you’d realize they are easy to follow and require no technical expertise.

Reinstalling the Windows 10 Voice Recorder app is one of the easiest ways to fix it. This method can help to fix any issues with the app's installation or configuration.

To reinstall the Voice Recorder, open the Windows Start menu and type Powershell in the search bar. Select Run as administrator from the app’s context menu to open a PowerShell window.

In the PowerShell window, type the command Get-AppxPackage *sound recorder* | Remove-AppxPackage and press Enter.

This command will remove the Voice Recorder app from your system. Note that uninstalling will not delete any recordings you saved in the app.

Another way to uninstall the Voice Recorder application is through the Settings app. Open the settings app and navigate to the Apps and Features page. Click on the search bar and type Voice Recorder. Select Uninstall, and you’re halfway done.

After the app has been uninstalled, you can reinstall it from the Microsoft Store. To do this, visit the Windows Sound Record Microsoft Store page and download it from there.

If you cannot reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store, you can also download and install the app from the Microsoft website. Once the app has been reinstalled, try recording audio again to see if the issue has been resolved.

If your system and the Voice Recorder app are not up-to-date, it can cause issues with the app's functionality. As such, updating your system and the app to the latest version can help to address any bugs or compatibility issues that may stop the app from recording.

To ensure your Windows 10 device is up-to-date, you can check for updates in the Settings app. To do this, click on the Start menu and select Settings. Then, click on Update & Security, and select Windows Update from the left-hand menu.

Next, click on Check for updates. If any updates are available, click on Download and Install. Note that your device will need to restart to complete the update. Once the update is complete, your PC should be running on the latest version of Windows 10.

To update the Voice Recorder app, open the Microsoft Store app on your PC. Click on the Library icon in the lower-left corner of the app window to access the Library page.

On the Library page, click Get Updates to see if any updates are available for the Voice Recorder app. If an update is available, click the Update button to download and install it.

Once your OS and the app are updated, you can try recording audio again to know if the issue has been resolved.

Another possible reason the Windows 10 Voice Recorder app stops recording audio is incorrect microphone settings. As such, it's important to check and ensure the microphone is properly configured and selected as the default recording device.

To check the microphone settings, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sounds. Then, click on the Recording tab to ensure the correct microphone is selected as the default device. If not, right-click on the microphone and select Set as Default Device.

You should also check the microphone volume by right-clicking on the microphone icon on the Recording tab and selecting Properties. After that, navigate to the Levels tab and ensure the volume is set to an appropriate level.

If the microphone is still not recording audio in the Voice Recorder app after checking and adjusting the settings, there may be an issue with the microphone or the drivers. In that case, you can try updating the audio drivers on Windows.

Sometimes, audio enhancements can cause conflicts with the Voice Recorder app and prevent it from recording audio. So, the last thing we will try is to disable audio enhancements.

To do so, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sounds from the menu. Select the Playback tab in the Sounds window and right-click on your default playback device. Then, select Properties from the context menu.

From the Properties window, select the Enhancements tab and check the box next to Disable all enhancements. If the option is already selected, try unchecking it and then selecting it again. Click Apply and then Ok to save the changes.

Once audio enhancements are disabled, try recording audio using the Voice Recorder app again to confirm that the issue has been fixed.

If the aforementioned fixes don’t resolve the issue, you can try performing a System Restore. System Restore is a built-in feature in Windows 10 that allows you to revert your PC to a previous state.

Check out our guide on how to use System Restore for more information on this topic.

The Windows 10 Voice Recorder not working can be a frustrating experience. However, with the right approach, you can diagnose and fix common problems that may be preventing you from recording high-quality audio on your PC.

If you encounter further problems, don't hesitate to seek support from Microsoft Support or a qualified technician. Finally, by staying informed and proactive, you can optimize your audio recording experience and achieve the best results possible.

Tayo Sogbesan is a professional writer with over 3 years of experience writing, editing, and optimizing web content. She's been a lover of the technology scene for the better part of the last decade. As such, Tayo has owned, used, and explored the depths of Windows and macOS devices for about 5 years. Tayo is currently a Windows section writer at MakeUseOf, and looks forward to exploring the nuances of the tech space. If she’s not typing away on her computer, she is probably catching up on The Office.