Why is my voice recorder not working?
Check Your Device’s Settings
The first step is to confirm that the recorder app has permission to access your device’s microphone. On Android, go to Settings > Privacy > App Permissions > Microphone and ensure the recorder app is allowed. You can toggle permissions on or off for each app here.
Next, open the recorder app and check that the microphone is not muted or volume turned all the way down, preventing it from picking up any audio. There may be a microphone icon you can tap to unmute and adjust levels.
Finally, look for a recording mode or quality setting in the app. Select a mode like “High quality” that uses the microphone, as opposed to a “Voice memo” mode which may only record lower quality audio through the phone speaker.
As per the Google Android support page, you can also swipe down from the top and tap the microphone indicator icon to see which apps have access to the microphone currently.
Update Your Device Software
One potential cause of microphone issues is outdated software on your device. Older software versions may contain bugs or compatibility problems that prevent the microphone from functioning properly (1). To resolve this, it’s important to keep your device’s operating system and apps fully updated.
Go to your device’s Settings app and check for any available system software updates. Tap “Software Update” or “System Updates” and install the latest OS version for your specific Android phone model. Keeping the Android OS up-to-date ensures you have the most recent microphone drivers and compatibility fixes (2).
You can also update individual apps like your voice recorder or phone app, as the latest app versions may contain microphone optimizations. Open the Google Play Store app, go to “My Apps & Games”, and check for any pending updates. Tap “Update” next to each app to download the newest version.
After updating your device software and apps, test if your microphone is working properly in phone calls and voice recording apps. Newer software versions often resolve glitches with microphone access and performance.
Restart Your Device
A simple restart is one of the first troubleshooting steps to try if your voice recorder is not working properly. Rebooting the device resets the software and clears any temporary glitches that could be preventing the voice recorder from functioning normally (source).
First, try a soft reboot by turning your device fully off and then back on. To do this, press and hold the power button until the “Power off” prompt appears. Tap “Power off” and let the device turn off completely. Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the power button again until the device turns back on. This will restart the device without deleting any data.
If a standard reboot doesn’t solve the issue, you may need to force restart your device. The steps vary by phone model, but usually involve pressing and holding the power button and volume down button simultaneously for 10+ seconds. This will force your device to restart (source).
After restarting, open the voice recorder app and try to use it again. Often, a simple reboot is enough to get apps and features working properly again.
Check for Physical Damage
Your device’s microphone may stop working properly if it has sustained physical damage. Inspect the microphone port and opening carefully with a flashlight for any debris, dust or liquid that could be blocking the microphone.
According to Android Authority, the microphone is usually located at the bottom of Android devices near the charging port, but the exact location varies by make and model (Source). On iPhones, the primary microphone is located at the bottom of the phone near the mouthpiece (Source).
Look for any cracks or damage around the microphone area. Phone drops, even from a short distance, can potentially dislodge internal components like the microphone. If you see visible damage near the microphone port, this could be the reason why your voice recorder is not working.
Try a Different App
One way to troubleshoot a microphone or voice recorder not working properly is to try using a different app. Many smartphones and devices come with a built-in voice recorder or audio recording app. Test the microphone using this built-in app first to see if the issue persists.
If the built-in voice recorder does not pick up audio input or records staticky or poor quality audio, the issue may be isolated to that particular app. Consider downloading a third party audio recording app from your device’s app store to test further. There are many free and paid voice recorder apps to choose from. Look for a highly rated app from a well-known developer. Use the third party app to test your device’s microphone and see if it successfully records voices and other sounds clearly.
If the microphone works properly in a different audio recording app, then the problem is likely with the original voice recorder app, not your device’s microphone itself. You can then try reinstalling the problematic app, updating it to the latest version, checking its permissions settings, or contacting the developer for support. However, if the microphone still does not work in multiple recording apps, then the issue is likely hardware-related.
Update Apps
Voice recorder apps can have bugs in older versions that prevent the app from working properly. To fix microphone or recording issues, it’s important to keep your apps fully updated.
Open your device’s app store and check for any available updates to your voice recorder app. Install the latest update if one is available. App updates frequently include bug fixes and performance improvements that could resolve your issue.
If your voice recorder app is already up to date, try uninstalling the app completely, then reinstalling a fresh copy. This can wipe out any corrupted files or settings that may be causing problems.
After updating or reinstalling the app, try using your voice recorder again. If the microphone is still not working, the issue is likely with your device rather than the app.
Check Accessibility Settings
Accessibility settings on your device can sometimes interfere with the microphone and voice recording capabilities. Check to make sure any accessibility services that could affect the microphone are disabled. For example, on Android devices you can go to Settings > Accessibility and turn off services like “Voice Access” or “TalkBack” that use the microphone. See this Google support page for instructions on the Accessibility menu.
You may also want to temporarily disable any voice assistant apps like Siri, Google Assistant or Bixby. These apps are constantly listening for voice commands which can sometimes prevent other apps from accessing the microphone properly. Fully close these assistant apps and then try your voice recorder app again. Samsung also has instructions for customizing accessibility settings here.
Try Different Microphones
If the built-in microphone on your device is not working properly, try testing with different external microphones to help determine where the issue lies.
First, try plugging in a pair of headphones or earbuds that have a built-in microphone and see if you can record audio with them. This will help rule out a hardware problem specifically with your device’s native microphone.
If the headphones mic works, then you know the issue is isolated to the physical microphone hardware on your phone or voice recorder. You may need to get the device repaired or replaced in this case.
If the headphones mic also does not work, then the problem may be with the audio recording software/app you are using. Try downloading and testing a different voice recording app to pinpoint if the issue is isolated to just one app.
Narrowing down whether it is a microphone hardware failure or a software/app glitch will help guide you towards the proper solution. By trying out different external mics and voice recorder apps, you can zero in on the root of the problem.
Factory Reset Device
As a last resort, you may want to back up your data if possible and reset your device to its original factory settings. This essentially erases everything on your device and restores it to the state it was in when you first purchased it. Factory resetting can help eliminate any software bugs or glitches that may be preventing your voice recorder from functioning properly.
To factory reset, go to your device’s Settings app and look for “Backup & Reset” or something similar. There should be an option to “Factory Data Reset” which will walk you through the process of backing up data if desired, erasing everything, and restoring to factory settings. This is an extreme step so be sure your data is backed up first if possible. Factory resetting will delete all your apps, photos, accounts, and other data from the device storage.
If you can back up your data, a factory reset often fixes problems like voice recorder failures since it eliminates any corrupted files or settings errors. It’s like getting a brand new device again. Just keep in mind you’ll have to reinstall apps and set the device up from scratch again after the reset.
See this guide for step-by-step factory reset instructions for an LG phone model.
Get Device Repaired
If you’ve tried all other troubleshooting options and your voice recorder still isn’t working, the issue likely stems from a hardware problem within the device. There could be internal damage to the microphone or audio components that require professional repair.
Seeking professional repair is recommended if your microphone isn’t functioning despite updating software, changing settings, using different apps and microphones, and factory resetting. The device may have experienced internal component failure or connection issues that cannot be resolved through basic troubleshooting.
Qualified repair technicians have the skills and tools to open up devices and diagnose hardware-related problems. They can test individual components like microphones and replace any damaged parts. This is the best way to fix microphone problems stemming from internal device damage.
Before seeking repair, contact the manufacturer to see if your device is still under warranty. Many devices come with at least a 1 year manufacturer warranty covering defects. If your device is still covered, you may be able to get a free repair or replacement.
Professional repair services can get expensive, so consider the age and value of your device. In some cases, it may be more cost effective to replace your voice recorder entirely. But for newer or higher-end devices, repairing an internal microphone issue is usually worth the investment.
