If your microphone is not working in Windows 11, apps may not detect your voice or may use the wrong input device. Follow these steps to check permissions, settings, drivers, and hardware.

1. Check microphone permissions

1. Open Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone.
2. Turn on microphone access.
3. Allow apps to access the microphone.
4. Make sure the application you are using is allowed.

2. Select the correct input device

Go to Settings → System → Sound. Under Input, select the microphone you actually want to use and check the input level.

3. Run the microphone test

In Sound settings, select the microphone and use the available test option. Speak normally and check whether Windows detects your voice.

4. Check the physical connection

For USB or 3.5 mm microphones, reconnect the device and try another compatible port. For wireless headsets, check the battery and connection.

5. Update the audio driver

Open Device Manager, expand Audio inputs and outputs, and update the microphone device driver. Also check your computer manufacturer’s support page for current drivers.

6. Restart the PC

Restart Windows and test the microphone again. Close other apps that might be using the microphone before testing.

Final thoughts

Start with permissions and the selected input device. If Windows still cannot detect the microphone, check the connection, driver, and hardware.

If your mouse stops working in Windows 11, the cause may be a USB connection, wireless battery, driver, or temporary Windows problem. Work through these checks before replacing the mouse.

1. Check the connection

For a wired mouse, unplug it and connect it to another USB port. Avoid using an unpowered hub while troubleshooting. For a wireless mouse, check the receiver connection and battery.

2. Restart Windows

Restart the PC to reload USB devices and input drivers. If the mouse works after restarting but stops again later, continue with the driver checks below.

3. Check Device Manager

1. Press Windows + X and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices.
3. Check for warning icons.
4. Right-click the affected device and choose Update driver.

4. Check Windows Update

Open Settings → Windows Update and install available updates. Restart the PC afterward.

5. Test another mouse

Connect another known-working mouse. If the second mouse works normally, the original mouse, cable, receiver, or battery may be the problem.

Final thoughts

Testing another USB port and another mouse can quickly separate a Windows problem from a hardware problem. If multiple mice fail, focus on Windows, USB drivers, and updates.

If your printer is not printing in Windows 11, appears offline, or is not detected at all, the problem can come from the connection, print queue, printer software, or driver. Try these fixes before reinstalling everything.

1. Check the printer connection

For a USB printer, make sure the cable is firmly connected and try another USB port. For a wireless printer, confirm that the printer and PC are connected to the same network. Check the printer display for error messages, paper jams, or low supplies.

2. Make sure the correct printer is selected

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
3. Select your printer.
4. Confirm it is the device you want to use and review its status.

3. Clear the print queue

A stuck document can prevent newer jobs from printing.

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select the affected printer.
3. Open the print queue.
4. Cancel documents that are stuck and try printing again.

4. Restart the Print Spooler

The Print Spooler manages print jobs in Windows.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Find Print Spooler.
4. Right-click it and select Restart.
5. Try the printer again.

5. Remove and add the printer again

If Windows detects the printer but cannot use it correctly, remove it from Printers & scanners and select Add device to set it up again. Follow the on-screen instructions.

6. Update the printer driver

Open Device Manager and check the printer-related device or visit the printer manufacturer’s support site for the latest Windows 11 driver. Avoid downloading drivers from unknown websites.

7. Run Windows Update

Open Settings > Windows Update, check for updates, install available updates, and restart the PC.

8. Restart both devices

Turn the printer off, wait several seconds, turn it back on, and restart the PC. This can clear temporary communication problems.

Final thoughts

Start with the connection and print queue. If the printer is still unavailable, restarting the Print Spooler and reinstalling the printer are useful next steps. For persistent driver problems, use the manufacturer’s official Windows 11 support resources.

Windows 11 apps can crash because of corrupted app data, outdated software, missing updates, or damaged system files. Try these fixes in order.

1. Restart the app and your PC

1. Close the affected app.
2. Restart Windows.
3. Open the app again and test it.

2. Update Windows and the app

1. Open Settings → Windows Update and install updates.
2. Update the affected app from its official source or Microsoft Store.
3. Restart and test again.

3. Repair or reset the app

1. Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
2. Find the app and open its advanced options when available.
3. Select Repair first.
4. If that does not help, consider Reset. Resetting can remove the app’s local data.

4. Check system files

1. Open Windows Terminal (Administrator).
2. Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
3. Then run sfc /scannow.
4. Restart Windows.

5. Reinstall the app

1. Uninstall the affected application.
2. Restart Windows.
3. Download the latest version from the developer’s official site or Microsoft Store.
4. Install it and test again.

Still crashing?

Check whether only one app crashes or several apps do. If multiple unrelated apps fail, the problem may be Windows, drivers, memory, storage, or another system-level issue.

Windows Update can get stuck, fail with an error, or keep retrying. Work through these methods in order and stop when the update installs normally.

1. Restart your PC and check for updates

1. Save your work and restart Windows.
2. Open Settings → Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Install any pending updates and restart again.

2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

1. Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters.
2. Find Windows Update.
3. Select Run and follow the recommendations.
4. Restart the PC and try the update again.

3. Make sure you have enough free space

1. Open Settings → System → Storage.
2. Check how much free space is available on the Windows drive.
3. Remove temporary files you no longer need.
4. Retry Windows Update.

4. Repair Windows system files

1. Open Windows Terminal (Administrator).
2. Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and wait for it to finish.
3. Run sfc /scannow.
4. Restart Windows and try the update again.

5. Check whether a recent driver or security product is interfering

Think about what changed just before the failures started. Update drivers from the hardware manufacturer’s official site and temporarily remove only software that you know is incompatible with the update.

Still stuck?

Write down the exact Windows Update error code before trying advanced recovery steps. The code can point to a more specific fix.