If you’ve recently upgraded to the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803), it’s likely that your microphone and camera are no longer working for some of your apps.
This is an issue that many users have been facing on every type of device, including desktops, laptops, and tablets, but it’s not a problem with the peripherals or a bug with version 1803 (although the new version has a good share of problems). Instead, it’s an issue that is happening as a result of new privacy changes which Microsoft is implementing with April 2018 Update that is revoking access to devices, such as microphone and camera.
If you have been affected, you can quickly get your camera and microphone working again by adjusting the Windows 10 privacy settings.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to allow apps access to your microphone and camera after upgrading to the Windows 10 April 2018 Update.
How to fix microphone not working on Windows 10
If after upgrading your device to the latest version of Windows 10 your microphone isn’t working, it’s likely a privacy setting problem. Here’s how you fix this:
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Open Settings.
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Click on Privacy.
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Click on Microphone.
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Click the Change button.
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Ensure that the Microphone for this device toggle switch is turned on.
Microphone privacy settings -
Ensure that the Allow apps to access your microphone toggle switch is on.
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Under “Choose which apps can access your microphone,” make sure that the apps you want to have access to your microphone have the toggle switch turned on.
Microphone access settings on Windows 10
Once you’ve completed the steps, your applications will have access to your microphone.
How to fix camera not working on Windows 10
In the case the April 2018 Update is preventing apps from accessing your camera, then do the following to fix this issue:
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Open Settings.
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Click on Privacy.
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Click on Camera.
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Click the Change button.
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Ensure that the Camera for this device toggle switch is turned on.
Camara privacy settings -
Ensure that the Allow apps to access your camera toggle switch is on.
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Under “Choose which apps can access your camera,” make sure that the apps you want to have access to your microphone have the toggle switch turned on.
Camera access settings on Windows 10
After completing the steps, apps should once again have access to your camera.
While there are a lot of good reasons to restrict access for certain apps to use your microphone and camera, the problem about this issue was purely miscommunication. If users should have been properly notified about the privacy settings changes, this shouldn’t have been an issue at all.
If the problem you’re experiencing is not about access permissions, you can check this guide to troubleshoot and fix microphone on Windows 10.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].