Microphone not working during Flow setup

Last updated: November 6, 2026

Available on: Windows

If the microphone test doesn't hear you, an error screen blocks setup, or Flow says your selected microphone isn't available, Flow is usually listening to the wrong input or another app is holding your microphone.

Quick checks

  • Is the right input selected? On the microphone test screen, hit Change microphone. If it shows Stereo Mix, a virtual or software microphone (for example SteelSeries Sonar, Voicemeeter or NVIDIA Broadcast), or a Bluetooth headset, switch to your built-in microphone or a wired USB microphone.

  • Is another app holding your mic? Close Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Discord, and recording or streaming software.

  • Do the purple bars move when you speak? If they move, continue setup, your mic is working. If they don't, use the steps below.

Note: To use a headset, connect it and set it as your input in Windows first, then select it in Flow.

Match the error screen to the fix

The error screen closes on its own once your mic works, you don't need to dismiss it. Use the title on your screen to pick the right row.

What the screen says

What to do

Microphone access required

Hit Open Settings, then turn on both Microphone access and Let desktop apps access your microphone.

No microphone detected

Connect or enable a microphone, then hit Refresh devices; Open Sound Settings shows what Windows can see.

Microphone is in use

Close the other app, then hit Open Sound Settings to pick a different input, or Restart Flow.

Selected microphone unavailable

Reconnect the microphone you picked earlier, or hit Choose a different microphone.

Microphone error

Hit Restart Flow.

If the error screen keeps coming back

  1. Turn off Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device in your microphone's sound properties in Windows.

  2. Restart your computer, then open Flow again.

  3. Reinstall Flow using the latest installer from the official Wispr Flow download page.

On a work computer, security software may block Flow from using your microphone. If these steps don't help, ask your IT team to allow microphone access for Flow.

Flow can't find your microphone after setup

  1. Reconnect the headset or microphone you were using.

  2. Hit Choose a different microphone if you see Selected microphone unavailable, and pick one that's connected.

  3. Use the Restart Flow action on the Flow can't detect your microphone. notification if it appears.

Still stuck?

Important: The Help button shown during setup sends your message to the Flow product team, not to Support. Use one of the routes below if you need a reply.

  • During setup: click the Wispr Flow icon in your Windows system tray and select Talk to support, or write in from the Wispr Flow support page.

  • After setup: Talk to support is in the Help menu inside the Flow app. Messages sent this way include diagnostic information to help us resolve issues faster.

  • Include: the name of the selected microphone, a screenshot of any error, and whether your IT team has confirmed nothing is blocking Flow.