On Instagram, you can exchange texts, make voice or video calls, send voice notes on messages, and more. However, many features of Instagram require access to your microphone, which can be annoying if it doesn’t work.

Recently, many Instagram users reported problems using the Microphone. According to them, the Microphone does not work during voice/video calls, while recording videos, etc.

So, if you’ve just recorded Reels, stories, and videos without sound, you need to check and resolve the Microphone problems. Below, we have shared some of the best ways to fix the problem.

1. Relaunch the Instagram App

If you are experiencing Microphone not working problem on Instagram for the first time, you need to relaunch the Instagram app.

Relaunching the app will possibly rule out all bugs and glitches preventing the Instagram app from functioning correctly.

You can close and reopen the Instagram app. After you relaunch the app, try recording your voice in the message to confirm whether the Microphone is working.

2. Restart your Android smartphone

If relaunching the app didn’t help, you can try restarting your Android smartphone. Restarting will terminate all background apps and processes.

Also, it’s a good idea to restart Android devices at regular intervals to ensure better performance. So, long press the power button and then select Restart.

After restart, reopen the Instagram app and try recording reels and videos with audio.

3. Force Stop the Instagram App

While force stopping has no direct link with the microphone, many Instagram users have found doing so very useful.

When you force-stop the Instagram app, all your background processes related to the app are stopped. So, if any background process of Instagram prevents the app from accessing your phone’s microphone, it will be fixed.

To force stop the Instagram app, long press on the Instagram app icon and select App info. On the App info screen, tap on the Force Stop.

4. Make Sure Microphone Access is enabled on your Phone

On the latest versions of Android, you have a privacy control that allows you to enable/disable microphone permission at the system level.

If the system-level Microphone permission is turned off, no apps on your phone can access it. So, you need to ensure that Microphone access for apps is enabled on your phone. Here’s what you need to do.

1. Open your App drawer and select Settings.

2. On Settings, scroll down and tap on Privacy.

3. Now, on the Privacy screen, enable the toggle for Microphone Access.

5. Make Sure Instagram App is allowed to use Microphone

When you make a voice or video call on Instagram for the first time, the app asks you to grant the microphone access. If you deny permission, the app can’t access your Microphone, even though Microphone access is allowed system-wide.

So, you need to ensure that the Instagram app on your phone can use your Microphone. Here’s how.

1. Long press the Instagram App icon on your home screen and select App Info.

2. On the App Info screen, select Permissions.

3. Now tap on the Microphone.

4. Make sure that the Microphone access for this app is set to Allow only while using the app.

6. Make sure no app is using the Microphone in the background

Certain malicious apps on your phone can run in the background and use your Microphone. So, when another app actively uses the microphone in the background, you may face issues accessing the same on your Instagram app.

The latest version of Android has privacy indicators that show whether an app is using a Microphone or Camera. Look at the indicator at the top right corner to see if an app is silently using your Microphone.

You must investigate and uninstall such apps that run in the background and use your microphone silently, as they pose serious privacy threats.

7. Make sure the Microphone is enabled during calls

If the microphone is not working on Instagram during the calls, you need to enable the microphone during the calls.

When you turn off the microphone during active calls, others can’t hear you. To do so, tap the Microphone button at the bottom before speaking up.

8. Disconnect Bluetooth Devices

If you often connect your Bluetooth headphones to your phone, you need to check whether it’s connected while making calls on Instagram. When Bluetooth headphones are connected to your phone, the Instagram app will use the connected headphone’s microphone, not your phones.

So, you need to cross-check whether any sound device with a microphone is connected to your Android smartphone. If it is, you must disconnect it and then make the calls.

9. Clear the Instagram Cache

Corrupted Instagram cache files on Android phones are known for triggering microphone-related problems. So, if nothing has worked for you until now, it’s best to clear the Instagram cache on Android. Here’s how to clear your Instagram Cache.

1. Long press on the Instagram App icon and select App Info.

2. On the App info screen, tap on Storage Usage.

3. On the Storage Screen, tap on the Clear Cache button.

10. Update the Instagram App

Outdated apps can create many issues and even hamper their functioning. The outdated Instagram app is likely the main culprit behind the Microphone not working issue.

Also, it’s a good security practice to keep Android apps and games updated. App updates not only remove bugs & glitches but also add new features. So, head to the Google Play Store and install all pending Instagram updates.

11. Reinstall the Instagram App

If nothing has worked for you until now, reinstallation could be your last resort. However, reinstalling the Instagram app will remove all saved user data and your login details.

So, reinstall the Instagram app only if you have your login credentials. To reinstall the Instagram app, long-press the Instagram app icon on your home screen and select Uninstall.

This will uninstall the Instagram app on your Android device. Once uninstalled, open the Google Play Store and install the Instagram app again.

Microphone not working on Instagram can be frustrating, especially if you use the app to communicate with your friends via voice messages. However, if you are experiencing Microphone problem, you can follow these methods to resolve it.