microphone doesn't work

Garfield DO, Robert 0 Reputation points
2026-10-13T15:38:52.8833333+00:00

When I try to dictate a medical record note, a dialog box says "microphone not connected." I tried switching the microphone input device, changing the microphone input port, and restarting the computer. The microphone DID work when I did a video encounter with a patient.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
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  1. SD - IA 181.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-13T16:15:14.1366667+00:00

    Hi,

    I will walk through a few steps with you. Some of these are just to help figure out what is wrong, not to fix it right away. So if nothing changes after a step, that is normal. I will keep going until we solve it.

    Press Windows+R keys on the keyboard, or Right-click Start on the Taskbar and choose Run.

    Type mmsys.cpl

    Press Enter.

    Take a screenshot of the recording Tab > Post in the next reply.

    I look forward to hearing from you to get the results of the troubleshooting.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-13T15:40:45.6733333+00:00

    Enable Windows 11 microphone access for desktop applications, because Epic may not appear as an individually selectable app even though the microphone works during video encounters.

    Enable desktop-app microphone access

    1. Open Start → Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone.
    2. Turn on:
      • Microphone access
      • Let apps access your microphone
      • Let desktop apps access your microphone
    3. If Epic is listed individually, also enable its switch. If it is not listed, that is normal for a desktop application; desktop applications are controlled collectively by Let desktop apps access your microphone.^1^
    4. Completely close Epic, reopen it, sign in again, and retry dictation.

    Since changing the input device and port and restarting did not help—and the microphone worked during a video encounter—do not reinstall drivers unless Windows itself fails the test below.

    Distinguish a Windows problem from an Epic problem

    1. Open Settings → System → Sound.
    2. Under Input, select the microphone currently intended for dictation.
    3. Select Start test, dictate a short sentence, then select Stop test → Play.
    4. Use the result:
      • Recording plays correctly: Windows can access the microphone. The remaining problem is specific to Epic or its dictation component.
      • No recording: Run the input troubleshooter from Settings → System → Sound → Advanced → Input devices under Troubleshoot common sound problems.^2^

    If the Windows test passes but Epic still reports “microphone not connected”

    Contact the organization’s Epic/help-desk team rather than continuing with Windows hardware changes. Ask them to check:

    • Which dictation component your Epic installation uses.
    • Whether that component is running and signed in.
    • Whether its client-side audio components are installed and current.
    • Whether the intended microphone is selected inside that dictation component.
    • Whether your Epic profile or workstation configuration has the dictation device assigned correctly.

    If the organization uses Dragon Medical One (DMO), Nuance, or a PowerMic, close and reopen both Epic and the separate dictation client. Epic environments using DMO can require organization-managed software and configuration beyond the base Epic application.^3^

    Only if the Windows microphone test also fails should driver repair be considered. Microsoft’s next-level procedure is to uninstall the audio device under Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers, restart Windows, and then update the reinstalled driver; this is unnecessary when Windows records correctly.^2^

    References

    1. Windows 11
    2. Windows 11
    3. Dragon Medical One (DMO) Voice Recognition Software
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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