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If your ASUS ROG Ally microphone is not working, first check whether Windows can hear it at all: open Settings > System > Sound, select the internal microphone, and speak while watching the input meter. If the meter moves, fix the affected game or chat app. If it does not, work through Windows permissions, microphone levels, Device Manager, and the ASUS Camera driver. These steps also broadly apply to the ROG Ally X, although driver names and support packages vary by model.

Do not factory-reset Windows before completing these checks.

30-second diagnosis

  1. Open Settings > System > Sound.
  2. Under Input, select the built-in microphone. It may be called Microphone Array, Internal Microphone, or something similar.
  3. Speak normally and watch the input meter. If available, record a short clip with Windows’ microphone test or Voice Recorder.
What you see Likely cause Next step
No microphone listed Disabled, missing, or corrupted device/driver Fix 4
Microphone listed but no meter movement Privacy, mute, level, or driver problem Fixes 1, 2, and 4
Meter moves but Discord or a game cannot hear you Application input, permission, or voice-chat setting Fix 3
Problem started immediately after an update Changed or incompatible driver/software Fix 5

Fix 1: Allow microphone access in Windows 11

Windows privacy controls can block every application even when the microphone hardware is working.

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  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & security > Microphone.
  3. Turn on Microphone access.
  4. Turn on Let apps access your microphone.
  5. Turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone. This setting commonly controls apps such as Discord, Steam, Teams, Zoom, and traditional Windows games.
  6. Allow the affected app if Windows shows it in an individual app list.
  7. Fully close and reopen the game or chat app.

Microsoft recommends checking these permissions when a microphone is blocked or stops working after an update. See the Microsoft microphone troubleshooting guide.

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Fix 2: Select, unmute, and increase the internal microphone

  1. Go to Settings > System > Sound.
  2. Under Input, choose the Ally’s built-in microphone rather than a monitor, controller, Bluetooth headset, dock, or disconnected USB device.
  3. Increase the input volume moderately.
  4. Run the Windows microphone test and speak normally.

If the modern Settings page does not help, use the classic controls:

  1. Open Settings > System > Sound > More sound settings (or Sound Control Panel).
  2. Open the Recording tab.
  3. Select the internal microphone and choose Properties > Levels.
  4. Raise the microphone level and make sure the mute icon is disabled.
  5. Select Apply > OK.

There is not necessarily a universal, model-independent microphone-mute key to check on every ROG handheld. Check Windows, the app, and any headset’s physical mute switch instead. Armoury Crate SE or Command Center may expose audio controls on some models, but they are not a universal microphone control panel.

Fix 3: Correct the game or chat app’s microphone settings

If the Windows input meter moves or a recording is audible, the Ally’s microphone and Windows audio path are probably functioning. Focus on the application that cannot hear you.

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  • Set the app’s input device to Default or explicitly select Microphone Array/Internal Microphone.
  • Make sure voice chat is enabled and you are not muted in the lobby or channel.
  • Temporarily disable push-to-talk, or verify its key/controller binding.
  • Lower the input threshold or disable automatic sensitivity temporarily.
  • Check the app’s own microphone permission.
  • Restart the app after changing the input device.

Bluetooth headsets, USB devices, monitors, docks, and controllers can silently become the active input. A game may therefore listen to a device that Windows is no longer using. Test with Windows Sound or Voice Recorder before changing drivers.

Fix 4: Re-enable or reinstall the microphone and ASUS Camera driver

For the original 2023 ROG Ally, ASUS says the internal microphone is integrated with the camera subsystem. That means reinstalling only an audio driver may not repair the built-in microphone; the ASUS Camera driver may be the relevant package. This guidance is attributed to ASUS and should not be assumed to use identical packages on every Ally X or newer ROG handheld.

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  • [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
  • [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
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Reinstall the device

  1. Search for and open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Audio inputs and outputs.
  3. Locate the microphone.
  4. If it is disabled, select Enable device.
  5. If it is enabled but silent, right-click it and choose Uninstall device, then confirm.
  6. Choose Action > Scan for hardware changes.
  7. Restart the Ally and test the microphone under Settings > System > Sound.

If the device is missing, also inspect Cameras, Sound, video and game controllers, and Other devices. Use View > Show hidden devices and look for warning icons or an unknown device.

Download the correct Camera, audio, chipset, and other packages only from the exact ASUS/ROG support page for your model or MyASUS. Do not use third-party driver websites. ASUS’s sound FAQ includes the Device Manager procedure and explains when the Camera driver is needed: ASUS microphone and sound troubleshooting.

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Fix 5: Update—or roll back—Windows, BIOS, and ASUS software

ASUS recommends checking Windows packages, BIOS, and device drivers. Use this order:

  1. Install pending Windows updates and restart.
  2. Open MyASUS and check for system updates and diagnostics.
  3. Open Armoury Crate SE and check for available ASUS/ROG updates.
  4. Visit the support page for the exact Ally model and region, then check Driver & Tools and BIOS & Firmware.
  5. Install relevant packages as instructed and restart when requested.
  6. Test the microphone in Windows before opening a game.

For the 2023 ROG Ally RC71L, ASUS provides model-specific downloads on its official Driver & Tools and BIOS page. Menu labels and packages can differ on the Ally X and newer models.

If the failure began immediately after an update, open Device Manager > microphone device > Properties > Driver. Use Roll Back Driver only if Windows makes the option available, or reinstall the previous ASUS-provided package. Do not assume a BIOS update is guaranteed to fix the problem, and do not install a BIOS version without verifying the exact model.

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Use an external microphone as a diagnostic control

A wired 3.5 mm headset or USB/USB-C microphone can help separate an internal microphone problem from a wider Windows audio problem. A USB microphone working normally while the internal device remains absent points toward the Ally’s internal device, camera-driver path, or hardware. Bluetooth is less useful as a first test because activating its microphone can switch Windows to a lower-quality headset profile and change both playback and recording devices.

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External devices have their own failure points: inline mute switches, incompatible headset plugs, damaged cables, USB adapters, and app-specific input selection.

When the Ally microphone is probably a hardware problem

Contact ASUS support or arrange service if the internal microphone:

  • Remains missing from Device Manager after the correct ASUS packages are installed.
  • Fails in Windows’ own test and in multiple applications.
  • Repeatedly disappears or shows a hardware error after restarting.
  • Fails while a USB microphone works normally.
  • Stopped working after impact, liquid exposure, or repair.

A silent microphone is not proof of hardware damage until permissions, input selection, Windows testing, and ASUS driver recovery have been exhausted. If the Ally is under warranty, avoid opening it. ASUS provides support, warranty, registration, and service options.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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