Where is the microphone on Xiaomi laptop: the complete guide

Xiaomi and Redmi laptop owners often face the challenge of quickly finding a built-in microphone, whether for video calls, podcast recording, or voice assistant settings. Unlike desktop computers, where the microphone can be a separate device, Xiaomi ultrabooks have it integrated into the case, and its location is not always obvious at first glance. Understanding the design of your device is the first step to properly tuning the sound.

The design of the modern Xiaomi Mi Notebook and RedmiBook involves hidden mounting components to preserve aesthetics and a thin profile. The microphone is a tiny hole, often disguised as the color of the case or located in close proximity to the webcam. An error in determining its location can lead to the fact that you will blow into the speaker or talk into the closed part of the cover, which significantly reduces the quality of the recording.

In this article, we will look at exactly where to look for an input hole, how to programmatically make sure that the system sees this particular microphone, and what to do if the sound is too quiet or absent at all. We will look at both the physical aspects and the software settings of Windows, which are often ignored by users when they first set up.

Physical location of microphone on the body

On most Xiaomi laptops, including the Air, Pro and Gaming series, engineers have a unified strategy for placing audio components. The main microphone hole is almost always on the front panel (display frame), which is driven by the logic of video calls: the sound source must be on the same axis as the camera and the user's face for the best possible voice capture.

The microphone hole usually looks like a tiny dot less than 1 millimeter in diameter, and depending on the model, it can be located:

• 🔍 Right next to the webcam lens (right or left).
• 🔍 At the bottom of the screen, in the center, under the logo Mi or Xiaomi.
• 🔍 In the upper part of the frame, if the design of the camera allows.

It's worth noting that some premium models use noise reduction technology, which requires two microphones, so you might notice two symmetrical holes on the sides of the camera. The main microphone is usually the one that's closer to the center or has a more prominent hole, but the system can use both channels to process the sound.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to clear the microphone hole with sharp objects such as needles or pins. The membrane inside is very close to the surface and damage to it will lead to irreversible loss of sound recording ability without replacing the entire top lid of the matrix.

If you can't see the holes on the frame, check the side faces of the case, although it's extremely rare for Xiaomi laptops. Most often, the absence of a visible hole means that it is made as a discreet perforation in metal or hidden under a decorative grid at the bottom of the screen.

Software verification and device selection in Windows

Once you have visually identified a possible location, make sure that the operating system uses a built-in microphone, rather than an external headset or virtual devices. In Windows 10 and 11, audio devices are controlled via a system tray or settings bar.

To quickly check, right-click on the speaker icon in the tray and select "Sound" or "Sound Settings." In the window that opens, find the "Input" section. This will show the active device. For Xiaomi laptops, it is usually called the Microphone Array, Realtek Audio or simply Microphone.

To make sure that the device is working correctly, do the following:

• 🎙️ Speak to the microphone and watch the volume indicator – the blue or green stripe should move.
• 🎙️ Click the “Check the microphone” button (if available in your version of Windows) and write down a short snippet.
• 🎙️ Make sure that no device marked “Disabled” is selected from the list of output devices (Disabled).

Often users connect the headset, and after it is turned off, Windows continues to “think” that the microphone is in the 3.5 mm connector. In this case, you need to manually switch to the built-in array of microphones. If you use third-party applications for communication (Zoom, Skype, Discord), the audio settings within these programs take precedence over the system, so you need to check there.

Adjustment of sensitivity and enhancement levels

Many Xiaomi laptop owners complain about the quiet sound of the built-in microphone.This is often due not to a hardware defect, but to software limitations or improper adjustment of gain levels. Windows standard settings can be too conservative for the thin membranes used in ultrabooks.

To access the advanced settings, press Win + R, enter control mmsys.cpl sounds, and press Enter. In the window that opens, go to the Record tab, select your microphone, and click Properties. Here you are interested in the Levels tab.

In this menu you will see two main sliders:

• 🔊 Microphone: Main volume level of input. 80-90, Avoid digital distortions.
• 🔊 Microphone reinforcement (+dB: additional boost. If the sound is quiet, raise this parameter to +10.0 dB or +20.0 dB.

Be careful with over-amplification. Setting a value above +20.0 dB often results in background hissing, coding and echoes. Noise reduction algorithms built into Realtek drivers can conflict with high gain, causing intermittent sound.

Access and confidentiality authorizations

Modern versions of Windows (10 and 11) place a lot of emphasis on security, and even if the microphone is properly configured, applications may not be able to access it, a common reason why Skype or the voice recorder can't hear the user.

Go to Start → Settings → Privacy → Microphone. Here you will see the global switch "Allow applications to access the microphone." It should be in the "On" position. Below is a list of specific applications where access can be allowed or denied individually.

Pay attention to the following points:

• 🔒 Access to classic applications (Win32) is controlled by a separate switch at the bottom of the page.
• 🔒 Antivirus software can block access to the microphone, considering the attempt to record suspicious activity.
• 🔒 Corporate politicians (if the laptop is working) can force the microphone to shut down.

⚠️ Warning: If the microphone still doesn’t work after enabling permissions, check if the Do Not Disturb mode or special features in the antivirus, such as Webcam Protection, which often block audio input are activated.

Xiaomi Drivers and Software

The quality of the microphone depends on the installed drivers. Windows often automatically installs universal drivers that provide basic functionality, but do not reveal the full potential of the audio subsystem of the laptop.

It is recommended to use the Xiaomi Service or Mi Support app to automatically search and install current drivers. In the “Sound” or “Audio” section, a driver from Realtek High Definition Audio should be installed. If you see “Unknown Device” or a device with a yellow exclamation mark in the Device Manager, the driver is installed incorrectly.

For advanced users, settings are available through Realtek Audio Console, in which you can activate the functions:

• 🎚️ Noise Suppression: Noise suppression (removes coolers hum and background noise).
• 🎚️ Acoustic Echo Cancellation: Echo suppression (important for video calls).
• 🎚️ Beamforming: Beamforming (directing towards the speaker).

Sometimes, a driver update can reset all settings to factory settings, in which case the level adjustment and amplification procedure will have to be re-configured, and it is also worth checking whether the Dolby Audio utility, which often comes bundled with Xiaomi laptops and can intercept sound control, is installed.

Diagnosis of malfunctions and problem table

If the microphone stopped working suddenly or the sound became substandard, you need to conduct a system diagnostic, problems can be both software and hardware, and below is a table that helps classify symptoms and find a solution.

For deep diagnostics, you can use a built-in troubleshooting tool. Right-click on the sound icon and select "Sound Troubleshooting." The system will automatically check the audio services, the drivers and the privacy settings are correct.

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Try to connect the external USB-If it works perfectly and the built-in microphone doesn't, the problem is probably the hardware of the laptop or the plume connecting the top cover to the motherboard.

Hardware Limitations and External Solutions

Despite the best efforts of engineers, the physical size of the microphone in the laptop is limited by the thickness of the case. In Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air or RedmiBook models, the space for audio components is minimal. This means that the built-in microphone is great for voice recorder commands or short calls in silence, but may not cope with professional recording or noisy rooms.

If you plan to hold conferences or stream frequently, consider using external solutions. USB-microphones or noise-cancelling headsets will give you a multiplier sound quality than any embedded module, but for everyday tasks, an embedded solution is usually enough if you set it right.

In case the microphone stopped working after a laptop fell or moisture hit, most likely the plume or the membrane itself was damaged.Replacing the microphone in Xiaomi laptops often requires dismantling the entire top cover of the matrix or even replacing it in the assembly, since the component is soldered or tightly integrated into the frame design.

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Xiaomi’s built-in microphone is a trade-off between size and quality. An external device is always preferred for perfect sound, but software tweaking can greatly improve the result of the built-in variant.