Quick answer
If it's a USB or wireless headset, plug it in before opening Dragon — Dragon only scans for the mic at launch. Then check Windows Privacy → Microphone is on (including "let desktop apps access your microphone"), set the correct default recording device, and if Dragon still can't hear it, re-run Microphone Setup from the Audio menu.
WHY IT HAPPENS
Dragon checks for the mic at the wrong moment.
Dragon looks for your microphone when it starts up. If a USB or Bluetooth headset was plugged in afterwards, Dragon simply never saw it. The other common culprits are Windows blocking microphone access after an update, another device (like a webcam mic) being set as the default, or no user profile being open — Dragon keeps the mic disabled until you load one. All of these look like a "broken microphone" but none of them are.
THE FIX
Work through these in order.
- Plug the microphone in first, then open DragonFor USB and wireless headsets, fully close Dragon (Profile → Exit), plug the mic directly into the computer, wait for Windows to chime, then launch Dragon and open your profile. Connecting a USB mic after Dragon is running is the single most common reason it isn't detected.
- Check your user profile is openDragon keeps the microphone off until a profile is loaded. Go to Profile → Open User Profile and open yours. If the mic button is greyed out, this is often why.
- Turn on Windows microphone privacyOpen Windows Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone. Make sure Microphone access is on and, importantly, that "Let desktop apps access your microphone" is also on — Dragon is a desktop app and Windows updates sometimes switch this off, which silently blocks it.
- Confirm the mic works in Windows firstRight-click the speaker icon → Sound settings. Under Input, speak and watch for the level bar to move. If it doesn't move here, the problem is the headset, cable or driver — not Dragon — so sort that before going further.
- Set the correct input device as defaultStill in Sound settings (or the classic Recording tab), find your headset, click it and Set Default. Disable any other active recording devices, like a webcam or laptop mic, so Dragon isn't listening to the wrong one. Use only one recording device at a time.
- Use a direct USB port, not a hubPlug USB headsets straight into a port on the computer, not a USB hub, extension lead or dock. Hubs can drop or under-power the mic, which makes it appear and disappear. Try a different port if the first one doesn't help.
- Re-run Microphone Setup in DragonWith your profile open, go to the Audio menu on the DragonBar and choose to add or re-run Microphone Setup. Pick the correct device when prompted and read the sample aloud. This re-registers the microphone with Dragon and fixes a mic that stopped being recognised after a hardware or Windows change.
- Update audio drivers and restartIf it's still not detected, update the audio/USB driver from the PC or headset maker's website, then restart the computer to reset Windows audio. A full restart clears a stuck audio service far more often than people expect.
If this keeps happening after every Windows update — or several staff lose their Dragon microphone at once — it's usually a device-standard or permissions issue across your fleet rather than one faulty headset. That's the point to bring in your IT provider to lock down consistent hardware and Windows settings so dictation stops breaking every patch cycle.
