In Windows go to Control Panel > Sound > Recording.
Select the laptop microphone as the default, click on 'properties' box, in the general tab - device usage, select use this device (enable) click Apply.
When you use Skype, select preferences, then audio / video, then select the laptop microphone as the audio input device that you wish to use.
To get to Win 10 Control Panel, type Control panel in the search box on the left side of the desktop screen and then click on the Control panel app link that appears.
Just verifying that when you click on Control panel > Sound that it appears similar to the image below. The audio controller info will most probably be different and no line input options etc but it should have a microphone listed.
If not check in Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers and ensure that the sound controller is installed properly. No red cross or yellow exclamation mark shown beside it.
Try uninstalling the sound controller and then restart the laptop and let Windows ""find"" it and reinstall it again and then check if the mic can be turned on or is turned on etc
If Win 10 is the OS, right click on the Windows Start button on the left side of the Taskbar and click on Device Manager
In Device Manager scroll down to Sound, video and game controllers and click on the > symbol to the left to expand the list
Then right clink on the sound controller entry and click on Uninstall device and follow the prompts.
After it has been uninstalled, restart the laptop in the normal manner and when Windows has finished booting etc check the microphone settings as described above.
