Microbially enhanced coalbed methane (MECBM) is an innovative technology for the extraction and utilisation of coalbed methane (CBM), which involves the microbial degradation and conversion of certain organic components of coal into methane gas. MECBM has great potential and environmental characteristics, and offers the prospect of establishing a new type of energy system, which will hopefully lead to the development of a sustainable energy source, and will effectively alleviate the challenges posed by energy shortages and greenhouse gas emissions. However, widespread application of MECBM technology faces the obstacles of historically low natural CBM production and sub-optimal quality. In order to understand the production potential of coal biogenic methane and the factors controlling the process, with a view to advancing the direction of its research towards continuous progress and effectively increasing coalbed methane production. This review summarises the mechanism and influencing factors of microbial CBM production, providing a theoretical basis for microbial CBM production. Firstly, the background and current research status of microbial production of CBM are reviewed. Subsequently, the basic theory and reaction process of coal biogenic methane production are summarised, showing that acidification of methoxy plays a decisive role in the process of coal biogenic methane production. Then, the environmental and biological factors affecting microbial enhancement of coalbed methane production are summarised, including the temperature of the coalbed, inoculum amount, nutrient addition, and pretreatment method. These factors have a significant impact on microbial CBM production, and optimising natural gas production conditions can not only increase CBM production but also significantly improve the methane concentration in CBM. In conclusion, microbial enhanced CBM technology has great potential and is expected to provide new solutions to the problems of energy shortage and greenhouse gas emissions by optimising production conditions and improving the viability and adaptability of microorganisms. Finally, this study outlines the current challenges and areas for further research in biogenic CBM development, providing a theoretical basis for increasing on-site production and enhancing CBM development.