Microphone/Sound Issues

I am (again) having microphone issues. If I:
Right Click Speaker Icon
Choose 'Recording Devices'
Double Click 'Microphone'
Choose 'Levels' Tab
The marker sits at the '0' (or 'OFF') position on the slide, and the 'speaker' is 'X'd" out. (As - hopefully - shown in attachment.

I can click on this to 'fix' it, of course, but the fix lasts less than one minute, and then happens again.
I have found in the past that the surest solution was the Restore System process. Unfortunately -- THAT, too, seems to have 'gone on the blink' -- so am hoping someone has a permanent fix for this??
Thanks so much for any help you can offer!

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-5250U CPU @ 1.60 GHz
Installed Memory(RAM) 8.00 GB (7.89 GB usable)
System Type: 64-bit Operating System, x64-based processor
Intel HD Graphics

• Amount of RAM 7.89 GB

• Amount of available hard drive space Used space 43.8 GB; Free space 421 GB

• Processor type and speed Intel 15-5250U (NUC) @ 1.60 GHz
64-bit OS x64-based processor

Hi Ken,
Thanks for the reply. Oddly, my computer tech was just here, and did all the 'driver stuff' .... All seemed to be working great -- until he left, and I attempted to dictate something with DNS. Got about 3 lines done and it quit & I was back to step 0 again.
As I mentioned in the original post, the only thing that USED to work is to 'Restore System'. However THAT option is no longer available (Long Story!).
I may try 'downgrading' drivers as you suggested -- and malware, too. I'll let you know if anything works, and would appreciate any further suggestions.
Thanks so much.
Judy

Caledon Ken said:

Hi jakmi

Was scanning forum and came across your posting. I couldn't help but notice your use of the word "again".

Could I ask what did you do to fix last time? Do you know when this started?

If just recently could you look back through your Windows update history to see if a Realtek driver was recently installed to help you. If so skip my next suggestion about trying to update driver, it has been done for you, and go to down grading driver.

One of the obvious and repeated themes is to update your Realtek driver. Try this and test.

Should this prove unsuccessful I'm going to recommend you head to Intel site and get the original sound driver. You may also have this on your install disk. It very well is also on your computer and can be accessed by looking for drivers on your computer once you click update drivers.

Note current driver version number so you know the install worked, either advance it or downgrading it. I would also create a restore point before messing with drivers. I saw you were having an issue, hopefully you can create new.

The next most common fix theme seems to be malware. Not sure what you use every day but if drivers don't resolve then it might be an idea to look for pests. I would first recommend Malwarebytes from Malwarebytes.com. That or HitmanPro.

Please post back.


Ken