Latest Realtek Audio drivers cause mic to not work.

Pls help me · 26 Jun 2019

Listen, I know the issue, and I know the solution. Please don't ask me to try solutions, because I only need help trying to employ my current one permanently.

The problem: The latest drivers from Realtek that Windows installs (5/22/19 release) cause my headset mic to be recognized by Windows. The problem is that it doesn't pic up anything I say, no matter what. It's like Windows knows it's there, activates in the sound control panel, but doesn't listen to any input. Sound works just fine.

The solution: Every day I have to uninstall my audio drivers, unplug my mic, and reboot the computer because Windows automatically updates my drivers for whatever reason while I sleep. Problem is now, that when I reboot the computer, instead of installing the realtek audio driver that was released in January, 2019, the first thing it installs is the May release version, which as I previously said, doesn't work.

What I want to know now is, where the heck do I go to download legacy realtek audio drivers, and how can I stop Windows from updating it by itself?

dalchina · 27 Jun 2019

how can I stop Windows from updating it by itself?

You can 'hide' (as in Win 7) a particular update delivered by Windows update. First thing- is the update being delivered by WU, or by the program updating itself? Just to check, have a look at your Update History in Settings.

If the Realtek update is there, then you can use:
Hide or Show Windows Updates in Windows 10
Note carefully the procedure.

Another possible approach would be to use WUMT (now Sledgehammer) - free - which performs all Windows Update functions including downloading and hiding them.
Download Sledgehammer (formerly WUMT Wrapper Script) - MajorGeeks

There's this:
Turn On or Off Device Driver Automatic Installation in Windows 10

Another more general and less appropriate method would be to disable driver updates: (option 2 e.g. )
Enable or Disable Driver Updates in Windows Update in Windows 10

To answer your question literally as asked, but perhaps not what you need:
Stop Windows 10 Updates Properly and Completely

(And some people then use WUMT)