Microphone not working on PC (but working on other devices)

Hello @Kevin1216,

Welcome to TenForums!

Kevin1216 said:

I have a headset with a built in mic and an adapter that connects the single audio jack to both the headphone and microphone ports on a PC. I logged on to the family pc for the first time in a few months and noticed that the microphone only picked up a static sound, no actual audio. I connected the headset with the adapter to both my phone and personal laptop and the microphone worked just fine, so I assumed it was a driver issue, however after updating the Realtek HD Audio driver and restarting the computer the issue remains. Is there anything else I could do that might solve the issue?

I know you said that you have updated the driver, but just in case, but can you perform the following [ this checks for ANY Problem Device Errors ] . . .

[1] Goto this TenForums link => Batch Scripts / Programs.
[2] Goto the heading Find ANY Problem Devices . . .
[3] Download and Run the .bat file.

If there are ANY Problem Device Errors it will create a Prob_Devices.txt file on the Desktop!

[4] Upload the results => How to Upload and Post Screenshots and Files at Ten Forums.

Also, click the sound icon in the notification area and make sure that they are set to default for the playback device.

I hope this helps!

Hello @Kevin1216,

I found this which I did a while ago [ part Win 7 and part Win 10 ] and never got round to tidying it up, so please excuse the fragmentation. I thought I would post it just in case it helps you. I know that I have probably replicated methods, but as I say, I haven't got round to cleaning it up yet . . .

Headphones / Audio / Bluetooth device is NOT recognized . . .

Method 1 . . .

Check to see if the computer has a USB port specifically for speakers etc. I know this sounds strange but there have been occasions where this has applied. Refer to your manual [ PDF ].

Method 2 . . .

Run the Hardware troubleshooter. This checks for common issues and makes sure that any new device[s] or hardware attached to your computer was installed correctly.

[1] Goto Control Panel.
[2] Type Troubleshooting in the search box.
[3] Click on Hardware and sound under Troubleshoot computer problems.
[4] Click on Hardware and devices under Devices.
[5] Click on Advanced on the Hardware and devices dialog box, select Run as administrator.
[6] Click Next [ follow the onscreen instructions to complete the Hardware and devices troubleshooter ].
[7] Try the headphones again.

Method 3 . . .

Make sure that the headphones are set as default.

[1] Right-click on the Volume icon, select Playback devices.
[2] Right-click on an empty space, select Show disconnected devices and Show disabled devices.
[3] Select headphone, click Properties. Make sure that the headphone is enabled and set as default.
[4] Try the headphones again.

In the future, you will also be able to change the default sound device by simply clicking the speaker icon in the taskbar notification area and selecting the preferred audio device from there.

Method 4 . . .

Uninstall and reinstall the Sound drivers.

[1] Goto Device Manager.
[2] Expand Sound Video and Game Controllers.
[3] Right-click on the Sound device listed and click Uninstall.
[4] Select Delete driver software.
[5] Restart [ this will automatically reinstall the driver ].
[6] Download and install the drivers from the manufacturer website.
[7] Try the headphones again.

Method 5 . . .

If there has been a recent driver update, then Roll Back the driver.

[1] Goto Device Manager.
[2] Expand Sound Video and Game Controllers.
[3] Right-click the Audio driver.
[4] Select Properties.
[5] Click the Driver tab.
[6] Select Roll Back Driver.
[7] Try the headphones again.

Method 6 . . .

Make sure that the Headphones are set as Enabled.

[1] Right-click the speaker icon in the notification area.
[2] Click Sound Settings.
[3] Click Manage sound devices.
[4] Check if the headphones are under the Disabled list.
[5] If they are, select them, click Enable.
[6] Try the headphones again.

Method 7 . . .

Disable the front panel headphones jack detection.

[1] Goto Control Panel.
[2] Select Hardware and Sound.
[3] Find and select Realtek HD Audio Manager.
[4] Goto the Connector settings.
[5] Check the Disable front panel jack detection box.
[6] Try the headphones again.

Method 8 . . .

Change default sound format

[1] Goto Control Panel.
[2] Select Hardware and Sound.
[3] Select Sound.
[4] Under Playback devices, double-click on Default Playback device.
[5] Click [switch ] the Advanced tab.
[6] Change the default sound format from the drop-down menu.
[7] Try the headphones again.

Method 9 . . .

Set headphone as a default playback device to fix

[1] Goto Control Panel.
[2] Select Hardware and Sound.
[3] Select Sound.
[4] Under Playback devices, right-click and select Show Disabled devices.
[5] From the list of headphones that appear, right-click on your headphone device name.
[6] Select Enable.
[7] Click Set as Default.
[8] Click Apply.
[9] Try the headphones again.

I hope this helps!