Audio/Microphone Issues

Kristyn

I have an 8th generation HP Pavillion laptop that is having trouble with the microphone. I discovered this when video chatting because, no matter the platform, I can hear the other person, but they cannot hear me. I have tried recording myself with the computers camera to test the microphone and it just will not work. I ran a diagnostic through HP and nothing was detected. I tried all of the tech support options HP's help center offered, but nothing has worked. When testing the audio my computer shows that it can hear my voice, and all of my microphone settings appear to be turned on. What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you!  

TSKyleH

Hello Kristyn, one thing I can suggest is checking the sound control panel in Windows 10. This can be accessed by right clicking the speaker icon and choosing Sound Settings, then looking for Sound Control Panel as a blue link. When the window opens, click recording devices.

When talking into microphone, green bars will go up and down to the left of it. If the microphone that has these green bars doesn't have a green check mark, then it may need to be made your default device and you may try clicking that microphone and choosing Set as Default.

Kristyn

TSKyleH  Thank you for your advice. I Followed your instructions and found that the computer microphone is in fact my default device. So, unfortunately I am still without audio. If you have any other ideas for me to try I would love to hear them. Thanks again!

PowerSpec_MikeW

Could you tell us the model of your laptop? Also, please try the voice recorder app on your system and see if you can record and playback a message. Are you using the built in microphone or an external one?

Kristyn

My laptop is an HP Pavilion. It was purchased around Black Friday 2019, so it is a new device.  I have tried tried the voice recorder and it will not record my voice. I am using the built in microphone. 

PowerSpec_MikeW

We'd like to reset your audio controller first. Hold the "Windows" key and press "R". In the "Run" box type: appwiz.cpl

We'll need to find your audio software to uninstall and reinstall from here. I couldn't say exactly without a model number but either IDT, or Realtek High Definition Audio. Double click on it, uninstall and reboot. The system will install an audio driver on reboot automatically. Try the voice recorder app again.

Kristyn

Thank you for your help. I held down the "windows: key, pressed "R", and entered appwiz,cpl, but IDT and Realtek were not among the options listed. I found the model number for my laptop - 15-cs106cl. 

PowerSpec_MikeW

Thank you. We're going to follow Kyle's instructions to get back into the sound control panel. I'll give you a direct way. "Windows + R", at "Run" type: explorer.exe %windir%\system32\mmsys.cpl

We'll go to the recording tab and double click on your microphone. Got to the "Advanced" tab and let me know what the default format is set to.

Kristyn

The default setting is 24 bit, 48000 hz

PowerSpec_MikeW

Change it to any 16 bit option and press "Ok" then try the voice recorder app again.

Kristyn

I changed it to the 16 bit option and it still does not work...

PowerSpec_MikeW

Alright. We'll reset the driver another way. Right click on the "Start" menu, and go to "Device Manager". Expand "Sound, video and game controllers". Let me know what you have there.

Kristyn

I have Intel (R) Display Audio and Realtek (R) Audio

PowerSpec_MikeW

Right click on the "Realtek (R) Audio". Choose the option to uninstall it. Click "Uninstall" and reboot. 

Kristyn

I uninstalled Realtek. How do I reboot?

Kristyn

I have rebooted. Still not working

PowerSpec_MikeW

Next step, lets go to Start > Settings Privacy. Select "Microphone" on the left and verify that apps are allowed to access it. Also check for the programs we're using in the list below this.

Kristyn

I checked the privacy settings and my camera and voice recorder are both allowed to access the microphone. 

PowerSpec_MikeW

Good. Next we'll go back into "Device Manager". This time we're looking under "System Devices". We're looking for "High Definition Audio Controller". One will be for your Intel Display Audio and one is for your Realtek (R) Audio. It's going to be too hard to tell, as the Realtek (R) Audio is typically an Intel chip with a Realtek Codec, they'll probably both have an Intel vendor ID, and they'll both reinstall on a restart. So lets  uninstall both of these devices, and reboot. They'll reinstall automatically on a restart and we'll test again.

Kristyn

Is the one highlighted in blue the one I want to uninstall?

PowerSpec_MikeW

Confirmed it's an Intel  chip with a Realtek Codec. Yes, please uninstall that and reboot.

Kristyn

I uninstalled the Intel (R) Smart Sound Technology and it still isn't working...
 I appologize for this being so difficult to fix!

Kristyn

I have no sound what so ever on my computer now....

Kristyn

And for some reason I no longer have the Intel (R) Display Audio on my device. 

Kristyn

I had sound before uninstalling Intel (R) Smart Sound Technology. 

Kristyn

sound is back, but still no audio

PowerSpec_MikeW

Apologize for the slow response. The root audio device will have to go online and find a driver it may take a bit. As for the Intel Display Audio, it's part of your video card. Updating the video card will re-add this back in if windows update doesn't do it for you. Do you have another microphone you can test? On a headset as an example?

Kristyn

No need to apologize. I tested out an external microphone...and it worked! I also tried the voice recorder app without the external microphone and it works too!!! 

Thank you so much for all of your help!!!!! I'm not sure why it decided to work all of a sudden, but I am glad it did. You have been very helpful through all of this and I really appreciate all of your guidance!!! Have a wonderful day  

spyke

lenovo g50 internal microphone does not reach zoom session.   any suggestions?
i have gone into the Control Panel, but the Configure button is grayed out for this device.

PowerSpec_MikeW

Make sure the microphone is selected as the default input device in the Zoom app. Test the mic on the voice recorder app. Make sure it works outside of Zoom.