Windows 10: It seems that windows has confused/merged audio drivers from external devices mic and headset

Discus and support It seems that windows has confused/merged audio drivers from external devices mic and headset in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; So I have an MSI sword laptop, I also use an USB headset/speakers and a USB mic PNP which always appeared as different devices, however for some reason... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by BigbyBadWolf, Jun 5, 2025 at 11:08 PM.

  1. It seems that windows has confused/merged audio drivers from external devices mic and headset


    So I have an MSI sword laptop, I also use an USB headset/speakers and a USB mic PNP which always appeared as different devices, however for some reason since today, both of those appear as the same name, I changed the name to speaks if you notice and changed the slot and that seemed to have worked, however the name still appears as USB PNP for both the speakers and microphone, when PNP was the name for only the microphone. How do I fix this? I have tried rebooting, restarting the devices from device manager, however when recconecting they still appear as PNPI have also checked all my updates

    :)
     
    BigbyBadWolf, Jun 5, 2025 at 11:08 PM
    #1
  2. Zoladex Win User

    Laptop not splitting headset mic & audio?

    Hi
    Simple version. When i plug in my headset to my laptop windows10 is not splitting it into one output and one input.

    I fixed this years back by setting the popup box 'whats plugged in' from headphone to headset. Then it split the audio and mic. However i had to reinstall windows and now when i select headset it just mutes my laptop mic and audio manager just shows the one mic, but two audio outputs.

    It was working before the reset and i have tested the headset on another computer and it is working find.
    So far i tried device manage audio driver install, for both Realtek driver and High Definition driver but either resolve the issue.

    Any suggestions why windows would pick up one and not the other?

    I currently have it set to headphone plugged in so that i can use my laptop mic, but ive been told i sound really bad *Sad

    Cheers,
    Zola
     
  3. j123 Win User
    Windows 10 audio drivers and headset microphone recognition

    Hi,

    I've encountered a couple of problems with sound on my Windows 10 laptop. The original issue was very similar to the one outlined here: sound would become much louder in all media after pausing and then playing. I followed the suggestion from that thread to install the generic Microsoft High Definition Audio Device instead of the Realtek one, which solved the issue.

    But then when I plugged my headset into the audio jack via an audio/mic splitter (I was using the correct 4 conductor 3.5mm version) my computer no longer recognized the headset's external microphone (only the internal one). So ... I switched back to the Realtek audio driver, which in turn recognized my external mic ... but I'm obviously now back at square one with the original sound problem!

    Is there a solution to this vicious cycle?
     
  4. It seems that windows has confused/merged audio drivers from external devices mic and headset

    Mic/Headphone ports not working correctly - Acer Aspire 7745

    The speakers are 'plugged in' already as it is a laptop. With no external mic, headphones or external speakers plugged in, the Sound Control Panel lists three things under 'Playback' - HDMI, 'Speakers' and 'Realtek Digital Output' - the Speakers under 'Playback' is set as the default.

    Under 'Recording' with no external mic plugged in these are listed - 'Microphone', 'Line In' and 'Stereo Mix' (Disabled) - the microphone (in this case, the internal one) is set to 'Default' under 'Recording' as well.

    I don't have my headset here to test an external mic right now, but with normal external headphones plugged in, there is no change to the Sound Control Panel under 'Playback' - the same three listings (HDMI, 'Speakers' and 'Realtek Digital Output') with 'Speakers' set as the Default. If I make a noise, say, play a video, I can see the sound meters move to the sound, but no sound comes out of the headphones.
     
Thema:

It seems that windows has confused/merged audio drivers from external devices mic and headset

Loading...
  1. It seems that windows has confused/merged audio drivers from external devices mic and headset - Similar Threads - seems has confused

  2. It seems that windows has confused/merged audio drivers from external devices mic and headset

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    It seems that windows has confused/merged audio drivers from external devices mic and headset: So I have an MSI sword laptop, I also use an USB headset/speakers and a USB mic PNP which always appeared as different devices, however for some reason since today, both of those appear as the same name, I changed the name to speaks if you notice and changed the slot and that...
  3. Realtek audio driver not detecting headset mic.

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Realtek audio driver not detecting headset mic.: My drivers are updated, ROG PC, the headset works with literally every other system. https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/realtek-audio-driver-not-detecting-headset-mic/f9affa0f-3b2b-4bc5-b315-f5fd439f21b1
  4. Realtek audio driver not detecting headset mic.

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Realtek audio driver not detecting headset mic.: My drivers are updated, ROG PC, the headset works with literally every other system. https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/realtek-audio-driver-not-detecting-headset-mic/f9affa0f-3b2b-4bc5-b315-f5fd439f21b1
  5. no audio with external headset

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    no audio with external headset: i have never tried a headset. when i plug it in the sound still comes out of the speakers. i don't see an appropriate categorydell is useless.how do i fix this?...
  6. no audio with external headset

    in Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware
    no audio with external headset: i have never tried a headset. when i plug it in the sound still comes out of the speakers. i don't see an appropriate categorydell is useless.how do i fix this?...
  7. my headset mic is not appearing as an imput device for audio

    in Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware
    my headset mic is not appearing as an imput device for audio: my laptop uses a 4pin 3.5 jack, so does my headset. iv made sure all the connections are in properly. iv updated my drivers to the latest specks. why cant i see my microphone on my headset on my pc. the headset works fine everywhere else....
  8. Headset Mic not working with Realtek Audio Driver

    in Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware
    Headset Mic not working with Realtek Audio Driver: I have the Logitech G332 headset and the RealtekR Audio driver installed on device manager, but in my control panel under sound and recording, it says "Jack Mic" isn't plugged in even though my audio still works fine. I'm not sure why Realtek isn't detecting my mic....
  9. Playing back the audio from headset mic

    in Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware
    Playing back the audio from headset mic: I have a problem with recording my voice while I am using my Game DVR. The audio playback is picking up my voice from the computer speakers rather than the headset microphone. Can I change something to get it playback from the headset mic?...
  10. Audio driver confusion.

    in Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware
    Audio driver confusion.: I have used Cool Edit Pro on Windows 10 before, and on 7 and XP before that. It needs Stereo Mix to be installed. It is installed on this PC, but Cool Edit doesn't see it for some reason. Looking through Device Manager I see information which confuses me. Audio inputs and...