Windows 10: How do I set up an external microphone with a 3.5mm jack?

I have an external microphone with a 3.5mm jack; it fits many standard aux inputs like headphones. This is what the mic looks like:



I have only one port in my computer that fits it, the same one that I use for my headphones. I plugged in the microphone to that jack, but all of my recordings were still using the computer's built-in microphone. I tried changing the recording device, but this is all I had when it was plugged in:



How can I connect this microphone to the computer to record all audio from?

:)

 

External microphone not showing in the Recording tab

My Windows 10 laptop is not recognizing any external microphones. I have two headsets: a Bluetooth one and one for an audio jack. Both headsets work correctly on other devices. When I connect the headsets to my computer, I can hear audio, but the microphones
do not work.

Here are the steps I've taken so far:

• Updated drivers (they were already up to date)
• From Sound Settings, headsets do not appear as options for the input device
• Ran the microphone troubleshooter - headsets do not appear as options
• From Control Panel > Sound > Recording, headsets do not appear as options. I have selected the disabled and disconnected devices options.
• From Microphone Privacy, all apps have access to the microphone.
  

That's everything I found online to fix this problem. Any suggestions?

 

External Microphone Problem

I have the same problem on an HP laptop. I've looked for hours on forums, gone through all the troubleshooting steps on the HP help page for this issue, reinstalled/updated drivers, checked the microphone privacy setting, ran troubleshooting, etcetera.

I'm running Windows10 on an HP laptop, and it refuses to see the microphone on the 3.5mm combo jack. The microphone works fine on an older Dell laptop with a dedicated microphone jack.

Very frustrating, as even the HP help page notes that external microphones should work on the combo jack.

 

External microphones detected but not working

Hi,

I realize the inconvenience you are facing with External microphone. I will surely help you.

I suggest you to run a Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

Please follow the below mentioned steps to run
Hardware and Devices troubleshooter:

• Search for Troubleshooting in the
  Search box, and run it.
• Select view all in the left pane of troubleshooting Window.
• Click on the Hardware and Devices, and follow the
  on-screen instructions.

Please reach back to us if you still face difficulty with external microphone. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.