Windows 10: Microphone only works when Sound settings is “on“

I have recently got an issue that the microphone, on any headsets I have tried multiple only works when the application Sound settings is on see picture. The program can also not be minimised into the background since it pauses the program. I am trying to follow this https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-background-apps-and-your-privacy-83f2de44-d2d9-2b29-4649-2afe0913360a but I cannot find Apps & Features, I only see Optional features. Is there something missing on my computer? Is it fixable? If not is there another way around it?

:)

 

External microphone does not work

Hi Zarbab,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



The issue could be because of the microphone being in a disabled state. I suggest you to try the steps listed below and check if it works:

• Open Control Panel and categorize to view by
  Small Icons.
  
• Click on Speech Recognition and navigate to
  Advanced Speech Options > Microphone > Advanced
  
• Check Real Conexant HD Audio, save the changes and exit
  Control Panel.
  
• Restart the machine to see if the microphone works.
  

Meanwhile, you may also want to go through the troubleshooting suggestions given in the following articles and see if they help:

• Fix sound problems in Windows 10
  
• HP PCs - Resolving Microphone Problems (Windows 10, 8)
  

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

 

Sennheiser GSP 350. Microphone stops working when I open any game

Wow, ok. I think I've fixed it by accident while fiddling around.

It appears to be the Realtek audio being the issue here. I don't use my onboard sound card as my headset is a USB headset only and my speakers are plugged into an ASUS sound card.

Step by step fix:

• I went into recording devices
• I enabled STEREO MIX (Realtek High Definition Audio)
• Then I set that Stereo Mix as the DEFAULT DEVICE (At this point it took over both input and output devices without my permission )
• Then set my Sennheiser headset as default recording and playback devices in their respective windows even though they both still said they were the default devices when they weren't

Headset microphone is currently functioning while in game now. I'll update the thread if it goes again. Should I completely disable Realtek audio??? Or will windows just force it to work again?

 

Audio recording settings / microphone settings on skype not working

Hi Bill,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

There is an option ‘Automatically adjust microphone settings’ in Skype. Try adjusting Skype sound in the application by following the below steps:



a. Open Skype.

b. Navigate to Tools > Options > Audio Settings > Microphone.

c. Select the default device.

d. Uncheck the ‘Automatically adjust microphone settings’.

Also, I suggest you to adjust Skype sound in the control panel to fix the recording issues. You can do this by following the below steps:

a. Open ‘Control panel’.

b. Select ‘Sounds and Audio Devices’.

c. Click on ‘Playback’ tab.

d. Verify that nothing is set to mute.

e. Verify that microphone is checked under the ‘Recording’ tab.

Try updating Skype, if any update is available. Please follow the above steps and get back if the issue persists.

Hope it helps.

Naveen M

Microsoft Community – Moderator