Windows 10: Microphone stopped working after uninstalling Voicemod

Hi, I used to use an app called Voicemod, which is a voice changer. I uninstalled it today and my microphone stopped appearing in Windows settings. I restarted my computer, the Windows troubleshooter only said that it was unplugged, and reinstalling the Realtek drivers was unsuccessful. I have found multiple other people with the same problem but other people's solutions have not helped.

:)

 

Microphone suddenly stopped working

My microphone is still not working. I even checked the BIOS as someone had suggested but there is no listing for the microphone in there.

 

Microphone not working

The microphone on my laptop stopped working. I have done a lot of trouble shooting without success. Before I conclude that it is a hardware problem, can I ask if there is anything else I should do.

My System:

• ASUS S500CA laptop
• Windows 10 Home X64 version 1909
• VIA HD Audio - (for speakers and microphone)

Here's what happened:

• The microphone was working perfectly (on Skype).
• The next day it didn't work on a Skype call

Here's is a brief summary of what I have done:

• The only thing that changed between these two Skype calls were a couple of Windows updates
• I tried to remove all the recent Windows updates - didn't fix it
• One update (4577670) couldn't be uninstalled so I restored the system to a date prior to the successful SKYPE - didn't work
• I ran the Win trouble shooter - it reported no problem
• I tried to update the sound/microphone driver - reported that I had the best driver
• Checked the driver version (Provider - Microsoft, Date - 2019-03-18, Version, 10.0.18362.1)
• Checked driver details (Report- No driver files are required or have been loaded for this device)
• Updated to the latest Win 10 version (20H2) - didn't help
• The speakers are working correctly.
• I tried all of the above with the internal microphone as well as an external microphone (I tested all microphone alternatives in the setup - headset, external other)

Is there anything else that I should try before giving up?

 

External USB microphones all stopped working

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for any help. My attempts to solve this problem, including at the suggestion of Microsoft help forums, hasn't yielded results. I am running Windows 10 Version 21H2 (OS Build 19044.1706). Here's the issue:

Earlier this week, both external, USB-connected microphones to my Windows 10 XPS laptop have stopped working. Specifically, I have a USB microphone and a current model Logitech webcam, connected to the laptop via USB connection (either directly or via a hub; I've tried both). In Zoom, Teams, and other apps, whenever I attempt to use either microphone, the device is not detected or does not work. For example, when I use the Voice Recorder app and have it set on the USB microphone, no sound is recorded. Further, in Settings > Sound, if I try to test Microphone settings for the USB microphone, the volume indicator indicates no sound is being detected, whereas when I switch to the built-in microphone, it detects sound just fine. Also, in Sound Settings when I switch to the USB microphone or the Logitech webcam microphone, the Settings menu may freeze/become unresponsive

Further, for the Logitech webcam, its video functions work in Zoom (it displays a live feed and transmits normally), but there is no sound. The Zoom audio menu displays an error, saying "There seems to be an issue with your microphone, please switch to another device." I cannot join audio in Zoom. In Teams and in the Camera app, the Logitech camera loads slowly -- sometimes it seems as if the camera is not detected, and the microphone does not work either.

To be clear, the laptop's built-in webcam and microphone appears to be fine. There are no issues with that microphone, in Zoom, recording, or otherwise. The speakers work perfectly. I wonder whether a recent series of system and software updates that were just installed may be a cause of the sudden issues. The overall hardware setup has been used for about a year with no issues, but Windows Update installed a bunch of updates earlier this week (specifically, on June 20 and 21).

Some measures that I have tried:

1. Checked Settings > Update and Security > Troubleshoot (there were no recommended troubleshooters). I also ran a Recording troubleshooter and it found no issues.

2. Checked Settings > Privacy > Apps Permission and verified that microphone access is turned on for all apps.

3. Checked Device Manager, drivers for Webcam, USB Microphone; there is no version to rollback.

4. For the USB Microphone, I uninstalled the device in Device Manager. Then scanned for hardware changes and it automatically reinstalled.

5. For the Logitech webcam, I uninstalled the device in Device Manager. Then scanned for hardware changes and it automatically reinstalled.

6. A suggestion I received elsewhere was to uninstall the recent Windows update, and specifically a KB5016139 update that was pushed out on June 20. However, when I went into safe mode to uninstall updates, the most recent such update was KB5013624, from May 21, 2022, and during May and most of June the microphones were unaffected.

Currently, when I view update history in Windows Update, it lists 38 driver updates on June 21, 2022, which is right when the Microphones stopped working. Most of the updates are Intel (Bluetooth, SoftwareComponent, Extension, etc.), also Realtek, Dell, and Logitech. There was also a Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830) installed on June 21, 2022.

On the day that the Microphones stopped working, I tried running a System Restore back to May, and let it run, but after the computer restarted a message appeared saying that the System Restore operation was unsuccessful. I did run System Restore from safe mode.

Any help is most appreciated!