Windows 10: Microphone stopped working after Windows update - tried everything

Hi all,


I've been having issues with my microphone stopping working properly after I had a Windows update issue. First, I did the update and it kind of broke my machine, I couldn't get it started, and the IT at my work reinstalled the previous Window version. After that, the microphone just hasn't worked and I really need it for a Zoom training I'm doing.


I've tried every fix under the sun in various fora/websites, including all the fixes prescribed by Microsoft. Nothing works, or if it does, it stops working after a few minutes and the mike just stops.


I've tried installing the Realtek drive, uninstalling it, reinstalling it twice; tried lots of different sound settings by enabling and disabling and enabling again; tried to fiddle with the device manager, restarting some sound devices; tried the troubleshooting; did the new Windows update; bought a new headset with a different microphone, etc. Currently, which is a new thing, instead of just not working at all, the microphone bar moves when I test it, but there is only a 'space' sound when I play it back. I have 'Stereo Mix RealtekR Audio' and 'Microphone RealtekR Audio', and neither work.


Besides buying a new laptop or just uninstalling Windows again, is there anything else I can do?


Thanks

Mariana

:)

 

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?

 

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?

 

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.