Windows 10: Microphone usb audio codec goes to mute on its own

I have a Dell Inspiron 5748, 2GHz Intel Core i7-451U running Win 10 Home (x64) Ver 1607 (build 14393.693). I wish to obtain audio from an external source via USB to USB cable. I can go to Device Manager and see the USB Mic and un-mute it and increase slider and all is well with the world, it works. But, within 20-25 seconds, that mic input changes to "mute" and everything goes away. I can un-mute as many times as I want but it always (on it's own) goes back to the "mute" condition.
Any suggestions? Dan

:)

 

What is causing the USB Audio Codec/USB Microphone input to mute?

I have a Dell Inspiron N7010 laptop, running the most current version of Windows 10 Ver 1709, OS Build 16299.64, patches are up to date. I am having trouble with recording records from my Numark TTi turntable through a USB port. It worked fine before
replacing the hard drive and installing the software. I have set the recording input volume settings for USB Audio Codec/USB Microphone and turned it on. Set the recording level to 75%. I have set it to default.
When I play a record, after 10 seconds to 2 minutes it mutes and sets the recording level to 0.

Restart EZ Vinyl /Tape Converter (Ion Audio). Start turntable. Records for 30 seconds or less. Input mutes, volume goes to 0.

Right click on speaker icon. Double click on Microphone – USB Audio CODEC.

Select Properties. Levels tab. Unmute speaker, set volume level to 75. Select OK

Microphone – USB Audio CODEC is the Default recording device.

Restart EZ Vinyl /Tape Converter (Ion Audio). Start turntable. Records for 30 seconds or less. Input mutes, volume goes to 0.

Happens without fail.



What is causing the USB Audio Codec/USB Microphone input to mute?



I have the default format set to 1 channel, 16 bit, 44100 Hz.

I have a Lenovo laptop with the same Windows version, works fine.



Windows 10 Version 1709, USB Audio Codec/USB Microphone mutes by itself when receiving a signal.



USB Audio CODEC driver: Microsoft, 9/28/2017 V 10.0.16299.15

Says Best Drivers for that device are installed.



Dell system analysis says all drivers are current.

Dell support assist says all systems are functional.



Microsoft Troubleshooter – Recording Audio

Troubleshooter un-muted the USB Audio CODEC. Did not reset the level above 0.

I reset the level to 75. Started the turntable, mute was back on. Level was at 0.



Uninstalled the driver. Shutdown, restart.

Start EZ Vinyl /Tape Converter (Ion Audio). Start turntable. Records. Then mutes itself.

Generic USB Audio.

 

What is causing the USB Audio Codec/USB Microphone input to mute?

Thanks John, but it is not a long term fix.

Recommendation 1:

Settings > Updates & security > Troubleshoot > Hardware & Devices.

Result: "Troubleshooter couldn’t identify the problem."



Recommendation 2:

“Create a test user account and check if the issue replicates.”

Created account. Rebooted PC. Logged into new account. Started recording software to activate CODEC. USB Audio CODEC – Generic USB Audio.
UnMuted. Set to 75. Recorded for 8 minutes.

Switched user to my primary account. Driver was not muted.
Recorded for 5 minutes then muted itself. Turned it back on. Recorded for 3 minutes and muted itself.

Switched user to test account. Unmuted driver.
Recorded for 20 seconds and muted.



What next?