Windows 10: Microphones not working in apps - is it after a Windows update?

I have a Asus ZenBook - about 6 months old, fully up to date. At some point between 24 September and 4 October my microphones have stopped working in nearly all apps. I have tried three microphones USB, built in and in a USB webcam. In each case, they work in Settings I can see the level indicator move in response to sound being picked up, they also work for Cortana. Nothing else. So Windows Voice Recorder, Zoom, Teams, Webex, Google in Chrome, Google in Edge are not picking up the audio feed. What's wrong, and how do I fix it?

:)

 

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?

 

Built in microphone not working

Hi,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I understand your concern and will assist you to resolve this issue.

I suggest you to follow the steps below and check if it helps

Method 1: I suggest you to set microphone as default device and check.

• 
  Right click on the volume icon in the system tray and then click "Recording devices"
  
• 
  Right click on the blank space in the popped up window and then select "Show Disabled Devices" and "Show Disconnected Devices".
  
• 
  Right click on Microphone and then click "Enable".
  
• 
  Highlight the microphone and then choose "Set as Default Device".
  
• 
  Click Apply and OK.
  

Step 2: Make sure that the Microphone is not disabled.

• 
  Make sure that the Microphone is not disabled. Follow the steps given to check that:
  
• 
  Right click on the volume icon and select “Recording devices”.
  
• 
  Now, Right Click on an empty space and select, “Show disconnected devices” and “Show disabled devices”.
  
• 
  Make sure that the Microphone is not disabled.
  

And also update the audio drivers from the manufacturer web site and install.

Hope this helps. If the issue remains unresolved, please get back to us and we would be happy to help

 

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?