Windows 10: Specific headset microphone stopped working on PC

My headset is a Turtle Beach Recon 50, I've had it for a year now and my pc for a few years. Never had any issues with it. Yesterday it stopped receiving my voice, listening to the microphone output gives a high pitched continuous noise. However, the microphone works on every other device, and my old earphones microphone works on the PC. I've done everything, looked online, updated drivers, rolled back drivers, installed a cumulative update, tried a different headphone jack, clicked about every option in control panel, ran the troubleshooter, but nothing works. This is after I was looking arou

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headset microphone not working

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

Given the steps you've already taken, it seems you've covered the basic troubleshooting methods. However, there are a few more things you could try before concluding that the headset's microphone is broken:

1. Test the Headset on Another Device:
   
   • If possible, plug your headset into another computer or a compatible device. This can help determine if the issue is with the headset itself or your computer.
     
2. Inspect the USB Port:
   
   • It's possible the USB port might have been damaged when the headset was tugged out. Try using the headset with a different port, which you've done, but also check if other devices work correctly in the same port where the headset failed.
     
3. Disable USB Selective Suspend:
   
   • Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
     
   • Click on “Change plan settings” next to your current power plan.
     
   • Click on “Change advanced power settings”.
     
   • Expand “USB settings” and then expand “USB selective suspend setting”. Set it to Disabled.
     
4. Check Sound Settings in Control Panel:
   
   • Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound.
     
   • Under the Recording tab, right-click an empty space and make sure "Show Disabled Devices" and "Show Disconnected Devices" are checked.
     
   • If your microphone appears, enable it and set it as the default device.
     
5. Try a Different USB Cable (if detachable):
   
   • If your headset uses a detachable USB cable, the cable itself may be faulty. Try a different USB cable if possible.
     
6. Update Motherboard USB Drivers:
   
   • Sometimes, the issue might not be with the device but with the USB drivers of your motherboard. Visit the motherboard manufacturer's website to download and install the latest USB drivers.
     
7. Check if the Microphone is Disabled in BIOS/UEFI:
   
   • Although not common, some BIOS/UEFI settings might have options to disable microphone input for privacy reasons. Check your BIOS/UEFI settings to make sure the microphone or audio input is not disabled.
     
   • Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.
     
     If you are going to modify BIOS Settings, please back up all your personal files first to ensure you do not lose data.
     
8. Use a USB Hub with External Power:
   
   • In some cases, the problem might be due to insufficient power being supplied to the USB ports. Using an externally powered USB hub could help in such situations.
     

If after trying these steps, the microphone still doesn't work but is recognized by your PC, it could indeed be a hardware issue with the microphone component of the headset. Given that the audio playback works fine, it points towards a problem isolated to the microphone. In such a case, contacting the manufacturer for a warranty claim (if applicable) or considering a new headset might be the next steps.

Let me know if you need further assistance.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

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?

 

Apple Headset/Microphone not working

Sound quality issue is often related to people turning their microphone levels too high.

My microphones don't record my voice as loud as I speak

Your android headset or your apple headset stop working in January? It's not clear from your answers.

Your IT people should be able to figure out realtek driver issues and microphone sensitivity/volume issues for your android headset. Figure that out first.

You are chasing some faraway apple headset issue. Is your IT manager using the same laptop? Is it really the same apple headset? iPhones don't have audio jacks for a while and there are earbuds with volume controls and there are earbuds without. They look mostly the same.