Windows 10: Splitter for microphone alongside USB headset?

My W11 laptop doesn't have a microphone jack but only a headset and 3 usb ports. If i buy a splitter can i use it along with my USB headset or do i have to buy a USB microphone?

:)

 

Headset microphone (with audio splitter) not working

My Acer Predator (Helios 300) laptop has a singular audio port, which I use with my headset that has a separate microphone and headphone cable. I have used an audio splitter to get around this issue for a while now, and it has worked perfectly fine. Normally
when I would plug the splitter in, a prompt would appear asking what type of device was just plugged in, options were headphones, speakers, microphone, headset, and one or two other options that I don't remember because I never used them. I would select "headset"
and it would work just fine. Recently, something changed. This prompt no longer appears, and my computer no longer acknowledges the microphone on my headset, instead using the default internal microphone. The headphones still play audio like normal, but I
have found no way to get the microphone working.

If I just plug the microphone chord into the audio jack, it still does not work, and the computer refuses to play audio.

So far I have tried:

• Uninstalling and re-installing the audio drivers (multiple times)
• Updating windows
• Running the audio troubleshooters (Both for playing audio and recording)
• Checking for updates to Dolby
• Scanning for hardware changes in device manager
• Disabling the default microphone

None of these have done anything.

I'm really at a loss here. I consider myself pretty computer savvy but nothing I've tried has gotten me anywhere.

 

is it possible for me to use the microphone on my headset alongside the headset itself?

Hi Reece,

I'm Amr, an independent advisor.

It seems your headset has a single 3.5mm audio jack that combines both the audio and microphone channels. In this case, you may need a splitter adapter to separate the audio and microphone channels into two separate 3.5mm jacks.

This will allow you to connect both the audio and microphone channels to your device, enabling you to use both the headphones and the mic simultaneously.

You can find these adapters online or at electronics stores.

They are often called "headset splitters" or "audio/mic splitters."

Make sure to get one that has two male 3.5mm jacks (one for audio and one for the microphone) and one female 3.5mm jack (to connect your headset).

Once you have the splitter, connect it to your device, and then plug your headset into the splitter.

This should allow you to use both the headphones and the microphone at the same time.

I hope this is helpful. If you require any additional assistance, don't hesitate to respond to this.

This is a user-to-user support forum. We're users just like you helping other users to find solutions to their problems.

Best Regard

Amr

 

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