Windows 10: Windows barely picks up headset mic input

I have had this issue for a while now where my mic always sounds super quiet. I have had the issue with multiple different headsets, different software, and different devices running different versions of windows Desktop PC with windows 10 and laptop with windows 11. I have tried all the usual solutions to fix the issue I can find including updating/reinstalling drivers, maxing out input volume in device properties, plugging the headset into different ports, etc. None of this has worked. In the sound settings where it says test your microphone, whenever I speak it is consistently using only

:)

 

Mic picking up audio output from headset.

Either they are playing around with you or you have a chat running, with the MIC allowing everything, no matter what. Suggest unhooking your headset when not using.

 

Laptop not splitting headset mic & audio?

Hi
Simple version. When i plug in my headset to my laptop windows10 is not splitting it into one output and one input.

I fixed this years back by setting the popup box 'whats plugged in' from headphone to headset. Then it split the audio and mic. However i had to reinstall windows and now when i select headset it just mutes my laptop mic and audio manager just shows the one mic, but two audio outputs.

It was working before the reset and i have tested the headset on another computer and it is working find.
So far i tried device manage audio driver install, for both Realtek driver and High Definition driver but either resolve the issue.

Any suggestions why windows would pick up one and not the other?

I currently have it set to headphone plugged in so that i can use my laptop mic, but ive been told i sound really bad *Sad

Cheers,
Zola

 

After Windows update, Realtek "Headphone" setting does not detect headset mic, while "Headset" setting detects mic but picks up computer sounds

As additional information, I found out that adjusting the headset's volume knob would also affect the volume of the desktop audio that the headset mic picks up.

Given also that the desktop audio is picked up as input only when the headset's mic is being used, do these things isolate the issue as a hardware issue? Or not really?