The microphone on the computer does not work, what to do

The microphone for many users has become an integral part of working on a PC. If the device suddenly fails (nothing is heard) or other problems appear, these issues are usually resolved successfully. We will talk about possible problems and their solutions in our article.

Why the computer does not see the microphone

The main reasons for the lack of communication may be as follows:

• the power button on the device is not activated,
• connection errors
• Incorrect settings
• outdated or malfunctioning software,
• breakdown of headset elements (malfunction of the cord or plug),
• crashes in the operating system.

It matters how the microphone is connected to the PC:

• headphone input
• common connector
• two sockets are used (in devices with two plugs),
• USB
• Bluetooth

In accordance with the connection options, there may be the following malfunctions:

The PC audio jack is incorrectly selected. The microphone port is pink; the headphone port is green. Laptops may have unpainted inputs, however, they have the corresponding notation.

ON A NOTE. Some computer models have a single input for headphones and microphones, which eliminates the error.

1. The plug of the device does not match the diameter of the audio input, hangs in it, so there is no contact.
2. Contamination of the connector or damage to its individual elements.
3. The Bluetooth option is not turned on or the battery has run out.

The microphone does not work through an external sound card

The audio board has a number of features. It must be properly connected to the computer (where to insert). During its operation, a number of fixed problems may arise:

• the USB port connecting the module to the PC does not work correctly,
• there is no support for the option "Phantom power" (48 volts), which is necessary for the functioning of many studio microphones,
• driver issues.

IMPORTANT. When buying a headset, consider its compatibility with the sound card.

Why the computer does not see the microphone from the headphones

Such gadgets are popular with players and fans of chatting on the network, as it is more convenient to use one audio device instead of two. By the type of connection and power, they differ in the same way as microphones.

Possible problems:

• Incorrect connection.
• Usually combined models have one wire, standard or USB. In the first case, the plug is stuck to the headphone jack (on a desktop computer this is a green jack).
• Two connecting cables (separately for microphone and headphone) can cause a user error when selecting the appropriate ports.

Before proceeding with the restoration of the functionality of the device, check its performance. To do this, you can use another PC (or laptop).

REFERENCE. You can check the microphone in the standard Windows Sound Recorder.

• Successively go through the verification steps.
• We will conduct an external inspection of the device.
• Some models have a separate lever or key that activates the operating mode. Its presence can be determined visually or by looking at the product passport. Turn on the button.
• Check for visible damage to the cable and plug.

IMPORTANT. Finding damage to a wire or connector is not always easy. Repair can be carried out by soldering, which will require good skills in this area. If you are unsure of your own capabilities, there are several ways: contact the service center, change the product under warranty or purchase another device. The cost of the repair shop services does not always pay off, so it makes sense to use the option if the price of the microphone is high enough.

We diagnose and fix possible problems with the audio port:

• Make sure that the connection is made correctly (the connector is correctly selected).
• In case of weak contact between the plug and the socket, use the adapter.
• If any contamination is found, carefully clean the input from foreign impurities, damage to the entrance will require repair work.
• Mechanical damage to the connector, you may need to replace it. A way to temporarily solve the problem is to connect to the input on the back of the PC.
• You can check the USB connection by connecting other equipment (such as a flash drive) to the port. This method also applies to an external sound card. Use a different input when a problem is detected.
• Actions if you have a wireless device.
• Make sure that the batteries are fully charged, the Bluetooth option is activated, or the appropriate external module is connected to the PC for communication.
• To test the tool, go to Start - Control Panel - Printers and Equipment - Bluetooth. Move the slider to enable the function.
• In the same window, we look at the list of devices and, in the absence of the desired microphone, use "Add a new device." Select the headset and press the "Add" key.

REFERENCE. After the Control Panel, you can go to the Hardware and Sound section (Windows 7, Vista), or Start - Settings - Devices (Windows 10).

A separate item on external sound cards: look in the microphone passport for phantom power requirements. As a rule, budget audio cards do not support this option. If necessary, you will have to purchase a special unit. Having verified that all of the indicated elements are in good condition, we proceed to program regulation.

Damaged or missing drivers can be detected by the following scheme: Control Panel - System - Device Manager. In the last window, use the heading Sound, gaming and video devices. Make sure all external equipment is recognized. The presence of the designation “Unknown device” or a yellow exclamation mark next to the name of the microphone indicates a problem with the driver.

REFERENCE. This option also works for an external audio card.

There are three methods to remedy the situation:

• Install the software from the driver disc that came with the microphone.

If it is absent, go to the website of the PC manufacturer, in the search enter the name of the computer model. We will use the information page and open the section with additional programs where we look for the necessary utility according to the version of the operating system and its bit depth.

IMPORTANT. There are no special microphone applications on the list, as they are elements of an audio driver.

• Restart the system and verify that the device is working.

There is another way to solve the problem programmatically. It is suitable for beginners who are just starting to master the computer. All Windows have a special utility for solving various problems, including sound. Run it in manual mode.

Windows 8 and 10 versions.Go to Start - Settings - Update and Security - Troubleshoot. In the right pane of the window, click Play Sound and activate the option "Run the troubleshooter." Depending on the result, the program may suggest fixing the detected problems, which are fixed automatically.

The Windows XP version is equipped with the "Hardware Installation Wizard" option. It can be opened by going through the sections Start - Printer and other equipment - Installing equipment. The window will form a list of available devices. Instruments without drivers or working with errors will be marked with question marks. If the desired microphone appears among them, select it and click Next. The headset will automatically search for software. If not listed, use the "Add a new device" item.

The troubleshooting wizard is used on Windows 7. We go through Start - Control Panel - Troubleshooting. In the window that opens, for details, click on the "View all categories" option (located on the left) and select the required item. The utility, launched by double-clicking the mouse, will diagnose the selected equipment and, in case of detected problems, will offer to eliminate it automatically. If you use the "Automatically apply corrections" item, the system will by default fix the detected problems.

ON A NOTE. An automated way to solve a problem may not always help.

Next, we check the correctness of the settings related to the sensitivity of the headset. In the task area, use RMB on the speaker icon and select "Recording Devices" in the context menu. We highlight the line with the name of the model and click the Properties button, in a new window we will go to Levels. We look at the position of the sliders, if they are in a low position, we translate them to the right. Save the changes made. Software malfunctions can lead to various malfunctions, including mute audio equipment.

Troubleshooting:

We restart the computer. We use the PCM speaker icon, go through the "Recording Devices". If the microphone is not in the list, right-click in the free space of the window and apply the items "Show disconnected devices", "Show disconnected devices". We click RMB on the headset icon and activate the "Enable" line. If we see the inscription "Disable", then click on it and then activate the inclusion of the device. The device will reboot.

Diagnostics will help identify spyware and other programs that interfere with the OS’s performance:

• scanning by antivirus utility and removal of dangerous objects,
• launch a full scan followed by the elimination of malicious applications.

IMPORTANT. In case of serious violations in the system, it may be necessary to restore or reinstall it.

In our article, we examined in detail the causes and methods for troubleshooting a microphone. We hope our article helped you solve the problem. If the malfunction remains, then after weighing all the pros and cons, contact the service center.