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Blue Snowball Microphone device not recognized

Anonymous
2020-12-30T09:50:29+00:00

I bought a Snowball a few years ago. It worked great on an old computer (left behind in an old house), but for some reason it just doesn't work anymore.

About a month ago, I pulled my Snowball out and plugged it in. But whenever I do, I just get the same message. "The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it."

I've tried updating the driver, but it just says it's already updated. (I will not deny the irony in having the "best driver" for an "unknown USB device"... how do you know it's the best driver if you don't even know what driver to use?)

I've even manually tried selecting the driver (though, I can't seem to find any audio drivers in the list, compatible or otherwise).

The microphone itself seems to be working (at the very least, it lights up and doesn't appear to be physically damaged), so I am fairly convinced it is a software problem. However, I do not have access to another computer to confirm this.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-01-08T23:17:06+00:00

    Thanks for the reply, but sadly, it did not work. The Snowball driver still shows up as "Unknown USB Device".

    I'm kinda curious, though... could I just set up my laptop microphone driver onto my Snowball? Or are the microphones that different?

    EDIT: I musta been tired when I first wrote this, 'cause I said "speaker" instead of "microphone"... I've corrected it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-01-01T10:55:07+00:00

    Hi PorcupineTheCat,

    Good day! This is Jhakesong an Independent Advisor and I will be happy to assist you with this.

    I am sorry to hear about the inconvenience. Give this a try and see if it resolves the issue on your Blue Snowball microphone.

    Reinstall USB Root hub:

    1. Press Windows key + X
    2. Open Device Manager
    3. Expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers
    4. Uninstall every instance of USB Root Hub
    5. Once uninstalled, also uninstall the Unknown USB Device Entry in device manager.
    6. Reboot your computer and make sure the mic is connected to the USB port.

    Let me know how it goes. Have a great day!

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2020-12-30T10:28:57+00:00

    Good Day PorcupineTheCat,

    My name is Carlo, I'm an Independent Advisor and community member like you.

    I am also using Windows 10 pc. Let us work together to sort this out.

    -Check if the port is properly connected.

    -If you have other pc , try to plug the Microphone using other device for us to isolate if this an issue with the Microphone or the computer itself.

    Here's the steps you can try.

    Run the Microphone troubleshooter

    -Press Windows key + X

    -Go to Settings

    -Click Update and Security

    -Click Troubleshoot then “additional troubleshooter

    -Look for Speech click it and run the troubleshooter.

    Once done proceed with these steps

    -Press Windows key + X

    -Click Device Manager

    -On the device manager look for Audio input and output and expand it

    -Right click on Microphone and Uninstall

    After restart the driver will be automatically installed.

    Restart your device.

    if issue persist try to use an old driver that was installed in your device before.

    -Press Windows key + X

    -Go to Device Manager

    -Expand the Audio input Output

    -Look for Microphone driver that was installed

    -Right click and Update

    -Look for "Browse my computer for driver

    -Let me pick drivers available drivers

    -Choose an old driver and use it.

    I hope the information above helps. Please let me know how it goes.

    Have a wonderful day ahead and stay safe.

    With Warm Regards,

    Carlo T.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2020-12-31T03:23:01+00:00

    The port seems to be properly connected. The cords are plugged in, and the microphone is receiving power from my laptop. I am unable to make any tests involving another computer, as I only have access to the one. That being said, I will continue working under the assumption that the microphone at least *physically* works, seing as a) it worked on an older computer five-ish years ago, and b) there doesn't appear to be any signs of physical damage (not so much as a scratch or dent).

    The trouble shooter didn't work, uninstalling the driver doesn't work... and trying to install an old driver doesn't work, because my computer refuses to list any driver except "Unknown" when I try to pick from what I have... Even unclicking the "show compatible hardware" checkbox gives me nothing audio related, I can't even find the Realtek drivers that I *know* have to be on my computer because that's what my laptop speakers use.

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