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[Solved] Realtek audio driver problems! The mics aren't working!

Anonymous
2021-11-07T19:11:12+00:00

Hi! I've got a major issue with my input audio and I don't know what to do, since I've tried following a couple tutorials from the internet but nothing has worked.

I own a GL503VD laptop from Asus, it's my main device and I use it for everything, including online classes, which is why this is so important to me. Recently, my audio driver has been bugging out real hard, maybe since the last week or so. Output audio is fine, but the input via mics barely works. When I try to record audio through the Voice Recorder app or while in Zoom classes, both the inbuilt laptop mic and my headset's mic barely pick up my voice. Every recording I make sounds half choppy, very quiet or totally silent. When I speak normally, it doesn't record it, but when I yell suddenly, it does, if barely for half a sec, then goes to absolute silence again. It almost seems like there is some threshold for decibels, like in Discord or something. I turned the noise cancelling option off in the Realtek Audio Manager, but it didn't make any difference.

I have also tried three pairs of headsets, to no avail. I am sure this has something to do with the audio drivers, so I have tried uninstalling & reinstalling the Realtek driver, messing with the settings in the Realtek Audio Manager and the Sounds settings. Still nothing. Cherry on top, it also seems like the Realtek driver does not recognize my headset (it didn't previously as well, but at least my mics worked perfect) and thinks the audio is coming out through the speakers.

I did find out something weird. When I uninstalled the Realtek driver and then rebooted, the laptop recognized my headset, I had the option of picking between listening on speakers/headset, but when I recorded myself again first on the inbuilt mic and then my headset's mic, the recorded audio came from only from the inbuilt mic, complete with my noisy fans, even when I had picked the headset option.

I honestly don't know what to do and how to fix this. With or without the Realtek driver, my mics still don't work and I desperately need to use my headset for my online classes. My laptop has the latest Windows updates, latest BIOS & drivers. I'm beginning to think my audio problems are due to some recent Windows update, but I'm not sure which is the faulty one.

Here's a link to an audio recording I took, so you can see how it sounds when I try to record my voice on my headset. It's the same when I try to record on the inbuilt mic too, except the sound of the cooling fans is louder.

Warning: this is me saying 'AAAAAAAA' for 7 seconds, so it's a bit loud in some places where the mic actually picked up sound. https://voca.ro/12UHRa9MYqW3

Thank you for your help!!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-11-10T13:15:05+00:00

    I fiddled with the laptop a bit and I managed to get the input audio working by installing an older Realtek driver made for Toshiba laptops, even though mine's an Asus. The driver still doesn't distinguish between speakers and headset when I plug the latter in, but at least both of my mics are working properly.

    Thank you all for the help!

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2021-11-07T21:36:37+00:00

    Hi Spookyless -

    I'm Kevin B., I do apologize for the inconvenience that you're experiencing right now, let me help you sort things out.

    When did the issue started on your windows? Are there any recent changes made on the computer before the issue started?

    Kindly click on the link below and follow the steps provided

    Fix microphone problems

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix...

    If the above method did not fix the issue and the issue just started a few days ago, kindly try to perform system restore on your computer to reverse any changes which triggers the issue on your windows

    Perform system restore

    -This process will take your computer settings back to an earlier point in time where computer is working fine. If there's any changes made on your computer that removes the service, system restore should be able to fix the issue for you. To perform system restore please follow the steps below:

    1. Open the run box by pressing the Windows key + R and type rstrui.exe
    2. Once system restore windows open, normally it will suggest a restore point (sometimes it doesn't) if it does, select the 2nd option and hit next
    3. Select your desired restore point date and time and hit next and finish.

    Windows will going to restart your computer to initiate system restore. System restore might take several minutes to complete depending on the current speed of your computer and the changes it will made. Applications and updates that was installed on the computer prior to the date selected will be removed. It is important that when system restore starts, process must not be interrupted.

    DISCLAIMER:

    System Restore is a recovery tool for Windows that allows you to reverse certain kinds of changes made to the operating system. System Restore is used to return important Windows files and settings—like drivers, registry keys, system files, installed programs, and more—back to previous versions and settings. Being said all applications and changes made prior to the date selected will be removed and needs to be re-installed if its needed.

    Hope this will help and have a bless day!

    Thanks.

    Kevin B.

    Independent advisor

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Sjaak Ketting 7,395 Reputation points
    2021-11-08T19:33:36+00:00

    Hi spookyless,

    [Solved] Install Realtek HD Audio Driver Failure on Windows 10

    https://tencomputer.com/install-realtek-hd-audio-driver-failure-on-windows-10/#:

    Try this.

    Best regards,

    Jacquito.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-11-07T20:41:06+00:00

    Yeah, I've already tried a few solutions before, as I've said. The ones you linked did not fix my problem, unfortunately. Still need help.

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  5. Sjaak Ketting 7,395 Reputation points
    2021-11-07T20:17:20+00:00

    Hi spookyless,

    How can I fix the Realtek microphone issue in Windows 10?

    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/549334/how-can-i-fix-the-realtek-microphone-issue-in-windows-10-aspire-v3-772g

    Some information for you, solving your problem.

    Best regards,

    Jacquito.

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