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Windows barely picks up headset mic input

Anonymous
2023-06-08T02:28:57+00:00

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 about 3% of the bar. Every site I have run across with someone having a similar issue just repeats the same solutions that I have already tried so I am hoping that posting this will get me a solution that will work. Any help is appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-06-08T21:00:49+00:00

    I checked the device properties for audio enhancements and as far as I could tell, none were enabled. I disabled all just in case but it did not seem to have an effect. In the mic properties, the volume is already at max and I have no boost slider. I tried the clean boot steps but after restarting there was still no noticeable change. Any other ideas?

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-06-08T03:08:08+00:00

    Hello! My name is Mostafa; I will assist you today.

    I’m sorry that you are experiencing this issue.

    Some audio enhancements or effects applied to your microphone input may cause it to sound quiet. To disable these enhancements,

    Select Start > Settings > System > Sound > Properties > Audio enhancements.

    Search Change system sounds in the taskbar search and open it; in the recording tab, click on your Microphone, then click properties. In the new Window, go to the Level tab and increase the Microphone and Microphone Boost slider.

    If that does not help, perform a Clean Boot: A clean boot can help identify if any third-party software is causing the issue.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-t...

    1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type msconfig in the text field, and click hit Enter.
    2. Go to the Services tab, tick the checkbox for Hide all Microsoft services, and then click on Disable All.
    3. Now, navigate to the Startup tab, and click on Open Task Manager.
    4. Select any apps that read Enabled under the Status column, and click Disable.
    5. Once done, head back to System Configuration, and click on Apply and OK.
    6. Click on Restart in the prompt that appears.
    7. After the PC restarts, check if the problem is fixed. If yes, one of the processes or services you disabled earlier is the underlying cause.
    8. Now, enable the services and startup apps one at a time unless the problematic one is identified, and then make sure to disable it.

    Please let me know if the above steps did not help. Thank you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-06-10T04:48:27+00:00

    I understand your frustration, and it seems unusual that you're experiencing the same issue on your PC and laptop. The issue might be the headset or Audio driver.

    Please try to uninstall the Audio driver, restart your laptop and let Windows install it again.

    1. Right-click on Start, then select Device Manager.
    2. Select a device category, then right-click the one you like to update.
    3. Select Update driver, then click Search automatically for drivers.
    4. If Windows can't find an update, visit the device manufacturer's website and check for available driver updates.

    Could you try to use a 3rd party to check if it helps?

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-06-10T03:21:12+00:00

    I have had this same issue with the same headset on both my PC (which uses windows 10) and my laptop (which uses windows 11). This issue was also something I noticed fairly shortly after getting the laptop brand new which is why I believe this is most likely an issue with windows and not some app or software on my device.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-06-09T05:15:39+00:00

    I'm sorry to hear that. May I know if you have tried your headset with another Windows device to check if the issue persists?

    If you don't have Boost slider, you can try to use 3rd party app such as Equalizer APO to boost your Mic; it might be helpful.

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