Share via

How to get my laptop to detect an external microphone?

Anonymous
2023-08-15T04:54:58+00:00

Hi there,

I am currently using an Acer laptop (Nitro 5), and have Windows 11 installed. I recently bought a new earpiece which comes with an external microphone. However, when I go to the audio settings, the only input option is "Microphone Array", which is the option for the built-in laptop microphone.

I tried plugging in my earpiece to another laptop, and found that it was working perfectly fine, as there was an option for "External Microphone", and the audio recorded was of much better quality. Therefore, it should be a problem with my laptop and not the earpiece.

Even though there is audio output for the earpiece, it labels the earpiece as "headphone" and not "headset", which I am guessing is why it does not detect the external microphone. However, when I plug in the earpiece, there is no pop-up for me to select the audio options (which should happen), thus not allowing me to even select "headset" in the first place. I am guessing that this is the root of the problem.

I have tried updating and installing new audio drivers. I also made sure all my Windows updates were up to date, and made sure that all my apps as well as my laptop has access to the microphone. I have tried going to the Control Panel and checking for any disabled microphones but there wasn't any.

Is there any way to reenable the audio prompt pop-up when I plug in the earpiece? Also, how do I resolve this issue? Any help would be very appreciated.

Sincerely,
Jaden T

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Input and language

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

11 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Rodrigo Queiroz 77,500 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-08-15T06:28:21+00:00

    Hi Jaden,

    I'm Rodrigo and I'll help you.

    Open the Start Menu, search for Realtek Audio Console, open it > Advanced options. There you find an option to activate the device selection pop-up.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Rodrigo Queiroz 77,500 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-08-16T14:15:51+00:00

    Thank you. These are the options that would show on the pop-up. Unfortunately, your laptop audio processor does not allow changing the audio jack routing to audio input only. You need to use a headset splitter (image below) to separate the audio input and output from the connector.

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-08-16T12:35:41+00:00

    Hi Rodrigo, these are the only options, Headphone, Speaker Out and Headset.

    0 comments
  4. Rodrigo Queiroz 77,500 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-08-15T17:00:40+00:00

    In this dropdown menu, what options are available?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-08-15T07:11:59+00:00

    Hi Jaden,
    I'm Rodrigo and I'll help you.
    Open the Start Menu, search for Realtek Audio Console, open it > Advanced options. There you find an option to activate the device selection pop-up.

    Hi Rodrigo, I have opened Realtek Audio Console and went to the Device Advanced Settings. There was no option to activate the device selection pop-up, the only thing I can see is the "Connector Retasking". May I know why?

    0 comments