Headset Microphone not picking up any sound input on my PC only

Question

Headset Microphone not picking up any sound input on my PC only

Anonymous

Hi, I'm extremely confused by all of this and I just need to know what I can do to fix it.

Just for clarification, I'm on Windows 11, it was installed about 6-ish months ago?

Anyway, me and my sister planned to play some games together so we both bought these pretty inexpensive headsets with attached microphones.

On her Windows 10 pc, she plugged it in and everything worked, she got a little Realtek audio popup registering the microphone and everything was fine.

For me, not so much. We plugged in the headset and the actual headphones worked fine, no issues. But the microphone? No matter what we did, it wouldn't pick up ANY audio. We messed with every setting on there, set it up as the input device, checked all permissions, turned it on and off multiple times, plugged it into her computer to check the microphone worked (it did, the headset is FINE), but on my pc it just wouldn't register any audio being input whatsoever.

Upon closer inspection, it appears my Realtek audio driver no longer exists on my computer. It's not hidden in device manager (checked that), it doesn't come up at all, it's just completely gone. We checked my stepdad's pc too, and the headset worked fine, and he still has his Realtek audio driver on windows 11. But on my PC, not there at all. I am almost 100% certain that I used to have it on my PC, but I can't recall when it disappeared. We even tried reinstalling old versions and it still didn't work, nothing would get it back onto my computer.

Is there ANYTHING I'm missing? How do I get this headset Microphone to register on the computer without the Realtek driver? It's picking up that there IS a microphone in the input options, but it won't register anything said through the microphone at all.

I really, really don't want this headset to be a waste of good money, and I bought it for good reason. I want to use it, but I don't need a headset with a useless mic.

(Also I'm not good at technical stuff so please try and keep replies as basic as possible?)

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3 answers

Answer 1

Thank you for your reply, at the moment the above provided are just routine steps due to too little information, I need to gather further information. Could you please provide me with the exact model of your computer and a screenshot of the sound settings in question? Right click on the sound icon in the bottom right corner and select Settings - More Sound Settings - Recording - Right click on a blank screen and select Show Show all hidden devices, take a screenshot of the page here.

Also for realtek you can download it from Microsoft Store.

Best regards

Bobhe | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I have unfortunately tried all of this while trying to fix the microphone issue. I have tried updating every audio device in device manager, and every one already has the newest update according to windows.

I also tried reinstalling the Realtek audio driver from multiple sources, which took several hours and also did not work, the install failed completely. Realtek do not have a windows 11 driver, and older software simply won't install onto my PC.

And I checked all security and privacy settings, everything was turned on and allowed but my PC simply wouldn't register any audio.

I actually purchased a USB microphone the same night to try and use today, thinking perhaps the combined headset would be the problem, but my PC did not even recognise it. It knew a USB device was plugged in, but it just came up as an error.

I KNOW an audio driver is missing on my computer. Right now all that is listed in the "sound, video and game controllers" section of the device manager is : AMD High Definition Audio Device, AMD Streaming Audio Device, High Definition Audio Device" and the other listed device are my old Bluetooth headphones (which are completely unrelated to the headset, they do not have a microphone and are connected via an external USB bluetooth device)

My PC just won't pick up any microphones or register any microphones I plug in, via USB or headphones.

Answer 3

Hello, Holly B-0602

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

Thank you for your feedback on your issue here, based on what you've described, it seems that your Realtek audio driver is missing or not installed correctly, which could be the reason why the microphone is not working properly.

First of all, thank you for sharing the information, you seem to have already performed some troubleshooting steps, which is a great sign that you are a researcher and scholar. Your issue should still be driver related and I will further advise you on fixing it.

First of all, since your Realtek driver seems to be missing, you need to reinstall it. You can follow the below methods to do so:

Method 1: Automatic update via Device Manager

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.

Expand the “Sound, Video, and Game Controllers” section.

Right-click on any audio-related device and select Update Driver.

Select Automatically search for updated driver software.

If Windows finds an update, install it and restart your computer.

Method 2: Download Realtek Drivers Manually

Visit the official Realtek website to download the latest Realtek HD audio drivers for Windows 11.

www.realtek.com

Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.

Sometimes Windows may prevent applications from accessing the microphone.

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.

Make sure Allow applications to access the microphone is turned on.

Scroll down and make sure that the application you want to use (such as a game or communication software) has permission to use the microphone, plus make sure that your headset is plugged into the correct jack. Most headphones have two plugs, one for audio (green) and one for microphone (pink). Make sure they are plugged into the correct port.

Also if it's easier for you it's recommended that you take a screenshot of the Device Manager screen for sound cards etc. Here I'll check if some drivers are missing for you.

Best regards

Bobhe | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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Headset Microphone not picking up any sound input on my PC only

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