Problem with Headset Accessory Microphone: Loud, sharp ringing noise during playback after recording audio

Question

Hi all!

I recently bought a new Sennheiser Momentum earphone and I connected it to my Surface Book 2 (Windows 10.0.18362). Sound when playing Youtube videos is amazing. But when I tried to record an audio in the Camera App, and replay the audio, my voice can be heard but it's accompanied by this sharp awful high pitched ringing that gets louder when my voice gets louder.

I don't think it's a problem with my headset as this issue persisted across 3 different models of earphones. I thought it was the earphones problem but I'm strongly suspecting that it has to do with my Surface Book 2 now...

Any help is greatly appreciated as I'm so stressed out by this! Thank you :)

Answer 1

Hi Rachel. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator, here to help you.

I will give you all possible Microphone fixes to try in sequence. Even if you've already tried one I'd do it in this order as one step may affect the next.

Please run the Recording Sound troubleshooter at Start button > Settings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot.

Try these fixes next:

https://blog.pcrisk.com/windows/12487-microphon... (avoid ad links)

https://www.windowscentral.com/setting-your-hea...

https://www.howtogeek.com/395296/fix-my-microph...

http://maxedtech.com/fix-microphone-not-working...

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fix-microphone-pr...

https://windowsreport.com/internal-microphone-s...

Some report that what worked is turning off Fast Startup at Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional Power Settings > Choose what Power buttons do > Change Settings Currently Unavailable > uncheck the box for Fast Startup, Save Settings. Restart and then disable Hibernate file to clear it, restart PC again and enable Hibernate again: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/enable-hiberna...

Right click the volume icon in System Tray at right end of task bar, open Recording Devices, see if the microphone is listed, set it as Default device.

Type Microphone in Start Search, open Set up Microphone, scroll down to Microphone and choose Get started to set it up.

Also reset the prompt to ask for which device was plugged in here:

https://windowsreport.com/you-just-plugged-unpl...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/En...

https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-10/How-g...

Try updating and reinstalling the Microphone driver in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu, then Device Manager, then Audio Input and Output devices, then Microphone . Choose Microphone then Driver tab, then Update > Automatically. If no newer try Driver tab > Update > Browse > Let Me Pick to try all previously installed drivers. If that fails try Driver tab > Uninstall, restart PC to reinstall driver.

Update the Sound drivers from the PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page. While there make sure you also have the latest Chipset, Display, Network, USB and all other drivers, comparing with the version presently installed in Device Manager.

If no newer driver then uninstall the ones presently installed in Device Manager, reached by right clicking the Start Button. Restart PC to reinstall.

When did this behavior begin? If you have an idea you might be able to System Restore back to a point before it began: http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/how-t...

It's possible this was caused by a Windows Update so if nothing above works, go to Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update, check the Installed Updates list for Updates that might have been just installed, try uninstalling them using the Uninstall button present there. Then hide the Updates using the Hide Updates tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

If this was caused by a Version update (which you can confirm at Settings > System > About) then for ten days you can roll back Version in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

If there are other performance problems then go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

Others are fixing USB mic and headset issues with Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account, because the account is corrupted and this is the only fix.

If nothing else helps then run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This solves many problems and will also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 2

Hi Greg,

Thank you for the quick and detailed response. I followed through all the steps mentioned above, but none of them worked. I even upgraded Windows to Windows Pro as per the last resort. Troubleshooting does not work, all drivers are updated, the headset is set as default etc.

The highpitched ringing/ whistling noise is still present in my audio recording using my external headset microphone. This issue has persisted across three different brands of earphones.

Looking forward to your advice! Thanks!

Answer 3

Rachel, what step suggested to Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro? Do you have a license for WIndows 10 Pro? It is the exact same OS you were using before except with Pro features unlocked. The Repair install is only meant to reinstall the same licensed version over itself. Let me know if it's lost activation so I can help you change back to Home version.

Let's try troubleshooting headsets per se, instead of just the microphone:

I'll give you everything possible to try for headset problems so at least something will work. If you need help performing any steps I am standing by here to help:

First try the steps here:

https://www.maketecheasier.com/fix-headphones-n...

https://www.windowscentral.com/setting-your-hea...

https://www.lifewire.com/fix-headphones-not-wor...

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/headphones-not-w...

https://merabheja.com/fix-no-speakers-or-headph...

https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-headphones-...

Go to Settings > Devices > Autoplay to look for the device and change the default behavior in it's Dropdown Menu.

Right click Volume icon in System Tray at right end of task bar, Open Sounds Settings, in dropdown menus at top make sure Headphones are selected and Connected for both Playback and Recording Default Devices.

If not again right click Volume icon in System Tray to choose Troubleshoot sound problems.

See all ways (including manufacturer-specific) to re-enable the "Which device did you plug in" popup which can solve headset issues:

https://windowsreport.com/you-just-plugged-unpl... (avoid ad links)

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/En...

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/how-do-...

https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-10/How-g...

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Go to the Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, choose Sound controller device, on Driver tab choose Roll back or Uninstall, restart PC using keyboard to Ctrl Alt Del, on blue screen tab to Power Icon in bottom right, press Enter, arrow down to Restart, press Enter to restart to reinstall the driver.

Do the same for the headset device and/or it's microphone.

Update the Sound driver from the PC or Device maker's Support downloads web page. While there also check that the Chipset, BIOS, Display, USB, Network and all other drivers are the most current.

Sometimes it helps to unpair or disconnect all other Bluetooth devices from the PC in Bluetooth settings, then try again to connect the headset.

If this was caused by Windows Update(s) then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them:

http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/how-t...

If this was caused by a Version Update then for 10 days you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool which is explained more here:

https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta....

To check over the integrity of your install go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

If nothing else helps you can run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows in about an hour while saving your files, apps and most settings, solves many problems while also bringing it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

If you want to report this to Microsoft use the Feedback Hub app in Start Menu where developers are tasked to process consumer feedback. They will not even see it here. This is a tech forums staffed mostly by volunteers trying to help others with your problems.

If you want to post back a Share link from your Feedback here others who see this thread can vote it up and add to it. If you are an Insider I can also vote it up with my MVP badge and track the issue for you.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 4

Hi Greg,

Thanks for the response, I actually found a thread https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/surface-pro-microphone-issue-please-help/b9670410-df7a-4079-a1f3-a6762444ea11?page=2 that is pretty similar to my issue, although the other users experienced static sounds while mine is a high pitched ringing/ whistling.

I temporarily solved my issue by toggling some of the microphone settings which are the following 2 in the photos:

I don't really understand what these settings mean, and why "lowering the level" for (1) Volume Mixer: Windows Voice Recorder and (2) Headset microphone helps to reduce the whistling.

However that being said, it is a temporary fix because I basically have to sacrifice the loudness of my audio recording, which means I have to speak closer to the headset microphone.

Furthermore, pertaining to your first question, I do not have the license for Windows 10 Pro, but my PC actually installed it following this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install which you provided me! If there are no downsides to having Windows 10 Pro on my surface book 2 then I don't mind just keeping it as such.

Thanks, and looking forward to your response!:)

Answer 5

Rachel -

What is the Activation Status and Edition showing at the top of the page at Settings > Update & Security > Activation?

It's possible the Surface came with Pro version, as it should not have changed the version when you ran the Repair Install otherwise.

Did you update the drivers, especially the Sound driver, from the Surface Driver pack for your model here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/402348...

Keep me posted on your progress.