Something wrong with microphone

Question

My microphone picks up weird distorted static, tried updating my audio drivers and they were up to date.

Had this issue a few weeks back and now it's back again.

I would post the voice recordings but don't know how.

Anybody know how to fix this? Also I don't know what fixed it the first time.

Answer 1

There are two other actions which you can undertake. You can try them one by one and check after each.

1. Restore from a system restore point to a point when things were working fine

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12415/...

2. If the issue has been caused due to recent Windows update - I would suggest that you uninstall the latest KB update and hide it so that it doesn't install it automatically and wait for new update to come which will be installed automatically.

To know which update got installed

Windows Key+i to invoke Settings > Update & Security > Click View installed update history. These KBs should be from the below list. Don't uninstall any other KB

For 1809 - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4464619

For 1803 - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4099479

Make note of KB and uninstall and block it.

Uninstall

Windows Key + R > Type: appwiz.cpl > Enter > Click View installed updates > Select the required updates, right click, uninstall.

Block

Microsoft has provided a tool Show/Hide Updates tool to block the update

Download the tool from below link

http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

When you run this troubleshooter, it will search for available updates and list them

Select the update which you want to hide. Click Next and follow on-screen directions

Answer 2

Hello, after doing these options it's a little better (I can hear my voice in the recordings) however the distorted sound still comes in once in a while.

And yes, this did started happening after a windows update the first time it was somewhere in early May and now I think the update was on the 20th.

Answer 3

Hi johnmcqinney

I am Vijay, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

Please try these options one by one and check after each option.

1. Run Troubleshooters

Type Troubleshoot in Cortana > Click Troubleshoot >

A. Click Playing Audio > Run the Troubleshooter

B. Recording Audio > Run the troubleshooter

C. Speech > Run the troubleshooter

2. Microphone is not disabled and is set as default

Type Sound in Windows Start Seach box > Click Sound > Under Recording tab, right click on an empty space and select, Show disconnected devices and Show disabled devices > Select Microphone and click on Properties and make sure that the microphone is enabled > You may also check if the microphone that you are using is set as default.

3. Set up microphone

Type microphone in Windows Start Search box > Click Set up a Microphone > Select required type of microphone (for internal mic, select Others) > Follow the onscreen directions to set it up

4. Take actions related to Audio Driver

Windows Key+X > Device Manager > Sound, Video & game controllers > Right Click on the entry below > Properties > Driver Tab >

A. Roll Back - If Roll back driver is enabled, roll it back

B. Uninstall - Uninstall Device and restart to reinstall it automatically

C. Download and reinstall the driver from computer manufacturer's website - If you face issue, let me know your computer make and model?

(Source - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402699...)

5. To diagnose the issue further, I would request you to provide following information -

A. Windows Key+r > Type msinfo32.exe and Enter > Post the image here

B. Did this problem start after any Windows update? - When did the last Windows updates take place and what were the KB numbers? Was it feature update to 1809? (To check Windows updates, Windows Key+i > Update & security > View Installed update history)