Help with audio input on headphones.

Question

Help with audio input on headphones.

bryan 0

Whenever I try to use a headset that is not Bluetooth the microphone does not show up as there. It does not allow me to add it either.

John Jefferson Doyon 82,325 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-28T22:17:16.0933333+00:00
Hi, @bryan

This may be related to the headset connection, the audio jack type, or the audio driver.

Is the headset connected by a 3.5 mm plug or USB?

Does the headset have one combined plug, or separate plugs for the microphone and headphones?

Does the headphone sound work, with only the microphone missing?

What is the make and model of the computer?

Also, press Windows + R, type winver and share the Windows version and OS build shown.

1 answer

Your answer

John Jefferson Doyon 82,325 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-28T22:17:16.0933333+00:00

Hi, @bryan

This may be related to the headset connection, the audio jack type, or the audio driver.

Is the headset connected by a 3.5 mm plug or USB?

Does the headset have one combined plug, or separate plugs for the microphone and headphones?

Does the headphone sound work, with only the microphone missing?

What is the make and model of the computer?

Also, press Windows + R, type winver and share the Windows version and OS build shown.

Answer 1

Hi bryan,

Based on your description, it appears that Windows is detecting the headphone audio output, but not the microphone portion of your wired headset. This can sometimes occur when the headset is connected through an audio jack that is not configured correctly for microphone input or when the system is not recognizing the headset as a communication device.

As an additional check, please try the following:

Open Control Panel > Sound > Recording.
Right-click inside the device list and enable Show Disabled Devices.
If a microphone or headset microphone appears, right-click it and select Enable, then set it as the Default Device.
Test the microphone again using Settings > System > Sound > Input.

If no microphone device appears at all, please share more information as suggested by the Independent Advisor that can help identify whether the issue is related to hardware compatibility or device detection.

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Hendrix-V 17,435 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-31T07:42:55.1866667+00:00

Hi bryan,

If you have any further questions or updates regarding this issue, please feel free to let me know in the Comments section. I'd be happy to assist you.