How to connect K66 microphone as an input device instead of an output device?

Question

How to connect K66 microphone as an input device instead of an output device?

Amy Stumpf 0

When I connect my K66 Microphone, it doesn't show up under available devices on the input list, it only shows up on the Output list, as headphones. The mic input function does work, but it also reroutes all of my sound output to the microphone and the only way to hear it is to connect a set of wired headphones to the microphone base itself. I have tried selecting a different output device (my wireless headphones, but this only switches the connected device, disconnecting the microphone in the process because the system sees them both as output only devices, and will only connect one at a time. All drivers are up to date, and the microphone behaves exactly the same way on at least 2 different Windows 11 machines.

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Answer 1

Ivan B 125.3K Independent Advisor

Hi,

Just a quick question: when you switch the output to a device other than the microphone, does the input get disabled or does it stay active?

It sounded like you want to listen via your wireless headphones while keeping the sidetone enabled so you can hear yourself—did I understand that correctly?

If possible, please go to Start > Settings > System > Sound and take a screenshot of the output and input settings.

This likely isn't a Windows fault, but rather an issue with the microphone driver; if you tested it on two different devices and the behavior remained the same, it’s likely due to the configuration rather than a Windows error. Check if there is an official driver with accompanying software—like HyperX, for example.

According to the manual, it should work with the base unit handling both output and input when the headphones are connected directly to the microphone.

Thanks.

Amy Stumpf 0 Reputation points

2026-09-06T22:08:58.6633333+00:00

Hello, and thank you for responding.

“It sounded like you want to listen via your wireless headphones while keeping the sidetone enabled so you can hear yourself—did I understand that correctly?”

This is not quite right. When the microphone is active, windows -only- recognizes it on the output device list (labeled as wireless headphones) and all sound is routed through that device. The only way to hear any sound at all is by plugging wired headphones into the low-latency monitoring jack on the microphone itself. It is not listed on the input devices list as a microphone. If I switch to any other sound output (built-in speakers, wireless headphones, or wired headphones in the jack), the mic is disabled entirely and shows as “Disconnected” in Settings.

The only wired headphones I have are a cheap pair of old Apple earbuds, so I really would prefer for all sound to be routed to either my Bluetooth headphones or the laptop speakers. I don’t have any vested interest in monitoring the microphone input separately or being able to “hear myself” through it

I am not home to take a screenshot at the moment, but I will when I can later.
Ivan B 125.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-06T22:45:43.3333333+00:00

Hi,

Thanks for the information. If possible, could you try changing the settings in the Sound Control Panel? Go to Settings > System > Sound > scroll down to "More sound settings." In the Playback tab, set the microphone as the "Default Communication Device" and set your PC's headphones or speakers as the "Default Device."

Check if the problem persists; also, in the Recording tab, set the microphone as the "Default Communication Device."

Thanks.