HP PCs - Resolving Microphone Problems (Windows 10, 8)

If the microphone operates on battery power, make sure the batteries are correctly seated and are functional. If the microphone operates on external power, make sure that all the power connections are secure and the power cord is connected to a power source.

If the microphone has a volume control, make sure it is turned up half way.

Disconnect the microphone from the computer port, and then re-connect it. If the microphone uses a USB port, try connecting it to a different USB port on the computer.

Connect the microphone to another device, such as another computer, and then try to use it.

• If the microphone functions correctly when connected to the other device, a driver or computer recognition issue might be causing the problem. Continue to the next step to check for an update to the audio driver.
• If the microphone does not function correctly when connected to the alternative device, then the microphone might need to be replaced.

Connect to the Internet.

In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.

Double-click Sound, video and game controllers.

Right-click the name of the sound hardware, and then select Update Driver.

Click Search automatically for updated driver software, and then wait for Windows to update the driver software.

Windows checks to see if updated driver software is available.

If an update is available, let Windows install the update.

When the update is installed successfully, a Windows has finished installing the driver software for this device window displays.

Test the microphone.

Go to HP Support Assistant to download and install the HP Support Assistant software, if it is not already installed on your computer.

In Windows, search for and open HP Support Assistant.

On the My devices tab, click your computer.

Click the Troubleshooting and fixes tab, and then click Audio Check in the One click fixes section.

Click Next, and then wait for the audio test to complete.

Review the test results on the audio and microphone diagnostic results display, and then click Test Audio.

If sound is not heard correctly, click Unable to Hear Audio and then follow the on-screen instructions.

In Windows, search for and open Control Panel.

Click Troubleshooting.

Under Hardware and Sound, click Troubleshoot audio recording.

note:

Administrator permission is required to run this program. If prompted, type the administrator password or provide confirmation.

The Sound troubleshooter opens. Click Next. The troubleshooter begins checking the audio service status.

Select the device you want to troubleshoot, and then click Next.

Follow the on-screen instructions and make any changes suggested by the troubleshooter. When done, close the troubleshooter.

If the problem persists, continue to the next step.

Connect the microphone to the computer.

In Windows, search for and open Sound.

Click the Recording tab in the Sound window.

In the list of devices, find the microphone that you want to use.

If the microphone is not listed, use the following steps to show disabled and disconnected devices:

1. Right-click an empty area of the Sound window.
2. Click Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices.
   
3. If the microphone is listed as Currently unavailable or Not plugged in, disconnect it, and then reconnect it to the port.
   If the device you want to use contains a small circle with an arrow pointing down, the device is disabled. To enable the device, right-click the device name, and then select Enable.

Select the microphone you want to use, and then click Set Default to make this device the default audio input device.

With the device still selected, click Properties.

In the Properties window, click the Levels tab.

If the Mute button is on, click it to unmute. The volume button should display as a blue speaker icon .

Use the slider bar to raise the volume level to at least 75.

If Microphone Boost is available, adjust it to +20.0 dB.

Click OK to save changes.