This article is divided into several parts dealing with different issues. Please test your device before performing the solutions described in this article. After completing the device test, please select the appropriate document section based on your question, and then follow the instructions. Changes in software, settings, or drivers may cause the microphone to stop working. If your microphone stopped working recently, you may need to use Microsoft's "System Restore" feature to solve the problem.
How to set up a notebook microphone
Test Equipment
To troubleshoot microphone recording problems, follow the steps below (the steps used depend on whether you are using an external or built-in microphone).
Test the built-in microphone
The built-in microphone is located on the top of the laptop LCD display or near the hinge at the bottom of the LCD. You can use the following best methods to capture sound more easily:
Adjust the display screen of the notebook computer to place the microphone in the best direction for receiving sound.
Speak directly into the microphone. Do not speak far away from the microphone.
When using the built-in microphone, choose an environment without background noise.
Test external microphone
Make sure that the microphone port and microphone are operating normally.
Test the microphone on a small tape recorder that is known to be working properly, on another computer or device that has an available microphone interface.
If the microphone can record sound smoothly, please test the recording function of the computer. If the microphone does not work properly on other computers or tape recorders, please try another microphone.
Test the recording function of the computer
Perform the following steps to make sure that the computer's recording program is working properly.
1. Click "Start"> "All Programs"> "Accessories"> "Recorder".
2. Click "Record" and speak into the microphone. Save the file to an easily accessible location, such as the desktop.
3. To play the recorded sound, you can use Windows Media Player to open the file.
4. If you cannot play the recorded sound, please go to the next part of this article.
No sound or signal during recording
After using the microphone to record, if the sound or signal is not recorded, follow the steps below to solve the problem.
Check connection
Make sure that the microphone (if external) is plugged into the correct port on the front or side of the computer.
If the microphone is connected to the correct interface, but there is still no sound, try to pull the connector out about 1 mm, so that the connector is not inserted very tightly into the interface. The possible reason is that the microphone connector and the sound card interface are not completely matched. If this does not solve the problem, insert the connector firmly into the interface and continue with the following steps.
Check microphone settings
Perform the following steps to make sure the microphone settings are correct:
1. Right-click the "sound" icon next to the clock in the system tray. Select "Recording Device" from the drop-down menu.
2. After the "Sound" window opens, enter the "Recording" tab, and then select "Microphone". The "Microphone" item should show that the device is working properly, and there should be an indicator next to the item.
3. Tap the plastic part on the display. The indicator should respond to the sound by jumping up and down.
4. If the microphone does not work, or there is no indicator, or does not respond to voice input, you should perform the following steps:
Click "Properties". The "Microphone Properties" window will appear.
Make sure that the device is enabled in the "Device Usage" drop-down menu on the "General" tab.
Click the "Level" tab. Set the microphone volume to 100.
Click the "Advanced" tab. Make sure all check boxes in this window are checked.
Click "Apply" and then click "OK". Close the window.
Try recording again to determine if the problem has been resolved. If there is still no sound, please continue with the steps below.
Make sure the correct recording device is selected
Access sound properties:
1. Click "Start"> "Control Panel"> "Hardware and Sound"> "Sound". The "Sound" window will appear.
2. On the "Sound Play" tab, select "SPDIF Interface" or audio device.
3. On the "Recording" tab, select the audio device installed on the computer. This device should be the same as the one listed in "Sound playback".
4. Click "OK" to close the "Sound" window.
Try recording again to determine whether the problem has been resolved. If there is still no sound, please continue with the steps below.
Delete duplicate sound card items in "Device Manager"
If there are multiple sound card items in the Device Manager, there may be conflicts between them. Perform the following steps to determine if there are conflicts and delete duplicates.
1. Click "Start"> "Control Panel"> "Hardware and Sound"> "Device Manager". If prompted, please allow to continue.
2. Click the plus sign (+) next to "Sound, Video and Game Controller" in the list and check if there is a sound card item with the same name.
