Solved Strange microphone muting issue

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Ginger-Overlord

PCHF Member
Jul 15, 2024
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Hi,

I have a USB headset/microphone that I use on my desktop PC (Windows 10) when I'm working from home. Today when I plugged the headset into the PC the mute light was instantly lit and (obviously) no one could hear me when I attempted to speak to them on a call. Also, I was unable to turn mute off when I pressed the mute button on the headset control. I knew this couldn't be the headset that was malfunctioning as I had used it the day before without any issues. Luckily, I had my works laptop with me so I booted that up with the same Google account and software settings as my desktop. Interestingly, when i plugged the headset into the laptop the microphone was fine.
Frustratingly, I threw away a perfectly good headset a few months ago because of the same issue, I never had my laptop with me on that occasion to test the headset out on and just assumed that the headset was broken.

This has puzzled me as my headset was working fine on my desktop for the past few months but all of a sudden this mute problem as reoccurred.

Thanks in advance.

Ginger-Overlord
 
  • Open the Windows Start menu and click on "Settings" (the gear icon).
  • In the Settings window, click on "Privacy & Security".
  • In the left sidebar, scroll down and click on "Microphone" under "App permissions".
  • At the top of the Microphone settings page, you'll see a switch labeled "Allow apps to access your microphone". Make sure this switch is turned ON.
  • If it was off, turn it on and test your headset again.
  • Below this main switch, you'll see another option: "Allow desktop apps to access your microphone". Ensure this is also turned ON.
  • Scroll down to see a list of apps that can access your microphone. Make sure any communication apps you use (like Zoom, Teams, Skype, etc.) have permission to use the microphone.
  • If you've made any changes, restart your computer and test your headset again.
  • If the problem persists, there's one more privacy setting to check. Go back to the main Settings page and click on "System".
  • In the left sidebar, click on "Sound".
  • Scroll down to the "Input" section and make sure your headset is selected as the input device.
  • Click on "Device properties" under your headset's name.
  • Make sure the "Disable" option is not selected.
  • There should be a checkbox that says "Allow apps to access this device". Make sure this is checked.
 
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Hi,

Thank you for your response.

I have tried your suggestions, the mute button remains lit.
This is strange as I've not changed any settings on my PC and the headset works perfectly fine on another machine.

Not sure what I can do.

Thanks for looking anyhow.
 
Hi,

In device manager - audio inputs and outputs - my two monitors are shown? I don't use my monitors for audio inputs or output, can I disable these?

Thanks.
 
Hi,

Fixed it. For anyone else having problems with their microphone instantly being muted by Windows:
Go into your sound settings/recording settings/properties/levels - make sure that your mic hasn't been turned off

Capture.webp


Many thanks.
 
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