When using my microphone, the microphone level automatically adjusts.

Anonymous
2009-11-14T15:52:58+00:00

In order to fix it temporarily I have to right click the speaker icon in the tray, go to recording devices, double click my mic, go to the levels tab and readjust it. It becomes a huge problem when talking with the mic and the level goes from 100 down to 20 randomly and all of a sudden I can't be heard.

Sometimes it goes down right away, and I don't see a checkbox to disable this automatic adjustment.

I have unchecked allowing applications to take exclusive control but I'm not sure this is actually related.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2010-10-24T12:30:47+00:00

This has also had no affect on the problem.   Again I knew this would not help.   You see,  the above suggestion merely stops communications software adjusting the volume of other software items.

This problem is not related to the output volume of software being auto-adjusted.   It is to do with theinput level (sensitivity) of the microphone being auto-adjusted.

To try and clarify where the problem lies,  the input level that you see when you right click speaker icon,  select 'Recording Devices',  click the 'Recording' tab,  select the 'Microphone' and click 'Properties',  then click on the 'Levels' tab.   It is the 'Microphone' level there that is auto-adjusting.

Please note that this problem is related to the Microphone Input level.  Not a volume output level.

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Anonymous
2010-10-30T12:05:40+00:00

Hi gerri,

To further clarify, are you saying that the volume slider in the microphone properties (pictured below) is auto-adjusting:

If yes, do you see the slider moving on it's on?

If yes, this is not a function of Windows 7 that I am aware of.

I suggest uninstalling Skype temporarily and restarting the computer to see if the issue resolves.

Chris

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-12-07T14:59:27+00:00

    This doesn't work.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-12-07T14:58:41+00:00

    This is absolutely incredible.  I just upgraded to windows 7 64 and I was doing really well with voice calls via google talk on XP.  Windows 7 just kills this.

    Here's the scenario:

    Using jawbone nerd.  Set microphone level up to 100%.  Call comes in, I answer it.  Microphone level drops down to 12% and creeps up to 20, 21 max.

    I tried all the settings, set "do nothing" on the communications tab, looked in chat settings in gmail, there's nothing.

    MICROSOFT, FIX THIS.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-11-22T17:22:12+00:00

    I have the same problem when using Google Talk with my Bluetooth headset. It's too bad that this problem has not been solved. Turns out that when using other 3rd party software, I tried audacity, this does not happen. So the Microsoft drone is correct when saying that windows does not auto adjust the level, but then why is there no option of preventing 3rd party applications from doing so? This would solve all of our problems, however, there is no option for this. Even disabling the check-box that allows applications to take exclusive control of recording devices does not prevent them from changing the level. VERY ANNOYING!!!

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