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
    2016-04-29T16:48:24+00:00

    Problem with step 7.

    I can't move the bar at all... it lights up when i put the cursor on it but it doesn't move.

    What am i to do?

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-02-28T15:58:37+00:00

    This is why my friends and I use Skype now. The program gives one the simple option to have their mic settings auto-adjust or not.

    As shown by this quoted post from 2011, this thread was originally about Windows Live Messenger which didn't have a way to disable the microphone volume auto-adjust. This problem doesn't exist with their new Skype software because the it allows one to disable this feature.

    Thread had essentially fulfilled its purpose now.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-02-28T05:28:45+00:00

    Go into Skype > Tools > Options > Audio Settings, uncheck "Automatically adjust microphone settings". That fixed it for me. Good luck!

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