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
    2009-11-15T13:12:05+00:00

    Hi,

    Welcome to Microsoft answers.

    This issue may caused due to improper sound settings or incompatible audio drivers.

    Follow the steps as below and check if that resolves the issue.

    1. Right click on the volume symbol, on the right bottom cornor.
    2. Click on play back devices.
    3. Goto communication and check do nothing.

    You can also check with following steps:

    Step 1: Testing for an audio signal

    1. Click Start, and then Control Panel.
    2. Click Hardware and Sounds, and then click Managing audio devices...
    3. Click the Recording tab.
    4. To test the microphone, speak into it. To test line-in, send a signal to the line-in port from the source audio device (press play from the audio player). Look at the gray bars next to the device name on the recording tab:
    5. If the gray bars next to the device name change to green, this device is active and an audio signal is being passed through the microphone or line-in port. This step shows that problem is related to sound settings in the software that uses the microphone. If you have not already done so, set the selected device to default and adjust the levels. Once the device is set to default and the levels are set, use and adjust the sound recording or voice carrying software.
    6. If the gray bars remain gray and inactive, the device is not recognizing a signal. Leave the recording tab open and go to the next step.

    Step 2: Check volume levels and mute.

    1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
    2. Click Hardware and Sound.
    3. Click Sound.
    4. Select Speakers, and then click Properties.
    5. Click the Levels tab.
    6. Click the Muted button next to Microphone and any other line-in that is muted.
    7. Use the slider bar to raise the level for Microphone and each line-in to at least 75.
    8. Click OK.

    Let us know if you have any issues.

    Thanks and Regards,

    Azam - Microsoft Support.

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-11-15T15:52:36+00:00

    I did all of the above steps, but when using Live Messenger it still automatically adjusts the levels when the sound going into the microphone is too loud.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-10-23T13:19:16+00:00

    I note that there is no post on this topic since 2009.   Is this issue still being addressed as I have the same problem?

    It is obviously an automatic microphone level adjust when using Windows 7 with Windows Live Messenger and it is a real pain.   There is certainly no obvious way to disable it.

    If I am talking to friends and there is a loud noise in the room the microphone level goes down by itself and nobody can hear me until I manually turn it back up.

    It is a constant battle with a mic level control with a mind of it's own and it's intensely annoying!

    I personally like to make my own decisions and I really need to find a solution for this problem.

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