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
    2012-08-14T11:32:17+00:00

    This is not the issue, in all cases the mic's work. This problem specificly occurs when Messenger is running a mic or cam -session.

    MSN automatic turns down the volume. Since the new Messenger versions, this is not something you can turn off anymore. Even in the mic/cam-setup you can see it turns down your volume. But it keeps doing it while you use it.

    Problem fixed... I bought a MacBook Pro :>

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-10-02T23:43:37+00:00

    I have a similar issue, and it is neither with Skype or Windows Messenger and it is the other way. When I am using Steam or Teamspeak to talk to people and I launch an application Windows turns my mic volume all the way up, My mic is a very sensitive Logitech one so I don't want to make everyone I am talking to go deaf. I want to set it to a level of about 30 and have it remain there forever. Any one find something that definitely fixes this problem? It is really annoying to have to reset the levels every few minutes.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-07T08:08:26+00:00

    Been happily using Skype with my friends who used to always use MSN. I switched because of this Microphone nonsense. Now I find out that Microsoft is to Buy the Skype developers.

    I hope it doesn't result in these type of issues, left unresolved, in Skype.

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