When using my microphone, the microphone level automatically adjusts.

Anonymous

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.

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Anonymous

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

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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61 additional answers

Anonymous

2011-02-22T03:23:25+00:00

I have exactly the same issue, I open Windows Live Messenger and video chat with people, and open "Sound Manager", switch to "Microphone", yelling to the microphone, I can see the progress bar slided to low volume.

This is REALLY bad experience!
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Anonymous

2011-04-19T22:52:06+00:00

This is absolutely AMAZING,   that Microsoft cannot apprecaite the issue here.

MSN Messeneger has Automatic Level Control on the Microphone, and the Application alters the Mic Recording slider AUTOMATICALLY.

In many case, this UNDESIRABLE (for many reasons), and there should be a way to turn this Automatic adjustment of the Microphone level OFF.

In any case, it is a BAD design.

(1) Any AVC in Messenger, should be in Messenger, and the user should have the option to turn it off.

(2) Messenger should NOT be adjusting the Computers MIxer panel Mic Level in any case, and potentially changing it, to mess up any other applications use.

Microsoft keeps "spewing out" MESSENGER UPDATES, that add useless functionality that I do not want,   --- why can't Microsoft FIX this basic issue, and give MESSENGER an OPTION not to automatically adjust the Mic Level ????????

{sigh}

Geoff
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Anonymous

2011-05-10T09:26:39+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.
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