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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

80+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

40+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

61 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-07-27T00:42:01+00:00

    control panel -> dell audio -> switch off microphone enhancements

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-01T23:07:10+00:00

    Not very elegant but solved the frustration:

    Step 1: Download the free nircmd utility from http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/nircmd.html

    Step 2: Run this command: nircmdc.exe loop 172800 500 setsysvolume 5899 microphone

    This command sets the microphone volume to 9% every 0.5 seconds. Refer to nircmd documentation for exact meaning of the parameters.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-10-24T00:55:10+00:00

    Well,  knowing that this would make no difference...   just to prove the point,  I did everything that you said.   I didn't work!

    Why would it?   This is not a fault.   It is not a driver problem.   It is a "feature" which is both useless and annoying,  yet there appears to be no way to disable it.

    That is all we are asking for.   A way to disable the automatic microphone level.   Can someone PLEASE help with this?

    I know that I am not the only person with this problem and I know that I am not the only one who is annoyed by it.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments