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
    2017-10-17T18:35:14+00:00

    I have this problem also.  When I have the Win7 Sounds microphone recording level tool displayed and adjust the level for best non distorted recording level (65) and start VoiceAttack, the slider jumps down to 33.

    There is no option settings in this program to control this behavior.  It would be helpful if there was a setting in Windows which would LOCK LOCK LOCK the position on the microphone recording level so NO application can touch it.

    I have BOTH exclusive mode boxes unchecked.

    -Pv-

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-10T19:28:40+00:00

    I had the same problem and I just fixed it.

    Go to skype >>> Tools >>> Options >>> Audio settings

    Remove the auto adjusting of the microphone and that should fix it. It's skype that's causing the problem.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-10-24T01:43:23+00:00

    Right-click on the speaker icon near the far right of the Taskbar. Select 'Recording Devices'. Select the 'Communications' tab and change the setting to 'Do Nothing'. Click 'Apply'. The default setting is 'Reduce the volume of other sounds by 80%'.

     

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