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
    2010-10-23T15:26:04+00:00

    From device manager do right click on sound device then uninstall & restart.

    mohanad

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  2. 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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  3. 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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