Windows 8.1 USB microphone volume is extremely low

Anonymous
2014-03-14T02:41:12+00:00

I have a Samson C01U USB mic. It is a plug-and-play microphone. There are no drivers for it. There is no firmware for it. You just plug it in, and it works.

This mic has always worked perfectly. When I used Windows 7, I set the volume level of it to about 40-50% and everything sounded crisp, clear, and loud. On Windows 8, it is inaudible unless I set the volume to 90% but even at that point it is not loud enough. Setting it to 100% results in a lot of noise in the background.

This is not the first time someone has brought this issue up as it is extremely common to everyone owning a USB plug-and-play mic:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1323451/windows-8-mic-issue

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/2da97f80-f58b-4635-acbf-9dd7292ed752/microphone-very-low-volume?forum=w8itprohardware

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_8-hardware/low-usb-microphone-recording-volume-at2020/9528f797-65c8-4033-a4d6-39995cd0d074

Has there ever been a fix for this issue?

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
2014-07-31T00:46:56+00:00

Hi,

Thank you for the reply.

As you have mentioned that you have checked the issue with other microphone but you still face this issue. We have already tried to uninstall and reinstall the drivers. I suspect this issue to be a hardware issue. Check the issue with a local technician.

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.
0 comments

121 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-01-04T16:29:34+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for the reply and update.

    Request you to plug in the USB device directly to the USB port located at the back of the computer instead of the hub and check the status.

    Keep us informed to help you further.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-02T16:59:13+00:00

    I can't even get my Windows 8.1 to recognize my Samson c01u USB mic. Are the USB hubs not strong enough to even power the mic? I get an "unrecognized device" when I plug it in.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-01-02T06:42:35+00:00

    Hi,

    You need to plug in the device and then remove the corresponding USB driver from the Device Manager associated with that device. This way you will not disable other devices connected to the computer.

    Ensure to have the latest software for the Samson C01U microphone.

    Cheers.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-12-30T10:47:04+00:00

    Srimadhwa B, won't following your steps disable my mouse and keyboard, given they're connected via USB, meaning that I can't disable further devices or reboot the computer (safely)?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments