My microphone suddenly started being recognized as an output sound device and I can't get it back. How do I fix this?

Anonymous
2025-05-29T00:02:50+00:00

I have a Windows 11 home, Dell laptop Inspiron 15 3520. haven't called from my computer in a good 4-5 months, and when I tried recently my friends told me that the sound was bad, to which I checked which microphone was in use(I have a specialized microphone, a microphone built into the headphones, and the microphone built into the computer), I couldn't find the specialized microphone. I know it previously worked because of the calling and other projects for school where I recorded myself using the microphone.

I checked settings and the microphone(which shouldn't, to my knowledge, have an output feature--and also I tried "testing output" and nothing happened) was in the output section, no where to be seen in the input.

I searched up common issues and solutions, such as going to device manager and uninstalling the device, restarting the computer, and re-plugging the device(didn't work), and it was suggested maybe the port(3.5mm jack) was the issue, so I bought an adapter to plug into a usb-a slot and still only came up as an output. Then I tried reinstalling the RealTek driver but couldn't find any RealTek drivers available.

My only guess as to the cause of this is a previous Windows update(as there have been quite a lot in the past few months) deleted a required driver, but now I can't even find the driver needed. I'm also struggling to find previous updates/drivers.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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Ivan B 124.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-06-02T20:36:15+00:00

Hi ,

Now the drivers are correct, it could probably be a fault with the microphone you are trying to use.

The microphone you are trying to use has a Jack output. You tested it by connecting it directly to the laptop. It didn't work. You bought a USB adapter and it isn't recognizing the USB adapter, so I believe it is a fault with the microphone itself, not the laptop.

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  1. Ivan B 124.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-06-02T05:37:07+00:00

    Hi ,

    Strange, yours should recognize Realtek.

    Access device manager > sound, video and game controllers. Take a screenshot and post it here.

    Independent Advisor - Community

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-06-02T05:34:17+00:00

    Why is yours lit up like that?

    Mine is, if I had to describe it dull, and I can't adjust anything. Does it have something to do with the "current default playback device is not supported"?

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  3. Ivan B 124.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-06-02T05:29:28+00:00

    Hi ,

    If yours doesn't work, the Realtek console, what works is Wavemax, it has to open and there will be an option to select output device and you can select the type of input, which should be speakers or headset.

    Independent Advisor - Community

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-06-02T05:26:20+00:00

    The waves audio app is the same as the one from before, I believe the cirrus downloaded correctly but the Realtek one says that the driver does not support my system.

    *oh and I can't close the cirrus pop set up
    There's only two options, one says "uninstall" and the other says "close" but when I press close a pop up saying "are you sure you want to cancel?" appears

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