Issue with Microphone Volume with Intel SST on Windows 11 24H2

Anonymous
2025-01-22T12:38:06+00:00

Hello everyone,

I’m using a ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 and recently ran into an issue after upgrading to Windows 11 version 24H2. The microphone volume is incredibly low, making voice communication nearly impossible on apps like Discord or during calls.

After thorough troubleshooting, including reinstalling Windows, I identified the problem: a compatibility issue between Windows 11 24H2 and Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) audio drivers. The "Audio Enhancements" option, typically found under System > Sound > Microphone Properties, is also missing in this version.

When I revert to Windows 11 version 23H2, the microphone works perfectly, and the "Audio Enhancements" option reappears. However, updating to 24H2 causes the issue to resurface, which aligns with previous reports of Intel SST causing compatibility problems on Windows 11.

I submitted feedback through the Feedback Hub app, but I haven’t received any updates or acknowledgment yet. For now, I’ve reverted to version 23H2, but I hope Microsoft and Intel can address this with a driver update or patch soon.

If anyone has found a workaround or has more information, please share it here.

Thank you!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | 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

55 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2025-02-28T13:03:46+00:00

    I'll test it this weekend and let you know!

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-01T11:43:52+00:00

    Hi,

    Unfortunately, the new driver didn't show on Windows Update after the 24h2 upgrade. Also, I tested on Discord, and the problem still persists.

    I think we'll have to wait a little more for the x1 extreme gen 5 to get the update.

    I rolled back (again...) to 23h2.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-01T14:57:49+00:00

    For whatever it's worth, I'm on a Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (9th Gen), and I've been checking manually for Windows updates every day since this broke, and I still haven't seen any Intel updates come through on my end either for 24H2. Hopefully soon, but I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in being stuck between having to roll back a year or waiting for a fix to come through so mics work in Discord and elsewhere again. :/

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-01T15:19:36+00:00

    Thanks for keeping us posted.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2025-03-02T13:29:35+00:00

    Thank you very much.

    I appreciate that you tested and shared results, it saved at least my time, and I believe not only mine. 🙏

    Let's wait for success stories from ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 owners.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments