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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!
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.
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. :/
Sure, here you go! Note that neither the microphone nor built-in microphone array are working, nor are the wired headphones without disabling audio enhancements first. I also contacted Lenovo Support, did a system restore, reinstalled all audio drivers, did a Windows 11 repair install, and nothing has fixed it. Unfortunately, the next step Lenovo Support suggested is the go-to factory reset option, which I'm just not prepared to do at this point after all the other troubleshooting time and energy I've expended trying to solve this.
Add me as another who has run into this problem.
Lenovo ThinkPad.
Windows 11 24H2 (clean install).
Microphone Array
Intel Smart Sound Technology for Digital Microphones.
I have to yell to get it to register 20%. Normal volume only registers around 10%.
Normally I have a headset, but currently don't have it. I'm pretty sure this wasn't a problem in the not too distant past.
I'd add my input to Feedback Hub, but clicking on the button to open it does nothing at all. Seems DOA. Is there a Feedback Hub for Feedback Hub per chance?
Hi
So when I went to 24H2 I got the problem but I noticed that the upgrade included a lot of device driver updates and security patches.
So I went back to a recovery point and then used group policy to change windows update to only download and not install updates. I was then able to do a few updates at a time creating recovery points as I went.
That way I was able to upgrade to 24H2 ok
Then I went along with the RealTek, Intel and other drivers a few at a time till I narrowed it down to one which definitely caused it.
Do you get a change to the sound test page for the microphone when the error occurs.
I noticed that the “focus on voice : on/off” option disappeared and was replaced by an “ audio enhancement : default enhancement/ off” option. At that point choosing off killed the sound to almost inaudible.
So although initially it looked like it was the move to Windows 11 24H2 by breaking it down I found the particular update out of over 50 that caused it.
Sorry this wasn’t any help to you.
Jamie
Have similar issue with Lenovo P15s Gen 1 + USB C Dock.
Microphone on jack does not work anymore. Doesn't matter if I plug into docking station or directly to laptop.
