Windows 11 Input Device volume automatically lowering every time

Anonymous

On Windows 11 every time I connect my headset to the PC (usually I use speakers, but put on a hs if I have a call) Windows automatically turns it down to 50-ish level which makes me really quiet. So I open Settings>System>Sound and adjust the general input volume to 100 + I adjust the specific mic volume to 100 in device details.

I kept seeing that volume drop right in the middle of a call, so I went to the advanced device setting and forbid exclusive control. Now Windows can't change the device volume but it still lowers the System>Sound input section volume all the time. How do I prevent this from happening? This is really annoying.

As a footnote, I wanted to say that this stuff is really getting out of hand. We have an old-style advanced settings window where we can adjust the mic level. Now we have new style Sound settings where we can adjust device input volume and on top of that, we have an overall system input volume (the one I have problems with). Add to that every piece of software has its own input settings often with an auto-adjust option. So it's as thick as 4 levels of volume controls and 3 of those can auto-adjust. 2 levels do it without the user's consent. This is just ridiculous.

Upd:
To clarify

End software is not the issue, I made sure of that
Exclusive control is disabled
Disabled audio enhancements
-"Do nothing" under "When Windows detects communications activity" is selected
Settings > System > Sound > My headset microphone is set to 100 manually but drops on activity
Settings > System > Sound > Input section overall Volume slider keeps dropping during conversations

So it doesn't solve the problem, auto-adjusting still occurs. If that might help, I'm using Arctis 7 wireless headphones, so I constantly turn them on and off, not if it can affect settings somehow.

For context, here is what it looks like when I'm talking - see video

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61 answers

Anonymous

2024-07-06T23:13:51+00:00

In my case, there's keyboard issue.

The wheel key for volume control of the keyboard haven't worked properly.

It took very long time and did lots of tests to find out this cause but sometimes you can find the answer at the very unexpected area.
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Anonymous

2024-06-24T15:59:49+00:00

This absolutely 100% did nothing to help out with my problem, the volume still goes down on its own.
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JosephT71 9,220 Reputation points

2024-05-11T18:31:11+00:00

If you people want to set your gain structure correctly, then try this if you are using a 3.5mm headset on a realtek chipset. Setting the mic volume to 100 is incorrect.

First, go and watch a few gain staging videos on youtube.

Right mouse click to get to dB. Microphone Boost is your mic pre-amp. The top mic volume is your fader, usually 50 is your 0 dB (mine is at 47).

Realtek audio chipsets usually have a 13-14 dB headroom, so if you are using a 3.5mm mic on your computer, set your mic to be around -13/-14 dBFS on your DAW. 1.4 volt is 2.92 dBV. The standard operating level for consumer electronics is -10 dBV. Therefore a Realtek audio chipset will give you 13 dB of headroom (from -10 dBV to +2.92 dBV).

So speaking normally in a DAW and you should aim for -13 dBFS in the signal meter by changing your mic boost and the fader.

This is the correct gain structure for you microphone. Only after you adjust to the correct gain structure then you can disable automatic mic gain control. The volume of your microphone audio playback is a different matter.
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Anonymous

2024-05-11T17:57:16+00:00
Hi Serhii D.，

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

You can use the following methods to try to solve the problem of automatic audio lightening.

Disable "Automatically adjust microphone settings" in communication software: In applications like Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Teams, you might find an option to "Automatically adjust microphone settings" or a similar feature. Make sure to disable this option in all of your communication software.

Disable "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" and "Give exclusive mode applications priority":

Right-click on the speaker icon in the system tray and select "Sounds."

Navigate to the "Recording" tab.

Right-click on your headset microphone and choose "Properties."

In the "Advanced" tab, uncheck both "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" and "Give exclusive mode applications priority."

Click "Apply" and then "OK."

Disable audio enhancements:

Navigate back to your microphone's "Properties" window.

In the "Enhancements" tab, check "Disable all sound effects" or "Disable all enhancements" (the wording may vary).

Click "Apply" and then "OK."

Adjust Communications settings in Windows:

Right-click on the speaker icon in the system tray and select "Sounds."

Navigate to the "Communications" tab.

Select "Do nothing" under "When Windows detects communications activity."

Click "Apply" and then "OK."

Adjust your microphone's volume levels in Windows:

Go to Settings > System > Sound.

Under "Input," select your headset microphone.

Adjust the volume slider to your desired level.

Click on "Device properties" and adjust the volume slider under "Levels" as well.

If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards,

Manson - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist
Have always done this and it never helps. This is definitely a windows issue and it's very annoying.
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Reported

Anonymous

2024-04-24T20:56:10+00:00

Thank you!!! This was exactly what I was looking for! Appreciate your help!
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