Windows 11 Input Device volume automatically lowering every time

Anonymous
2023-03-20T16:22:20+00:00

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

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings

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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-04-24T20:03:58+00:00

    I just did the chrome fix that many have been suggesting. I have a feeling that is going to be the fix for me as well, as I sometimes take browser based meetings.

    That said, I have ALSO encountered this problem separately in the past. The problem was originating from Microsoft Teams (see screenshow below).

    Turning off the "Automatically adjust mic sensitivity" setting fixed it for me when I had encountered this same issue in the past!

    Zoom also has a similar setting (but Zoom never caused me any issues!). I think Zoom's setting was localized to within the software, whereas team's input gain control literally changes the setting in Windows (affecting every other app which uses your microphone as well).

    Hope this helps someone else out there.

    Image

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-23T18:19:53+00:00

    The fact that so many people keep posting in this thread after so many posts and a solution is not found is quite disappointing. It is clear that those that are having an issue with their browser are not experiencing the same issue as other people. For they have obviously tried those suggestions and have not been able to fix their problem. As someone that has tried everything suggested in this thread, I can convey the same frustration many users have here. There is no solution and Microsoft has still not fixed this bug nor acknowledge it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-04-23T18:04:48+00:00

    I have tried your "fixes" numerous times and I still have Windows 11 lowering my microphone volume. Your solutions do not work period. Please fix this issue as it is on your end.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-04-19T22:30:10+00:00

    In case this helps anyone : in my case, the cause was a third-party application I use to limit maximal volume for health/security reasons (Sound Locker). In my case, it was not caused by Chrome/Opera nor by Windows 11 settings.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-04-17T14:54:09+00:00

    > "Allow WebRTC to adjust the input volume" = DISABLE (set to disable)

    This was the solution for me! Chrome was the culprit after all. I'd been trying to figure out this issue for 3 months. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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