Disconnected Realtek Internal Microphone

Question

Disconnected Realtek Internal Microphone

Erica 25

Ok, so I have an Acer Aspire A515-57 and my built-in/internal mic is showing up as not plugged in.

As of writing this post, I have tried updating my drivers as well as restarting AND resetting my laptop. I'm pretty sure this isn't a hardware issue (there's a SMALL chance it might be it be, although I wouldn't even know how to fix that).

Realtek High Definition Audio doesn't appear anywhere and updating the drivers didn't do anything. It seems a little silly to me that a built-in/internal mic can be unplugged?

Anyways, if anyone has any suggestions on how I can fix this, I'd appreciate it

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Update. 2026-07-17.
Okay, it was a device/driver that was added in a recent update that had my stuff defaulting to the new version instead of the 2023 version (which the mic didn't like the 2026 version for some reason). Just had to force uninstall the 2026 version for the microphone to show up properly again

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Answer accepted by question author

Thomas4-N 22,010 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Erica,

I think the “not plugged in” Realtek entry may refer to the 3.5 mm headset microphone jack, not necessarily the built-in microphone. The built-in microphone should normally appear separately as Microphone Array.

This might involve the Intel Smart Sound Technology/Realtek driver stack. Please check:

Open Device Manager and expand System devices.
Look for Intel Smart Sound Technology OED.
Check whether it has a warning icon or shows Code 43 under Properties > Device status.

If Code 43 appears, I would suggest you download and install the audio driver package for the exact A515-57 submodel from Acer website.

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Erica 25 Reputation points

2026-07-17T22:37:40.4466667+00:00

I feel like this almost solved my problem, it still shows code 43 after installing the driver package. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling already, though, and the cables seem fine from what I can see? I dunno, it seems strange to me it isn't being picked up?
Thomas4-N 22,010 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-18T10:45:50.55+00:00

Hello Erica,

I noticed that after your comment about Code 43 remaining, you updated the original question to say that removing the newer 2026 driver and returning to the 2023 version restored the microphone.

That makes sense because Code 43 can appear when a device driver fails to start correctly. It seems the newer driver was incompatible with your laptop’s Intel Smart Sound/Realtek audio stack, while the older driver allowed the microphone hardware to be detected again.

Just to confirm, is the microphone now working normally and has Code 43 disappeared? If so, thank you for sharing with the community.
Erica 25 Reputation points

2026-07-18T18:44:49.9633333+00:00

Yea, removing the newer driver fixed my problem! Everything's working normally now.

1 additional answer

Your answer

Erica 25 Reputation points

2026-07-17T22:37:40.4466667+00:00

I feel like this almost solved my problem, it still shows code 43 after installing the driver package. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling already, though, and the cables seem fine from what I can see? I dunno, it seems strange to me it isn't being picked up?
Thomas4-N 22,010 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-18T10:45:50.55+00:00

Hello Erica,

I noticed that after your comment about Code 43 remaining, you updated the original question to say that removing the newer 2026 driver and returning to the 2023 version restored the microphone.

That makes sense because Code 43 can appear when a device driver fails to start correctly. It seems the newer driver was incompatible with your laptop’s Intel Smart Sound/Realtek audio stack, while the older driver allowed the microphone hardware to be detected again.

Just to confirm, is the microphone now working normally and has Code 43 disappeared? If so, thank you for sharing with the community.
Erica 25 Reputation points

2026-07-18T18:44:49.9633333+00:00

Yea, removing the newer driver fixed my problem! Everything's working normally now.

Answer 1

JosephT71 9,220

Your laptop's internal mic is part of the webcam module, NOT the realtek module. That's why it is listed as not plugged in because that is for the 3.5mm headset mic or 3.5mm lapel mic.

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/732609/an515-57-unable-to-use-realtek-audio-mic-microphone-array-it-suddenly-stopped-working

Erica 25 Reputation points

2026-07-14T21:40:10.1066667+00:00

Okay, that makes more sense then!

It's pretty likely there's something else going on though, because it seems like the camera is being picked up just fine! So I assume it's probably a cable somewhere? Or maybe it's an update that really messed with it?
JosephT71 9,220 Reputation points

2026-07-15T02:36:38.8566667+00:00

I don't know. Can you watch a youtube video and hear the sound? Can you do video conference with your laptop with the webcam and other people can hear you?

Perhaps going to the acer forum may give you more help.
Erica 25 Reputation points

2026-07-15T02:55:49.9+00:00

My video and the rest of my laptop audio seems to work just fine, it's literally just the microphone that seems like it's disconnected? It seems really strange to me too honestly.

I'll give the acer forums a go for sure, though