One of the issues that you might experience with your Windows 10 computer is when the microphone keeps muting itself. This can happen randomly and anytime, such as when you are currently doing a live stream or when you are on a VoIP call. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will be showing you how to fix this problem.
How To Fix Microphone Keeps Muting Itself Issue
Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.
There are several factors that can cause this particular problem ranging from a malware infection to a misconfigured setting. Listed below are the recommended troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this problem.
Scan for malware
One of the main factors that can cause this problem is a computer that is infected with malware. To check if this is what’s causing the problem you should use a malware scanner and remover such as malwarebytes.
- Press Windows logo key + I on your keyboard to open Settings.
- Select Update & Security > Recovery .
- Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
- After your PC restarts to Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. You may be asked to enter your BitLocker recovery key.
- After your PC restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Select 4 or press F4 to start your PC in Safe Mode. Or if you’ll need to use the Internet, select 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
- Download Malwarebytes from here https://www.malwarebytes.com/ and install it in your computer.
- After setup finishes installation, Malwarebytes will launch, and start checking for updates.
- Once it has finished checking updates click the Scan Option and choose Custom Scan.
- Put a check mark on all the boxes; and choose your drives from the right pane. Then click Scan Now.
- After the scan has finished; it will detect and list the malwares. You can then quarantine all from here to remove them.
- Reboot your computer normally.
Check if the microphone keeps muting itself issue still occurs.
Check for misconfigured settings
Sometimes this issue can be caused by wrong settings. Follow the steps listed below to check if this is the case.
- Locate the Volume icon on the right part of your taskbar, right-click on it and open Playback devices.
- Navigate to the Communications tab and click on the “Do nothing” radio button.
If the issue persists then continue with the following steps.
- Open Control Panel by searching for it.
- Use the View by Category view and click on Hardware and Sound.
- Under the Sound section, open Managing audio devices.
- Switch to the Recording tab and make any sound.
- If the green bars appear then device is working properly and the problem is not caused by faulty hardware.
- If the bars remain grey then the microphone itself could be defective. You should consider replacing this.
You should also check if the microphone switch is off
- Open Control Panel by searching for it.
- Use the View by Category view and click on Hardware and Sound.
- Open Control Panel by searching for it.
- Use the View by Category view and click on Hardware and Sound.
- Under the Sound section, open Managing audio devices.
Check if the microphone keeps muting itself issue still occurs.
If the issue still occurs then perform the additional setting tweaks.
- Click on the Sound option in Control Panel >> Hardware and Sounds
- Switch to the Recording tab, right-click on the active microphone and open Properties.
- Navigate to the Advanced tab and turn off the “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” option.
- Apply these changes and see if the issue remained.
You also have to check if the audio format is supported by your microphone.
- Right-click on the Volume button located at the right part of your taskbar and open Recording devices.
- Right-click on the microphone you are using and navigate to the Advanced tab.
- Under the Default Format option, choose any of the 16 bit options and check if your microphone is working properly.
Reinstall the audio driver
If the problem is caused by an issue with the audio driver then you will have to reinstall this.
- Right-click on the Start button in the taskbar area and then click Device Manager to open the same.
- In the Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- You should now see your audio driver name. Most likely you have Realtek High Definition Audio. Right-click on it and then click Uninstall device option.
- You will now get the following confirmation dialog. Select Delete the driver software for this device checkbox and then Yes button when you see the confirmation dialog to go ahead and Uninstall the device driver.
- Restart your PC once. Download the latest version of the audio driver from your PC manufacturer’s website and run the installer to install the same.
Check if the microphone keeps muting itself issue still occurs.
Perform a clean boot
In case the issue still persists then this could be caused by a third party application that’s running on your computer. To check if this is the case, you will need to perform a clean boot.
- Log in to the computer with an Administrator account.
- Press “Windows” + “R” to open up the “RUN” prompt.
- Type in “msconfig” and press “Enter“
- Click on the “Services” option and uncheck the “Hide all Microsoft Services” button.
- Click on the “Disable All” option and then on “OK“.
- Click on the “Startup” tab and click on the “Open Task Manager” option
- Click on the “Startup” button in the task manager.
- Click on any application in the list that has “Enabled” written next to it and select the “Disable” option.
- Repeat this process for all applications in the list and restart your computer.
- The computer is now booted in the “Clean Boot” state.
- Use the computer in this state and check to see if the issue goes away.
- If the issue goes away, repeat the above process and enable one service at a time.
- If issue comes back after enabling a service then this is what’s causing the problem.
Check if the microphone keeps muting itself issue still occurs.