line input jack doesn't work

[JamesColeman474]

My line input jack does not work.  When I go to <control panel><sound><recording tab>.  I can see the mic works by watching the level meter.  However, when I plug in a three level audio jack with an audio source the meter does not show any sound.<Properties><Jack Information> says "No Jack Information Available" which seems suspect. However, if I click on <properties> again it says the device is working properly.

Any thoughts!

[A4Apollo]

Hi! @jamescoleman, Thanks for stopping by the HP Support Forums!

I understand that mic stops working when you plug in the Headphones on your PC.

Please try few steps mentioned below.

Go to Control Panel - Select Sound - Recording tab - Click Configure button - Set up microphone - Microphone Setup Wizard.
You will see three choices 1. Headset Microphone 2. Desktop Microphone 3. Other. 
Select Desktop Microphone instead of Headset Microphone

If the issue still persists please provide the product number of your PC.

I will try to find the best driver for your PC.

Hope to hear from your soon!

Cheers! 🙂

[JamesColeman474]

Thank you for your reply.

I am actually trying to record an audio source not use a mic.  In the past I have been able to plug in an audio source, like an IPod, to the mic jack and use the mic jack as a line in jack.

However, I tried your instructions as it sounds like it would make the mic port active in liue of the built in mic. Unfortunately, the setup wizard wants me to read a statement, which I cannot because I do not have a mic to plug in. As a result the setup wizard fails and doesn't switch to Desktop Mic.

Note that my choices are 1. Headset Microphone 2. Desktop Microphone 3. Line ( not Other).  I have been focusing on "Line" as I am wanting to use a line input jack.  I cannot configure "Line" as the configure button is gray/disabled. Line does not have a jack listed under "Jack Information".

I noticed on the Sound/Playback tab, if I plug in a headset it switches from speakers to headset.  WHen I plug in an audio source it does not switch from mic to line.

I am using an HP Touchsmart 320.

Thanks again!

[A4Apollo]

Hey there! @JamesColeman47, thanks for the response.

Thanks for performing the troubleshooting.

Please try the steps recommended below and let me know how it goes.

Connect your audio player to your PC with a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable (“earphone” jacks at both ends.) 
The cable should go from your headphone jack to your portable audio player to the microphone jack on your PC.
Click the Start button, type sound, and click Sound.
Click the Recording tab and double click on your line in (usually Microphone, FrontMic, or something similar.)
Click the Listen tab, check Listen to this device and select Default Playback Device under Playback through this device.
Click OK and enjoy your music without unplugging your speakers every time.

I will watch for your reply.

[JamesColeman474]

Thank you for your reply.

That is exactly what I have been doing many times. I have tried out two sound recorders and I also used the control panel to check the "listen to this device" checkbox for both Mic and Line In, the mic gives feedback because it is the compters mic and there is no sound for line in. I also watch the meters on the Sound Control Panel. Same result.

When I plug in a 3 level jack/3 wire Audio Cable the Control Panel icon for the Mic does not switch from the internal mic to the mic input jack as I believe it should.  I would expect the "Line In" icon to become active in liue of the Mic Icon when I plug in the audio cable.  The line in icon does not become active when I plug in the cable.  In addition the line in properties does not list a port which seems suspect. It sure seems like this is a Windows 10 problem, as I suspect if I had a mic to plug in I could do what you said and configure the mic port to use an external mic. However, line in is not assigned a port so it never activateds when I plug the cable in.

I am attaching some screen prints.  Logically, the line icon should become active when I plug in the audio cable, just like the headset icon becomes active when I plug in a headset. If that is how it is supposed to work, then shouldn't the properties for the line icon should list the mic/line port?

Thanks again for your help!

[A4Apollo]

Hi! @JamesColeman47, thanks for the response.

As you mentioned that even after troubleshooting issue still persists. It looks to be a driver issue.

Please install built in windows 10 driver and check if the issue persists.

Try the steps recommended below.

Start by entering the Device Manager and finding your audio driver as if you were updating it. Right-click the driver and choose Update driver software… to see several update options. Select Browse my computer for driver software, then select Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer. This will bring up a list which will include High Definition Audio Device. This is the generic Windows 10 driver. Select and install it, to see if this restores your sound.

Let me know how it goes!

Cheers! 🙂

[JamesColeman474]

Thank you for your assistance.

I followed your instructions for the Microphone driver and the Line Driver.

My selections for drivers  were "Audio Endpoint" and "Generic Driver"

When I selected Generic, the drivers moved from the "Audio Inputs and Outputs" category to the "Software Devices" category. This did not solve the problem.

I feel like I am missing a piece of the puzzle. I have a microphone driver and a line in driver but only one port. How does the system know if I plug in a mic or a line in audio source so it knows what driver to use? The Line driver does not list a port either which is odd.

Related to the above question. I have a Microphone driver in a Line In driver and I assumed both work off of the microphone port. Some headsets with mic's use a four level jack. Does my computer have three level Jack or a four level Jack for the mic jack? Perhaps if it is a four level jack then a four level mic  jack is supposed to activate the mic driver and a three level jack is supposed to be line in?

If I try to configure the microphone, there is no mention of Line-in.  It is all about speach recognition.

Thanks again for your help!

[A4Apollo]

Hi! @jamescoleman, thanks for the response.

As you mentioned line is still not getting detected on your PC.

It looks to be a headphone port issue.

Please contact HP support for service options.

Link to contact HP.

Have a wonderful day ahead! 🙂

[JamesColeman474]

Thanks, but the link says to use the support forum for free or a phone call would cost money which is a major bummer. I will try to find another device to record with. THanks anyway.

way.

[A4Apollo]

@jamescoleman, thanks for the reply.

One last step I would suggest you is to perform a complete system recovery and check if that helps.

 Refer this article to know how to perform a system recovery.

Hope this helps! 🙂