Audio only either maxed or mute and no microphone

[CarrieLi]

I have two related problems.

1. I can change the volume slider from 0-100 in Windows, but everything from 1-100 sounds the same.

2. The only input device is Realtek(R) Audio Stereo Mix, which is disabled by default, but when I enable it and perform the microphone test in the settings, it doesn't detect anything.

So far I've tried uninstalling the Realtek(R) drivers, which seemed to work for a moment as the AMD driver seemed to take over, but the Realtek(R) drivers appeared to reinstall itself despite having automatic driver updates disabled in sysdm.cpl.

I've even tried reinstalling windows.

I've contacted Windows support and tried all the troubleshooting they suggested, which was just driver management that I'd mostly already tried.

I've tried solutions in related posts, but they haven't helped.

[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

Hi @CarrieLi 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I can imagine how frustrating it must be to have the audio stuck at either maximum or mute, and no microphone detected, especially after all the effort you’ve already put in with driver reinstalls and even a full Windows reinstall. You’ve been very thorough, and I appreciate the steps you’ve tried. 

Let’s go through a structured set of checks that often help restore proper audio functionality on Windows:

Check Playback Device Settings

• Right‑click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select “Sound settings.”
• Under “Output,” ensure the correct device (your speakers or headphones) is selected.
• Click “Device properties” and confirm balance and enhancements are disabled.

Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter

• Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
• Run the “Playing Audio” troubleshooter and follow the guided steps.

Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers

• Visit HP’s support page for your model and download the latest Realtek audio driver.
  Link: HP Drivers and Downloads
• After installation, restart the computer and test the volume slider again.

Check Microphone Settings

• In Settings > System > Sound, under “Input,” confirm the microphone is listed.
• If only Stereo Mix appears, click “Manage sound devices” and check if other inputs are disabled. Enable them if available.
• Test the microphone in the “Test your microphone” section.

Enable Microphone Privacy Permissions

• Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
• Ensure “Microphone access” and “Let apps access your microphone” are turned on.

Firmware and BIOS Updates

• Sometimes audio issues are tied to outdated BIOS or chipset drivers. Visit HP’s support page for your product and check for updates.
  Link: HP Software and Driver Downloads

Test with External Devices

• Try connecting an external USB headset or microphone. If these work correctly, the issue may be limited to the built‑in audio hardware.

You’ve already done the heavy lifting with resets and driver removals, so the key now is ensuring the correct device is selected, permissions are enabled, and the latest drivers from HP are installed.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[CarrieLi]

I tried Check Playback Device Settings and Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter to no avail. When I tried Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers, which I tried previously, I noticed on the HP download page that Windows 11 25H2 isn't an option, which is the OS version I was using, so I tried rolling back the OS to 24H2 then I installed the driver. I don't know if the OS rollback was necessary, but it worked. Thank you!

[Hawks_Eye]

You are Welcome @CarrieLi 

I’m really glad to hear you were able to get the audio working again—that’s a great outcome after the frustration of having only max volume or mute with no microphone input. Rolling back the OS to 24H2 may not have been strictly necessary, but what mattered most was that you got a driver version installed that the system could recognize and use properly. 

Sometimes HP’s support page lists drivers under earlier OS versions, yet they remain compatible with newer builds, so the rollback simply gave you a clean environment to apply the driver.

To keep things stable going forward:

• Always check the HP driver page for your exact model, even if the OS version listed doesn’t match perfectly.
• Use Windows Update to pull in any supplemental audio patches after installing HP’s driver.
• If you upgrade back to 25H2 later, you can test the same driver without rolling back—it should continue to function.
• The HP App can also help monitor driver updates and keep your audio components aligned with Windows changes.

It’s great that persistence paid off here. 

You're awesome, and I'm honored to have been your go-to guide! 😊

Stay fantastic, and have an amazing day ahead! 

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye