Built In Microphone Mutes When Audio Is Playing

[RoyalSilk]

I have a new HP laptop - an HP - Pavilion 15-cw1598sa 15.6” AMD Ryzen 7 Laptop  running WIndows 10.  The built in microphone records my voice fine, but mutes every time I play an audio file.  It picks up the first half second of the audio, then just mutes.  It can be heard very softly in the background with volume up to maximum.  If I speak, the mic picks up my voice again fine.

If I'm taking a class over Zoom I cannot play any pieces!

• The Troubleshooting tool cannot find anything wrong.
• I have checked the Privacy settings, they're OK
• I have not uninstalled the microphone driver because when I open the device manager --> ‘Audio Inputs and Outputs’ --> Left-click on recording device, I'm not given an option to Uninstall the driver, only to uninstall the device.

I am using NCH Wavepad software but the problem is the same using the standard Voice Recorder software which comes with Windows 10.  It's not unique to the NCH Wavepad software 

Help!

[Riddle_Decipher · Accepted solution]

@RoyalSilk This seems to be caused due to a malware, I suggest you run an anti-malware scan and let us know if that fixes the issue,

Also, try creating a new user account, if nothing works, perform a system restore to an earlier time this issue hadn't shown its ugly face: click here for steps,

Here's a related post with the solution confirmed by another user: click here

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

Keep us posted,

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[RoyalSilk]

Hi - thanks for your speedy response.  Your help is appreciated.  Not there yet.  I have run a full Malware scan - nothing found.  I reinstalled the Realtek drivers - no change.  I updated the Firmware.  This did bring a change, and it does record it but not consistently (sometimes it still mutues) and the resulting sound when it does record is very tinny and the sound quality is terrible.  As soon as I speak into the microphone directly, it's fine.   I have yet to try as a diffefent user.   Further thoughts?   It's clearly a software issues, not a hardware one?    

[Riddle_Decipher]

@RoyalSilk Well, if the firmware/driver update has partially resolved the issue, it does look like a software concern, not a hardware, to be sure, here's what I suggest, after you check the other user account, test the microphone using the windows recorder for clarity: click here for steps

Keep me posted!

[RoyalSilk]

OK - fixed it!

Thanks for your help.

I went down the checklist and what cleared it was "disabling all sound effects" in the  "Resolving microphone issues by disabling enhancements" section.   My in built microphone now works fine - not only is the overall sound quality better but it no longer mutes when it detects audio playback.

I have one additional question - does my model of laptop also support an external microphone (which is not part of a headset)?  And if so what sort of connection do I need for it?

[Riddle_Decipher]

That's awesome, I'm glad its been sorted,

That said, as per the product specifications for your device: click here to verify  you have 1 headphone/microphone combo, which means if you have an external microphone, you'll needd to use the same port for the headphones, it's either a microphone or an headset that you'll need to use.

I hope that answers your query,  

If it did, simply select "Accept as solution", to help the community grow, 

And if you wish to thank us for our efforts, click on the thumbs up for kudos.

Have a great day ahead.