Built in Microphone device not recognized. Windows 10

[Schmidt1234]

I can't locate a microphone/audio driver to download for Windows 10 for my laptop.  I looked at the available drivers on the HP website and none of them are audio/microphone.  My laptop is not recognizing its built in mic.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Schmidt1234,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

I checked the HP support information for the HP 17 Laptop PC 17-cp3000 (9Q8Z1AV). The important point is that HP's current driver page for this model lists Windows 11 as the supported operating system; Windows 10 is not listed. When an operating system is not listed, HP does not provide drivers for that operating system for the product.
 

The built-in microphone is part of the notebook's dual-array digital microphone system, so you normally would not need a separate "microphone driver." The microphone is handled through the system's audio driver.
 

If you are currently running Windows 10, I would first check whether Windows is detecting the audio hardware:

1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Audio inputs and outputs.
3. Look for Microphone or an audio device.
4. Also expand Sound, video and game controllers.
5. If an audio device is listed with a down-arrow, right-click it and select Enable device.
6. Right-click the audio device and select Update driver.
7. Select Search automatically for drivers. 

If the microphone is listed under Audio inputs and outputs, right-click it and check its status. If it is disabled, enable it and test the microphone again.
 

You can also check Control Panel > Sound > Recording. Right-click an empty area and make sure Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices are selected. If the microphone appears disabled, right-click it and select Enable.
 

One other important point: if this laptop was originally supplied with Windows 11, I would recommend checking the microphone under Windows 11 before looking for an unsupported Windows 10 driver. HP's current support page for the exact 9Q8Z1AV model provides Windows 11 drivers, but not Windows 10 drivers.
 

If the microphone is completely missing from Device Manager, let me know exactly what is listed under Audio inputs and outputs and Sound, video and game controllers. A screenshot of those two sections would be useful so we can determine whether Windows is detecting the built-in microphone at all.

Take care and have an amazing day!