HP ENVY x360 Distorted Microphone

[GatorTwo]

The internal Realtek microphone sounds like it over modulates the sound.  It sounds robotic and distorted.  It shows up on any Web conferencing applications (Zoom, Skype, etc).  None of the advice provided on other related threads about this problem works.  It seems to be a bug in the Realtek driver.  If I use an external USB microphone, the sound is perfect.  I've looked for updated drivers.  This is a real embarrassing bug for HPE, Intel, Realtek.

[praveen196]

@GatorTwo Welcome to HP Community!

I understand that you are facing issues with a microphone.

Do not worry. I will try to fix the issue.

Have you tested the microphone on to different laptop?

Here are a few things you could attempt: 

By default, Windows automatically enables microphones and line-in ports. Use the following steps to set the microphone/line-in port to be the default port and to configure the recording levels: 

1. If the Recording tab in the sound window is not selected, open the Sound window and click the Recording tab using the instructions in Step 1. 

 NOTE: 

Your desktop or notebook PC configuration may include different components then shown here. 

Figure : Example desktop PC with a Realtek on-board audio hardware configuration) 

1. Microphone port -   

2. 

 working and set as Default 

1. Line In - Working 

2. Digital In (S/PDIF port) - Working 

3. Stereo Mix (Software mixer) -   

4. 

 Disabled 

1. If multiple microphones or line-in ports are available, select the port that you want to use. Click Set Default to make this device the default audio input device. 

2. If the device you want to use contains a small circle with an arrow pointing down, the device is disabled. To enable the device, right-click the device name and select Enable. 

3. With the device selected, click Properties, and then click the Levels tab. 

Figure : Microphone Properties: Levels tab 

1. Adjust the slider to 75. 

2. If Mute is on, click the mute button to un-mate the device. The mute button should show as a blue speaker without a red circle. 

3. If Microphone Boost is available, adjust to +20.0 dB. 

4. Click OK to make the changes. 

5. Test the microphone using the instructions in Step 1 to determine if Windows is able to detect a signal for the microphone or line-in being used. If you have performed all the steps and the microphone or source device still does not work, the audio ports or sound hardware on the computer might be bad. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS AND STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS 

Keep us posted,

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, 

Give us a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" on this post, 

Have a great day!

[TC1973]

The user reporting the error said that the issue was with the built-in microphone array. This is the same issue I am having. The things to try you suggested seem to be for an external microphone.

[praveen196]

@TC1973

I understand your concerns.

Please try with an external microphone and check.

If the issue still persists, please let us know.

Have a nice day!!

[KFBSFCA]

@GatorTwo  thank you for the suggestion of a USB headset. I tried everything suggested by various virtual assistants, forums, etc., and nothing suggested in fixing the poor sound quality that resulted when I used the built-in microphone or the microphone in headphones plugged into the 3.5mm port. Many USB wired headsets were sold out because so many of us are suddenly in need of tools for doing work or school from home, but I did eventually find one to order. Now, other people in videoconferences are no longer complaining about how i sound; one even asked what I was using because it sounded so good. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[KFBSFCA]

@GatorTwo  Thank you, thank you, thank you for the suggestion of a USB-connected headset. No matter what steps I took listed in the forum posts or virtual agent or Windows help, etc., the sound quality others heard when I used the internal microphone or the microphone on a headset plugged into the 3.5mm port was terrible. I ordered a headset that connects to a USB port, and other participants in videoconferences can now hear my voice clearly.  

[TC1973]

I just got an external USB mic and it works great. While this is a good setup, it doesn't negate the fact that a major component of your product doesn't work as it should. 

[Yona]

My Boss has the same exact problem. When he speaks there is a husky distorted low-frequency sound on the end of each word he speaks. The strange thing is that whenever he goes into the audio settings and disable and then enable a few things the problem goes away, but as soon as he logs onto Zoom or SKype, etc, it comes back.

It's a shame there is no fix here for this issue, especially that there are a dozen or more people with the same problem. Everyone is resorting to an alternate workaround solution.

[RoxanaR]

I tried an external microphone and it works fine, but the internal microphone still sounds distorted.

[Ironmaidens97]

I am suffering the same issue. The internal microphone does not pick anything up or if it does there is a lot of noise and the voice is faint. Issue started for me in the past month.