HP Victus 15 headset mic either sounds like a robot or doesn't work

[IanManning1]

Whenever I try to use an external microphone, the mic audio drivers seem to corrupt or something close to it, because the microphone (doesn't matter what external microphone, new or old) will either sound corrupted, or simply not work. I know that it's an issue with the computer, because it happened first thing when I got the laptop. 

Any idea of what could be causing the issue? If so, please let me know how to fix it.

[zoey7886]

@IanManning1, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your HP 15-f023wm Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR)! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

It sounds like there could be a few reasons behind the issue with your external microphone. Let's go through some potential causes and fixes:

Outdated or Corrupt Audio Drivers:

• Go to Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers and check if the audio drivers are up to date.
• If they aren't, right-click the device and select Update driver.
• You can also visit HP's support website and search for your laptop model to download the latest audio drivers.

Audio Settings Conflicts:

• Right-click on the sound icon in the taskbar and select Sounds.
• Under the Recording tab, check if your external microphone is set as the default recording device. Sometimes, the internal microphone is set as the default, causing issues.
• If it's listed but not working, try disabling other devices and test if the external microphone works.

Microphone Jack Issue:

• Try plugging the microphone into different ports (if available) to see if the issue persists.
• Ensure that the jack is fully inserted and making proper contact.

Check for Conflicting Software:

• Some software (like communication apps) may have their own audio settings that override system settings.
• Check if any such apps are running and causing conflicts.

Reinstall Audio Drivers:

• Sometimes, simply uninstalling and reinstalling the audio drivers helps.
• Go to Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your audio device, and select Uninstall device. Then, restart your laptop, and Windows should reinstall the driver.

Try the Microphone on Another Device:

• To ensure the problem isn't with the external microphone itself, test it on another device (like a smartphone or another computer).

Let me know if you need detailed steps for any of these!  

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

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Regards,