Microphone records at half-speed: Cortana, Zoom, all applications

[acmeyer]

Starting a few months ago, the built-in microphone started recording my voice at half-speed.  After that, no applications will recognize my voice.  This includes Cortana, Zoom, other video conference apps, etc.  My voice comes through slow (sounds half-speed) and unrecognizable.  I occasionally install the updates suggested by HP Support Assistance but otherwise no major system changes.

Any guidance appreciated.

[Riddle_Decipher · Accepted solution]

@acmeyer I have a few steps to help you out:

The Troubleshooting tool automatically finds and fixes many computer issues. Use it to troubleshoot microphone problems.

1. In Windows, search for and open Control Panel.

2. Click Troubleshooting.

3. Under Hardware and Sound, click Troubleshoot audio recording.

   NOTE: 

   Administrator permission is required to run this program. If prompted, type the administrator password or provide confirmation.

4. The Sound troubleshooter opens. Click Next. The troubleshooter begins checking the audio service status.

5. Select the device you want to troubleshoot, and then click Next.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions and make any changes suggested by the troubleshooter. When done, close the troubleshooter.

7. If the problem persists, continue to the next step.

We may need to reset the privacy settings for the Microphone if the issue occurred after any recent windows updates:

1. Open Settings from your start menu.
2. Click on Privacy in order to access all your privacy settings.
3. Select Microphone from the left pane and then click the Change button.
4. Now, turn on the microphone for this device.
5. Turn on Allow apps to access your microphone.
6. Finally, in the app list, make sure to turn on microphone access for every app you want to give permission to access your microphone.
7. Repeat the same exact steps but for your webcam this time.

If the issue persists, uninstall the microphone driver and restart to automatically install a fresh driver for the same.

1. Open device manager, the fastest way is through the search bar:
2. Open ‘Audio Inputs and Outputs’
3. Left-click on your recording device.
4. In the menu that opens up Click ‘Uninstall’.
5. delete the driver. click apply/OK and then, restart the pc.

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

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 the post you feel, helped you the most, 

Have a great day!

[acmeyer]

Thanks for the reply.

The first two suggestions (Troubleshooting and Privacy) did not work.  Removing the driver and then restarting did work.  Thanks!!!  If the problem resurfaces I will remember this trick and do it again.

FYI, the steps outlined in the first step of using the Troubleshooting tool are not the steps I need to use on my Windows 10 laptop.  In step 2, there is not a Troubleshooting item under Control Panel.  I can find the microphone troubleshooter going through other steps.  You might want to review these steps.

Thanks again,

Alan, a retired HP (Enterprise) employee

[Riddle_Decipher]

@acmeyer I appreciate the feedback, that said, I'm glad it's been sorted,

And I hope you have a good day, ahead.

[acmeyer]

Unfortunately the problem is back and the previous guidance that fixed the problem no longer works.  Here is a bit more detail.

The microphone was recording correctly for several days.  This morning File Explorer was spinning for 10 minutes so I selected to restart the system.  Then the laptop was stuck on the Restarting screen for another 10 minutes so I finally pressed the power button to force the system to shutdown.  When I powered it back up, the microphone problem was back.  And removing the driver and then restarting the system again does not solve the issue.

This is highly frustrating and making this laptop unusable for the things I need to do.  Again, any help appreciated!

Alan

[Riddle_Decipher]

@acmeyer I recommend you create a new user account profile and check if that works,

Also, if that doesn't help, you may want to backup all your personal files onto an external storage device and then perform a system reset: click here for steps.

Keep me posted.