The error when the microphone does not work on Windows 8 occurs quite often. And the solution to this problem is very simple. We just need to go into the sound card parameters and configure the internal microphone. All this does not require special knowledge and time consuming, so absolutely everyone can solve the problem.
How to Install a Driver in Windows 8: Video
Installing drivers
First, we need to check for drivers or check the functionality of the installed software.
In the overwhelming majority of cases, all errors related to sound recording equipment are explained precisely by the absence of drivers or their incorrect operation.
So let's check if the software is installed.
First, pay attention to the system tray (part of the desktop in the lower right corner). Click on the small triangle and find a speaker icon (not to be confused with a volume icon) or notes.
If there is such an icon, then the drivers are installed. If you cannot find it, then open the hardware manager.
To do this, simultaneously press the + [R] keys. In the window that appears, write mmc devmgmt.msc and click "OK".
This will launch the device manager. Here you need to find the Sound, Game and Video Devices folder. Open it. There should be a Realtek Audio or IDT High Definition Audio recording here (or whatever audio related).
If there is such a record, then open it by double-clicking the left mouse button. In the window that opens, find the line "Device status". If there are errors in the operation of the audio card, here you will see its code and description.
If there is no such entry at all, then you need to install the driver. You can always find and download the necessary software on the official website of your laptop manufacturer, indicating its model and modification. So, we figured out the drivers. Remember to install drivers manually. Now you can proceed to setting up your recording equipment.
Realtek ac97 audio driver for Windows 8: Video
Microphone setup
To do this, we need to enter the parameters of the sound card. Find the note or speaker icon in the system tray again. Open it by double clicking with the right mouse button. In the menu that opens, go to the "Record" section.
Here you can set the recording volume, recording level gain and other parameters. Set the required parameters and save the settings.
The fact is that, as a rule, errors when the Windows 8 microphone does not work do not happen because of the sound card settings, but because of the settings of the programs in which you use the sound recording device.
That is, the program simply does not know what hardware to use, setting the wrong device by default.
If, for example, in Skype, the interlocutor still does not hear you, then you must indicate which equipment should be used. To do this, enter the Skype settings. Open the "General" heading and go to the "Sound settings" category.
In the line "Microphone" select "Built-in microphone system". Then click "Save". This completes the setup.
General algorithm
It is simply impossible to describe how to adjust the sound in each program. However, there are several general steps: in any application, you need to open its parameters and go to the heading associated with setting up sounds. Such headings can be named in different ways, but in any case the word "Sound" will be present in the title. This is your guideline.
How to set up a microphone in Windows 8: Video
An irreplaceable part of spending time on the Internet is communication with friends, including voice communication. But it may happen that the microphone does not work on a PC or laptop, while everything is fine when connected to any other device. The problem might be that your headset is simply not configured to work, which is the best case scenario. At worst, there is a possibility that the computer ports are burnt out and, perhaps, it should be taken for repair. But let's be optimistic and still try to tune the microphone.
Attention!
First of all, make sure you have installed all the software required for the microphone to work. You can find it on the manufacturer's official website. It may be that after installing all the necessary drivers, the problem will disappear.
Method 1: turn on the microphone in the system
Method 2: turn on the microphone in third-party applications
Most often, users need to connect and configure a microphone to work in a program. The principle is the same in all programs. First, you need to complete all the above steps - this way the microphone will be connected to the system. Now let's look at further steps using the example of two programs.
As for Skype, everything is easy here too. In the menu item "Instruments" select item "Settings"and then go to the tab Sound settings... Here in paragraph "Microphone" select the device that should record audio.
Configuring speakers and a microphone in Windows 8 is very similar to configuring in Windows 7. But before you start, you need to make sure that your audio equipment is working properly, that the cables are well connected, and that there are no conflicts caused by incompatible or damaged drivers.
After that, you can go directly to the sound settings.
1. Open the "Control Panel" menu and select "Hardware and Sound".
A settings window will open with several tabs. Speakers and headphones are configured in the "Playback" tab, the microphone - in the "Recording" tab.
(Picture 1)
2. The "Playback" tab lists the devices that can be connected to this computer. A green checkmark marks the available equipment, in this case, the speakers. Select it with the mouse and go to the settings menu.
(Figure 2)
2.1. When choosing a configuration, you should choose the one that best suits the connected equipment. For owners of two speakers or headphones, the "Stereo" option is suitable. In my case, you need to connect 4 speakers and a low-frequency speaker - a subwoofer, so we choose the "5.1 surround sound" configuration. After that, click "Next" and indicate which columns are side, which are located in front.
(Figure 3)
3. After confirming the selected configuration, click "Finish" and go to Properties.
This menu also has several tabs that allow us to customize:
- sound balance;
(Figure 4)
- choose additional effects;
(Figure 5)
- determine the quality (bitrate) of the sound.
(Figure 6)
The "General" tab shows through which connectors the speakers can be connected to the computer. The most suitable options are marked with green circles.
(Figure 7)
After saving all the changes, proceed to setting up the microphone. To do this, go back to the Control Panel / Sound and select the "Recording" tab.
(Figure 8)
All devices that can be connected to the PC are also listed here, active is marked with a green checkmark. We select it with the mouse and go to the "Properties" window, which also consists of several tabs. The "General" tab contains brief information about the connected device and the connector to which it must be connected:
(Figure 9)
The rest of the tabs allow you to set the microphone sensitivity, connect other devices to the input, etc.
What if there is still no sound?
1. Check again that the speakers are connected correctly and that they are turned on.
2. See if the sound is muted in the computer, in the media player.
3. Use the Troubleshoot wizard located in Control Panel / Troubleshoot / Troubleshoot audio playback
4. Update the driver if necessary.
Play games, listen to music, chat on Skype without disturbing others - all this is possible using headphones with a microphone. The gadget makes life much easier for a PC or laptop user.
Jacks and types of connection of headphones with a microphone
At the beginning of the article, I would like to clarify a little the situation with the connectors and jacks of headphones and a computer.
So, if you bought modern headphones with a built-in microphone, then most likely they will have a combo jack that will look like this: 
Notice that this jack has three dark contact strips, two for the headphones, right and left channels, and one for the microphone. This means that if your computer or laptop has a special combo connector, then you just need to connect a headset, and everything will work. But, unfortunately, in the case of stationary computers, this is not always the case. In most cases, a computer has 2 jacks, one for headphones only (usually green) and the other only for a microphone (usually pink).
This is how a regular headphone jack looks like without a microphone (only two contact strips): 
How do you connect headphones with a combo jack to a desktop computer that does not have a combo jack? You will need a special adapter cord: 
In the case of a laptop, you will most likely be more fortunate, modern models have built-in combo jacks (note the icon - headphones with a microphone), which look something like this: 
For stationary computers, it is convenient to connect a headset to the front panel, in my case it looks like this: 
It is difficult to make a mistake when connecting, all jacks have a corresponding icon. If your computer does not have such slots on the front panel, it doesn’t matter, they are definitely on the back. If, of course, your computer has a sound card.
We connect and configure headphones to a PC running Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1
When connecting, no difficulties should arise. Everything is extremely simple - the "procedure" will take no more than 2 minutes.
The headphones have two connectors: one for the "ears" themselves (usually green), the other for the microphone (usually pink). Of course, there are models without a microphone (there is one connector), but basically all modern headphones come with a microphone. After all, voice communication via the Internet is becoming more popular than telephone communication.
You can connect the device using the front or rear panel, depending on where there are free inputs.
- Plug in the ear connector. Usually it is either green or there is a headphone icon next to it;
- Plug in the microphone jack. It is usually pink or has a microphone icon next to it;
- If you have a combo headphone jack and a corresponding jack on your computer, just plug it in and you don't have to do anything else;
- Turn on your favorite song or movie - check the sound. If there is sound, everything is fine. If not, then right-click on the speaker icon in the lower right corner of the monitor. Then select "Playback Devices":
- There will be several (or one) devices in the list, make sure that the Speakers device is selected and there is a green check mark next to it:
- If not, select this device, right-click on it and select the "use as default" menu:
- Now select the speakers, and click on the "configure" button, which is located just below, then select the "stereo" sound channels, you can click on the "test" button, you should hear the sound from the channel that is displayed on the screen, and click "next ":
- Put a check mark in the settings for "wideband speakers" in the position "left and right front" and click "next" and then "done":
- The speakers on the right have a scale, turn on the music, if the scale does not fill up and there is no sound when playing music, then something is wrong:
- If the scale fills up and there is no sound, check the volume level. This can be done by left-clicking on the speaker icon in the lower right corner of the monitor:
If the volume is set, there is a filling of the scale, but there is no sound, it means that either you have inserted headphones into the wrong socket, or your headphones are faulty, check them on another device that works for sure;
We connect and configure the microphone to a PC running Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1
- To test the microphone, connect it, click on the speaker icon, which is located in the lower right corner, with the right button and select "recording devices" there:
- Select your microphone and make it your default device. Most likely, it will already be one, but it doesn't hurt to check:
- A menu will appear where your microphone should be displayed. Check if you clap your hands next to it to see if the scale is filled:
- If not, then right-click on the device, select "properties":
- Then the tab "levels", put the value in position 80, check again:
If after this the scale does not fill, then you most likely connected a microphone to either jack, or your microphone does not work. If it is filled in, then select this device "use by default" and use.
The headphones work properly and delight the owner. For the most efficient use and configuration of the device and all sound in general, use the programs that come with your sound card, usually Realtek applications, but not always, so be careful.
Key features of the Realtek app:
- volume control;
- setting the quality of sound, microphone;
- configuring front and rear panel connectors.
And many other nice additions.
We connect headphones to a laptop on Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1
In laptops, there is only one headphone jack and, most likely, it will be combined. If not, it doesn't matter, because almost all laptops have a built-in microphone.
The algorithm for connecting headphones to a laptop is exactly the same as to a computer, follow the instructions given just above:
- Connect the device;
- Checking the sound;
- You are using.
Headphone and microphone drivers are usually not needed.
Headphones with a microphone are connected, there is only one thing left - to adjust the headphones to fit your needs.
- Adjust the microphone volume. Right click on the speaker icon, select "recording devices", then right click on the microphone, select "properties", then go to the "levels" tab. There is no need to set all values \u200b\u200bto the maximum. You do not want your interlocutor to hear only wheezing? Photos of the process are presented just above;
- Adjust the volume level in your “ears” to a comfortable level so that you can hear the music or the other person well. However, keep in mind that it is best to adjust the volume to match the sound of the music on your computer. Quite often it happens that the interlocutor has incorrectly adjusted the sensitivity level of the microphone, and it will sound either quietly or loudly, then, if circumstances permit, you need to tell your interlocutor about this. He must set up the microphone correctly. if you adjust to it, you may forget that you have changed the volume level, and then, after turning on the music or a movie, you may be frightened by a very loud sound, or worry that the sound is very hard to hear.
Have connected. Configured. Now enjoy crystal clear sound.
Some problems may occur when connecting a separate microphone or using the built-in microphone. Sometimes it's some kind of small system glitch that can be fixed by tweaking the settings. However, it also happens that a special board and / or port responsible for the operation of the microphone, headphones and / or speaker has burned / damaged on a laptop. In this case, problems may not only be with the microphone.
First, it is recommended to make sure that you are inserting everything into the ports correctly. The fact is that some headsets have a double cable, where one end is responsible for the microphone, and the other for the headphones. For such a headset to function normally on a laptop, there must be two ports, one for headphones, the other for a microphone. Each port has its own designation, just like cables.
In the case of a conventional microphone or headsets, where only one wire is not needed, the laptop design provides for two separate ports, but at the same time, next to the port there should be a designation that it is for both the microphone and headphones.
Method 1: Troubleshoot driver problems
If you are doing everything correctly, but the microphone still does not work, or does not work properly, then the problem may also lie in incorrectly installed, outdated or missing drivers.
Usually, Windows 8 itself searches and installs drivers for new devices from the network, but not always. Additionally, the set with the microphone / headset may include a disk, flash drive or document, where it is written where you can download the driver and how to install it.
If none of this is available, then you can try to install the missing drivers using special utilities. One of these is Driver Pack Solution. It scans the system and then installs the missing drivers. Installation is not required.
Work with it as follows:
Method 2: Turn on the microphone in the settings
Perhaps your microphone is not turned on in the system settings, so the system does not see it and cannot use it. Fix the problem:
Method 3: turn on the microphone in other applications
Sometimes the microphone may work fine in the system, but not in any application. To fix this, you first need to perform all the actions from the previous methods, and then configure the microphone in the application itself. Let's look at this process using the example of two of the most popular programs.
Bandicam
This program is designed to record video from the monitor screen. With its help it is convenient to record the process of work in any program or game. Usually, problems with the operation of the microphone, if everything is normal in the previous methods, should not arise. If they occur, then use this instruction to eliminate them:
This is also a very popular program that requires a microphone to be connected, since with it you can make audio and video calls. Setting up the microphone here is very simple:
Using this instruction, you can connect your microphone to your Windows 8 computer without any problems.
