Laptop's internal mic refuses to work

[STRMfrmXMN]

This problem persists on my Lenovo S210 Touch running Windows 8.1.

 

Right now, in trying to call @ in Google Hangouts, I cannot get my laptop's built-in mic to work. As far as I can tell, it doesn't even show up in the Audio Manager. Here's what it looks like right now.

 

I can still use a mic through a combo mic+headphone unit, although I have none at the moment to use which is why I want to use my laptop's mic. When I tap on the mic to test if it works in the Audio Manager the green bar on the right does not spike at all on either device. As far as I know I haven't broken the mic, although you never know.

 

 

What could be causing this?

[trag1c]

If I remember correctly there should be an advanced setting to show disabled devices, try enabling that setting and looking for your built in mic.

 

EDIT: Right click on the window to show the setting.

[Trik'Stari]

Have you considered that the laptop doesn't have an internal Mic? All I can think of.

[Just The Tips]

Double click on the mic, click on the enhancements tab and tick the box that says "Disable all effects" or something, worked for me when my laptop's mic was annoyingly refusing to work.

[STRMfrmXMN]

If I remember correctly there should be an advanced setting to show disabled devices, try enabling that setting and looking for your built in mic.

 

EDIT: Right click on the window to show the setting.

Nothing is disabled according to it. Nothing new pops up.

 

Have you considered that the laptop doesn't have an internal Mic? All I can think of.

I used it a little over a year ago so I know it has one.

 

Double click on the mic, click on the enhancements tab and tick the box that says "Disable all effects" or something, worked for me when my laptop's mic was annoyingly refusing to work.

That's audio playback. I want audio input which has no enhancements in menus.

[The Pizza Thief]

Have you tried googling for the keyboard combination that enables/disables it ???

[STRMfrmXMN]

Have you tried googling for the keyboard combination that enables/disables it ???

Doesn't unmute it. It is totally unrecognized by Windows.

[ionbasa]

Install the OEM driver. Some laptops have a microphone array (directional mic) that only works with the drivers pushed by the OEM.

 

Edit: It would help to give us the model number of the laptop.

Also, can you share a screenshot of device manager showing the sound controller, eg:

Edited February 21, 2015 by ionbasa

[STRMfrmXMN]

Install the OEM driver. Some laptops have a microphone array (directional mic) that only works with the drivers pushed by the OEM.

 

Edit: It would help to give us the model number of the laptop.

Also, can you share a screenshot of device manager showing the sound controller, eg:

 

Not sure exactly how to install the OEM driver as my laptop (Lenovo S210 Touch) as I can't seem to find information on who it's made by nor can I find a driver straight from Lenovo's site.

 

Here's a screenshot of my device manager.

[ionbasa]

Not sure exactly how to install the OEM driver as my laptop (Lenovo S210 Touch) as I can't seem to find information on who it's made by nor can I find a driver straight from Lenovo's site.

 

Here's a screenshot of my device manager.

...

Here you go: http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-s-series-netbooks/ideapad-s210-touch-notebook/downloads/DS037626

 

It is on Lenovo's website  . Go to: http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-s-series-netbooks/ideapad-s210-touch-notebook

Under components, select audio, and then select your OS. 

[STRMfrmXMN]

Here you go: http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-s-series-netbooks/ideapad-s210-touch-notebook/downloads/DS037626

 

It is on Lenovo's website  . Go to: http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-s-series-netbooks/ideapad-s210-touch-notebook

Under components, select audio, and then select your OS. 

For some reason I didn't connect microphones to "audio"

I'll download it and install it and report back.

[ionbasa]

For some reason I didn't connect microphones to "audio"

I'll download it and install it and report back.

Yea, out of curiosity, did you fresh install Windows?

 

My general rule of thumb for laptops that get a fresh install of Windows is to download all the OEM drivers first. Only once everything is up and running do I usually download 1st party drivers (which are more up to date).

[STRMfrmXMN]

Yea, out of curiosity, did you fresh install Windows?

 

My general rule of thumb for laptops that get a fresh install of Windows is to download all the OEM drivers first. Only once everything is up and running do I usually download 1st party drivers (which are more up to date).

First I'd like to say that you solved my problem. I also have a full range of sound coming out of the speakers rather than the really dull, faint sound I was getting before (however that works).

 

And secondly, when I fresh installed Windows about 4 months ago I left the drivers folder as a folder to remain put. So all the drivers were kept there with the OS itself re-written. I did this to get rid of the bloatware Lenovo put on there (and a good thing it would seem with Superfish coming around).

 

But yeah, all is solved. Thanks!