# A question about computer mics, and whats wrong with mine

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-computer-mics-and-whats-wrong-with-mine/184674>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 27, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-computer-mics-and-whats-wrong-with-mine/184674 "2003-06-27T01:46:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Deadly\_Nightlight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Deadly\_Nightlight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deadly_Nightlight)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-computer-mics-and-whats-wrong-with-mine/184674/1 "2003-06-27T01:46:14Z")

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For some off reason my computer mic is not working, at first I thought it was my mic so I went out and bought a new one, but it doesn’t work either. I have played with the settings, muted and unmuted and it won;t work. I know it has worked before because I have used it to voice chat, what else could I have done to it?

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**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-computer-mics-and-whats-wrong-with-mine/184674/2 "2003-06-27T02:55:21Z")

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Did you do this:

- Load the volume control (double click to get the window, not just the slider)

- Go to Options, Properties.

- Set “Adjust Volume For…” to “Recording”

- Click Okay. Ensure Line-In, Mic, or Auxiliary are turned on.

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**Author:** ![Deadly\_Nightlight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Deadly\_Nightlight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deadly_Nightlight)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-computer-mics-and-whats-wrong-with-mine/184674/3 "2003-06-27T15:58:37Z")

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all these things are on, still no go, what else could it be?

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**Author:** ![pipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c2a13f/32.png) [@pipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pipper)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-computer-mics-and-whats-wrong-with-mine/184674/4 "2003-06-27T16:10:22Z")

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Is you computer a Dell? The sound card in ours must have some issue because our mike will often spontaneously decide to stop working (or sometimes it sounds very faint and like you’re underwater). Haven’t been able to figure out why, but I’m betting on a bad physical connection somewhere.

Another person I know has had a similar issue with their Dell, so I’m wondering if it is a trend…

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**Author:** ![Deadly\_Nightlight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Deadly\_Nightlight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deadly_Nightlight)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-computer-mics-and-whats-wrong-with-mine/184674/5 "2003-06-27T16:13:40Z")

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Yes my computer is indeed a dell, duuuuuuuuuude your getting a broke sound card 😃  
Seriously, I still have sound though just no mic, was yours like that?

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**Author:** ![pipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c2a13f/32.png) [@pipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pipper)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-computer-mics-and-whats-wrong-with-mine/184674/6 "2003-06-27T16:20:26Z")

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Yep. The rest of the sound card still works, just no mike.

In additional to the controls that Trigonal Planar mentioned, most of the Dell soundcards have their own little “Audio Studio” software that you should be able to find in Start-\> Programs. There are microphone controls in there that could be affecting your performance.