Microphone automatically mute

Padocarr

Hello all,

Could anyone advise me why the microphone is continually and automatically on mute?

Can no longer use Skype, as the other side cannot hear us.

The computer is old - a Medion bought in 2006, but has given good service.

I did all the obvious checks, and googled this topic, but no solution yet.



Thanks in advance for any help.

fionny

What OS is on it?

Padocarr

Hello Fionny,

It has Windows XP.

Skype updated recently and maybe this brought the problem?

I am only guessing, as I don't know a great deal about computers outside of the basics.

-( i )- Wicker

first thing, check that your microphone does not have a mute switch on the device or the cable, and check that the audio jack is fully pushed in.
Try using start>accessories>entertainment>sound recorder and see if that picks up your microphone. If it does, then its the skype settings that need changing.
If not, open start>accessories>entertainment>volume control. Select options>properties, and either set your mixer device to your input device, or select "adjust volume for recording" and press ok. Check that your microphone level is up and that its not muted.

fionny

From what i have read just now it sounds like its skype doing it.

Try launching Skype, going toL

Tools
Options
Audio Settings
Uncheck both: Automatically adjust Microphone Settings and the Same for Speakers.

Padocarr

Have tried without success:

Using a different microphone.
Sound recording doesn't pick up anything.
Today I updated the sound card driver.

Skype updated recently, and that seems to have brought instability to even the internet connection. But this is only a guess.

fionny

Is the right device selected in Skype? Select it in the same options list.

Padocarr

Went into the Skype options list, and in the audio settings, unchecked the automatically adjust microphone settings.

Unchecked the microphone mute box and opened skype.

Immediately after Skype opening, I noticed the microphone had muted automatically.

This seems to be the key issue, each time Skype is opened the microphone is muted.

fionny

how is the mic connected? Is it USB or phono plug?

Padocarr

Hello Fionny,

Microphone is connected using the plugs.

Having continued to google the issue, it seems the problem is a long time out there only no clear solution is to be found ... yet!

fionny

Could try the tips on this?
http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-22703-microphone-problem

Padocarr

Thanks Fionny,

Did meet that posting during the google search, but point 2 doesnt match what I see on the control panel of Windows XP!

-( i )- Wicker

Sounds like its skype causing the problem. In skype, go to the microphone settings and try set "windows default device" as the input.

Padocarr

Hi Wicker,

My guess too is that it must be Skype problem, and I'd guess its a file etc thats the problem, as a virus scan didn't pick up anything.

In Skype I went to Tools - Options - Audio Settings.
In there I have Realtek AC 97 Audio.
I do not have a Windows default option.

Its looking like it may go to a restore factory settings!

Padocarr

Latest attempt to get this sorted involved updating the drivers and installing an older version of Skype.

But the problem remains, mic stays mute even when I uncheck the mute box.