My new Win 10 Razer laptop doesn't have software for an internal microphone, as I found out today when I tried to do a video call with my naturopath.


The only microphone device listed is for an external microphone. There's nothing else, so I can't even look for drivers to update.

Any clues as to how I can get the relevant software? My laptop is completely up to date, all Windows updates installed just yesterday.

I don't think I have any laptops with "internal microphones." Instead they have a "line in" where you can plug in a microphone if you want one. The "line in" has a little picture of a microphone next to it.

Check your laptop to see if it has a "line in," with or without a little picture of a microphone next to it. If not, you can still get a USB microphone for it.

Since it's a brand new laptop, it may not have a "line in" because most computer microphones are USB now. If it does have a "line in" you may be able to use an old microphone that uses a 1/8" (3.5mm) jack (if you have one). I'd recommend a USB microphone if you have the option of buying one or the other. It will be more forward-compatible.

I was looking on the Razer Blade forums and this laptop is supposed to have an internal microphone. I found some other posts about the same issue. I noticed you had already posted something about it - at least I assume that was you!

From the specs...

Audio: Built-in Stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo port, Built-in array microphone, Dolby® Atmos support, 7.1 Codec support (via HDMI)

We do video chats with our family in Germany often... their HP laptop has a built-in microphone.

Have you checked in your Device Manager to see if the microphone is listed and if it is if you can update drivers from there?

The device is not listed. The only thing listed is the external.

All of my other laptops have had internal microphones. I've been using Skype and Zoom and other medical video-conferencing programs for years, on my Dell laptop and my Alienware laptop and I'm pretty sure my old Acer gaming laptop had one, too.

I can always use my tablet, but the computer is much easier to handle during Zoom calls.

I suppose it would be easy enough to get an external mic.

If it's got a webcam built into the screen/lid, you can tell if it's got a microphone as there will be a couple of small holes on either side of it - it's actually part of the webcam itself and might not be listed as a separate microphone. Pretty standard on most mid-range and up laptops today. I'd be surprised if it didn't have one, it should "just work" if it's there... What's your model number?

I agree with Trail. I haven't worked on a laptop that didn't have a microphone. As Trail says, it may be part of the webcam itself. How many little "holes" do you have? The specs for this laptop say it has a "built-in array microphone."

See if anything in this link helps...

https://insider.razer.com/index.php...advanced-mic-problems.51944/#post-502242

I watched the video. I don't have the Intel smart listed in my device manager. But I did start Skype and tested my mic and it was working... I right clicked on my sound icon in my tool bar . Looked at Recording and the check mark is on Microphone Realteck Audio Default Device clicked on Playback and the check is on Speakers... clicked on Recording and Microphone Default is checked.... there is also a trouble shoot sound ...... have you this area? And yes this is on my Razer

Oh, thank you, Winfrey! I forgot that you also have a Razer or I would have asked you to chime in!

It definitely has a webcam, and there are "holes" on either side of the camera.

Winfrey, thanks for that. I'll take a look . It would be nice if it was operator error.

EDIT: Nope. I just tried a Skype test call, and I have no microphone/recording device, or I f I do it isn't working.

Did you also look at the options in the sound icon in your taskbar as Winfrey suggested?

I would also try with Razor support as well. There might be a driver or associated software missing.

I've checked the two options listed as input (2-Realtek (R) Audio and Stereo Mix 2-Realtek(R) Audio, and neither of them seems to work. Even the "Test your microphone" function doesn't respond to either of these.

Aha! That suggests that something is amiss with a driver. Unfortunately, I'm afraid Razer support is going to be your only option because you DO have an internal microphone. Winfrey's Razer Blade is only about a year older that yours.

And apparently I have the latest driver for the 2-Realtek, so I'm out of luck there, too.

Did you try the trouble shoot option?

And you don't mention if you tried the option in the video I posted.

Try this: How do I enable microphone on Windows?
Here's how: Select Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone . In Allow access to the microphone on this device, select Change and make sure Microphone access for this device is turned on.

I hope that works, Winfrey! Thank you...

Microphone Access for this device IS on, unfortunately. Phooey.

The Trouble shoot option for the microphone doesn't do anything. It can't identify a problem.

I can't interact with the test option for the microphone, either -- it does nothing.

I sure hope Razer can help you with this! The one thing I didn't see you mention is if you checked out the video link to a solution someone posted?

Select Start , then select Settings > System > Sound . In Input, ensure your microphone is selected under Choose your input device, then select Device Properties. On the Levels tab of the Microphone Properties window, adjust the Microphone and Microphone Boost sliders as needed, then select OK.

The Realtek microphone is selected, and the volume slider is at around 75. That's the only slider there is.

Looking closer at the Troubleshooter, it actually shows that this device has a jack on the side of the computer, so that's not internal anyway.

Don't know if this will help but here is a snapshot of a part of my Device Manager.


device manager screenshot



part 2

Look at the specs for your exact model and model number of laptop. Just because someone with a similar model has a built-in microphone doesn't mean yours does. Sometimes they disable features on laptops they intend to sell at a lower price. They can also get rid of not-quite 100% functional laptops this way.

As for the drivers, I've had many drivers that indicated features my particular piece of hardware didn't have. That's because they made one version of the drivers that can be used with several versions of the hardware. They focus on the most expensive version of the hardware and put most of their effort into that. Everything else is an afterthought. So occasionally I'd get grayed out features despite having installing drivers that claimed to be for my model. I always thought this was rude. Maybe I didn't buy the most expensive model, but that didn't mean they should supply me what I considered to be defective drivers -- drivers that listed features that didn't exist or showed things that were grayed out.

Anyway, I would not put much stock in what drivers say -- or in what Device Manager says. Device Manager only says what the drivers tell it. Look up the specs of your exact model laptop before you waste a lot of time looking for a microphone your model may not have.

Her Razer computer is a top of the line gaming computer....

Are you saying she paid $5000 for it?
Even if she did, that doesn't guarantee it has a microphone.

Not QUITE $5000, but more like $3000. Price is not important. I think only Razer is going to be able to answer Hagatha's questions.

In the meantime, an exterior microphone will be quite cheap, although the USB conference microphones are pretty cool.

Exterior Conference Microphone

Agreed, go straight to the source. If there is a built in webcam, there's going to be a microphone - that's just the way they do it, because it sets you up for skype, zoom or the multitude of other virtual communications that exist today. Even sub-$1k HP's have a webcam and mic built in. Heck, my Samsung tablet that I paid under $400.00 for several years ago has a webcam and built in mic.

Exactly, Trail. What would be the point of a webcam without an internal microphone? I found multiple posts about the mic not operating on these high end gaming laptops at the Razer Insider page.

Actually, in Canadian dollars it was well over $5,000 for this laptop. So far completely worth it, and it was a LOT cheaper than the Alienware I initially ordered, by thousands of dollars.

It's not a huge deal. It was just annoying to realize I had no sound during a virtual medical appointment. Fortunately we were able to use a phone instead. I would like to be able to use Zoom for calls with my mother, though. She's 89 and lives on her own across the country and it would be fun to do a virtual Christmas party. I can dig out my old laptop in the meantime.

I'll open a ticket over at Razer.

Thanks, everybody.

I forgot about it being in Canadian dollars. Well, keep us posted please! As I posted above, in the meantime you could get an exterior mic fairly cheaply.

I also read over at the Razer forum to go into the Device manager ..sound. And roll back the driver

Hagatha, just wondering if you did the Windows 10 20H2 update??

Yes, I think everything is updated now on my machine. I've got it all set up to do the Windows updates on a weekly basis, and the last update was only four or five days ago.

Hagatha, any response from Razer?

I doubt she will hear anything for a few days. I had an issue with my Razer Firefly mousepad and it took almost a week to hear back from them.

Basically Razer Support had me run through exactly the steps you guys mentioned above.

I still have no functional microphone. Not sure what the next step is, but if it involves sending my computer back to them I'll have to refuse, since it's my only computer (I gave my old Alienware to a friend)

Wow... Can't say I blame you if you don't want to send it back. If they just can't get it running something like this will work quite nicely.

USB Computer Microphone

I heard from them again this morning, and they want me to do a factory reset, which is a total pain. I might try it, but I get a bit nervous going nuclear on my computer.

I might just go with the external mic instead.

I don't blame you! Especially if there is a cheap fix...

You might want to do backups, whether you send it back or not.

If you do a full backup of everything-- including the OS and configuration -- you can very quickly restore the laptop to the way it was before. Look up how to do it if you don't know how. Restoring from this type of backup takes very little time. Sometimes only 10 minutes.

You can also do a backup of folders that contain your personal stuff -- stuff that you could add back to a completely new installation of Windows.

-----------------

Both these types of backups have their uses, whether you return the laptop or not.
Making the backups while booted into the default settings saves time later.

Backups are ALWAYS a good idea.

Back up is great but I have a question. In this case could a full backup put the problem back onto the computer. Wouldn’t the backup of her documents and personal stuff a safer way to go?

You are absolutely correct, Winfrey! I think Jenny was talking more about having one just case something went wrong with the factory reset. That's one of the reasons using System Restore was not always such a good idea... you may just be restoring the original issue.

Ah, I understand now

I've ordered a nice little external microphone.

Say, speaking of backups, what does everyone use? I have nothing on my computer but games, so the only data I have are saves.

You can get good backup software and do backups to an exterior drive. I like Macrium Reflect, but there are lot of others.

Good article here by Leo Notenboom.. https://askleo.com/what_backup_program_should_i_use/

I use the free version of Macrium

First read your owner manual. If your laptop has a microphone, it will surely mention it.

If its supposed to have a microphone but its not showing up in device manager, click on the monitor looking icon at the top of device manager to “scan for hardware changes” so you can reinstall it.

If that doesn't do it, you probably have a hardware problem. There's a good chance you'll get better sound with your external microphone.

I use Acronis True Image to backup to an external hard drive. You install it on your hard drive and can do a full backup from Windows. From there can can also create rescue media (DVD or USB flash drive, flash drive works best) in case your hard drive crashes.

Albert

Some good information on backups thanks, everyone. I got spoiled with my last computer because it had its own backup software, so I never had to think about it.

Yes, I think the external mic will do just fine.

I think that's a good decision given that everything else is working just fine.

It's really a slick little machine. I love it. It's in my living room and the smaller profile is actually preferable to my giant Alienware, from a decor perspective.

I do love the looks of the Razer Blade laptops!