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....