SF114-34 mic too quiet

kelper

The microphone array test gets only 4%. I can't be heard on Skype or Sound Recorder but I can be heard on Zoom, so the hardware is OK. I have uninstalled and reinstalled all Realtek Drivers many times, I have reset Windows, done a clean install of Win10 and also Win 11 and none of these steps worked. My wife has the same laptop and the same issue. Acer support offers no solution except resetting Windows or sending laptop in for repair. Has anyone found a fix?

JackE

Sorry. It was mainly for boosting playback not input. Have you checked this skype thread out yet? Seems common. Two suggestions were to switch to Microsoft's generic HD audio device driver instead of Realtek's. Or to bypass the internal mic with a headset.

JackE

Try mic audio booster like audacity freeware. Microsoft store also has a free audio booster app but audacity seems better.

kelper

It can boost the mic when recording in Audacity but that does not seem to help other programs.

JackE

>>>I can't be heard on Skype or Sound Recorder but I can be heard on Zoom>>>

>>>>It can boost the mic when recording in Audacity but that does not seem to help other programs.>>>

>>>so the hardware is OK>>>

Yes, both the Zoom & Audacity results suggest the hardware seems OK. And the Zoom & Audacity software seems OK.

1. So right click speaker icon in tray. Click open sound settings.
2. Click sound control panel in right pane.
3. Click recording tab.
4. Right click mic.
5. Click levels tab. Make sure mic volume and/or boost sliders are at max.
6. Click advanced tab. Make sure all options are checked EXCEPT enable audio enhancements.

kelper

I have tried all the well-known solutions and assume the Acer drivers are buggy.

JackE

Are the mic slider boosters at max and audio enhancements disabled?

kelper

Yes. I was about to return this unit to Acer as the warranty expires tomorrow. But the returns label has someone else's address as a return and I fear losing it.

Acer has given terrible support so far, asking me to carry out actions that I told them I had tried previously. I'm talking to a bot or a script-jockey and they just don't read my original request or any of my replies.

JackE

If it was mine, I definitely wouldn't send it for warranty repair especially at this late date & since it doesn't seem to be a hardware issue. It's primarily a Skype & Microsoft Sound/Voice recorder software problem. Check the Microsoft Store for a free Microsoft audio booster version. Other users have reported that it resolved their low-volume issues. I would also keep checking the Acer audio driver downloads at this link for updates as they can be posted at any time without notice.

kelper

Thanks Jack. Should it work i will post back here.

kelper

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1154562#Comment_1154562

What is the name of this app, I can't find it.

JackE

Sorry. It was mainly for boosting playback not input. Have you checked this skype thread out yet? Seems common. Two suggestions were to switch to Microsoft's generic HD audio device driver instead of Realtek's. Or to bypass the internal mic with a headset.

kelper

I uninstalled the Realtek driver and installed a Microsoft HD Audio driver. This crashed my laptop which restarted.

There was a System Devices driver that could not install and had an exclamation mark next to it.

I scanned for hardware changes and it install an Intel SST driver.

The microphone is now working! I will have to reduce the boost as it is uber-sensitive.

So the audio drivers are now Microsoft and not Realtek.

Many thanks to Jack, sine qua non.

kelper

I did the whole operation again and my laptop did not crash.

1 Open Device Manager

2 Under 'Sound, video and game controllers', select the Realtek driver or whatever is there

3 Go to 'driver' then 'update driver'

4 Select 'Browse my computer for drivers' then 'Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer'

5 If only the Realtek driver is listed, uncheck 'Show compatible hardware

6 Under Manufacturer, scroll down to Microsoft

7 Under 'Model', select 'High DefinitionAudio Device Version *************, if there is more than one, pick the latest

8 Click 'Next' then 'Yes'.

9 Reboot

To test, press the Win key and type 'Sound Recorder'. Record a short speech and then play it back.

JackE

>>>Intel SST driver.>>>The microphone is now working! I will have to reduce the boost as it is uber-sensitive.>>>So the audio drivers are now Microsoft and not Realtek.>>>

Congrats on your success!. Thanks for reporting back.

kelper

I'm grateful for your advice. Even Microsoft Tier 1 support could not help although they agreed that it might be worth trying Microsoft drivers.

I'm amazed how good the microphone array is!