Realtek Audio Console "Cannot Connect to RPC Service" & External Mic Not Detected

I have a separate condenser microphone for audio input and an earphone for output. Since my laptop has only one audio port, I use a 3.5mm jack splitter to connect both devices. For this setup to work, Realtek needs to detect it as a headset. However, the external microphone is not being detected—only "Microphone Array" appears as an option. What exactly is "Microphone Array" in the first place?

The issue is that the Realtek device selection popup does not appear when I plug in my headset. Instead, the system automatically registers it as a headset, causing my laptop's built-in microphone to be used instead of the external mic.

Additionally, when I try to open Realtek Audio Console, I get the error:
"Cannot connect to RPC Service."

I have checked the following services in Services.msc, and they are all running:

DCOM Server Process Launcher
Realtek Audio Universal Service
RPC
RPC Locator
RPC Endpoint Mapper

Both my Realtek audio driver and Realtek Audio Console driver match the versions listed on Acer's support website for my device.

I do have a temporary fix: uninstalling all Realtek components from Device Manager and restarting my laptop. However, if I restart without uninstalling them first, the problem persists.

How can I permanently fix this issue so that my external microphone is detected correctly?

Accepted answers

Bubbli

So i figured out the problem, GOD HAHAHAHA.
So apparently, I have this shi- disabled in Startup Apps in Task Manager

When I turned it on, it now works everytime I boot up, without uninstalling and installing the drivers

All comments

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/720992/realtek-audio-console-cannot-connect-to-rpc-service-external-mic-not-detected

What is the model of your laptop or desktop or AIO, as that is important. You have done enough for that external mic to work, now you need to do other things as audio is not only determined by the Realtek audio driver so you need to uninstall and reinstall the NVidia and Intel driers too and update all bios and firmwares for your PC as that will also help.

Anyway, if you have a PC with an NVidia gpu then use DUU uninstaller and completely uninstall the NVidia driver and its audio and do the same with the Intel graphics drivers too followed by the Realtek audio driver and then reinstall all to the oem drivers for your PC model from the Acer Drivers and Manuals, as the microphone should be detected and will work with the oem drivers, as these drivers will all be updated by windows update anyway, try that and hope this helps you out. Good luck.

If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

Axxo

This error may occur if the program is unable to communicate with certain system services using Remote Procedure Call. The issue can be fixed by installing the right drivers. Before installing the drivers, I would suggest to uninstall everything related to Realtek audio in device manager, however before you uninstall the drivers, ensure that the following services are running. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key and the R key together. Type SERVICES.MSC and press the Enter key to open the list of local services. Find the below mentioned services and make sure that they are running.

Realtek HD Audio Universal Service. DCOM server process launcher. RPC Endpoint manager.

If the services are already in running state, proceed with uninstalling the Realtek drivers. Follow the steps given below.

Right click on Start button (Windows logo) and select Device Manager.

Remove all Realtek components under Audio inputs and outputs, Software components and Sound, video and game controllers by right clicking on the individual items one by one and selecting Uninstall device.

Reboot the computer and install the latest Realtek audio driver from the system manufacturer’s support site.

Download and install the Realtek Audio Control Universal app from Microsoft Store and see if it works.

Realtek Audio Control

If the above method doesn’t fix the issue, search for Realtek app on the task bar or the system tray (bottom right corner), right click on it and select App settings. You will the find the Reset option. Click on it to reset the app which should fix the issue.