Recording devices suddenly show no "green bar" activity and microphones are all very quiet, whether USB or 3.5mm.

[malrats]

This issue started a few days ago. I can use the various headsets and microphones that I have on Discord and as long as I crank up my settings, people can hear me but say that I'm quiet. But in Windows 10 under my recording devices, ANY microphone that I plug in (4 different USB headsets and 2 3.5mm headsets so far) will show no activity in the striped bar to the right of the device name, whereas this always used to be very active when I spoke into the microphone.

When I open Audacity or even Windows Voice Recorder, I click record and the audio signal line generally stays pretty flat, sometimes with a tiny bit of movement. Afterward when I click play, if I crank up my volume I can hear myself very quietly.

This is not an issue that I had AT ALL until a day or two ago. I have uninstalled and reinstalled my Realtek drivers, as well as tried generic newer drivers not specific to my motherboard. I really don't know what to do at this point, have never seen this happen, and am truly stumped.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as this is driving me absolutely nuts.

 

[Zmanrocks]

Have you tried setting your microphone volume Higher?

1. Search for your sound settings

2. Go to the recording tab

3. Right click on your default microphone and chose properties

4. Goto the levels tab and set microphone volume to max

 

[malrats]

Have you tried setting your microphone volume Higher?

1. Search for your sound settings

2. Go to the recording tab

3. Right click on your default microphone and chose properties

4. Goto the levels tab and set microphone volume to max

Yes, I have absolutely tried that and as far as I know, all manners of basic troubleshooting.