Troubleshooting Missing Recording Devices Setting in Windows 10 – How to Adjust Microphone Input Levels

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Fixing Missing Recording Device Options in Windows 10

Over the years we’ve seen Windows evolve rapidly, introducing great new features but also occasionally removing some handy legacy ones. Recently, many users have noticed that the Recording Devices options seem to have vanished from the volume icon right-click menu in Windows 10. This can make it tricky to configure your microphone levels and settings.

After digging into some illuminating forum discussions, we’ve discovered several straightforward workarounds to restore access to the full Recording Devices capabilities in Windows 10. Follow below as we walk through why this setting went missing, what it provided, and how to easily get it back.

What Did the Recording Devices Setting Do?

In previous Windows versions like Windows 7, right-clicking the volume icon in the system tray provided a menu option for Recording Devices. This let you access the full microphone properties and adjust input levels. It also gave quick access to configure Stereo Mix for piping system sounds into recording apps.

Why does Windows 10 voice recorder stop recording audio?

Another possible reason the Windows 10 Voice Recorder app stops recording audio is incorrect microphone settings. As such, it’s important to check and ensure the microphone is properly configured and selected as the default recording device. To check the microphone settings, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sounds.

What happens if I disable a microphone in Windows 10?

If you disable a microphone, Windows won’t let you use it when you plug it in. To check if this is the case, follow the below steps to enable the microphone: Navigate to the System setting and click on Sound in the left sidebar. Next, click on Manage sound devices under the Troubleshoot button in the Input devices settings.

Why Did Microsoft Remove It?

Starting with Windows 10, Microsoft began streamlining the user interface. The right-click volume menu lost some advanced functionality like Recording Devices. The intention was apparently to simplify things for average users.

However, this makes it harder for creators, streamers, and power users to fine-tune their audio configurations. The updated Sound Settings panel in Windows 10 simply doesn’t provide the same level of control.

How to Restore Recording Devices in Windows 10

Thankfully, there are a few easy workarounds to regain access to the full Recording Devices properties and settings:

Use the Control Panel

The Recording tab is still present in the classic Control Panel sound settings. To launch it:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.

  2. Typecontrol mmsys.cpland press Enter.

  3. Click Recording tab.

  4. Right-click your microphone and select Properties.

  5. Adjust levels, enable listening, and more.

This method provides complete access to recording properties and input levels. It’s a quick shortcut straight into the traditional interface.

How do I know if my microphone is working properly?

Make sure your microphone is connected to your PC. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound. In Input, select the microphone that you want to test. In Input settings, look at Input volume while speaking into the microphone. If the bar moves while you speak, your microphone is working properly.

How do I Fix recording audio on Windows 10?

Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter that will try to find and fix problems with recording audio automatically. To access it, head to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot. Select the “Recording Audio” troubleshooter, click “Run the Troubleshooter,” and follow the instructions on your screen.

How do I test a microphone on Windows 10?

Select Start > Settings > System > Sound. In Input, go to Choose a device for speaking or recording, and select the device you want. To test your microphone, speak into it. In Volume, make sure the blue bar moves to make sure Windows hears you. Make sure that the microphone or headset is connected correctly to your computer.

Launch via Game Bar

Interestingly, the Windows 10 Game Bar provides some shortcuts to the audio settings too. Use Win + G to open it, then:

  • Click the settings cog.
  • Choose Audio.
  • Click Device Properties.

You’ll jump right to the familiar Recording Devices screen.

Use Sound Settings App

The streamlined Sound Settings app in Windows 10 also provides access, though in a less direct way:

  1. Open Sound Settings using the system tray speaker icon.

  2. Under Input, choose your microphone.

  3. Click Device Properties.

  4. Go to Additional Device Properties.

This will again launch the full Recording Devices tab, a bit more buried than before. But navigating here lets you alter listening modes, levels, enhancements, and more.

Registry Tweaks to Re-Add Options

If you want to fully restore the classic right-click menu options, you can edit the registry. However this involves some risks, so caution is recommended.

Here are a few registry tweaks that may restore Recording Devices and Playback Devices to the volume icon menu:

  1. Navigate toHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\AppID\{C03D8CAA-495E-11D2-B9E6-00C04FB6E937}

    Why does Windows only listen to a microphone plugged in?

    Sometimes, your PC will have a default audio input device set in its settings. If this happens, your PC will use that device to record audio instead of your microphone. This means Windows will only listen to the set device, even though your microphone is plugged in. Navigate to System settings from the list of options.

    Why is my audio recording not working?

    The audio or sound recording issues may be caused due to an outdated audio driver, audio recording settings, no microphone available on the computer, faulty microphone, or microphone settings on the third-party software such as Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts, Google Meet, Discord, and so on, that you are using.

  2. Change (Default) value to MicrophoneProperties

  3. Navigate toHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\AppID\{ECABA3F1-7F19-11D2-978E-0000F8757E2A}

  4. Change (Default) value to VolumeControl

Keep in mind registry edits can cause harm if done improperly. Back up FIRST!

Push Microsoft for a Better Solution

In the end, the best fix would be for Microsoft to restore these options themselves in a future Windows 10 update. Clearly they’ve heard loud feedback from creators desiring the simpler access back. Filing feedback through Windows Insider channels may hopefully spur a reversal of this UI simplification.

Until then, the workarounds listed above should resolve the missing Recording Devices settings frustration being experienced by many users. We hope these solutions get your microphone input levels back under control. Let us know in the comments if you have any other tricks for accessing the classic sound controls in Windows 10!

How do I find a recording device in Windows 10?

Right-click on the speaker icon in the bottom-right part of the screen and choose Sounds. Click on the Recording tab in order to see your recording devices list. A list of recording devices will appear. Try speaking into your microphone, and see if there any green bars rising next to one of them while you talk (as in screenshot).

How do I fix a microphone problem in Windows 10?

For example, in Microsoft’s Skype, click menu > Settings > Audio & Video and choose your preferred microphone device from the “Microphone” menu. Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter that will try to find and fix problems with recording audio automatically. To access it, head to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

How do I Turn on sound on Windows 10?

Hit the Windows key, type “Control Panel” in the taskbar’s search field, and select the Control Panel desktop app in the results. Next, select “Hardware and Sound” on the main Control Panel menu, followed by “Sound” on the next panel. The Sound pop-up window appears on the screen. Make sure your audio device is set as default.

References

  1. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-microphone-problems-5f230348-106d-bfa4-1db5-336f35576011
  2. https://www.partitionwizard.com/partitionmanager/how-to-stop-microphone-auto-adjusting-win10.html

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