Realtek Microphone Array Stopped Working - Windows Update

[KOhrn]

Hi: Windows update today delivered 5 Realtek updates.

The built-in microphone array has stopped working.

My machine is an Intel NUC8i3BEH.

Sound out is working through two outlets. The PC can get sound from the mic on my Bluetooth headset.

The built-in microphone array does not work in 3 sound-related apps, all of which get sound from the BT headphone mic.

Windows troubleshooter finds nothing.

I have downloaded and installed the Realtek Audio driver from Intel's web site (6.0.8716.1). No change.

There is no way to uninstall the Realtek updates delivered today by Windows Update.

[KOhrn]

I have further information. With an audio cable plugged into the NUC's audio/headphone jack, the Microphone Array will not record. The Mic Array works fine when the audio cable is removed.

This is new behaviour, and the audio cable has been in place for months before this started to happen.

When the audio cable is removed, Device Manager / Audio Inputs and Outputs shows only "Microphone Array (Realtek Audio)."

When the audio cable is plugged in, Audio Inputs and Outputs shows a new entry "Speakers (Realtek Audio)".

I don't think the audio jack or cable is defective and creating a "phantom mic" to supersede the Microphone Array. 

[Alberto_Sykes]

KOhrn, Thank you for posting in the Intel® Communities Support.

In reference to your inquiry, in order to try to fix the issue, we can try first a BIOS update to the latest version 0083:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/126150/Intel-NUC-Kit-NUC8i3BEH

Just to confirm, how are you testing the Built-in MIC?

For testing purposes, do you have the option to do a system restore to the point where the mic was working fine before the updates?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12415/windows-10-recovery-options

Any questions, please let me know.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[KOhrn]

Hi Alberto:

Many thanks for your reply.

The BIOS update was applied long before the problem surfaced.  BIOS has been 0083 for a while now.

I'll do a restore later in the day, since I need the PC for other things for a while.

I test the Realtek Microphone Array (MA) like this:

    Ensure MA is selected as Input Device

    Open MS Voice Recorder, start recording, make sounds, listen to results

    Open GoldWave audio app, start recording, check results.

    Open MS Settings/Sound tool, "Test Your Microphone", make sounds, observe results

    In all cases, there is no sound observed and none recorded except for static.

Next:

    Connect headset via Bluetooth

    Ensure Input device is "Headset"

    Record or observe with all 3 audio apps

    Sound is recorded or observed

Next

    Remove audio out connector from NUC panel audio jack

    Turn off headset

   Set Sound/Recording/Microphone Array as default device

   Record sounds with MS  Voice Recorder / Goldwave / Settings/Sound

    All show sound observed or recorded.

[KOhrn]

Hi Alberto:

Restore is not working for me.  I've raised it with MS. 

Restore failed with the following message:

Failed while deleting Path   D:\OneDrive\Personal Vault.lnk

[Alberto_Sykes]

Hi KOhrn, You are very welcome, thank you very much for providing that information.

We will do further research on this matter, in order for us to be able to do that please provide the SSU report:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility-for-Windows-?product=91600

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[KOhrn]

Did you get the SSU report I sent?

Attached again here. 

[Alberto_Sykes]

KOhrn, Thank you very much for providing the report.

After reading all the details on this thread:

"The built-in microphone array has stopped working."

"Ensure MA is selected as Input Device"

We just wanted to confirm, this problem is in reference to the built-in microphone array on the Intel® NUC or is in reference to an external microphone that you are using?

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[KOhrn]

Hi Alberto:

The issue is with the built-in microphone array on the NUC.

Microphone Array (Realtek (R) Audio)

[Alberto_Sykes]

Hi KOhrn, Thank you very much for clarifying those details.

We will do further research on this matter, as soon as I get any updates I will post all the details on this thread.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[carissa11190]

Do you have an update?  This is happening to me too, and it's causing issues trying to talk in meetings.

[KOhrn]

No update.  The problem persists.

[Alberto_Sykes]

Hello KOhrn, I just received an update on this matter.

I sent you an email, please verify your inbox.

carissa11190, Thank you for posting in the Intel® Communities Support.

Please submit your inquiry on a new thread, the reason for this is that every scenario is different even if the same product is being used, so for us to better assist you and in order to try to fix the problem, please submit a new thread:

https://communities.intel.com/community/tech

Let me apologize for any inconvenience.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[KOhrn]

Hi Alberto:

I have done more work on this.

I uninstalled the Realtek audio devices from Windows 10 Device Manager. 

I de-installed the software "Realtek High Definition Audio Driver" and rebooted the NUC.

Device Manager now shows "Microphone (High Definition audio Device)".  Driver version 10.0.19041.1. 

I am able to record using the Microphone Array and Windows voice Recorder. The audio connector is plugged into the NUC front panel jack. 

When I remove the connector from the front panel audio jack, the Microphone Array will not record.

My diagnosis is that this issue is a RealTek driver problem. 

[Alberto_Sykes]

KOhrn, Thank you very much for sharing those details.

I sent you another email requesting personal information, please verify your inbox.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[Alberto_Sykes]

KOhrn, I just wanted to check if you received my email and if you need further assistance on this matter?

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[Alberto_Sykes]

KOhrn, Since I have not heard back from you, we are closing the case, but if you have any additional questions, just reply back or post a new question.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[KOhrn]

Hi Alberto:

I have done more work on this.

I uninstalled the Realtek audio devices from Windows 10 Device Manager. 

I de-installed the software "Realtek High Definition Audio Driver" and rebooted the NUC.

Device Manager now shows "Microphone (High Definition audio Device)".  Driver version 10.0.19041.1. 

I am able to record using the Microphone Array and Windows voice Recorder. The audio connector is plugged into the NUC front panel jack. 

When I remove the connector from the front panel audio jack, the Microphone Array will not record.

My diagnosis is that this issue is a RealTek driver problem. 

[CaitlinColema]

---

@KOhrn wrote:

Hi Alberto:

I have done more work on this.

I uninstalled the Realtek audio devices from Windows 10 Device Manager. 

I de-installed the software "Realtek High Definition Audio Driver" and rebooted the NUC.

Device Manager now shows "Microphone (High Definition audio Device)".  Driver version 10.0.19041.1. 

I am able to record using the Microphone Array and Windows voice Recorder. The audio connector is plugged into the NUC front panel jack. 

When I remove the connector from the front panel audio jack, the Microphone Array will not record.

My diagnosis is that this issue is a RealTek driver problem. 

---

Does the RealTek driver install without errors? I had the same problem. I uninstalled RealTek, downloaded a new version of RealTek and installed it. The problem was solved.

[lEdge]

I have no idea how to find the time to read all the psyches. Apparently there are a lot of comments.

If you are using the Windows 10 operating system. It's just the opera with the settings. In settings for microphone permissions. They get stuck for some reason. You have to consult somebody to reset the whole batch number or try flipping the switches yourself for every program individually with some restarts in between. Trust me that's the only opportunity I see for this problem to move forward.