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Computer won't recognize external microphone
When I right click on the audio button then select recording devices, only my internal microphone shows up even though I have an external microphone plugged in. Can you please tell me how to get the computer to recognize the microphone? I'm on Windows 8.1, and this is a Dell Inspiron 15, 5000 series.
Thank you!
Dianne Johnson
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October 29th, 2014 17:00
Thank you. Yes, it is a 5547. So I will try downloading the Realtek driver. Also, I had no idea there were microphones with different numbers of segments. Wow!
Jim Coates
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October 29th, 2014 21:00
Hello Dianne. Yes, that adapter is meant for your purpose. It you get it and it works let us know so we can recommend it to others. I used to recommend an adapter like that named the Headset Buddy but I got a lot of mixed reports about it -- worked for some but not others.
Dianne Johnson
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December 1st, 2014 10:00
Jim. the adapter did not help. Then upon some other advice, I purchased an external sound card. This connects via USB. It did not work either.
Any suggestions? I really need better audio recording.
Thank you,
Dianne
Jim Coates
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October 22nd, 2014 20:00
Hello. Dell support doesn't list a model by that exact name, so I'm guessing it is the Inspiron 15 5547 model? If you are using the Windows native audio driver that driver does not support the jack mic and so the realtek audio driver must be installed (it would have been installed at the factory but someone could have removed it later.) This is a link to the Realtek driver for the 5547 model so don't use it if you have a different model.
Also it makes a difference what kind of mic you have. If your laptop is 5547 model, it accepts a mic that is part of a smart phone headset. It won't recognize a regular computer mic. The type of mic it accepts would have a TRRS plug -- that is a plug with 4 segments, not the normal 3 segments.
Dianne Johnson
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October 29th, 2014 18:00
Thanks for the info. My computer only has one jack for either a microphone or a headphone. I'm thinking about buying this splitter: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-MUYHSMFFADW-Position-Headset-Splitter/dp/B00CPEZ4J6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1414627564&sr=8-4&keywords=trrs+microphone That has the four-segment TRRS plug. If I plug a regular (3-segment) mic into that, do you think that would work?
Thanks!!
Dianne
Jim Coates
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October 29th, 2014 21:00
I was a little sloppy when I said the microphone plug has 4 segments. It is the headset plug that has the 4 segments (TRRS). 2 segments are for the stereo headphones output, one for the mono mic input, and one for the ground for both devices.
Dianne Johnson
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October 29th, 2014 23:00
I ordered it. I'll let you know how it works. Thanks again for your help!
Dianne Johnson
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December 13th, 2014 14:00
Jim. the adapter did not help. Then upon some other advice, I purchased an external sound card. This connects via USB. It did not work either.
Any suggestions? I really need better audio recording.
Thank you,
Dianne
Jim Coates
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December 13th, 2014 19:00
When say that the usb device did not work, do you mean that when you went to select it to be the default recording device it was not listed?
Maybe if I knew the model and make of the device I could suggest something.
Boyzoid
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February 13th, 2015 06:00
I am having trouble getting my 5547 to recognize the mic on my headset (4 segments). I have tried a pair of SkullCandy headphones, a pair from my son's iPhone and a pair form my Samsung phone and none of them are recognized. I have tried uninstalling the driver and re-installing it, but have had no success.
Any other ideas?
Dianne Johnson
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February 13th, 2015 07:00
I am sorry to be no help. I never could get an external microphone to work.