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How to Resolve Internal Mic Cannot Be Selected or Missing in Device Manager

Summary: The internal microphone is missing in Device Manager or cannot be selected in Device Manager.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Instructions

  1. Start up the computer. Ensure it is NOT connected to the Internet and log in as ADMIN.
  2. Go to Device Manager (Figure 1 [English only]) and check the following. Check to see if the Intel® Smart sound Technology (Intel® SST) Audio controller is installed and with no yellow bangs (As seen in below image). Check to see if the Intel® Smart Sound Technology (Intel® SST) OED is installed and with no yellow bangs. (As seen in below image) If there are any yellow bangs remove BOTH these devices, and if asked to remove the software as well, do that as well.

    Device Manager Intel Smart Sound Technology Audio Controller
    Figure 1 Device Manager

  3. If these two (x2) devices above has been removed restart the computer, and log in as ADMIN.
  4. Connect to the Internet and check if ALL Microsoft updates have been done (Figure 2 [English only]).

    All Microsoft updates complete
    Figure 2 Check updates

  5. Click the Check for updates, and if available check online for updates from Microsoft (Figure 3 [English only]).

    Windows update
    Figure 3 Windows Update

  6. Let it check and install all updates.
  7. After all updates have been done, restart the computer.
  8. Login as ADMIN and check Device Manager again for the Intel® Smart sound Technology (Intel® SST) devices (Figure 4 [English only]).

    Device Manager Intel Smart Sound Technology Audio Controller
    Figure 4 Intel Smart sound Technology

  9. If these two (x2) devices (Figure 1 English only]) seem all good, check the Audio inputs and outputs in Device Manager (Figure 5 [English only]).

    Audio inputs and outputs
    Figure 5 Audio inputs and output

  10. Then check the Sound, Video and game controller, in Device Manager (Figure 6 [English only]).

    Sounds video and game controllers
    Figure 6 Sound, video, and game controllers

  11. After this go to Dell Support. In the search field type in the computers ServTag number, and click search (Figure 7 [English only]).

    Search by Service Tag
    Figure 7 Dell Support

  12. This should bring up the computers details. Go to the Drivers & Downloads tab and click Find Drivers (Figure 8 [English only]).

    Drivers and Downloads for entered Service Tag
    Figure 8 Drivers & Downloads

  13. On the Manual download screen, select AUDIO in the category tab. Download all the AUDIO drivers and when done install them (Figure 9 [English only]).

    Manually look up Drivers and Downloads
    Figure 9 Manual download screen

  14. When these drivers are installed, restart the computer.
  15. Login with ADMIN and check if MIC is working. In Windows sound, you should see the input device as Microphone Array (Figure 10 [English only]).

    Microphone array
    Figure 10 Microphone Array

  16. Now you can open Windows voice recording to test the Microphone.

Additional Information

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Article Properties
Article Number: 000191990
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 22 Nov 2023
Version:  5
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