Learn how to use headset mic on laptop properly, even with the best headset mic not going to have the most enjoyable experience until you’ve setup it correctly.
Headsets can be an essential tool to communicate especially when working from home, when you want to shut the noise around you in order to focus on your work. They are also loved by gamers want to enjoy the environment and also to communicate with their teammates.
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How To Use Headset Mic On Laptop
To connect a headset to your laptop it is necessary connect it. It’s as simple as connecting the cable’s connector of the headset to a port on a laptop or PC, or connecting it wirelessly. Below are some options for headset users:
3.5mm Jack: Most common and older headsets generally come with a split cable at the top with 2 3.5mm connectors, one for audio out and the other for the microphone. (Pink to connect the mic, and green is for headset.)
USB: USB headsets provide enhanced experience due to amps inline as well as controls and other functions, however, in terms of performance there’s not a massive distinction among USB and 3.5mm Jacks.
Wireless: The Bluetooth headsets cut off the cables that connect to your laptop or PC and allow you to relax without worrying about getting tangled.
The primary factor that determines the quality of sound will be the sound card that is on your motherboard, and comparing it with a dedicated digital-to-analog conversion (DAC).
How To Check Sound Output of You Headset
After connecting your headset to your laptop then you need to make sure your OS’s sound settings are set up correctly. First, you need to confirm that your windows is set to use the headset for the primary output.
- Left Click on Sound icon on the taskbar.
- Choose the audio device from the menu drop down.
- Select the headset that is connected.
It could be USB or the manufacturer model motherboard’s onboard audio. It all depends on the type of connection the headset uses. You can change the name of each headset on this list in order to make it easier to identify which is which.
We’ll now need to check the output to ensure that we’ve chosen the right device and that everything works as it should. This can be done by starting a media player on your laptop, or using the test function within Windows.
- Click audio icon on the taskbar.
- Select Open the sound settings.
- Select Sound control panel.
- Choose headset (should have the check mark in green).
- Select Properties. (You can change the name of this sound output here to facilitate changing.)
- Select the Advanced tab.
- Click the button to test.
If you can hear the sound coming from the headphones, then you’re good to go. If not, verify that you’ve got the right headset for audio output and that the device itself is connected
How To Record Your Voice Using Headset Mic
We have to choose the microphone as our default device, and ensure that the volume is up. To record your voice, we have to follow the steps bellow.
- Right-click and open the Sound icon on the taskbar.
- Select Open the sound settings.
- Select the Sound control panel.
- Click on the record tab.
- Select the mic.
- Select Set as default.
- Open Properties window.
- Select the Levels tab.
- Adjust the volume.
Make sure to start your preferred VoIP application ( Discord is an excellent option) and recording program to check the microphone. Certain software applications will take control over the mic and change the levels according to the requirements. Some applications let you alter the volume of the software to prevent you from recording window every time.
Troubleshooting Windows headset problems
Use the correct ports
Did you use the proper port? For 3.5mm Jacks, it’s typically green to output and the pink one for input. Mix them up and nothing will happens. Modern motherboards have a variety of ports options for surround sound, and you may need to check the manual for further information.
Auto-detection may be causing problems.
If you are using software such as Realtek’s HD Audio Manager, try to disable jack detection, and see whether that improves the situation.
Re-installing drivers
Go to Device Manager and uninstall the headset driver. Reboot your laptop or PC and then connect the headset again , allowing Windows to reinstall the drivers again.
Select different formats
If you’re unable to access anything try an alternative input/output format in the properties window (use the above steps to set a headset).
Headset Controls
The headphone might have controls in the cable. Mute and volume sliders, make sure that you’ve set them up for use.
Try headset on other device
If you want to determine if the issue is related to the headset or with your laptop or PC. Try using the headset on a different device.