3Dio mic volume is way too quiet

Hi FoxxyVR

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

Based on your description, I understand that you have a 3Dio and Zoom UAC-232 DAC for gain, but after the most recent Windows update, can no longer hear the audio, and I understand exactly how you feel!

Here is what I think may be causing the problem.

1. It is possible that the problem occurs because this update is not fully compatible with your actual usage environment.

2. System update reset audio settings

Windows updates sometimes override or reset the default configuration of audio devices, for example:

The microphone's default input device is switched to another device (e.g. motherboard integrated sound card).

The microphone's gain (Boost) or volume level was accidentally turned down.

3. Driver compatibility issues.

After updating, the current driver may have compatibility issues with the new system version, resulting in the gain (DAC) not working properly.

4. Privacy permissions or microphone access is disabled.

Windows update may have reset the “Microphone access” in the privacy settings, resulting in the application not being able to call the microphone.

5. Exclusive mode or audio enhancement interference.

Some audio enhancement features (such as Noise Suppression) or Exclusive Mode may be enabled after the update, which may conflict with the DAC's gain function, resulting in noises or abnormal volume levels.

6. System files or audio services are abnormal.

Some system files or audio services may be corrupted during the update process, resulting in abnormal underlying audio processing.

I will give you some suggestions and troubleshooting options to hopefully solve your problem or find out what is causing it! However, this is the first time I've replied to this question, so please understand and provide more information in your reply (pictures would be great!). Thank you very much!

Option 1: Considering that the problem seems to have occurred after you updated your system, we tried to roll back the update or uninstall it.

As I see the recent update should be KB5050081 (preview) and the official version is KB5049981.

1. If it is a minor update, we should be able to uninstall it by uninstalling the update.

Please note: Some security updates cannot be uninstalled.

“WIN + i” to open Settings -> ‘Update and Security’ -> select ‘Windows Update’ on the left sidebar -> ‘View Update History’ -> ‘Uninstall Updates’ -> Uninstall this update based on date and time.

2. If it is a major update, then we need to rollback to the previous system version by non-destructive rollback.

“WIN + i” to open Settings -> ‘Update and Security’ -> Select ‘Recovery’ on the left sidebar -> Click the ‘Start’ button under ‘Roll back to a previous version of Windows 10’ -> Follow the guide to finish.

Please note: This method applies when the update is not more than 10 and the system has not performed a disk cleanup to remove the old Windows files.

Option 2: Check the default audio device and volume settings.

1. Right click the speaker icon at the bottom right corner of the taskbar -> select “Sound Settings”.

2. In “Input Devices”, make sure Zoom UAC-232 DAC is selected (and not other devices).

3. Click “Device Properties”, check whether “Volume” is full or not, and check “Auto Gain Control” (if any).

4. Go back to the previous page, click on “Other Device Properties” (small text on the right), go to the “Level” tab, and make sure the microphone volume is not turned down.

Option 3: Enable Microphone Gain (Boost)

1. On the “Device Properties” screen, go to “Other Device Properties” → “Customize” tab.

2. Check “Microphone Gain” (+10dB, +20dB, etc.) and try to increase the gain value gradually.

3. If there is no gain option here, please continue to the next step.

Option 4: Check privacy permissions and disable exclusive mode and audio enhancement.

1. We need to check if the application is allowed to access the microphone first.

Press Win+I to open Settings -> select “Privacy and Security” -> left click on “Microphone”.

Make sure “Microphone Access” is turned on, and check the list of apps below (e.g. Zoom, Sound Recorder) to see if they are allowed to access the microphone.

2. Then disable Exclusive Mode and Audio Enhancement.

Go back to “Sound Settings” -> Click “Device Properties” -> “Other Device Properties” -> Go to “Advanced” tab. “tab.

Uncheck “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device”.

Go to the “Advanced” tab and make sure “Enable audio enhancement” is unchecked -> Click Apply.

Option 5: I see that you tried to rollback the driver without success.

However, we can try to update or manually install the driver for the audio device.

1. Update the driver

“WIN + x” to select ‘Device Manager’ -> find your corresponding device -> right-click on the device and select ‘Update Driver’ -> ‘Automatically search for updated drivers’.

2. Install generic driver

Also in Device Manager -> Right-click on the device and select “Remove Device” (if there is one, please make sure “Remove Driver” is checked) -> After restarting the computer, the system will automatically search for and install the universal driver.

3. Manual driver installation

You can also download the driver for the corresponding model from the audio device manufacturer's website.

Please note: Please try the latest version of the driver as a priority, assuming the problem still exists, we can try some known older and more compatible versions.

Option 6: Let's try running the Audio Troubleshooter to see if we can get the system to automatically detect and fix the problem.

Open Settings with “WIN + i” -> select “Update and Security” -> select “Troubleshooting” -> “Other Troubleshooting” on the left sidebar -> click “Record Audio” and “Run Troubleshooter”.

Option 7: Sometimes it is possible that some audio-related system files may be corrupted or missing after an update, causing the problem.

We try to repair the system completely in two ways.

1. Scan and repair the system from the command line.

Click “Windows Logo Key” to open the search bar -> Type “cmd” in the search bar and open it with administrator privileges -> Please enter the following commands

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

SFC /Scannow

Please note: The above commands need to be repeated 5~6 times to ensure the completeness of the scan!

2. Please try non-destructive repair.

The steps are as follows

(1) First download the Media Creation Tool for Windows 10 via the following link. (Media Creation Tool)

The link is: Download Windows 10

Once the download is complete open it and select the ISO file.

(2) After downloading the ISO file, double click to open and run “setup.exe”.

(3) Under the “Install Windows 10” page, select “Change how the installer downloads updates”.

(4) Under the “Get Updates, Drivers, and Optional Features” screen, select “Not Now”.

(5) Follow the instructions to continue.

Please note: If prompted for a key, the downloaded ISO image file does not match the current system version.

(6) Under the Select what to keep screen, make sure you select “Keep personal files and applications” so that the contents of your computer will not be affected or lost.

(7) Start the non-destructive repair.

Option 8: Sometimes it is possible that the problem occurs due to corruption or loss of the user account profile we are currently using.

Let's try creating a new local administrator account from the command line and logging in to see if the problem persists. (Creating it in another way is also possible)

Click “Windows Logo Key” to open the search bar -> Type “cmd” in the search bar and open it with administrator privileges -> Please enter the following command

net user USERNAME PASSWORD /add

net localgroup administrators USERNAME /add

Please note: USERNAME PASSWORD can be replaced with your preferred account name and password, if you don't need a password you can leave out the PASSWORD.

Option 9: If the above steps do not work and you are unable to roll back the driver, you can try to restore the system:

Search for “Create Restore Point” -> System Protection -> Select the most recent pre-update restore point.

Please note: Restore Points will not delete your personal files and data, but will delete third-party applications, drivers and Windows Update installed after the restore point time.

Option 10: I will also provide you with a way to contact phone support and online support as they have remote assistance access that I don't have and can remotely go to your computer for more detailed troubleshooting.

Assuming the problem persists, please contact Contact Us - Microsoft Support for help and support related to the problem, thank you very much!

(1) Click on the link to visit the website and sign in to your account

(2) Enter the problem you are experiencing in the search field.

Below are some example images:

(3) Click on “Get Help”.

(4) Click on “Contact Support”.

(5) You can view the help or ask for online and phone support.

Please note: 1. I recommend that you contact Online Support or Phone Support as they have remote access to assist you remotely.

2. They are one-on-one, so you don't have to worry about your privacy being disclosed in a public place, and your privacy is protected as much as possible.

I sincerely hope that the above information and programs will help you! Please feel free to contact me (Photos related to the question would be great!).

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best Regards

Arthur Sheng | Microsoft Community Support Specialist