Can you help with microphone mute on/off button not working on Windows 10?

hi EF. II'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator, here to help you.

I will give you all possible Microphone fixes to try in sequence. Even if you've already tried one I'd do it in this order as one step may affect the next.

Please run the Recording Sound troubleshooter at Start button > Settings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot.

Try these fixes next:
https://blog.pcrisk.com/windows/12487-microphon... (avoid ad links)
https://www.windowscentral.com/setting-your-hea...
https://www.howtogeek.com/395296/fix-my-microph...
http://maxedtech.com/fix-microphone-not-working...
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fix-microphone-pr...
https://windowsreport.com/internal-microphone-s...

Some report that what worked is turning off Fast Startup at Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional Power Settings > Choose what Power buttons do > Change Settings Currently Unavailable > uncheck the box for Fast Startup, Save Settings. Restart and then disable Hibernate file to clear it, restart PC again and enable Hibernate again: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/enable-hiberna...

Right click the volume icon in System Tray at right end of task bar, open Sound Settings, then Choose Your Input Devices, see if the microphone is listed, set it as Default device.

Type Microphone in Start Search, open Set up Microphone, scroll down to Microphone and choose Get started to set it up.

Also reset the prompt to ask for which device was plugged in here:
https://windowsreport.com/you-just-plugged-unpl...
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/En...
https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-10/How-g...

Try updating and reinstalling the Microphone driver in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu, then Device Manager, then Audio Input and Output devices, then Microphone . Choose Microphone then Driver tab, then Update > Automatically. If no newer try Driver tab > Update > Browse > Let Me Pick to try all previously installed drivers. If that fails try Driver tab > Uninstall, restart PC to reinstall driver.

Update the Sound drivers from the PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page. While there make sure you also have the latest Chipset, Display, Network, USB and all other drivers, comparing with the version presently installed in Device Manager.

If no newer driver then uninstall the ones presently installed in Device Manager, reached by right clicking the Start Button. Restart PC to reinstall.

When did this behavior begin? If you have an idea you might be able to System Restore back to a point before it began: http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/how-t...


It's possible this was caused by a Windows Update so if nothing above works, go to Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update, check the Installed Updates list for Updates that might have been just installed, try uninstalling them using the Uninstall button present there. Then hide the Updates using the Hide Updates tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...


If this was caused by a Version update (which you can confirm at Settings > System > About) then for ten days you can roll back Version in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

If there are other performance problems then go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

Others are fixing USB mic and headset issues with Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account, because the account is corrupted and this is the only fix.

If nothing else helps then run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This solves many problems and will also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...


I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post resolved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

______________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Greg, first let me say thank you for the comprehensive post!  I have started on the list. The troubleshooter for the audio was differently worded but I think I understood what you wanted me to try.  Bottom line this step didn't fix it, but I wanted you to know I am working on it

 "Recording Sound troubleshooter at Start button > Settings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot."

For me was:

Control Panel>All Control Panel Items>Troubleshooting>Hardware and Sound

Then I clicked

Recording Audio

 The troubleshooter saw Audio device isn't set as default  as an issue

So I applied the fix:

I tested the headset and the microphone button still doesn't respond.  On to step 2.

Hi again -

I just checked at Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and then Recording Audio troubleshooter is still there, just scroll down a bit.

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.

Thanks Greg, I found the path as you described -- it looked like I got to the same place a different way, but just in case I ran the troubleshooter and the detailed results reflecting no issues are below. I've surfed to the second link in the list, and it looks like the steps include updating/re-installing drivers -- there aren't any new drivers.   Some additional background,  I didn't mention earlier -- the headset is new and the laptop is also new with the latest updates applied -- audio over Bluetooth was just installed and I can hear and talk.  So rolling back to earlier versions won't apply here since it never worked before.    The mute button is the challenge.   Based on the website info and that the drivers are fresh and up to date-- should I go through a driver uninstall/reinstall process again? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can type Services.msc in Search box, open Services panel as Admin. Check that the Services listed are running.

Be sure to renew the prompt which asks What Device was just plugged in, as this can be the key.

Thanks, uninstalled and re-installed device via scan for hardware changes which re-installed both instances of Hands-Free below

Restarted Services.msc Windows Audio, looked also to restart endpoint, but it prompted that windows audio would restart -- did so anyway so audio service restarted at least twice

How is it working now?

How is it working now?

Same as before  -- the microphone button doesn't work while the headset and sound via the microphone are flowing as before -- my apologies -- I should have mentioned this in my earlier post.  Just for fun I also rebooted and tested again to be sure all the refreshes of device drivers/hardware scan and services start steps were fully applied.  I confirmed the Windows Audio services are automatically started.

I additionally have tried adding the privacy settings and sound settings as shown below with the same results. 

I'm wondering how does pushing the mic hardware mute button get transferred to Windows 10 via Bluetooth?   There's not an overall "mute" microphone capability in any of the screens so far.   For example, I can mute audio (headphones/speaker output) from the task bar sound icon, but mute microphone might be app specific? -- see bottom screenshot.  I cannot see a mute capability until after I launch each app/ join meeting.

Here is what the audio settings show

I would ask TaoTronics Support as they would have that answer, and if it's possible how to achieve it in Windows 10. It may be a limitation of Bluetooth as you suspect, or it may be a limitation of the microphone. But either ways I think it's hardware-specific.

I think they're approachable because they give phone numbers, a good sign:
https://www.taotronics.com/pages/contact-us

Manuals and other Support downloads here:
https://www.taotronics.com/pages/support

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.

Hi Greg,

TaoTronics referred me to get Microsoft help. We reviewed drivers and setup and they said there's nothing more they can do on their end.

The mute button on the headset works fine on non-Windows devices -- i.e. Android phone. I can walk away from the phone and press the mute button on my headset.  It works. Mute/Unmute with a press of the headset button.   

Microsoft's drivers appear to be the common denominator.  Two different laptops from different manufacturers -- followed all the steps.  Audio works. Mute button does not work.  

How do we escalate this issue to Microsoft?