Issues with Laptop detecting the mic on a headset

Colin Williams 0 Reputation points
2026-11-11T22:40:46.63+00:00

I have been using wired headphones using 3.5mm headphone jack for a couple years now with no issues. Today the microphone stopped being detected (As in it says it's unplugged) even though the output works the same as before. I have a usb dongle for the headset and with it the mic works, but i don't have enough USB slots to use it. Would this be a hardware issue or could it have some Software fix? I have already reinstalled my audio drivers once (Realtek Audio) with no success.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
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  1. Hendrix-V 21,090 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-11-12T03:50:06.1+00:00

    Hi Colin Williams,

    The fact that the microphone works through the USB dongle is useful because it gives you a way to isolate the problem.

    Please try:

    • Another 3.5 mm headset with a mic on the laptop.
    • Your current headset via 3.5 mm on another device.
    • Check that the 3.5 mm plug is fully inserted and that the jack is clean.

    If multiple known-working headset microphones aren't detected through this laptop's 3.5 mm jack, a hardware issue with the jack becomes more likely. In that case, the USB adapter remains a practical workaround, or the laptop manufacturer/support service can check the jack itself.

    Hope these tests help you pinpoint the cause.

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