W5024 Microphone Issue

Question

Hello.I've recently been given a pair of W5024 headphones for work, which includes a lot of talking online, as a replacement for the previous pair we were using, which are pretty old by now. I'm one of the first people switching over as a test run, and while the headphones themselves feel quite comfortable, i've had nothing but issues dealing with the microphone.On my own testing, i've had to struggle up and down to get the microphone to produce anything that could be reasonably heard by someone in a normal room - using the testing options in Settings barely lets me peak at 15% volume, despite taking the headset off and speaking directly into the foldable mic, as opposed to actually wearing it. I've been looking through reviews and haven't been able to find any similar issues, so i'm wondering if there's simply a setting i've missed or configuration to be done? This issue has popped up both on my work computer and my personal one while trying to achieve better results.

anne_droid · Answer

The WL5024 (Dell Pro Wireless ANC Headset) having very low microphone volume is usually a Windows input-level/driver issue rather than a hardware fault. You can typically fix it by raising the input gain and enabling Microphone Boost, then checking the Dell/Realtek audio software and driver version.

Quick checks first

Make sure the headset is connected via its USB‑A dongle (not Bluetooth) when testing; the USB link usually exposes full mic controls.
In Windows, go to Settings > System > Sound > Input, ensure “Dell Pro Wireless ANC Headset WL5024” (or similar) is selected, and slide Volume to 100%.
Test with the built‑in “Test your microphone” bar to confirm whether it’s still very quiet.

Increase microphone level and boost (critical for WL5024)

This is the step that most often solves “mic too quiet” on headsets like the WL5024:

Right‑click the speaker icon in the taskbar → Sounds (or Sound settings → More sound settings).
Go to the Recording tab.
Find your WL5024 mic (may show as “Headset Microphone”, “Dell Pro Wireless ANC Headset”, or similar), right‑click → Properties.
Open the Levels tab:
- Set Microphone to 100.
- Set Microphone Boost to +10 dB or +20 dB (start with +10, test, then increase if still too quiet).
Click OK, then test again in Settings > System > Sound > Input.

If you don’t see a Boost slider, the device may be using a generic driver; update or change the driver as below.

Check app‑specific mic levels

Some apps override Windows input level:

Zoom: Settings → Audio → ensure “Automatically adjust microphone volume” is on, or manually raise the input slider.
Discord: User Settings → Voice & Video → set Input Volume to 100% and disable “Automatically determine input sensitivity” if it’s cutting you off.
Teams: Settings → Devices → check microphone volume and run a test call.

Make sure the app is actually using the WL5024 as the input device, not the laptop’s built‑in mic.

Update or change the audio driver

If the mic is still very quiet after boosting levels, driver issues are common:

Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).
Expand Audio inputs and outputs and Sound, video and game controllers.
Right‑click the WL5024 / headset mic entry → Update driver → Search automatically.
If that doesn’t help:
- Right‑click → Update driver → Browse my computer for drivers → Let me pick from a list…
- Try an older compatible driver if available, then reboot and retest.

Also check Dell’s support site for your laptop model and install the latest Realtek Audio Driver and any Dell Audio/Communications utilities, then re‑test the headset.

Disable conflicting enhancements / communications ducking

These can reduce effective mic level or cause odd behaviour:

In the mic’s Properties window:
- Enhancements tab: try disabling all (noise suppression, echo cancellation, etc.) and test; then re‑enable one by one if needed.
- Advanced tab: uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device as a test.
In Sounds → Communications tab: set “When Windows detects communications activity” to Do nothing (prevents auto‑ducking).

If you also use the headset over Bluetooth

Bluetooth HSP/HFP profile often has worse mic quality and lower effective level than the USB dongle:

For best mic performance, use the USB wireless dongle for calls/meetings.
If you must use Bluetooth, ensure the device is connected as a Headset (with mic) profile, not just “Audio”, and re‑check input levels as above.

When it’s likely hardware

If:

The mic is still extremely quiet even at 100% + 20 dB boost,
On multiple PCs and in multiple apps,
And the USB dongle and latest drivers are used,

then the headset’s mic element or internal amp may be faulty. In that case, contact Dell support or your vendor for a replacement under warranty.

If you tell me:

Whether you’re using the USB dongle or Bluetooth,
Your Windows version (10/11) and laptop model,
And whether the mic is quiet in all apps or just one,

Inspiron