XPS 8930, gaming headset/mic combo mic not working

Hi randerle,

Thanks for posting.  Apologies that your system is not performing as expected.

Which headphone jack are you using?

Have you run a systems diagnostics yet?  Please run Dell SupportAssist to check for hardware issues.  Make a note of any error messages encountered and post back.  If there are none, then the possibility exists that this may be a software or driver issue.

Here is information from the Dell knowledge base you may find helpful:

How to Troubleshoot Audio or Sound Recording Issues

If you still require assistance and the system is under warranty, you may contact me privately. Be sure to include your personal information (name, address, telephone, email) and your computer's service tag number in your message. Thanks.

If there is no warranty, then you could contact our Out of Warranty team to get a quote for a paid service request. 

I am using port 3 and 4. Port 3 for the headset pin and Port 4 for the Mic Pin. I am using the splitter that came with the headset. Headset has one pin that plugs into the splitter.

Did you check the Windows settings to make sure the mic is turned on and the apps you're using have permission to use it? Settings > Privacy > Microphone

And if Device Manager has an entry for the mic under Audio Input/Output, right-click the mic entry and make sure it's enabled there too.

Port 3 is a combo jack.

Headphone/speaker port

Connect headphones, a headset (headphone and microphone combo), or speakers.

So you probably won't need the splitter if you plug in there.

Tried to plug it into port 3 without the splitter and still the mic is not working. Can only hear. Any other options?

Have you tried the headset on any other systems?  Since Dell has not tested this product to work with our systems, you may need to contact the headset manufacturer for support.

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@randerle wrote:

I am using port 3 and 4. Port 3 for the headset pin and Port 4 for the Mic Pin. I am using the splitter that came with the headset. Headset has one pin that plugs into the splitter.

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That's correct.  You need to use both ports, directions in manual are not quire right when they call the headphone jack a combo splitter

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS-Desktops/XPS-8930-front-combo-port-mic-problem/td-p/6207770

First make sure the splitter is connected correctly and pushed all the way in on the cable.

When you plug the speaker cable in and the mic cable in, you should be getting a pop up on the screen for each device as you plug them in unless you chose to not show the dialog box.

I would then check the device manager to make sure Windows is seeing the device

Nothing plugged in other than external speakers and 34" display

Headset and mic plugged in

Should then show up in "Sound" control panel

You can check the configure and properties settings to make sure they are setup properly.  The default settings are the ones you want with Windows 10, as they work fine with this Steelseries headset I plugged in to check the setup.

If the hardware seems correctly installed then the problem might lie in the setup of Discord, Ventrilo or similar chat software. Look for some videos on YouTube on how to set those up if the hardware seems correct. I know that setting up Discord was a little confusing when I first got the machine and set up my headset.

Tried all of these solutions and still not working. I was thinking taking back the headset and getting a USB headset do you think that will work? Or what about a bluetooth headset?

randerle

Not sure if this will work but have you tried to set the headset/mic as "default communications device"?

https://www.mcbsys.com/blog/2018/09/set-default-communications-device-in-windows-10-1803/

I had the same problem and I just resolved it.

If the Input is showing Stereo Mix (Realtek Audio), it's wrong. It should be Microphone (Realtek Audio). I went to Device Manager and uninstalled the driver for Stereo Mix (Realtek Audio) and now Microphone (Realtek Audio) is showing correctly and recording is also working.

OMG This info saved me, Thank you so much!