XPS 8940, mic jack not working

Does your mic have the right plug for the jack on the XPS 8940? Just because it fits into the jack, doesn't mean it's the right type. Depending on the plug, you might need an adapter cable.

Did you turn the mic on and give it permission to use apps? Go the Microphone Privacy screen in Windows 10 or 11, for those setting.

Once you do that, you also have to turn the mic on in Waves MaxAudio Pro, which is the audio control app on the XPS 8940. Make sure Waves is loading at board. Disconnect the mic and reboot PC. When you're at the desktop plug the mic in and wait to see if Waves pops up and asks what you connected. Select an option from the list, if it pops up.

Then open Waves control panel and click the Microphone icon on the right, turn the mic on there and set the other settings as you prefer.

Does that help?

EDITED

Hi, I have already done both step 2 and 3, but how do I know if I have the right plug?

1. There is no dedicated mic input port or a "line-in" port on the XPS 8940. The specs say the port on the front of PC is to "Connect headphones or a headset (headphone and microphone combo)".

I don't know for certain what type port is on the PC, but it may be TRRS. See this for explanation of the port types. So you might need an adapter. Or you might consider a USB or Bluetooth mic.

2. Sure you gave your apps (games?) permission to use the mic on this Windows screen? Be sure to scroll all the way down to bottom and give permission to both your apps and desktop software.

3. Does the Windows Sound screen recognize the mic as an Input device?
    Did you adjust the mic's volume setting and
run the troubleshooter on this screen?

4. Are you sure it's enabled in Waves?

Open Waves control panel and click at 1 to select mic screen:

On next screen, move the slider (2) to turn mic on. If there's a slash (/) over the mic icon (3), click it to unmute the mic, and move slider (4) to adjust its input volume:

Hi, thank you for all your help but, when I try to do step 4, it's not letting my slide the slider, can you help me out?

What did you decide about the type of plug on the mic?

Does Windows see the mic on its Sound > Input screen (Step 3, above)?

If you can't move the slider (Step 4), that says Waves doesn't see the mic. Did you reboot PC with mic disconnected and plug it in only after you got to the desktop? Did Waves pop up and ask what you connected? (It may take ~10 sec before Waves pops up, if it's going to.)

Yes, I found out it was the right plug, Windows has also saw it as an input "Stereo Mix", I have also tried rebooting without the headset and have also gotten the message of the Waves program, I have also tried it with multiple headsets as the audio works but not the microphone.

You may be choosing the wrong Sound Input device.

After you plug the mic, does the Sound>Input screen show you an option like this on the "Choose Input device" drop-down list? You don't want "Stereo Mix" which is also on that list.

If I choose Stereo Mix (Realtek Audio) on my XPS 8930, Waves doesn't let me turn the mic on with that slider on its Voice screen. As soon as I change the Input to mic,as shown above, Waves lets me turn the mic on.

Let us know if that solves your problem...

I don't get the option of anything else except stereo mix, and when I go to microphone settings, it says mic jack not plugged in.

Exactly which screen says "jack not plugged in"?

Did you double-check all the settings on the Microphone privacy screen (#2 in one of my earlier posts)?

Can you test this mic on another PC?

Do you have a known working mic or a headset you can test on this  PC?

I guess it's possible the input jack on PC is dead. If you're still under warranty, you might want to contact Dell Tech Support...

I have tested this on other devices and they seem to be working, I have also tried different headsets on this computer, I have also checked the microphone settings, everything seems find, I don't know, I also don't think the input jack is dead.... Do you have any other solutions?

Ok so update now, 

I'm getting this now, but the microphone isn't picking up anything, I have also tried to enable the microphone on waves.

How'd you get it to recognize the Jack Mic?

Is Input Device on the Windows Sound screen set to Microphone, and not to Stereo Mix?

Did you check the volume setting for the mic on that Windows Sound screen? Did you run the troubleshooter for the mic on that same screen?

Did you make sure the mic's slider is turned on and the mic isn't muted (Step 4, above) in Waves?

I changed the audio output from Nvidia to headphones, and the input device set is jack mic, I ran the troubleshooting, I also checked the volume for the mic, and made sure the mic's slider is turned on, it's still not recording my voice though. 

If Waves let you move that mic slider to On position, it's seeing the mic, which is good.

Did you make sure the mic isn't muted down at bottom of that Waves screen? 

Are you setting the mic's volume up high enough?

What app are you using to record voice? Does it have any of its own settings that need adjusting?

I'm trying to use discord, but I also find this weird 

the bars are moving but its not recording it.