Overview

This guide covers microphone input problems: not detected, low volume, background noise, echo, and quality issues. For audio output problems, see Audio Troubleshooting.

Mic Not Detected

1. Check Physical Connection

   • Wired USB: Unplug and replug. Try different USB port
   • Wired 3.5mm: Check jack fully inserted. Try different port
   • Wireless: Ensure powered on and charged. Check battery indicator
   • Bluetooth: Pair device in Windows Settings before using in Jyv

2. Check Windows Settings

   Verify mic is recognized by Windows:

   1. Settings → Sound → Input devices
   2. Look for your microphone in the list
   3. If there, mic is properly connected
   4. If not there, Windows doesn't detect it (see driver step)

3. Check Jyv Desktop Mic Selection

   Settings → Audio → Microphone Input

   • Click the dropdown - does your mic appear?
   • If yes, select it
   • If no, Windows hasn't detected it (see next steps)

4. Update Audio Drivers

   Outdated drivers prevent mic detection:

   1. Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers
   2. Right-click your mic → Update driver
   3. Choose "Search automatically for drivers"
   4. Restart computer after update

   If no driver found automatically, visit manufacturer website (Logitech, Blue Microphones, etc.) and download latest driver.

5. Check Microphone Privacy Settings

   Windows may have blocked mic access:

   1. Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone
   2. Ensure "Microphone access" is ON
   3. Scroll down and enable "Jyv Desktop"
   4. Restart Jyv Desktop

6. Restart Audio Services

   Jyv Desktop → Settings → Advanced → Restart Audio Engine

   This resets the audio device detection.

7. Test in Windows Settings

   Before testing in Jyv Desktop, verify mic works in Windows:

   1. Settings → Sound → Input devices
   2. Click your mic → Test microphone
   3. Speak into mic. Sound should appear in waveform

No Audio Detected

Mic is detected by Jyv Desktop but no audio is being captured.

1. Check Microphone Mute Status

   • Hardware Mute: Some mics have physical mute buttons. Ensure not muted
   • Windows Mute: Check speaker icon in taskbar - input shouldn't show muted
   • Jyv Desktop Mute: In Audio Routing panel, verify mic isn't muted

2. Check Microphone Level

   In Jyv Desktop Audio Routing panel:

   • Look at microphone input meter
   • Speak into mic - you should see a green bar move
   • If bar doesn't move, mic isn't receiving audio

3. Check Windows Input Level

   Settings → Sound → Volume and device preferences

   1. Find "App volume and device preferences"
   2. Find Jyv Desktop in list
   3. Ensure Input device is set to your microphone
   4. Volume should not be 0%

4. Grant Microphone Permission to Jyv Desktop

   Windows requires explicit permission:

   1. Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone
   2. Toggle "Microphone access" OFF then ON
   3. Ensure Jyv Desktop is in the allowed apps list
   4. If not, click "+ Add an app" and select Jyv Desktop

5. Try Different Microphone

   Test if issue is mic-specific:

   • If you have another USB mic, try it
   • If it works, original mic may be damaged
   • If it also doesn't work, problem is likely Jyv Desktop settings

6. Disable Exclusive Mode

   Some apps claim exclusive mic access, blocking others:

   1. Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers
   2. Right-click mic → Properties
   3. Advanced tab → Uncheck "Allow exclusive control"

Microphone Volume Low

1. Check All Volume Controls

   1. Mic Physical Volume: Some mics have buttons - turn up
   2. Windows Master Input: Right-click speaker → Input devices volume
   3. Jyv Mic Input Level: Settings → Audio → Microphone Level slider
   4. Per-App Input Volume: Audio Routing → Mic input volume
   5. App-Specific Settings: Discord, OBS, etc. may have their own mic level

2. Increase Microphone Boost

   Windows can amplify weak microphone signals:

   1. Right-click speaker icon → Open Volume mixer
   2. Find your microphone → Properties
   3. Advanced tab → Look for "Microphone Boost"
   4. Increase by +10dB to +20dB (don't max out, can add noise)

3. Enable Noise Suppression Carefully

   Aggressive noise suppression can reduce voice volume:

   • Settings → Audio → Noise Suppression
   • Try "Balanced" or "Light" mode instead of "Aggressive"
   • Check if volume improves

4. Check Input Gain in Voice Enhancement

   Voice enhancement has input gain control:

   • Settings → Audio → Voice Enhancement
   • Ensure "Input Gain" is not set to minimum
   • Increase to +3dB to +6dB

5. Try Different Microphone Position

   Physical positioning affects volume:

   • Mic should be 3-6 inches from mouth
   • Closer = louder. Farther = quieter
   • Avoid blocking any vents on mic body
   • Point mic correctly if it has a directional pattern

6. Clean Microphone</strong> Mesh

   Dust on mic mesh reduces volume:

   • Gently brush mesh with soft-bristled brush
   • Use compressed air to blow out dust
   • Avoid touching actual microphone element

Too Much Background Noise

{
  "noiseSuppression": {
    "enabled": true,
    "level": "balanced",
    "profileMode": "adaptive",
    "learnBackground": true,
    "learnDuration": 3000        // Learn first 3 seconds
  }
}

Audio Cutting Out

1. Check CPU Usage

   Audio cutouts are often caused by high CPU load:

   • Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc)
   • Check CPU % - should be <80%
   • Close unnecessary applications
   • See CPU Troubleshooting

2. Increase Buffer Size

   Small buffer can cause dropouts under load:

   • Settings → Advanced → Audio Buffer
   • Increase from current value (try 512 samples)
   • Higher buffer = less cutting but slightly higher latency

3. Disable Unnecessary Features

   • Disable Voice Enhancement if not needed
   • Disable Transcription if not actively using
   • Disable Audio Routing if not using multi-device setup

4. Check for USB Issues

   USB mics can cut out if USB bandwidth is congested:

   • Avoid using high-bandwidth USB devices (external drives, cameras)
   • Don't use cheap USB hubs - use powered hubs or direct connection
   • Try different USB port (USB 3.0 preferred)

5. Update Drivers

   Outdated drivers can cause audio issues. See device manufacturer website.

Echo / Feedback

You hear your own voice repeated, or audio feeding back on itself.

1. Check for Double-Input

   Feedback often happens when mic is both input and output:

   • Settings → Audio → Verify input and output are different devices
   • Don't select same device for both mic input and speaker output

2. Check App Settings

   Discord, OBS, etc. have echo cancellation settings:

   • Discord: User Settings → Voice & Video → Enable Echo Cancellation
   • OBS: Settings → Audio → Enable Noise Suppression
   • Teams: Settings → Devices → Enable Noise Suppression

3. Check if Using Virtual Cables

   If you're routing mic to virtual cable to another app, ensure:

   • Cable input is separate from original mic input
   • Don't monitor the cable back to speakers
   • Only one app should read from the cable at a time

4. Reduce Microphone Gain

   Sometimes very high gain causes feedback. Try lowering:

   • Settings → Audio → Microphone Level (reduce slider)
   • Or disable Microphone Boost in Windows device properties

Poor Audio Quality