Solved Windows Won't recognize Combo Mic/Headphone Jack

[sabretooth]

Hey guys, I've been looking everywhere for a solution to this: Headphones Working Fine, Mics aren't...But totally no luck. I can see that a lot of people are having this problem and posting it on various forums, without any valid solutions or workarounds.
The Problem: Asus Laptop with Windows 8.1 with only one audio input won't read any external Headphone's MIC.


Description:
1. The Internal MIC works fine and it works everytime even when I plug in an external one.


2. When I plug in external headphone (Headphone's got 2 jacks, black which is for sound and red which is for recording) into the Only ONE audio input there is, Windows gives a popup with its current Audio devices plugged in but it just wont read the MIC. This is what pops up when I plug in the external MIC or headphone.




3. Now, When I go to the lower right corner and select Recording Devices from the sound panel, it won't show any external or added device when I plug in the new device. It would just show my internal MIC and something called Stereo MIX, but not my Microphone.



4. Okay, Now when I check Device Manager, and try to update all the Realtek Audio drivers it would just say "everything is latest with latest drivers installed", which is obvious since Windows 8.1 has bundled everything with my laptop.



5. Now you must be thinking of a solution like since my headphone has 2 wires (the red and the black), why not use a Audio Splitter which looks something like this... , I even bought that one and tried it without any luck. It still won't detect.


6. So, This is basically the problem. I've added everything here in this post, if anyone can find some solution to this that'd be helpful or else I'm going to write a long letter to ASUS to sort their rubbish straight by making 2 HOLES instead of ONE, since every headphone there is has 2 JACKS.. So, we need 2 HOLES for 2 JACKS...
Guys, Your Help is Needed!


PS: I've tried 3 headphones, none work! These same headphones work in different PC with 2 Audio Inputs.

 

[fireberd]

The splitter you show will not work with a PC. Its designed for an iPhone, PS4, etc. A PC plug is only Tip, Ring and Sleeve. The one you show is Tip, Ring, Ring, Sleeve. A PC microphone requires +5VDC, which is on the Ring connection to work.

Usually, PC's with only one jack, can be either but not both.

 

[CountMike]

Do you have or can put up a picture of the ends of those phones ? Two RCA jacks you have on that adapter are each mono, like for left and right earphone, no place for mike there.

 

[sabretooth]

Even when I plugged in with the splitter, It showed the same popup as it would when I plug in the headphone or mic jack without the splitter. This is my headphone and mic and as you can see both are separate. That red one is the MIC. My Asus X551ca Notebook has only one audio input on the side left of the laptop and when I put that red one in the audio input it would just show the same popup (1st image of the post), and wont recognize it as a MICROPHONE!! Why is windows doing that?

 

[sabretooth]

There are tons of forum posts about this here in this website as well as Tom's Hardware. But not a single solution!
I found a link which might shed some light in the Asus Forums.. Guys please somebody confirm if that's the real problem.
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1001623/
But then, isn't my splitter doing the same thing? Isn't that a four conductor 3.5mm Jack???

 

[CountMike]

No way, that splitter is not even close to what you need. Those RCA ends you have are for 2 MONO RCA jacks and are not made to stick 3.5mm stereo jacks in them. Those Headphones need to be plugged in two separate female stereo jacks, output speaker jack and input stereo microphone jack. If you have only one sound jack in that computer you need an adapter that has: One male 3.mm 4 ring connector ( from picture 2 in Asus Gide) and 2 stereo 3 contact female jacks (female counter parts from picture 1).
Edit.
Here, I found one you need 3.5mm Stereo 4POLE Plug to MIC microphone + Headset earphone Jack Adaptor iphone | eBay

 

[sabretooth]

Hey Count Mike, thanks for the quick reply...I will go and get one of those splitters from the Asus Guide. I hope that works. Could you tell me if USB headphones are a good alternative to this? Oh and THanks a lot for that Link!

 

[CountMike]

Hey Count Mike, thanks for the quick reply...I will go and get one of those splitters from the Asus Guide. I hope that works. Could you tell me if USB headphones are a good alternative to this? Oh and THanks a lot for that Link!

I didn't see a splitter in that guide, anyway it should look like the one from eBay.

 

[vBeij]

I have a splitter like the one you linked @ CountMike. My laptop doesn't show that any mic has even been connected. It knows the headphones are plugged in and I can listen to stuff through them but it doesn't recognize that there is also a mic connected. I am using a Razer Kraken Pro headset with a Speedlink Trax headset adapter. Please help!

 

[Kevinman]

I have a splitter like the one you linked @ CountMike. My laptop doesn't show that any mic has even been connected. It knows the headphones are plugged in and I can listen to stuff through them but it doesn't recognize that there is also a mic connected. I am using a Razer Kraken Pro headset with a Speedlink Trax headset adapter. Please help!

Guys, the only way you can record listen and the computer recognizes any external microphone is that it should somehow ADD a second microphone icon in the recording devices box!!!!!! I had somehow managed to add that second microphone icon other than built in computer microphone at my previous laptop which I forgot how unluckilly because music and professional vocal recording is my number one hobby... With my new laptop I am olso having the same problem.....

 

[ians fish]

I have a splitter like the one you linked @ CountMike. My laptop doesn't show that any mic has even been connected. It knows the headphones are plugged in and I can listen to stuff through them but it doesn't recognize that there is also a mic connected. I am using a Razer Kraken Pro headset with a Speedlink Trax headset adapter. Please help!

I wanna pick up here. I'm using a turtle beach X12 headset and I have PC compatible audio and mic jacks. I made sure of that before buying. the audio works when its jack is plugged in but the mic does not. I've Checoed for a recording device being added to the computer, no new icons pop up. Same situation with OP. I've seriously gone through every troubleshooting check on the internet now and I'm just waiting to be told that it's impossible to use my $65 headset on my ASUS laptop. Can anyone throw in some help here?

 

[BlazinAsian19]

I have a splitter like the one you linked @ CountMike. My laptop doesn't show that any mic has even been connected. It knows the headphones are plugged in and I can listen to stuff through them but it doesn't recognize that there is also a mic connected. I am using a Razer Kraken Pro headset with a Speedlink Trax headset adapter. Please help!

I wanna pick up here. I'm using a turtle beach X12 headset and I have PC compatible audio and mic jacks. I made sure of that before buying. the audio works when its jack is plugged in but the mic does not. I've Checoed for a recording device being added to the computer, no new icons pop up. Same situation with OP. I've seriously gone through every troubleshooting check on the internet now and I'm just waiting to be told that it's impossible to use my $65 headset on my ASUS laptop. Can anyone throw in some help here?

I'm having the same issue with my Turtle Beach XO One. It uses a Four Conductor plug, but it won't show that either exist in the sound settings, and the mic doesn't work. The computer instead uses the internally built mic. I'm using an ASUS X551CAP.

 

[bobbbydimax]

I have the same issue. It does not have any problems with external speakers. However I am not able to make it work with the external mic. It keeps on using the built in mic. I think ASUS should verify if this should work or not. I changed the OS from Windows 8.1 to Windows 7. Same issue.

 

[hometeamdawg]

Wanted to relay my experience in case it helps anyone...

I have an Asus x200ma laptop with combo audio jack. I had seen the Asus FAQ saying you need a 4-pole plug on your headset. I have a headset with 4-pole plug and a stick mic with 4-pole plug. Both work with my iphone.
When I plug the headset into the laptop, the Realtek software asks me if its headphones, mic, or speaker out. No choice for headset. If I choose headphones, the headphones work and the mic does not. If I choose mic, nothing works. The stick mic does not work. NOTE: None of the mic attempts ever showed up on the recording tab as an external mic.)
The ONLY way I can use an external mic is to feed the output of a mic mixer into the laptop. The plug is a 3-pole (or stereo-type) plug. It seems as if I can use headphones OR mic (with the 3-pole plug) but not both.
I'm not sure if this is the laptop's hardware, 8.1 software, or Realtek software.

I've searched many internet posts and I've yet to see anyone have luck with a headset on an Asus laptop with a combo audio jack.

 

[popeye]

My wife bought me these last Christmas, work great. Logitech.com â

 

[juanuc]

Apparently, the solution is buying a TRS-TRSS adapter like this:
StarTech.com Adaptador Divisor de Auriculares de 3,5mm de 4 Pines a 2x de 3,5mm de 3 Pines: Amazon.es: Electrónica

 

[Liecan]

It seems that the problem has been solved with the purchase of an adapter, but I recently discovered that I have this problem also. After doing some painful research without finding very much, I stumbled onto the Asus website. Their "solution" is stating that the audio jacks are the wrong type. https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1001623/

I then proceeded to try a solution that has worked for some but I again had no luck. Microphone Not Working in Windows 10? | Win 10 FAQ

As a last hope I unplugged my headphones, wright clicked 'start' and went to 'Programs and Features' and uninstalled 'Realtek High Definition Audio Drive this restarted my computer. Once it had rebooted it reinstalled my drivers and it detected my headphones.

Sorry if I'm a little late, but hopefully I can help future problem dwellers.

 

[burritobabe]

I've tried the solution @Liecan gave and it recognizes my headphones now and I have the proper adapter but the mic still won't work.

Does anyone have a different solution?

 

[Szilvi]

I had a same problem like the topic opener. I already ordered my USB soundcard.
But now I found how can I fix it without USB stuff.
I did this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUX9McUv-Yk
And I can't belive this, after so many hours total s*****. It's works correctly.
I can't see headset icon on my panel, but the microphone properties has two connection, and when I put the headset the microphone and earphone working properly, and when I remove it, the win switch to laptops analog mic and speaker.
The changed driver was newest like installed from asus site, but it's works fine.
I hope if you try it, it's help for you.
All the best

 

[davoguha]

Hello all,

To enlighten this issue further for your average PC user.

What we are seeing here is a hardware incompatibility. PC equipment *typically* only utilizes 3-pole audio connections. A 3-pole connection carries 2 audio channels, however, these 2 channels are generally addressed as L or R, but are designated to a single purpose, and that will be either playback or recording.

TO CLARIFY: See this article; http://www.cablechick.com.au/blog/understanding-trrs-and-audio-jacks/
I personally prefer to refer to the number of poles, rather than the diagram of the poles (In example, a common 3-pole connector is called TRL and a 4-pole connector TRRL (a physical description noting a "Tip" one or two "Rings", and a "Sleeve" - Essentially, each separate section of metal on your connector is a "pole" - 1 is reserved for a cable ground which is required, audio playback always reserves 2 poles, and audio recording technically only needs a single pole) [Further note that there is unusual and proprietary equipment out there, but if your using that equipment and having issues, it will be noted in the manual that you need proprietary/selective equipment]

3-pole connections are the most common used with PC equipment, as in general, PCs generally equip 2 or more audio jacks, and thus can have both playback and recording devices connected simultaneously in different jacks. Laptops fit into a grey area, wherein some manufacturers have reduced this to a single audio jack like cell phones or tablets.

4-pole connections are most common on mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets, where the goal is to maintain size and mobility, thus they pack all of your audio needs into one cable (grounded, 2-channel playback, and 1-channel recording). *This is NOT convenient for PC users in a great many cases, as the multiple socket setup gives much more customization capability (like combining 4x 3-pole inputs for a 7.1 surround sound output)*

IF YOUR COMPUTER HAS ONLY ONE AUDIO JACK : It may have a 4-pole jack. Look closely at the computer specifications or call support. If they do not understand your question, ask for another representative or escalate your call to their superior. "Does this laptop support 4-pole audio from it's single audio jack? - If they need an example, refer to an iPhone headset w/ microphone." This should yield a "yes" or a "no". If "yes" I have a solution for you below. If "no", I have other solutions for you below.

The headset shown here utilizes 2x 3-pole connectors.

The laptop has only 1x 3-pole jack. (NOTE: I am assuming it is a 3-pole jack, but it is not impossible that they used a 4-pole - see Solutions)

This means you can use *either* 1 external playback device, or 1 external recording device (via 3.5mm audio jacks). As a general rule of thumb, you can use a 4-pole connector (such as that iPhone headset w/ mic) as an audio output only (i.e. listen to headphones) with little to no issue. In *many but not all cases* you can use the 4-pole connector as an audio recording device, i,e input, by selecting the appropriate option when the device is plugged in (most jacks support this "reversible" configuration these days).

SOLUTIONS:

The easiest *workaround* is to use the headphones for the playback device, and to utilize the laptops built-in microphone (yes, even though it is not very nice).

If you discover your equipment supports 4-pole audio, a 2x3-pole to 4-pole adapter will easily resolve your issue. Find one on amazon or ebay and you'll be set (some, but not all electronics stores carry these, however I find cables are best acquired online so as to prevent a city-wide search to find the right shop carrying the right cabling needs).

In any case, if you have a USB port available, you have 2 further options;

A USB Audio adapter will solve this issue in one fell swoop. USB Audio adapters are commonly found supporting up to 6 separate input/outputs. Meaning you'll have one for the headphone connector, one for the microphone connector, and plenty others for any other audio device you might dream of using. This is an excellent solution, as it will allow you to adapt just about any 3.5mm equipment to a USB port, and you'll only ever need one of these adapters and one available USB port to support all of your audio needs.

Also available via USB, you can find many standalone headset units designed purely for USB use these days. In fact, if your headset equipment was not expensive, it may be best to take this opportunity to invest in newer USB headset equipment. You'll find there is only 1 downside to this option, and that is the usage of a USB port. However, considering most other solutions here involve some sort of peripheral device, this can also be solved by an easy to obtain, inexpensive, USB hub.