If you connected a microphone to your computer and did not hear a sound, this does not mean that it is faulty. Perhaps the reason is an incorrect microphone connection or errors in the software settings of your computer.
Instructions
Step 1
Make sure that the microphone you connected to the computer is electret and rated for 1.5 V. If it is dynamic or three-volt electret, you will hear the sound, but it will be very quiet. Some microphones are collapsible, which allows you to replace the capsule with an electret and 1.5-volt. Observe the polarity when making such a replacement, and carry out it with the microphone disconnected from the computer. Do not turn off the microphone with the built-in switch, which in the off position closes the input and may thereby damage the sound card. Better to fix this switch in the on position by covering it with electrical tape. Save the old capsule so that the microphone can be rebuilt if necessary.
Step 2
If the microphone meets the above requirements and there is still no sound, check which input it is connected to. The microphone input has either a pink jack, a corresponding pictogram, or both.
Step 3
If the sound does not appear even after these manipulations, start the mixer program (in different OS it is called differently). If the inputs and outputs are displayed separately in the program, enable the display of inputs in the settings. If necessary, additionally enable the display of the microphone input. Turn on this input and adjust its sensitivity.
Step 4
If the sound does not appear at this stage, try connecting the microphone to another computer on which all settings are guaranteed to be correct (other microphones work). Thus, you check the microphone for serviceability.
Step 5
Finally, if the microphone on another computer works, then the reason for the lack of sound is not at all in it. Consider replacing your computer's sound card or setting it up correctly. But remember that if the card is outputting sound, then it is configured correctly, and the inoperability of its input devices is most likely a symptom of a malfunction.
