Skype sound not working well - how to change microphone settings?

[Kittywaving]

I had Windows 8.1 previously on the same computer, and the sound on Skype was fine. This leads me to believe that it is not a bandwidth issue.

[Kittywaving]

Thanks! I’ll try that right now.

[MonDragon]

in skype there’s an option to let Skype automaticalyl adjust the sound and mic levels, in the sound options, is that checked or not?
I am using it on MATE ffrom 2 different distros (openSUSE and Ubuntu) and have no issues… I can’t replicate your problem.

[Kittywaving]

Hello again,

After installing yesterday’s update, the mike is now again not working at all. Any idea what I might try to fix it this time?

I am using a Lenovo G70-70, in case that is of any relevance; just from searching around the web for a solution, both when I initially started this topic and now, it appears that a lot of people having similar issues are using Lenovo computers.

[wolfman]

Hi @Kittywaving,

try using the following terminal command (Ctrl + Alt + t):

sudo apt-get install libxine2-all-plugins

See also:

How to install Skype and run set-up in Ubuntu

Raspberry Pi users please check link below at the foot of this page!. To install Skype, use “Welcome” > Software Boutique > Internet > Install (Skype): [image] Once installed, you will find Skype under: Applications > Internet > Skype, right click the icon and then Add to panel or desktop (or both!) and then click on your icon to start Skype. Now add your Skype login details per the instructions in the window: [image] If you don’t want to keep adding your password each time you start Skype…

[Kittywaving]

Thanks. I just did that and the mike still isn’t working.

FYI, I came across this earlier today: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AudioCapture

And did this:

If your microphone still does not work in apps, try recording by running the following command in a terminal window: arecord test.wavand speaking into your microphone. To stop this command press Ctrl+C.This will test basic recording functionality by creating test.wav in your HOME directory. Open this file to determine whether you successfully captured audio when using the ‘arecord’ command. This may not work if the system has not detected your input device as default. If this fails, it is unlikely that other applications can successfully capture audio without further troubleshooting. In some cases you may need to configure your ALSA setup or try testing with Audacity as per instructions above.’’

This showed that it is not just Skype, but in fact the microphone is not working in general.

Any idea what to do next? And what is “Audacity”?

[Kittywaving]

Also did this:

This is what I had to do to get the internal mic to work on my Acer Aspire 5745G:

Install pavucontrol >> sudo apt-get install pavucontrolRun sudo pavucontrolGo to the “Input Devices” tabClick the lock icon to unlock the channelsSet the right-front channel to silence

Internal microphone not working

[wolfman]

Hi,

try installing and using “alsamixer”, the mic might be muted?:

sudo apt-get install alsamixer

Open a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + t) and type “alsamixer” once installed and use the F keys (F1/F2/F3 and so on) and also the left/right arrow keys to set it!.

Install Linux apps in seconds | Snap Store

I don’t think Audacity will help you?:

Install Linux apps in seconds | Snap Store

[Kittywaving]

Got that. Nothing was mute except for “headpohones”, which I now unticked just in case.

It looks like this: https://cloud.openmailbox.org/index.php/s/UsF4NYCyQty2PIn

Should I change anything?

Thanks for your help!

[wolfman]

Okay, from what I can see, the slider is way down on the bottom for “headphones”, you might want to push that up if you are indeed using any!. I would also take out the tick where it states"Rec", maybe that is why it won’t feed back?.

[Kittywaving]

Changed the sliders in accordance with your recommendations. I’m not using headphones. The mike still isn’t working. Aaaaah! I have no idea what else I might do.

[wolfman]

Have you checked that the correct hardware is selected and active? (Choose a device for sound input!), have you checked “Connector”?:

[Kittywaving]

Mine looks like this (on Ubuntu Mate):

https://cloud.openmailbox.org/index.php/s/m58lQGxW8BE2JXM

(I tried both options, either work.) There’s no “connector” menu.

[wolfman]

What hardware is being used here?:

[Kittywaving]

Same as your screen shot is showing, except there is another option underneath titled “Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI) Output”.

I’ve tried both here, and analogue stereo duplex is currently selected.

[wolfman]

Are you using “Built-in Audio” or HDMI?.

[Kittywaving]

That’d be built-in audio I should imagine. It appears that the system does not perceive the presence of the in-built microphone (the only kind I have) at all right now, since installing this latest update. I’m a tech idiot. Thanks for your patience.

[wolfman]

Okay, I suggest you play around with the various possibilities and try them all, it is quite possible that somewhere between your hardware and input settings, you have missed something, I am going offline now and will be back tomorrow!.

[Kittywaving]

OK, the mike is WORKING NOW! Don’t know what I did or how, but I’m pretty sure you helped it along quite a bit.

Thanks.

[wolfman]

Hi @Kittywaving,

I suspect that the wrong hardware settings in the sound settings was the culprit?. All’s well that ends well.