Very low microphone volume - SOLVED

[Draz]

I've had my Index for about a week now and I still haven't figured this out, the headset's microphone is extremely quiet even though everything is maxed out in Windows and SteamVR settings.

Any ideas?

Update: I've just solved my issue. All this time I've been using my own headphones which plug into a 3.5mm port behind the face gasket. It never even occurred to me that it would make these headphones act also as the microphone, even though it's listed under the same, "Digital Audio Interface - Valve VR Radio & HMD Mic" name in Windows. So now my question is, how do I continue using my headphones with the Index microphone?

Update 2: Solved with a TRS adapter like this https://i.imgur.com/8me6ajq.png, a 3.5mm male to 3.5mm female cable from Deltaco where the plug is longer and them third ring, the mic ring, is missing.

[FishTail [JoinUsInVR]💬GROUP]

First, contact valve support. That will pause your return window, and often they can tell you things to try that can fix it.

Second, make ABSOLUTELY SURE the mic is on and your others are off. Not just in software settings, but by looking at the sound setting input bar and rubbing your finger over the mic. then repeat on your PC mic, and confirm it's picking up from the one you expect it to be.

Make sure you check the device properties "level" and "listen" tabs too.

If you confirm it's picking up and those things don't fix it, here's some general Index fix steps that fixed earlier USB issues, and might help you too.

....Keep us posted, and mark the "SOLUTION" once found, and then edit the subject to end in "<SOLVED>" so it helps others, once it is.



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FIRST unplug everything and reboot PC, & make sure windows and video drivers are up to date too.

If it's a consistent issue, then one potential quick fix is to:
[A] Submit a hardware support request telling them your problem and any error codes (this will extend YOUR 14 day RETURN window & help escalate a reliable fix for all)
Close all of Steam then move the C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\config\steamvr.vrsettings fie to another location, and then retest the issue.

But what fixed my problems was doing this:
[1] Submit a hardware support request telling them your problem and any error codes (this will extend YOUR 14 day RETURN window & help escalate a reliable fix for all)
[2] In SteamVR► Settings► Developer►click the "Remove all SteamVR USB Devices" button near the bottom
[3] Uninstall SteamVR (from the "tools" group of games)
[4] Browse to the SteamVR folder and DELETE IT (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR) (critical step!)
[5] Reinstall SteamVR from the store, and retest the issue

As a LAST RESORT, install the SteamVR Beta version. That's a setting via the right click properties in the "tools" portion of the Library.

Make sure you do topics A (or #1) right now! It puts your 14 day return countdown on pause, so you get more time to decide if it's right for you.
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[Draz]

Thank you Fish_Tail, I've opened up a support ticket and will test the troubleshooting methods you provided. I'll definitely update my post if something changes.

[Draz]

Originally posted by Fish_Tail:

FIRST unplug everything and reboot PC, & make sure windows and video drivers are up to date too. --

After multiple reboots, clearing and reinstalling SteamVR, reinstalling VR drivers - nothing has changed. The microphone is still extremely quiet. I'm now on SteamVR 1.7.15 but the beta version, 1.8.16, didn't solve the issue either.

Edit: I've just solved my issue. All this time I've been using my own headphones which plug into a 3.5mm port behind the face gasket. It never even occurred to me that it would make these headphones act also as the microphone, even though it's listed under the same, "Digital Audio Interface - Valve VR Radio & HMD Mic" name in Windows. So now my question is, how do I continue using my headphones with the Index microphone?

[FishTail [JoinUsInVR]💬GROUP]

Glad you solved it! (and thanks for marking it too)

LOL... that's the type of reason why I told you to rub your finger over the mic and make sure the INDEX one was what it was using! Glad you figured it out.

As to how to fix the issue, I have a thought to try.... First, as a test, grab a headphone that has ONLY ears and no buttons or mic. It would be the type with ONLY two black rings on the end of the metal plug. test that. If it fixes the issue, then get an extension wire or adapter that only has those headphone rings, and not the extra mic ring.

But my guess is that won't make a difference. So asking steam might be your only hope. I would guess you are out of luck on this one. But report back what you learn so other's benefit too. Thanks!

[Draz]

Originally posted by Fish_Tail:

Glad you solved it! (and thanks for marking it too)

LOL... that's the type of reason why I told you to rub your finger over the mic and make sure the INDEX one was what it was using! Glad you figured it out.

As to how to fix the issue, I have a thought to try.... First, as a test, grab a headphone that has ONLY ears and no buttons or mic. It would be the type with ONLY two black rings on the end of the metal plug. test that. If it fixes the issue, then get an extension wire or adapter that only has those headphone rings, and not the extra mic ring.

But my guess is that won't make a difference. So asking steam might be your only hope. I would guess you are out of luck on this one. But report back what you learn so other's benefit too. Thanks!

Yeah I didn't even remember these earbuds had a mic on them. I'll try some headphones without a mic and update once again. At least it wasn't a hardware issue... Just hoping I can continue using my own headphones.

[Draz]

Steam support replied with this;

Originally posted by Steam support:

Regarding the microphone - the Index supports TRRS headphones, and switches to the integrated microphone when a headset like this is detected. Since your headset uses this type of connection, our engineers recommend using a TRRS to TRS adapter similar to the one below to prevent the headphones integrated mic from being used.

I confirmed this solution to work with a 3.5mm male to 3.5mm female cable from Deltaco, where the plug is longer and the third ring, the mic ring, is missing. https://i.imgur.com/8me6ajq.png

[FishTail [JoinUsInVR]💬GROUP]

Originally posted by Draz:

Steam support replied with this;

Originally posted by Steam support:

Regarding the microphone - the Index supports TRRS headphones, and switches to the integrated microphone when a headset like this is detected. Since your headset uses this type of connection, our engineers recommend using a TRRS to TRS adapter similar to the one below to prevent the headphones integrated mic from being used.

I confirmed this solution to work with a 3.5mm male to 3.5mm female cable from Deltaco, where the plug is longer and the third ring, the mic ring, is missing. (https://i.imgur.com/8me6ajq.png)

I figured that might work. Glad you found a solution! Can you post the link to the item itself, and include the cost for others? Your link is blocked by steam.

[Draz]

Originally posted by Fish_Tail:

Originally posted by Draz:

Steam support replied with this;



I confirmed this solution to work with a 3.5mm male to 3.5mm female cable from Deltaco, where the plug is longer and the third ring, the mic ring, is missing. (https://i.imgur.com/8me6ajq.png)

I figured that might work. Glad you found a solution! Can you post the link to the item itself, and include the cost for others? Your link is blocked by steam.

Well here's the product I bought on a Finnish website, Deltaco 3.5mm male to 3.5mm female, 9,00€ - https://www.jimms.fi/fi/Product/Show/97518/aud-110/deltaco-aanikaapeli-3_5mm-uros-3_5mm-uros-0_5m-musta

Amazon has a similar item, YCS Basics 3.5mm to 3.5mm female TRRS to TRS adapter for $6,99 - https://www.amazon.com/YCS-Smartphone-Headset-Headphones-microphone/dp/B00MV2PDCA

The Amazon reviews aren't very convincing so I probably wouldn't get that one and instead look for a similar item elsewhere.