Database Users

Problem with microphone volume when calling

Hi,
Since my Hermes fell off the table people keep complaining that they have problems hearing my voice while talking on the phone. They say the volume of my voice is too low. When using a headset everything's fine.
I've never had a problem like that, nevertheless I dismantled the Hermes to see if there was anything wrong with the microphone after the fall, but it seemed ok.
I also recorded my own voice using the voice recorder in WM6 to test the microphone and strangely enough my voice sounds pretty loud and clear to me.
After some googling I found that many people seem to have a problem with their voice barely being heard by other people on the phone.
Solutions I could not find and I do not understand why that problem has occurred after the Hermes fell down, as it seems to be software-related (otherwise my mic-test would have resulted in a low-volume recording, which it did not).
Has anyone here had that problem and found a solution?

Well, I've solved the problem, although not by the means I originally wanted to. I just did a recovery of a Backup from before the day the Hermes fell down and voila - everything works again as it should (although I still don't get it how the phone falling down can change the SOFTWARE, but hey, as long as it works).
Again we see the importance of regular backups.

I had this problem before. tried to fix it but didn't work. Flashed all sorts of roms, all didn't work. Even newly flashed roms still had this problem.
Headset is fine
but just speaking into the mic isn't.
Same as you, recording works fine too, but mic to phone just doesn't work. I am curious how did you dissasemble your phone though, do you have a manual or something?

I had this problem before. tried to fix it but didn't work. Flashed all sorts of roms, all didn't work. Even newly flashed roms still had this problem.
Headset is fine
but just speaking into the mic isn't.
Same as you, recording works fine too, but mic to phone just doesn't work. I am curious how did you dissasemble your phone though, do you have a manual or something?

Hi again,
Well, the problem's back again. Even after resetting the Hermes at first it worked fine, but later people complained again that my voice was too low. So it seems that the problem is first solved by resetting/backup recovery, but then reappears. Don't know how that is possible, but I fear that it is indeed hardware-related.
Has anyone any suggestions as to what I can do?
Am I right in assuming that the hole next to the one for resetting the phone is for the microphone? Because when I dismantled my Hermes the corresponding part did not look like a microphone at all. Here's a picture of what I am talking about:
Is the part where the black rubber-thingy (circled below) that easily falls off when dismantling is placed over the microphone?
As for the dismanteling, go there:
http://www.mikechannon.net/page1.html
and search for "Hermes", there are some nice guides there.
I appreciate any hints that could lead to me solving this problem.

Update:
I've been searching for corresponding Registry Entries and so far have found these:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Phone
Changing "Vol" to 65535 increased the mic volume a little bit, but it was still too low for being acceptable (I have been testing the volume by placing my Hermes next to my PC speaker while playing an audiobook at a normal volume and calling my landline as to see how it sounds).
See also here for the thread where I found this info.
I also found these two threads:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-260171.html
http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-256734.html
My Values at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HTC\AUDIOGAINx were originally at 18 and 19. I changed them first to AA and this did, or so it seemed, increase the volume more notably. Changing the Values to CC however changed little compared to AA (although this should make the mic even louder). I may be mistaken, but I even think that the quality was better with AA.
I am not familiar with the actual volume of the mic at the receiver's end, but in my opinion the volume was pretty ok. I will call a few of the people who have been complaining and see what they have to say about the volume.

Update:
I just called my brother and he said my voice was as low as before, so my modifications had no effect.
Next thing I will try is to totally disassemble my Hermes and put it back together so to check every connection that might have gone loose.

Update: Dismantled it totally (except for the screen part) - didn't help either.
Seems like there is no solution to this problem. Most likely I will have to get a replacement. This sucks.

HI
Exactly the same problem here.
(No phone audio but Note recording & Headset works fine)
Only the phone was not dropped. Just happened !
Did a reset but did'nt wok either !
Phones in great condition.
Like you though it was a Software Issue
How much was a new mic ?
Can it be economically soldered on ?
Is there no solution whatsoever ?
Please keep me updated
Many Thanks
Sampler100

Hi Sampler,
In the end I found no solution to my problem. Got myself a Vario III and am using that one ever since.
Please let me know if you find anything that can solve this.
Greets,
Cartman

Some of these problems (I don't say all) may be caused by damage to the mini USB port and the fine wires inside it. The port has wiring related to sound both earpiece and Mic. As you know connecting a handsfree headset cuts off the Mic and earpiece, so you can see that damage to the port or bend pins inside it can cause Mic problems. This may be why sound recording is fine, but in phone mode the Mic is cut off.
I say this only to avoid the assumption that the Mic is damaged (it may be), but it can also be the port and associated wiring that causes the problem. If you are dismantling check the solder contacts around the USB port for cracks and also for bent pins in the socket.
Mike

Microphone not working on Galaxy S5

My microphone on my S5 is not working. When I make a call I can hear the person but they can not hear me I also tried recording my voice and it didn't work, so clearly I am assuming the microphone is broken. What part do I specifically need in order to replace the microphone and have it working?

Sounds like you didn't do a search and read the existing threads on this subject. Your assumption that the mic isn't working may not be correct. You should at least try turning off the noise cancelling settings first, speaking closer to the mic, et cetera. There is also a service menu setting for microphone gain. Failing all of those items, then a warranty claim or buying the part yourself, if out of warranty.
All of these are elaborated in more detail in existing threads.
.

fffft said:
Sounds like you didn't do a search and read the existing threads on this subject. Your assumption that the mic isn't working may not be correct. You should at least try turning off the noise cancelling settings first, speaking closer to the mic, et cetera. There is also a service menu setting for microphone gain. Failing all of those items, then a warranty claim or buying the part yourself, if out of warranty.
All of these are elaborated in more detail in existing threads.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried everything you have said before. If I could possibly know what specific part that is faulty so I can replace it because the warranty is expired

navpal said:
I have tried everything you have said before
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would have been helpful if you had bothered to tell us up front that you had done so.
The primary microphone is part of the charging port assembly.
.

fffft said:
It would have been helpful if you had bothered to tell us up front that you had done so.
The primary microphone is part of the charging port assembly.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so replacing that part should fix the problem?

I was having mic problems. Remembered a friend having issues on his S3, he used a needle to clean rubbish out of the hole on bottom of the phone. So i did the same, very thin needle only pushed in a small amount, pulled a load of fluff out. Problem solved. Two mics on s5, bottom is for using phone normally, top is for when you use in speaker mode.
Might be worth a try.

navpal said:
My microphone on my S5 is not working. When I make a call I can hear the person but they can not hear me I also tried recording my voice and it didn't work, so clearly I am assuming the microphone is broken. What part do I specifically need in order to replace the microphone and have it working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your phone rooted?
If yes than are you using custom kernel?
If Yes than which kernel?
Sometimes it is due to kernel.

Such problems are more s 5 s
This is probably due to the waterproof cover

I have a rooted stock G 900 a mic doesn't work but speaker does. left touch button doesn't work or light up. the device is still under warranty so we sent it back to Samsung and they wanted almost $200 to fix it whereas I am going to pay $10 for that whole board and microphone I'm fix it myself I am hoping that this will fix the problems. I am 99% sure it is because of some water damage. just a small amount of water I believe got in the charger port. check out what. I will update on this too with results. maybe a video. I have replaced glass and motherboards on many s5 but this is a really advanced repair

navpal said:
My microphone on my S5 is not working. When I make a call I can hear the person but they can not hear me I also tried recording my voice and it didn't work, so clearly I am assuming the microphone is broken. What part do I specifically need in order to replace the microphone and have it working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like my S5 is doing the same thing. It started doing this just in the last few weeks, and I haven't figured out how to address the problem.
I am having the same issue as navpal above
Does anyone have any idea how to fix this frustrating problem?

I also would appreciate if solution were posted. HEre are things I have tried with no success.
I cannot even slightly be heard on other line, except when in speakerphone mode. I can hear myself on my side, so I know that the sound is being recorded by at least one microphone.
tried:
clearing system cache
factory reset
clearing out microphone with pin

Hi there.
I have (not mine) Samsung S5 in my hands
Have tried:
Safe mode
battery out of the device and back on method
cannot do factory reset - still don`t want to disturb the client about that
Can you give me picture only of the MIC,not the whole board and others?
Maybe i can try clean it.
If i try to replace the old one will that be enough for me - i attach one photo ?
How is that done at all?
Thanks in advance

Hey Guys,
Im having the same issue. My phone went underwater without the USB flap cover and now the microphone does not work.
Should I replace all USB board? or replacing only the microphone piece would solve the problem?
Also, I wasn`t able to find more threats about it, if you guys have it, please help posting here the link.
Thx

You're about a smartass aren't you

This is an old thread, but I wanted to share my solution to this. My mic audio was very weak in speakerphone mode on Galaxy S5, but was OK in normal phone mode. The S5 has 2 microphones: bottom one is for normal mode, only top one is used in speakerphone mode. On mine the top mic hole was internally plugged with some debris. After cleaning it out by carefully inserting a broken-in-half toothpick (the blunt end) and twirling it while holding phone upside down to allow dirt to fall out, my speakerphone mic audio problem has been solved. If your mic audio is OK in speakerphone but weak in normal mode, it could be the mic hole along the bottom edge that needs cleaning. Using Voice Recorder in INTERVIEWEE mode will test only the upper microphone. Other modes of Voice Recorder enable both microphones so would be less conclusive. Cleanining out the mic holes completely solved my problem, while software fixes such as unchecking noise cancellation did not make any significant difference. Hope this is helpful.

sina_samand2002 said:
Such problems are more s 5 s
This is probably due to the waterproof cover
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My friend you saved me.!!!! i have tried a lot of things but the cover was the problem. Without it the mic in speakermode works great now.... I think even Samsung cannot explain this.!!!

[Q] Mic issues

Has anyone dealt with a dead mic ?
One day out of the blue on 4.4 mic stoped working.
Installed L 5.1. beta 3 and the mic still seems dead (Calls and Google voice) HOWEVER in sound recorder the mic works (picking every single sound) ...
Further more installed the HiQ Mp3 recorder which apparently can use front and or back mic and it works in all configs .(front back and stereo)
Tried different values via engeenering mode with no luck ....
****** Apologies to all this post was misplaced in this forum *********
I guess I should replace the charging board alltogether however I am puzled that the recordings come out clean ......
Anyone with a similar experience ??
(btw sound on wired headset is fine ... bluetooth sound is broken I think due to beta since the bt headset and speaker I tried didnt work)
Phone is Jiauy S3A

Ok Results
The issue was a dead mic (low mic) or rather a near dead mic.
Replacing the mic (on the same board ) resolves the issue (note that you can use third party mics i used asamsung one)
Best test to realise where is the fault
Open the camera recorder and start recording
Close the top mic hole with your finger, start talking in the lower mic and in the end gently (very gently) blow towards the hole.
Repeat on the top hole with the lower hole closed
After that listen to the video
If there is a problem with a mic the voice might be heard but the blow will be almost inaudiable in the problematic mic.

I have exactly the same problem - mic works fine on sound recorder and on the video camera, but Google Voice Search and using the phone does not (I've tried your blow test and it's all fine). This surely cannot be a hardware fault, can it ?
I've tried updating to LL5.1 beta3, but same problem. I've fiddled with the audio settings in the engineering menu, using a variety of values, and turned off the noise reduction without any success.
Any ideas ?

clayts450 said:
I have exactly the same problem - mic works fine on sound recorder and on the video camera, but Google Voice Search and using the phone does not (I've tried your blow test and it's all fine). This surely cannot be a hardware fault, can it ?
I've tried updating to LL5.1 beta3, but same problem. I've fiddled with the audio settings in the engineering menu, using a variety of values, and turned off the noise reduction without any success.
Any ideas ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google voice was the main indicator that the mic was bad ....
Do the blow test again and try as "gentle" as possible and then compare the results, if the uper mic is louder then then mic is dead or nearly dead.
Most probable that you ll need to change your mic

Thanks for your help - can you provide a link to the replacement mic you used (or did you use one from an old phone) - and is it easy to replace ?

Unfortunately I did go to a service shop for the repair, so I dont have a model number, all I know is that he proposed two different types, one was a noname and the other one was made by samsung (so my guess is that any samsung service center can sell you one) .
The process took about half an hour, unsoldering the old mic and soldering the new and the cost was 10 euros ( around 11 USD)
Sorry I couldnt be any more helpfull on that.

I found that, after video recording with stock camera app, main mic stop working for calls. only upper mic working. you can test it with 2 phones in both hands. but I was find simple solution: many people holding phone when taking pictures so the controls are on right side. but if you turn you phone so the shutter button will be on left side, after video recording, main mic still working!!! btw. if you like to take a shoot with control button on right side, just after you finished, turn your phone for 180° and make one more shoot, just to save your main mic for calls. no reboot needed after this action. tested on many roms, KK or LP, happend with all roms and stock camera. so problem is with stock camera app and sensor that give the information to phone to disable main mic.

Well mine was definitely a hardware fault - got a replacement lower board (USB/mic/speakers) and replaced it myself - all good again.

I think i've got the answer. The lower mic is broken for some of us. When we got to the camera app and take a video and turn the phone around it will indeed change the mic and then will use the upper one (still working) in future calls. This is why you can then be heard after when you call someone, but you'll be using the upper mic and the lower mic is still broken. Once your reboot you have to redo this. I'd like to buy a new board (usb + mic) but we cannot find any on internet anymore. Except some sellers on Ebay who are selling it from 150 dollars to 900 dollars (no joke). I guess i don't have much solution except doing that trick and use the upper mic and then try not to reboot the phone.

Android head unit microphone issues

These systems are well known for their mic troubles and I have taken this up with the manufacturer. There is a post that I have seen somewhere in this forum that details a hardware fix. From what I have gathered, anyone brave enough to attempt and has accomplished this fix has not reported any issues; great for the electricians out there.
I do work in the computer industry, but identifying electrical components and soldering is not something I am too confident with. The manufacturer did however, send me an updated update.img file in response to my mic issues. I've installed this and it made some improvement, but nothing so significant that I have actually started using the mic. It also has a new wallpaper and noticed that the default apps have been updated, but not sure how?
Anyway, I've just had a bright idea! I've tried improving the mic by using various bluetooth mics, various external mics that plugin into the mic jack, using the internal mic and manufacturer software update. All make very little difference, but has anyone actually tried using a USB mic?
I don't have one to hand and don't really want to buy one if this doesn't solve the issue. Would drivers/android recognising the usb device be an issue? Hoping someone has had a go at trying this out or can try it out if thay have a usb mic?

Shame no one replied on this one. Did you end up trying a USB mic solution and did it work out for you?

Yeah... Haven't tried it yet as don't want to buy one if it doesn't work. Your reply to this thread would have bumped it back to the top so may still get a response Im hoping

According to this link http://liliputing.com/2012/09/using-skype-on-an-mk802-android-4-0-mini-pc.html, a microsoft lifecam vx-700 with built-in microphone was found to be working on some android devices. The question is whether our firmware would work too. And whether there would be a way to simply disable the built-in input and only route the external usb sound in. It all feels like its probably too much to ask....

OK so I tried a cheap usb webcam with built in microphone to see if it would make a difference. The webcam seems to be working fine for video, was instantly recognized by android and showed video, but sound is still the horrible mess coming from the internal mic. I doubt that a dedicated USB mic would be any different.

Thanks for checking... you saved me some time at least.

Could it be when using an internal mic + external at the same time that can cause this kind of trouble? That is what it seems when i read around forums.

have a look at this, maybe it helps:
http://www.autopumpkin.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=171&start=90

I simply cut the internal red wire to mic and installed external mic again and the problems have disappeared. I have been told there is a slight echo but that may be fixed by changing the BT firmware from default.

I think the mic location on the HU is excellent and we don't really need to route an external mic somewhere else. How about just trying to desoldier the old one and try to locate a high quality one and soldier a new one ?
Fortunately I am lucky and my internal mic works great.

raptor18 said:
I think the mic location on the HU is excellent and we don't really need to route an external mic somewhere else. How about just trying to desoldier the old one and try to locate a high quality one and soldier a new one ?
Fortunately I am lucky and my internal mic works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lucky you, though to be fair without an external mic my internal worked, just not very well. I have read somewhere that soldering to the internal connections had issues but not sure why, it cant hurt to try can it?

roscored1000 said:
Lucky you, though to be fair without an external mic my internal worked, just not very well. I have read somewhere that soldering to the internal connections had issues but not sure why, it cant hurt to try can it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shouldn't be a tough solder job.
Just make sure to use a solder sucker to remove old mic and you should be fine.

Guys,
I have the same problem with my android car navigation system.
I have a Note 4 and an android car navigation system in my car (with built in wifi and Bluetooth (BT)). The microphone of the car navigation system has a very low quality, it is almost not working/usable. I would like to pair my phone to the car system in BT but would like to disable the built- in microphone of the android car system and use the note 4's microphone by default and hear the sound of the person who is talking to me on the car speakers.
Is this possible? How? Do I need to use third party apps ?
Many thanks in advance

So frustrating... Anyone have a fix yet?
Android head unit mic barely picking up.
Why have they not fixed this issue?
So frustrating. Got everything all hooked up and straightened out except the daggum mic. I just bought this android head unit (9.0) and the person on the other end of the phone call can't hear me. So I plugged in the external and same. They can barely here me when I am screaming into it.
I have got to get this fixed.
Anyone found a solution yet???

Find out how to get into the engineering menu of your HU, there you can adjust the mic gain. Also have a look at this thread for other ideas.

did you fix it?
---------- Post added at 12:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 PM ----------
I improved the level of my mic built-in with th MTK enginerring app. hardware test and changing mic volumen in normal mode, headset mode and loudspeaker mode, but it is not enough when engine is working. I will try to solder and external mic to the pads of mic built-in. I think that it is problem of software filtering because when engine is off, sounds doesn't rattle, the volumen is not to high but the comunication is steady, but when i start the engine, conversation gets cuts. maybe engine sound is interfering with the mic built-in mic. I will update progresions.

8227L YT9216BJ Head Unit
even my above car android unit has mic problem. it does not recognize the voice commands unless spoken very close to the mic, which is not practical
Also, Bluetooth calls are intermittently heard (with Airtel). But when switched to JIO simcard, works fine.
Please can anyone support with a solution on both the issues
[email protected]

In short for helping anyone that has the same problem
I have a Bosion D6 android (android 10 version – 4 gb ram 64 storage, 8-core) head unit on my Ford Focus mk2.
Everything was perfect expect the microphone, even after I installed the external mic that came with it, the sound was poor and my listeners’ complaint that the quality of the conversation was not very good.
Read tons of stuff here and elsewhere so I decided to spend some money (around 20€) and bought a Sony microphone XA-MC10 to replace the Chinese original (since I have read some good reviews and you can find it in your local market also)
The difference was more than noticeable and everyone now listen to me perfect. i test it myslef through the sound recorder app and it seems like going from say 64kbits/s to 146kbits/s or more.

I don't want to open another thread because the problem is similar.
When I connect with iphone carplay, the interlocutor often hears me jerky, I tried both internal microphone and external also cutting the internal one to exclude it but nothing.
Using the application "microphone amplifier" and applying the filters instead it feels perfectly, but obviously every time it should start and set, so very boring.
Tried to use MTK Engineering mode to change the mic volume, but it doesn't solve completely.
Anyone have any ideas to try?
Thank you in advance

Did anyone ever find a solution to sounding really quiet to the person your calling? Cheers

Very noisy microphone - low SNR

Hello everyone.
I'm having some problems with my LG G2. My in-call microphone doesn't seem to work at all when I'm calling someone, unless I blow straight in it. I tried testing it with some app I found on Google Play (Test Your Android) and it turns out that the microphone level is okay, but it's very noisy, so it looks like some noise filters filter out the signal as well. I tried replacing the entire ribbon on which the mic is placed (had some different problems regarding it), but it did not help. I tried changing the radio (I even found one dedicated ecpecially to my region and service provider), but it didn't help either. I tried it on stock 30d and on LineageOS 14.1. Any ideas, anyone?

Looks like it was the faulty microphone on the new ribbon cable. I tried on another and it was OK. Gonna ask for replacement where I bought it.
/thread