Is your GameCom 780 mic not working? The Plantronics GameCom 780 is one of the most popular gaming headsets on the market. It features Dolby technologies to transforms standard audio into 7.1 channel surround sound. As you would expect from Plantronics, it has an excellent noise-canceling mic that completely kills background noise. Also, the GameCom 780 has excellent base and a stunningly wide sound-stage.
So, its no surprise that these headsets are popular with gamers. While feature packed and rather reliable, the GameCom 780 is not perfect. For example, there are times where you may encounter the Gamecom 780 microphone not working. This happens when trying to use communication apps like Skype or while trying to make a voice recording on your PC. In most cases, this problem arises after installing operating system updates
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Why Is My Gamecom 780 Mic Not Working?
This issue usually manifests itself in Windows 10, however, this issue can occur in almost any operating system, even Apple’s macOS. In some cases, the problem can be resolved by simply restarting the device. In other cases, you may have to unmute the input volume, or unplug the headset and plug it back in. There are some circumstances in which you may have to use a different USB port.
Some of the most common reasons for the Gamecom 780 to malfunction, however, is outdated or corrupted audio drivers, and software conflicts. In this article, we will go over all the common reasons why your Gamecom 780 mic may not be working. We will also detail some ways you can resolve this problem.
One of the easiest things you can do to make sure your Gamecom 780 surround sound gaming headset works is to directly plug it in to your computer USB port, and not into a hub. This is because most low-cost USB hubs do not have a secondary power input. So, it has to take one USB port’s power and distribute it to 4 or more USB devices. This will work fine for things like keyboards and mice, but higher-power devices like phones and gaming headsets may not work well or at all when plugged into an unpowered USB hub.
When using an Apple Macintosh, you may need to disable ambient noise reduction, reset the PRAM/NVRAM, enable dictation, or even create a new user account to resolve issues with driver corruption making your Gamecom 780 not work.
What Causes The Gamecom 780 Mic Not To Work?
Different things can cause the microphone on your Gamecom 780 gaming headset to malfunction, including:
Corrupted/ Outdated Audio Drivers
In most cases, the problem is caused by a minor software glitch that may be fixed by restarting the computer or plugging the headset into a different port. Changing the port forces the computer to install the device afresh and automatically fix such glitches.
In other cases, the audio driver on your computer is just outdated, hence not compatible with the headset. This is particularly the case after upgrading the OS. In either case, updating or re-installing the audio drivers on your PC will fix the problem.
Microphone Is Muted
The microphone may be just muted on the input volume control panel. In other cases, the input volume could be set too low to be detected by the recording program. To fix the problem, you need to unmute and raise the input volume, as explained later in the guide.
Microphone Not Detected
Though designed to automatically detect the mic, some applications (apps) like Discord and Skype can fail to do so. If this happens, the Gamecom 780 mic will not work on the said app. In such a case, you need to configure microphone preference settings on the computer, and app or site accordingly.
Software Conflicts
The Gamecom 780 mic not working issue may also be caused by an app or software conflict on the PC. This is particularly a problem on MacBook and Mac devices—where installing a new app or updating an existing one can cause the microphone to fail.
Misconfigured Audio Settings
If the relevant audio settings on your computer, whether you are running Windows or macOS, are not configured well, the microphone will not work as expected. Some applications are known to automatically alter these settings without a warning.
For instance, installing some apps may automatically stop the services.msc audio service in Windows. If this is the problem in your case, you should reconfigure the audio settings accordingly, as illustrated later in this guide. Restarting the audio service may also fix the problem.
How To Fix the Gamecom 780 Mic Not Working Issue In Windows
First things first, ensure that the hardware is working as it should—ensure that the headset is properly plugged into the right port. You should also consider plugging it into a different port, and restarting the computer to fix the problem.
In this case, you need to unplug the gaming headset and leave it unplugged for at least 30 seconds. Thereafter, plug it back in (preferably into a different port for it to be installed afresh). You may then use the following procedure to test whether the Gamecom 780 mic is plugged in correctly and working:
Step 1: Find the Speaker icon on your taskbar (located on the bottom-right corner of the desktop by default). If not displayed, click on the Up-Arrow icon on the taskbar to display the Speaker icon. When you find it, right-click on the Speaker icon then select ‘Open Sound Settings’ from the context menu.
Step 2: Next, select Input on the Sound Settings menu to check the default microphone on your PC. The blue bars on their window show the volume levels for the default mic. With this window open, try speaking into the mic on your headset.
If the blue bar moves about as you raise and lower your voice, the mic is connected and working as it should. From this window, you can also tell whether the Gamecom 780 is set as the default microphone and set it, as explained later in the guide.
If the Gamecom 780 microphone is not set as the default mic or does not seem to work as it should, you can use the flowing methods to fix it:
Method 1: Enable The Microphone
If you are using the Gamecom 780 gaming headset for the very first time on the computer, you should ensure that it is set up. To do this, connect the headset to the computer, then navigate to Start > Settings > System > Sound > Input > Choose your input device.
If not set, select the ‘Gamecom 780 headset’ option from the list of available devices, and then apply the changes. If set up, but still not working, the mic may be disabled on your computer. To enable the Gamecom 780 on Windows 10, launch the Settings app and select Privacy.
Find and click the Microphone in the left lane, and toggle the ‘Let apps use my microphone’ option on. To do this, just click on the gray button adjacent to the option to toggle it on. When enabled, the toggle button will change to blue.
Method 2: Set Gamecom 780 As The Default Microphone Device
Your computer may fail to automatically change the default audio input device when you connect the Gamecom 780 headset. Unless it is set as the default device, the microphone on your gaming headset will not work.
To set it as the default device, right-click on the speaker icon on the taskbar and select the ‘Recording Devices’ option. Alternatively, you could open the Start menu, then select Control Panel to open it. Switch the view mode on the Control Panel window to Category, then click on the ‘Hardware and Sound’ category to expand it.
Next, click ‘Manage audio devices’ and navigate to the Recording tab. Select ‘Gamecom 780 headset’ from the displayed list of devices. Finally, click on the ‘Set Default’ button to save the changes.
Method 3: Unmute The Microphone
If you have been using the Gamecom 780 microphone on your computer without a problem until now, it is probably muted or its volume set too low. This is often the problem in cases where the mic has been set up, is enabled, and is set as the default audio input device.
To unmute the Gamecom 780 microphone, right-click on the Speaker icon in your Taskbar then select ‘Recording devices’. Under the ‘Recording device’ settings, select the Gamecom 780 mic and then click on the Properties button or double-click on the problematic microphone.
Next, switch to the Levels tab on the ‘Manage audio devices’ window. Now you need to drag the slider adjacent to the ‘Microphone’ option towards the right-hand side to increase the microphone volume. You should then adjust the ‘Microphone Boost’ settings to above-average—say +24.0dB. Once done, click on the Apply button.
Method 4: Change The Camera And Microphone Permission Settings
The Gamecom 780 microphone will not work if the Camera & Microphone permissions on the browser and computer are not well-configured. To fix the problem, in such a case, you need to adjust these settings, as follows:
How To Adjust The Camera & Microphone Permissions On Chrome
Launch the Google Chrome browser on your Desktop and navigate to the site you would like to use the microphone on. Depending on the browser version you are using, you may be prompted to allow access to the Camera and Microphone. If promoted, click on the Allow button.
If not promoted, you need to add the site to the Allowed list manually. Click on the ‘More Settings’ icon towards the top-right corner of the Chrome window. Next, select ‘Site Settings’ under ‘Privacy and Security’ settings. Now select the ‘Microphone’ option then click on the drop-down menu to expand it.
Choose either the ‘Turn on’ or ‘Ask before accessing’ option from the drop-down menu. This allows the site to automatically access the microphone whenever you open it, hence solving the Gamecom 780mic not working issue.
How To Set Gamecom 780 As The Default Microphone On Chrome
Allowing a site to access the microphone—using the above-described procedure—configures the site to use the default audio input device set on your computer. If the browser does not appear to be accessing the right microphone, you can set it manually. This option allows you to set different microphones for different sites.
To do this, navigate to ‘More Settings’ on the Chrome browser then navigate to Privacy and security > Site settings > Microphone. Now click on ‘Default microphone’ and select the Gamecom 780 headset from the drop-down menu.
How To Enable Microphone Permissions On Windows Settings
Additionally, you also need to allow applications to access the default microphone on Windows. The Settings app on Windows 10 offers a number of options you can use to enable/disable the default microphone system-wide, or in just some apps.
Note: Your Desktop applications can’t receive microphone input when the webcam is disabled in settings. The App permissions option under Privacy settings only applies to the new Store applications, also referred to as Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps.
As opposed to the App permissions setting, the Microphone & Webcam options apply to all Desktop applications. The following procedure will help you configure the Microphone permission settings on Windows 10:
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Desktop and navigate to Privacy > Microphone.
Step 2: Check the box adjacent to the ‘Microphone access for this device is on’ option. If Windows tells you that ‘microphone access is off’, click on the Change button, then change it to On. This will allow Windows and all applications on your PC to access audio from the default microphone device.
Step 3: Next, set the ‘Allow apps to access your microphone’ option, on the same window, to On. When set to Off, Windows will have access to Microphone audio, but all apps will not have access, hence the Gamecom 780 mic will not work in apps.
Step 4: Now navigate to the ‘Choose which apps can access your microphone’ section. Select the app you would like to access the microphone from the list, and ensure it is set to ‘On’.
However, this list only displays the applications installed from Store by default. Traditional desktop apps and those installed from third-party sources will not appear on this list, but will have access to the default microphone device—as long as the ‘Allow apps to access your microphone’ option is set to On.
Method 5: Run Windows Troubleshooter
Windows 10 comes preloaded with a number of troubleshooting tools to help you identify problems and fix them automatically. While this tool may not all problems, it is a good place to start. To troubleshoot the Gamecom 780 microphone not working issue, launch the Settings app on your Desktop.
Next, type troubleshooting into the search box on the Settings window then select Troubleshoot from the search results. Select ‘Find and fix other problems, then select the ‘Recording Audio’ option. Once selected, click on the ‘Run the Troubleshooter’ button.
Allow the Troubleshooter’ enough time to scan the system for possible problems. If any issue is found, the Troubleshooter’ will display it alongside the recommended fix. Just click on the recommended fix and follow the on-screen prompts to automatically fix the problem.
Method 6: Restart The Windows Audio Service
The Windows audio service commonly referred to as services.msc is meant to manage audio for windows-based programs. The service may be stopped/modified for troubleshooting, performance, or security-related reasons. If stopped, all processes that really on the services.msc service, including the microphone, will fail.
Some applications are known to disable this service without your knowledge—while being installed or updated. In this case, you need to restart the audio service to fix the microphone not working issue. Here is how you should go about it:
Step 1: Open A Run Dialog Box
Press the Windows + R keys combination on the keyboard to launch a Run Dialog box. Next, type services.msc into the Dialog box then press the Enter key to run it. This operation should display a list of Windows services.
Step 2: Restart services.msc
Locate the services.msc service in this list, right-click on it and select Restart from the context menu. If the service is already running, select it then click on the ‘Stop’ button to terminate it. You should then select the same service (services.msc), right-click on it, and choose Start.
Now check whether the Gamecom 780 mic not working issue has been resolved. If not, proceed to step three.
Step 3: Set The Startup Type For The Audio Service
Open the Services window, as described in step 1 of this method. Next, select the services.msc audio service, right-click on it, and select Properties from the context menu. Ensure that the ‘Startup type’ option, on the Audio service properties window that just opened, is set to ‘Automatic’.
If not, click on the drop-down menu, select Automatic, and then click on the Apply button to save the changes. Once done, restart the computer and check whether the Gamecom 780 microphone is working.
Method 7: Reinstall/ Update Microphone Drivers On Windows 10
If none of the above-described methods seems to be working, you may need to reinstall or update the microphone driver on your PC. This solution will come in handy if the Gamecom 780 mic not working issue is caused by corrupted or outdated drivers.
Just as is the case with other Windows drivers, the microphone driver may be installed/updated automatically or manually. To do this:
Step 1: Press the Windows button to launch the Start menu, then search for device manager using the search box on the Start menu. Select Device Manager on the search results to open it.
Step 2: Double-click on the ‘Audio inputs and outputs’, in the Device Manager window, or click on the arrow icon to expand the category. Next, find the Gamecom 780 microphone, right-click on it, and select ‘uninstall driver’.
Follow the on-screen prompts to remove the driver from your computer then restart the computer. Upon restarting, the system will try to search for and reinstall the Gamecom 780 microphone driver automatically—as long as the Gamecom 780 gaming headset is connected.
If the system fails to reinstall the driver automatically, you can force it to do just that, as follows:
Step 3: Navigate back to the Device Manager window, as described in step 1, right-click on your computer name, and choose ‘Scan for hardware changes’. This forces Windows to search for and install the missing microphone drivers.
How To Fix The Gamecom 780 Mic Not Working Issue In Mac
Just as is the case with Windows computers, the Gamecom 780 mic not working problem in Mac is caused by different things. As such, different methods may be used to troubleshoot and fix the problem. Discussed below are some of the most effective solutions for the Gamecom 780 mic not working in Mac:
Method 1: Enable The Gamecom 780 Mic On Mac
Before trying the more advanced remedies, you need to ensure that the Gamecom 780 microphone is turned on. You can do this from the ‘System Preferences’ menu on macOS. Just click on the Apple logo—located on the top-left corner of the Menu bar on your Mac.
Next, click on the drop-down menu and select ‘System Preferences’, then click on ‘Security and Privacy’ on this menu. Now navigate to the Privacy tab and then select ‘Microphone’ from the options menu on the left side of the window. This will display a list of all the services and apps that require access to the microphone.
To make changes, click on the ‘Lock’ icon towards the bottom-left corner of the window. You should then select the apps you would like to grant access to the mic.
Method 2: Configure The Sound Input Settings
Depending on the model, your Mac computer will have one or two sound ports. If the computer has two ports, one is an output while the other is an input audio port. Be sure to connect the headset properly before continuing.
The following procedure will help you configure audio settings on macOS to fix the microphone not working problem:
Step 1: Open the Apple menu on your Mac computer, then navigate to System Preferences > Sound > Input. This operation should display a list of the audio devices connected to the computer.
Step 2: Select the Gamecom 780 gaming headset from this list. This will automatically set the Gamecom 780 as the default microphone device on the computer. The built-in microphone on this list will be listed as ‘Internal microphone, and the Gamecom 780 gaming headset as a headset.
Step 3: Next, you need to adjust the input audio volume by dragging the volume slider towards the right. If you will be recording sound through the microphone, adjust the input volume in such a way that it records the right audio volume.
For instance, you need to lower the input sound volume if you need to record a loud sound or increase the volume of recording a person’s voice.
Step 4: Test whether the microphone is working by speaking into it. While speaking, check whether the level bars on this window are moving. If the bars are moving then the microphone is working.
If the bars are not moving as you speak into the microphone, proceed to step five.
Step 5: Drag the Input sound volume slider all the way to the right to set the volume to the maximum. Now speak into the mic and check whether the level bars are moving.
Step 6: If this does not fix the problem, open the Apple menu on Mac and then shut the computer down.
Step 7: Check to see if the issue is resolved.
Method 3: Change Site Camera & Microphone Permissions On Chrome
If you will be using the microphone on a website, you need to configure the browser accordingly. In macOS Mojave, you may need to add the Gamecom 780 microphone to your system preferences. In such a case, the browser may ask for permission to access the microphone when you visit a site that requires a mic.
When you get this prompt, select Preferences in the dialog then select the Microphone option. You should then check the checkbox adjacent to the ‘Google Chrome’ option. The computer will now ask you whether you want to quit to save changes.
Click on the ‘Quit Now’ button to save the changes and close the window.
Method 4: Boot Mac Into The Safe Mode
Restarting your Mac computer into the Safe Mode—also referred to as Safe Boot—has been proven to fix a number of issues, including the microphone not working issue. To do this, shut the computer down from the Apple Menu.
Once it has shut down completely, press the Power button then press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard almost immediately. Hold the Shift key as the computer starts. Let go when you see the login screen. If successful, you should see ‘Safe Mode’ displayed on the top-right corner of the screen.
Now sign in to your account by filling in the required credentials. Open a program that requires the microphone to see whether it is working. Once done, restart the computer, and then configure microphone settings, as described in method two above.
Method 5: Set App Permissions On Mac
Misconfigured app permissions could be the cause of your Gamecom 780 problems. Use the following steps to check and adjust app preference settings on your Mac computer:
Step 1: Start the computer and click on the Apple icon—located on the top-left corner of the screen—to launch the Apple menu.
Step 2: Click on the ‘System Preferences’ option on the Apple menu, and navigate to ‘Security & Privacy’ by clicking on it or searching for it using the search bar.
Step 3: Open the Privacy tab on this window then select Microphone on the left side of the window. This will display a list of the applications that require access to the microphone on your computer.
Step 4: To grant an app access to the Gamecom 780 mic, find it on this list and check the checkbox adjacent to it. If checked, the app already has access to the microphone. In this case, you should uncheck it, close the window, and then follow the above-described steps to check it once again.
Once done, close the App permissions settings window and check whether the Gamecom 780 microphone is now working.
Method 6: Turn On Dictation
Once activated, the Dictation accessibility settings on your Mac will ‘take over’ the default microphone device for speech-to-text functionality. Turning the Dictation feature on will activate a number of things in your Mac, which may then fix the Gamecom 780 mic not working problem.
For instance, turning the Dictation feature on will automatically download some files that are important to the functioning of the microphone. To enable the feature, click on the Apple icon on the screen to launch the Apple Menu. Select ‘System Preferences’ from this menu then click on the Keyboard option.
Now you need to navigate to the Dictation tab on the Keyboard settings window you just opened. You will get a prompt warning you that activating Dictation will automatically send data to Apple. If you are okay with this, click on the ‘Enable Dictation’ key to activate the feature.
Method 7: Disable Ambient Noise Reduction Settings
Ambient Noise Reduction removes unnecessary noise from the surroundings while recording. This feature is only usable when using the built-in microphone as the default audio input device.
Though beneficial, these settings may conflict with your external microphone device causing it to malfunction. You should consider disabling the Ambient Noise Reduction functionality whenever you are using the Gamecom 780 mic.
To disable the setting, navigate to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Sound > Input. Locate the ‘Ambient Noise Reduction’ option just below the Input Level section and toggle it Off. Close the window and restart the computer for the change to take effect.
Method 8: Reset The PRAM/NVRAM
macOS devices feature a parameter random-access memory (PRAM) or nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). Resetting the PRAM or NVRAM on your Mac computer can fix the microphone not working issue.
To do this, shut the computer down from the Apple menu. Next, power the computer on then press and hold the Option + P + Command (⌘) + R buttons as it boots up. Release the buttons when you hear the start-up sound or see the Apple logo on your Mac computer.
After resetting this memory, you need to reconfigure microphone settings afresh, as illustrated in method 2 above.
Method 9: Create A New Account
On a Mac, the microphone may not work due to settings that are specific to your user account. Creating a new user account on the computer can help you bypass the problem. Here is how you should go about it:
Step 1: Click on the Apple icon (towards the top-left corner of the screen) to launch the Apple menu. Next, click ‘System Preferences, and then select the ‘User & Groups’ pane.
Step 2: Now click on the Lock icon. This will make it possible for you to make changes to this settings menu. Enter your password, then click on the Unlock button.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the window and click on the + button. This will bring up the form you need to fill to create a new account on Mac. Fill it with the required information then click on the ‘Create User’ button.
Step 4: Once you are done, log out of the current account and log into the new one you just created. Do not use the ‘Fast User Switching’; simply log out and then log into the new account.
After you have logged into the new account, you need to reconfigure microphone settings accordingly, as described in method 2 above.
Conclusion
Different things can cause your external microphone to malfunction, including corrupted/outdated drivers, misconfigured settings, and wrong mic Preferences’.
In Windows, you can set up the microphone, enable it, and then configure microphone settings to fix the problem. If you are running macOS, configuring mic settings, changing mic permissions, creating a new account, enabling Dictation, and resetting NVRAM can help.
Whether you are using a Mac or Windows computer, this guide will help you troubleshoot and fix the Gamecom 780 microphone not working problem.