Just discovered the combo jack on my S56CA apparently doesn't work for microphone input

I got this laptop back in November, but just yesterday is when I discovered it seems to have a big problem. Apparently, the combo jack works fine for sound output (connecting a headset or headphones), but the microphone aspect of the combo jack doesn't seem to work no matter what.

The line in option doesn't show up anywhere on the laptop (Windows 8) in sound settings. Only the integrated microphone is showing, no line in which clarifies more that something is up if I can't even select that as the default microphone if I wanted to.

I really need help with this, someone, anyone, please.

Here's everything I have done so far:

• Uninstalled and reinstalled/updated to latest Realtek High Definition Codec sound drivers.
• Tested combo jack microphone input by connecting only a lapel microphone, no luck.
• Tested combo jack microphone input by connecting a headset (output sound and microphone) to the combo jack, output sound goes through but microphone doesn't.
• Tested combo jack microphone input by connecting a headset with standard green and pink separate connections, joined with a headset buddy splitter. No luck with microphone input.
• Contacted ASUS support last night, they told me to update BIOS to latest version. That did nothing.

I don't see how this could be a hardware issue if the combo jack does work as far as outputting the sound...at least I hope it's something simple and software related only.

 

Does anything change under "Recording Devices" when you plug in a microphone? It's possible it's not the jack itself, but the sound processing hardware that's faulty (IF the hardware is faulty, that is).

 

Nope, nothing changes, I have show disabled and disconnected devices checked too.

 

Well, if you're input device is not being detected, then it's possible it's a faulty driver for Windows 8. As a last ditch test, I recommend trying a Live CD of another operating system (or if you're willing, install another version of Windows or a distribution of Linux) and see if the input device works. If your microphone still isn't detected, then it's probably hardware related.

 

Am I seriously the only one with a combo jack on an ASUS laptop, and the only one that has had this issue?

I am so disappointed with this laptop and ASUS support right now. I don't know how to fix this at all.

 

I'm also having the same problem with this asus s56ca and I can't figure out how to fix it. I did the same thing as what u did, I install the latest Realtek audio driver but the mic is still not working, the output sound is ok. I tested the headset on other laptop and phone, the headset works fine.

 

Well, hopefully it's something that can be fixed, because you're definitely having the identical problem. After posting here, numerous other websites, contacting the anything-but-helpful ASUS live chat, emailing the anything-but-helpful-and-slow ASUS tech support, and finally calling ASUS directly, I decided to send my laptop in. I can't have a laptop like this not work with an external microphone. It was pretty easy to send the laptop in and ASUS sent clear instructions on getting it all done. I recommend you do the same because it doesn't seem like it's a software-correctable issue at all.

I'll post back here once I get my laptop back, soon I hope.

 

Do let us know what the fix is (you will probably need to follow up with Asus to find out). Also, which model is your specifically (what's the suffix model name? DH51? XH71?)?

 

Does this help?
About the combo Audio/Microphone Jack - HP Support Forum - 354163

 

OP already sent it in, and the combo jack should be designed for playback [ and recording capabilities.

Some people don't find the combo jack ideal. http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/555123-problem-splitting-audio-combo-jack.html

 

It is ASUS S56CA-BH71-CB

 

Ok, it is not hardware problem,somehow it worked but when I restart the laptop it won't be able to detect the combo jack again.

 

Already have a splitter, that didn't change anything.

How were you able to get it to work!? Don't just come in here saying it works, I made this thread to find a solution anyway.

Please and thank you.

Update

Anyway, I got my laptop back today, which was a surprise to begin with because the entire time ASUS had my laptop they didn't update the RMA status page one bit. The horrible service doesn't stop there. I mean seriously, this is the first ASUS device I ever own and this has got to be the worst support I have ever received on any product, and I've had some bad ones.

I got my laptop back today like I said, I immediately noticed on the service record invoice that nothing was mentioned about fixing the combo jack. Just something about apparently fixing my broken SD card reader, and a note that they reinstalled the OS. They, didn't, fix, what I even sent the laptop in for. I'm so livid and furious right now about all this that I can't even put it into words.

I wrote a letter to the ASUS employee that personally provided this laptop to me. Oh, forgot to mention, I sent the laptop across the country (from Miami, FL to California) on my own expense of $25 (mind you I'm a full-time student) all only to receive the laptop back, issue unresolved, but with $25 worth of scratches and marks on the previously spotless outside aluminum shell.

If this issue doesn't get resolved by the so-I've-heard great support at ASUS, I will never buy an ASUS product ever again. I will return this laptop if this issue is unresolved and buy one, definitely not from ASUS.

 

I can understand your frustation.

I don't have an Asus but I have 2 suggestions:

- A. Get an usb adapter. Many headphones with microphones are delivered with a usb adapter (in effect an usb soundcard) and I personally never had any problems with these. Perhaps a fellow student can lend you one to see if it works with your computer although there are no reasons it shouldn't.

- B. Or you can try this:
Windows 7
Check if microphone is disabled.

a. Click on start button > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound.
b. Click on Sound.
c. In the sound windows, click on Recording tab.
d. To enable the microphone right-click on it and select Enable. If you don’t see microphone under recording tab then, Right-click on free space and select the following options.

• Show Disabled Devices
• Show Disconnected Devices

e. Now check for the microphone and enable it.
f. Click on OK button on the sound window.

Windows 8
Click Windows key to go to the modern interface
type sound
select parameters on the list on the right
you should see a wizard in the list of results, something like detect and fix recording issues:

C. 2 other dumb questions just to be sure:
- Does the mic work with another computer?
- Isn't there any button on you mic or the mic cable to disable recording? Those in my experience will after prolonged use stop working. I had a steelseries heaphone with mic that stopped recording after about a year.

 

A. What USB adapter would you suggest? I actually don't mind getting one, but I'm not going to buy something that also won't work if I get the wrong one.

B. I have Windows 8, I will try this, doubt it will work as I reinstalled the OS and drivers before sending the laptop in to ASUS. I'll post here again once I've tried it.

C. Yes, all microphones/headsets I have tested work with two other computers I have (a laptop and a desktop). Only two out of three tested headphones/microphones have a mute button, all buttons work though, I use them daily on my other systems/devices.

Thank you for your response, like I said I will post back when I try the Windows 8 detect and fix wizard.

 

Well, back again. Long story short I sent my laptop in a second time to try and get the issue fixed. According to the RMA invoice notes sent back with the laptop, they checked for the correct issue this time and "reassembled" my laptop. Don't know what that whole "reassembled" statement means in detail, but it still didn't solve anything.

I give up at this point, I just hope it is a software issue and this won't be a permanent defect with this laptop.

If anyone can please help me with this issue (and hopefully finally fix it) I would greatly appreciate it. Heck, you'll even be compensated for your time if you do help me fix this issue.

Thanks for everyone that helped so far.

 

Any reputable headphone with usb combo will do. I used an old plantronics usb adapter long after the plantronics headphone was dead with headphones/mic from other brands.
Logitech, steelseries, corsair, you should find one without problem.

If you have an IT store in your neighboorhood perhaps you can come with yout laptop and ask if you can try usb headphones/mic combos.

 

Stereo USB Headset with Microphone, H340 - Logitech usd 29.99
Amazon.com: Logitech ClearChat Comfort/USB Headset H390 (Black): Electronics
Amazon.com: Plantronics .Audio 655 USB Multimedia Headset - Frustration Free Packaging: Electronics
SteelSeries - Gaming Headsets - SteelSeries Siberia v2 Frost Blue
Sennheiser PC 363D - Gaming Headset Stereo Surround - Noise Cancelling Microphone
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Communication-Headset-CA-9011113-WW/dp/B005QUQP6W/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360746762&sr=1-1&keywords=corsair+headset
Just a few examples

 

Nope i have this issue to but i record music a lot i noticed it the day i got the laptop

 

Info found later suggests that it's a hardware limitation; there is no support for full duplexing, so you get either one or the other (audio out or mic in).

 

Untrue. I have the exact same problem with my new Asus laptop. The build-in Asus laptop mic is horrid.
But I had a spare headset with mic from my old mobile phone to test and it works! I went onto teamspeak3 with it and I also turned on the 'listen to this device' and I could hear myself really clear trough the earplugs of my telephone headsetthingie, so that mic definitely was working and people on teamspeak3 confirmed it. So full duplexing does work.
I use Win8 and I installed Realtek drivers 64bit_Win7_Win8_Win81_R273.

So anyway,
I've been at this same problem for days now and I ordered a combo splitter cable as well, but it just doesn't work. Even when I just plug in my regular mic (which I use for gaming) into the combo jack just to test it, the system thinks it's headphones (audio out). So need to figure that out to get it working before heading over trough signalling via the splitter for my normal headphones and desktop microphone.



PS: What I noticed as well, I thought I could change playback settings in windows 8 itself to stereo, 2.1, 4.1, 5.1 etc but I can't find that stuff anywhere anymore. I thought it could be found at the Realtek audio configuration. This laptop I bought just a week ago and I'm sure I went trough that configuration that first or 2nd day, before I installed the latest Realtek driver. Not saying it has to do anything with the drivers at this point, but also could be the update to win 8.1 ... alltho the posts from above were before win 8.1 was even out.

 

Just spent a few hours on this same problem, trying driver updates, settings, etc. Having read a few other boards and reading that the combo port is really for headset (i.e. combined headphones and microphone) and these use a 4 pole jack whereas I had been trying to use a microphone with a 3 pole jack I switched to using a 4 pole jack and hey presto it worked. If you only want to use the microphone I'd suggest a 4 pole jack splitter as you can then just plug in the microphone. Although a UK web site attached is a link to the part fyi. StarTech.com 3.5mm 4 Pin to 2x 3 Pin 3.5mm Headset Splitter Adapter - headset splitter - PC World Business