topic Re: Mic not working!! in XPERIA archive

Mic not working!!

nickwan — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 03:46:21 GMT

So my microphone seems to not be activated for periods of time, and I can't figure out what causes it, or really even how to fix it.

For example, today at work I was able to make calls for several hours, but after getting off I made a couple more calls that failed because the other party couldn't hear me.

Sometimes I can start Google Now voice search with a 'google', but after I make one voice entry, I can't make another one, and the next time I manually press the voice key it won't pick up any sounds at all. Even Shazam has problems with the mic sometimes, showing no equalizer bars whatsoever.
I thought this was a hardware issue because I thought it started one day (about the 3rd day I'd had it) after I dunked the phone in the sink, but in the diagnostics app the mic seems to do fine.

Is there any info on this issue? It's really starting to get on my nerves. I guess a factory reset is in order, although I've barely made any non-stock changes to this thing.

Re: Mic not working!!

Rickard — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 07:26:05 GMT

To see if the problem might be caused by an app you installed you could try running the phone in safe mode first. See this thread for information on safe mode: http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/FAQ/How-to-boot-your-phone-into-safe-mode/m-p/348008.

Re: Mic not working!!

nickwan — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 05:33:23 GMT

So it appears to be my car stereo 3.5mm jack that's causing the issue.

Whenever I plug in my phone to my car via 3.5mm audio, the microphone won't work WHILE it's plugged in nor for a few minutes afterward.

This seems to be the case with all my headphones.

Does it have something to do with the fact that smartconnect also boots up everytime I plug in headphones? I've hit "none" for applications on that popup screen, but it always comes back to ask me.

Re: Mic not working!!

Rickard — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 06:06:18 GMT

It sounds like the microphone over 3.5mm is being triggered which it shouldn't with headphones (without microphone).

Would it be possible for you to try the phone with a pair of standard headphones?

Also try updating the phones software using PC Companion.

Re: Mic not working!!

nickwan — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 07:21:53 GMT

I tried it with a pair of Sennheiser earbuds and the smartconnect popup still appears.

Is it a hardware issue? I can get google now's equalizer to register blips if I twist the 3.5mm jack around heh.

This isn't a pressing issue now that I know how to avoid it, but I still need to use this in my car for calls.

PC Companion says I have the latest software.

I'm on 14.1.G.1.518, unbranded from UK. Still haven't gotten the .534 update yet.

EDIT

I've already factory reset it as well, seems to have the same issue as before the reset.

Re: Mic not working!!

Rickard — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 07:29:31 GMT

We have solved a problem on the .534 update regarding buttons on headsets but i haven't not heard of any problems using standard headphones on .518. Look at the 3.5mm plug that you insert in the phone, does it have 3 or 4 poles? If it has 4 poles it will look like the picture in this thread: http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/FAQ/Problem-using-headset-accessory-not-supported/m-p/347872

Re: Mic not working!!

nickwan — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 07:35:45 GMT

The 3.5mm plugs I've been having trouble with have 3 poles then. There are only 2 black strips.

Re: Mic not working!!

Rickard — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 07:58:40 GMT

There may unfortunately be a hardware problem in your phone. I would recommend that you contact your dealer or a service location for assistance.

Re: Mic not working!!

djsat21 — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 09:55:00 GMT

I think i've had the same issue before, on several occasions people have called me and not been able to hear my voice. On at least one occasion i think we tried calling each other several times before the other party could hear the call. TBH i put it down to my friend's phone as its old and he always complains about it but after reading this thread it would seem i have the same issue with my handset as i pretty much constantly have headphones plugged into my handset.

Re: Mic not working!!

TheDonOz — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 05:46:34 GMT

I am in the same boat. If turn on the loudspeaker the microphone will work. I am thinking that this is not a hardware issue..... I think.

Re: Mic not working!!

TheDonOz — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 05:59:41 GMT

Looks like for me Smart Connect is the problem, I have turned all the sliders off. So far so good.

Re: Mic not working!!

nickwan — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 04:59:47 GMT

So I went and got a replacement phone, believing this to be a hardware issue, only to have this same exact problem with my brand new phone!!!

How is this possible? Does this mean the XZ1 was designed to shut off its microphone upon any 3-pole headphones being plugged in??

BTW I tried my girlfriend's XZ and it works flawlessly with headphones plugged in.

What else can I do to fix this??? All I want is to be able to talk on the phone while I have my headphones plugged in. I don't want to have to buy a 4-pole headset with a mic, I just want my phone to work with headphones like literally every other smartphone on the planet does.

Re: Mic not working!!

Rickard — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 15:50:59 GMT

Have you received the update to the latest software (14.1.G.2.257) and could you please try if this happens with different headphones? I can't find any problem when testing this here with different headphones. The microphone in the phone is active (other person can hear me) and i hear the other person in my headphones.

Re: Mic not working!!

blayan — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:49:07 GMT

what is wrong with z1's microphone? it's not working since I updated my phone to ICS up to Kitkat. I already tried every possible way noted here in the forum but its still looks like a defective sh!t. please help us

Re: Mic not working!!

castback — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 03:37:24 GMT

I got same problem when update to 4.4.2, the mic not works well, when I turn on speaker, they can hear more clear.

Re: Mic not working!!

Rickard — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:35:52 GMT

Does your microphone work if you test it under Settings -> About phone -> Diagnostics?

Re: Mic not working!!

Amygoparty — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 16:45:37 GMT

Hi, I am also in the same boat. I have purchased Xperia C last week. I am unable to use the headphones provided in the box. I am able to hear clearly but the other person is not able to hear my voice. This is getting on my nerves as I have to take calls almost throughout the day and can't take the calls without handsfree for a period of minimum 1 hr. at a single point of time.

Please share a solution at the earliest as I have tried all the things mentioned in this thread.

Re: Mic not working!!

Amygoparty — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 18:41:29 GMT

Dear Rickard,

Please try keeping the phone in your pocket and let the other guy move a bit far from you so that he/she can hear you only through headphone mic.

You wondering why am asking u to do so,,, simple because if you have the phone in hand or placed very near from where handset mic can grab your voice easily then you will not b able to find issue. I shared this because i am practising this everyday despite the fact that my phone is just 7 days old.

One last thing, i tried testing my headphone mic in safe mode and it worked atleast a bit not fine but ok ok types with lots of irritating noises.

Awaiting your response soon.

Re: Mic not working!!

Amygoparty — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 06:31:34 GMT

Hi Team,

Please respond as i am facing problems and not able to visit support centre before week ending 19th which is sunday and it is closed on sundays. Not sure what to do...

Re: Mic not working!!

NeilCotton — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 11:00:29 GMT

I have exactly the same problem. And can probably attribute it to using a 3 pole 3.5mm audio cable in my car. However, even after resets, and phone restarts, the issue is still persistant. I have completely disabled SmartConnect, and cleared data and forced stop.

The recipient is able to hear if I use the Sony headset with mic. They are also able to hear me when I put the call on speaker phone. However, just using the phone to my ear, the user can hear what sounds like underwater/very quiet, echo and distorted sound. This is the second (identical) phone that has happened on as my original phone is currently back with the vendor because of this issue.

If I use the diagnostics (Settings > About > Diagnostics > Microphone), the result is ok. I can hear. However, if I enter the hidden service menu, and run the microhphone diagnostics on the main microphone it does not work. Microphone 2 works ok though.

Please could this be looked at with a matter of urgency as it is not acceptable that I need to be connected to a headset, or to use speakerphone for it to work on any call.