Mic Buzzing When Laptop Plugged In

[pete_the_pickle]

Whenever my laptop is plugged in, my mic has an obnoxious buzzing sound whenever I talk. If i unplug the laptop (either unplugging the cord from the wall or the laptop itself), the buzzing is gone. It is unbelievably annoying, and nothing that I tried has worked so far. How can I fix this? Thanks.

 

[jason201]

Sounds like a grounding issue (or lack there of!)
Is the wall plug grounded?

In the US, a grounded plug looks like this:
http/www.travelingeast.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Power-plug-type-BAmerica-plugJapan-plug.jpg
In AU, like this:
http/www.travelingeast.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/type-i-australian-plug-outlet-uruguay.jpg
In the UK, a like this:
https/ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1Rp63NXXXXXcmXFXXq6xXFXXXp/229396048/HTB1Rp63NXXXXXcmXFXXq6xXFXXXp.jpg
And in the rest of the EU, like this:
https/qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-cea9e25e7d402c02be198769e09ada81-c

Also, are you using the plug as-is, or is it connected to some kind of plug adapter?
If the plug is grounded, then it might be a more global problem with your house's electricity (no grounding?) this may require an electrician to verify.

 

[pete_the_pickle]

Sounds like a grounding issue (or lack there of!)
Is the wall plug grounded?

In the US, a grounded plug looks like this:
http/www.travelingeast.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Power-plug-type-BAmerica-plugJapan-plug.jpg
In AU, like this:
http/www.travelingeast.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/type-i-australian-plug-outlet-uruguay.jpg
In the UK, a like this:
https/ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1Rp63NXXXXXcmXFXXq6xXFXXXp/229396048/HTB1Rp63NXXXXXcmXFXXq6xXFXXXp.jpg
And in the rest of the EU, like this:
https/qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-cea9e25e7d402c02be198769e09ada81-c

Also, are you using the plug as-is, or is it connected to some kind of plug adapter?
If the plug is grounded, then it might be a more global problem with your house's electricity (no grounding?) this may require an electrician to verify.

The laptop plug has the three prongs, so I guess it is grounded. I am just using the plug that I got with my laptop, and it is plugged into an outlet strip.

 

[jason201]

I see. Could be a grounding issue with the power strip then.
Try connecting it directly to the wall outlet.

 

[pete_the_pickle]

I see. Could be a grounding issue with the power strip then.
Try connecting it directly to the wall outlet.

I tried plugging it directly into the wall and into a different power strip, and the problem is still here. I also tried using a different power cable, and that didn't work, either.

 

[jason201]

Is this mic integrated into your laptop, or is it 3rd party?

 

[pete_the_pickle]

Is this mic integrated into your laptop, or is it 3rd party?

It's third-party: https/www.amazon.com/Genius-Virtual-Channel-Gaming-Headset/dp/B0073QDDEE.
The weird thing is, I don't remember dropping it or anything since the last time I talked to someone using my mic (when it wasn't a problem).

 

[jason201]

You haven't moved recently, right? As said before, it could be a grounding issue where you live, so just checking.
Also, have you changed/reinstalled your operating system before this started?
Are you the only person who uses this headset? What do you think are the odds that another person has accidentally dropped/damaged it?
Anyways, it might be a good idea to try a different USB port, as well as reinstalling the driver for it.

 

[pete_the_pickle]

You haven't moved recently, right? As said before, it could be a grounding issue where you live, so just checking.
Also, have you changed/reinstalled your operating system before this started?
Are you the only person who uses this headset? What do you think are the odds that another person has accidentally dropped/damaged it?
Anyways, it might be a good idea to try a different USB port, as well as reinstalling the driver for it.

I have been living in the same house as when I've first gotten this headset, and I've had the same OS (Win10) for a very long time now. I'm the only one that uses it. However, I've dropped it several times in the past on a carpet floor, but the buzzing wasn't a serious issue (I could fix it by plugging/unplugging my headset) until now. I've tried different ports and messed with the driver, but nothing fixed it. I've had this headset for 3 or so years now. Do you think the headset itself needs replaced? It isn't particularly expensive.

 

[jason201]

Well, judging by what you're saying, this didn't happen out of no where (it was an ongoing thing, that originally occurred because you've dropped it, and got worse over time) so given that, I'd say it's quite clear you need to have this headset replaced.

 

[pete_the_pickle]

Well, judging by what you're saying, this didn't happen out of no where (it was an ongoing thing, that originally occurred because you've dropped it, and got worse over time) so given that, I'd say it's quite clear you need to have this headset replaced.

Ok. I'll look into getting a replacement. I just don't know why I could fix it before by just plugging and unplugging, but I can't anymore. It's just weird to me, but you're probably right.

 

[pete_the_pickle]

BTW, I went into the application that I was using to talk to my friend in (where the buzzing was a problem, the program was Discord), and I turned on Background Noise Cancellation. I don't think that this fixed the root cause of the buzzing, but it made the buzzing much quieter to the point where it was not really noticeable. I would call it a semi-fix.