Windows 11 often employs a hidden feature called Automatic Gain Control (AGC), which attempts to normalize your microphone volume. While helpful in theory, it causes volume to wildly fluctuate during calls or streaming, making your voice sound inconsistent. Here is the complete guide to disabling this persistent auto-adjustment.
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Contents 📋
Fix 1: Disable Exclusive Mode (The Primary Fix)
Windows allows applications like Zoom or Discord to take "exclusive control" of your microphone, which often re-enables AGC and other auto-adjustments. Disabling this is usually the most effective solution.
1. Access Sound Settings
- Right-click the Speaker icon on your Taskbar and select Sound settings.
- Scroll down and select More sound settings (this opens the classic control panel window).
2. Disable Exclusive Mode
- In the window that opens, go to the Recording tab.
- Right-click your active microphone (the one with the green checkmark) and select Properties.
- Go to the Advanced tab.
- In the Exclusive Mode section, uncheck both boxes:
- Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
- Give exclusive mode applications priority
- Click Apply and then OK.
Fix 2: Disable Signal Enhancements
The "Enhancements" tab is where Windows hides its various sound processing features, including noise suppression, echo cancellation, and AGC.
3. Turn Off All Enhancements
- In the same Microphone Properties window (Recording tab > Properties), navigate to the Enhancements tab. (Note: This tab may be labeled Custom or may be missing entirely depending on your driver).
- Check the box that says Disable all enhancements (or Disable all sound effects).
- If there is no master disable box, manually uncheck any settings related to Noise Suppression, Acoustic Echo Cancellation, or Volume Normalization.
- Click Apply and then OK.
Fix 3: Check Third-Party Driver Software (Realtek)
If the above fixes did not work, the AGC feature is likely embedded in your specific sound card driver software (most often Realtek).
4. Use the Realtek Audio Console
- Open the Realtek Audio Console application (search for it in the Start Menu).
- Go to the Microphone Array or Recording Devices section.
- Look for an option called Noise Suppression, Acoustic Echo Cancellation, or Microphone Effects.
- Ensure all these features, including any form of Automatic Volume or Gain, are disabled within the driver application.
Fix 4: App-Specific Communication Settings
Windows has a global setting that automatically reduces other sounds when communication activity (like a voice call) is detected. This can interfere with your mic volume.
5. Disable Communication Volume Reduction
- Return to the classic More sound settings window (Recording tab).
- Go to the Communications tab.
- Select the option Do nothing. (By default, it is usually set to "Reduce the volume of other sounds by 80%").
- Click Apply and then OK.
6. Check VoIP/Streaming App Settings
Applications like Discord, Teams, or OBS often have their own volume management settings that override Windows. In Discord, for example, ensure the setting Automatically determine input sensitivity is Off.