220-1101 Question 422
Single answerAudio issuesA user reports that their Windows laptop has no sound during video calls. You confirm the call application is not muted, the laptop speakers work when playing a local music file, and the user can hear audio through a USB headset. However, when the headset is disconnected, the other participants can no longer hear the user's voice. Which action is the MOST likely to resolve the issue?
- A
Set the laptop's built-in microphone as the default recording device in Sound settings
- B
Reinstall the laptop's video driver so the webcam application can access the microphone
- C
Disable exclusive mode for the speakers in the advanced audio properties
- D
Increase the system volume to 100% and reboot the laptop
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests practical audio troubleshooting in a common support scenario: distinguishing between playback and recording problems and identifying default device selection as the root cause. Because the laptop speakers already play sound correctly, output hardware and general audio services are functioning. Because the user is heard only when the USB headset is connected, the problem is specifically with the active recording device after that headset is removed. In Windows, technicians should verify the default input device under Sound settings or the classic Sound Control Panel, and also confirm the conferencing application is using the intended microphone. This aligns with standard best practice: identify whether the issue is with input or output, isolate the problem by testing known-good devices, and verify device selection before reinstalling drivers or changing unrelated settings.
- A. Correct.
Correct. The scenario shows playback works through the laptop speakers, and audio input works only when the USB headset is connected. That strongly indicates the call application is using the headset microphone as the active input device, and when the headset is removed, no suitable default recording device is selected. Setting the built-in microphone as the default recording device is the most direct fix.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A video driver does not control microphone input selection for standard audio devices. While webcam drivers can sometimes include an integrated microphone component, the problem here is specifically tied to switching between the USB headset mic and the laptop's internal mic, which points to recording device configuration rather than video output.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Exclusive mode for speakers affects how applications access the playback device, not whether other participants can hear the user's microphone. The issue is with audio input after disconnecting the USB headset, so changing speaker-exclusive settings would not be the most likely resolution.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Raising output volume affects what the user hears, not whether their microphone is detected by conferencing software. Rebooting can sometimes clear temporary issues, but it does not address the underlying symptom pattern as directly as selecting the proper default input device.