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Level 1

14 points

Microphone Through TRRS Jack Not Detected in Windows

The problem has been around for quite some time now, i.e., since the so-called TRRS jacks were introduced in MacBooks. In these, a single 3.5 mm jack connector is used to combine a stereo pair OUT with a mono microphone IN.

People are frustrated by the fact that the microphone on their headset is properly detected in OS X, but not in Windows/Bootcamp.

It appears that the problem stems from Microsoft's HDAudio.sys driver:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/jj123860.aspx#jack

The workaround mentioned in the article above does not work due to the particular way the TRRS jack and the audio chip (cs4206, cs4207 and cs4208) are wired in the MacBooks: only a single jack detection event is possible, and if one is detected, a value is set in the chip, which reports the presence of a microphone. In this configuration, HDAudio.sys sees only one detection event associated with the headphones, and there is no way a second event associated with the microphone can be triggered physically.

So, it would seem that Microsoft has to rectify the way their HDAudio.sys behaves with respect to these TRRS jacks.

That being said, Apple provides a driver for the cs420x chips in their BootCamp packages. Assuming that it reads the status of the audio chip and transmits both the jack detection event and the associated values to the HDAudio.sys driver, it should be possible for the BootCamp driver to emulate those two trigger events slightly spaced in time that HDAudio.sys needs for now.

Does anyone know whether Apple, Microsoft, or both, are working on this particular issue?

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014), Windows 8, null

Posted on Jan 8, 2015 2:22 PM

Best reply

JTeb

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Feb 25, 2017 3:44 AM

I would also be interested in seeing a resolution to this. I'm on a 2016 iMac 5k using a CS4206B and would rather use the onboard DAC than pay an extra $40-60 for a USB sound card of equivalent quality.

Looks like Apple are trying to wash their hands of Boot Camp, what with them refusing to update the graphics drivers too.

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63 replies

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Sep 27, 2015 10:44 AM in response to PICKLEB0Y

If the headset works properly on the OS X side, it ensures that the hardware has no issues.

Sep 27, 2015 11:08 AM in response to Loner T

It does work OS X side, definitely a software limitation. I wish there was a way to unpack the Cirrus Logic 2408 .exe found in the drivers folder and install the specific AB 93 variant just to see if it would work with my hardware. Otherwise the .exe checks for the hardware that Apple deems appropriate for the driver and installs the driver automatically. when I run the 2408.exe nothing happens, it says its already installed (even when its not, apple requires the mid 2012 retina to use the 2406 driver) So unless theres a way to bypass the hardware check, the Cirrus Logic driver.exe decides which one to install 😐

Oct 1, 2015 2:17 PM in response to PICKLEB0Y

I too am having this issue with TRRS on 2012 Mac Minis. OSX works without a hitch, but Windows on Bootcamp even with the latest cirrus drivers there is no working option under recording devices. The playback device for the TRRS devices works great, and I've tried with both Apple headphones and Plantronics headsets with TRRS adapters (takes headphone/microphone plugs and merges them into one TRRS plug).

Oct 1, 2015 7:56 PM in response to Blandman512

Yeah I tested it with another headset with TRRS and the mic isn't recognized in windows, but recognized in OS X so it is definitely the driver limiting the functionality, not the port it self... seems like Apple for some reason doesn't want the 2012 models to support that functionality even though the hardware does support it. Quite frustrating considering I know my computer's hardware has the capability.

Tinglay

Level 1

0 points

Oct 2, 2015 10:56 AM in response to PICKLEB0Y

Also getting same issue as you guys. I have a MacbookPro mid 2012 retina.

Apparently it's working correctly for Mid 2013 models of the MBP onwards, but i can't seem to get it to work either.

Works perfectly on the OSX side.

Frustrating is definitely the word for it.

Nov 5, 2015 7:07 AM in response to iStir

I take it no one has come up with a solution to get it working on a 2012 Macbook Pro Retina 15"? Works on OS X, not Windows 10. Would love to actually be able to use my gaming headset in Windows...

I wish the Apple developers knew about this issue, it stinks that we have the hardware, but not the supporting software in Windows 😟

mthorade

Level 1

8 points

Dec 7, 2015 8:17 AM in response to Loner T

I just updated my iMac (27", late 2013) to Windows 10 with Bootcamp 6 (build 6133), but it still does not work, no matter how slow I insert the jack. Does it work for you if you insert the TRRS jack while the computer is off and boot with the jack inserted?

I wish Apple would just use two separate ports! This audio combo port is almost as silly as a laptop with one single USB C port...

Jan 10, 2016 2:21 AM in response to Loner T

Hi Loner T, I saw your screen capture has CS4206B mic recognized. Is it on Mac Mini or some other PC? How you manually modified the driver inf file of Mac bootcamp? Thanks

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Jan 10, 2016 11:47 AM in response to jasonyongw

It is a 2012 13-in MBP.

Feb 13, 2016 10:37 AM in response to iStir

Here is something interesting that I've found - MacBook Pro 15" 2015:

If I use my apple headphones which came with my iPhone 6s then the headphone microphone is NOT detected (as reported here).
But if I use my Beats over-ear, noise cancelling headphones (self powered) the headset microphone IS detected.
After plugging in the Beats and unplugging again the microphone input IS properly returned to the internal microphone
Now, as long as I haven't restarted the machine, plugging in my apple headphones the headset microphone IS now properly detected in these too!
If I then unplug the Apple headphones and plug them back in again the headset microphone is NOT detected again
Repeating plugging in the Beats headphones allows me to repeat the process over again

Perhaps this all has something to do with using powered headphones first?

mthorade

Level 1

8 points

Mar 10, 2016 4:44 AM in response to PICKLEB0Y

PICKLEB0Y wrote:

I wish there was a way to unpack the Cirrus Logic 2408 .exe found in the drivers folder

You can open the file using any advanced zip program.

I use 7zip (open-source, from http://www.7-zip.org/ ) and it can open these exe files without problem,

e.g. the file BootCamp\Drivers\Cirrus\CirrusAudioCS4206x64.exe

Mar 30, 2016 5:26 PM in response to mthorade

I'm just jumping in here to say that I have the same issue. I have a macbook pro mid 2012 and only see Cirrus Logic CS4206B (AB40) for a microphone when my earbuds with an inline mic are plugged in. Is there any way to send Apple details about this issue and get some sort of response?

Mar 31, 2016 2:31 PM in response to Fatcat118

So I see at the top of this page that this has "branched to a new discussion" yet when I click on that link I get an "Unauthorized: Access to this place or content is restricted."

Anyone know what this message means or how to get around this? I'm new to this website so not sure how to get to the new discussion.

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Mar 31, 2016 3:28 PM in response to Fatcat118

Does it work correctly in OSX?

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Mar 31, 2016 3:30 PM in response to Fatcat118

If you click on Latest Reply, it should show you the last page.

Microphone Through TRRS Jack Not Detected in Windows