Solved Background Noise in Audio and Video Recordings via Webcam Microphone (Windows 11 Build 26200.8973)

System Specifications
- Model: HP z1 g8
- CPU: Intel i7
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 3060
- RAM: 32 GB
- OS: Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8973
- Microphone: Webcam's built-in microphone

Problem
A new issue has recently appeared that never occurred before: all audio and video recordings contain background noise. This happens across various software, including:
- Audacity
- Windows Camera app
- Online recorders

What I tried
- Checked and verified that all system drivers are up to date.

Is there a way to diagnose the root cause of this background noise and figure out how to resolve it? Any guidance would be appreciated.

To remove background noise from your audio quickly, use an online AI tool like ElevenLabs Voice Isolator or free desktop software like Audacity. Simply upload or import your audio file, select the noise-reduction or voice-isolation feature, and export the cleaned file.

Using Audacity

Get Noise Profile: Select a 0.5-second section containing only background noise, go to Effect > Noise Reduction, and click Get Noise Profile.

Apply Reduction: Select your entire track (Ctrl + A), return to Effect > Noise Reduction, adjust settings if needed, and click OK.

The basic problem is the distance from the Microphone to the sound source.
As it is a built in microphone on the Webcam it will a long way from the sound you are trying to record. That means all sorts of background sounds will be picked up as well, the gain will be high.

The general idea is to keep the wanted sound source close to the Microphone, less gain required so less background noise.

Nothing new about this, a well known factor.

You can improve the situation slightly using a directional microphone, or possibly in Windows settings > System > Sound > Input > External mic > Input settings > Audio enhancements > Voice Clarity.

DC apdater, charger in the same outlet as the PC ?

Klaver7 said:

DC apdater, charger in the same outlet as the PC ?

Click to expand...

Hi Klaver7, no only USB Bluetooth, webcam, keyboard, mouse, USB SSD. I'm confused because until a few months ago (I don't record audio or video often) the sound was fine. That's why I thought it was due to a software update.

Edit 1
Maybe I didn't explain myself well in my first post, I meant to say that the noise is not environmental, it's a noise that sounds like popping.

Edit 2
I apologize to everyone for writing this second edit here. I wanted to write it in the initial post to make it more visible, but it seems the first post can't be edited. There's some news: I just tried recording audio again with both the built-in recorder and Audacity, and the noise is gone. The video test with "Camera" also worked fine, no noise! Sorry for the inconvenience.