Windows is picking up no audio from any of my microphones despite detecting them.

It sounds like you've gone through a comprehensive troubleshooting process for your microphone issue. Since Windows detects the microphones but does not receive audio input, here are a few additional steps you might consider:

1. Check Audio Endpoint Settings: Ensure that the correct microphone is selected as the default recording device in the Sound settings. Sometimes, multiple devices can confuse the system.
2. Unblock Data Path: If there is a mute node in the data path from the microphone, ensure that it is disabled. This can sometimes be overlooked in the settings.
3. Test with Different Applications: Try using different applications to test the microphone functionality. Sometimes, specific applications may have their own audio settings that could affect input.
4. Use a Different USB Port: If you're using a USB microphone, try connecting it to a different USB port. This can sometimes resolve issues related to power or connectivity.
5. Check for Device-Specific Drivers: Make sure that you have the latest drivers specific to your microphone model, as generic drivers may not support all features.
6. Run Windows Troubleshooter: Use the built-in troubleshooter for audio recording devices in Windows. It can sometimes identify and fix issues automatically.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it may be worth checking for any hardware problems with the microphones themselves or considering a system restore to a point when the microphones were functioning correctly.

References:

• Audio Endpoint Devices
• USB audio device not playing
• Audio devices troubleshooting overview

Not all audio inputs these days are fed by the Realtek sound card driver, instead, they can be from Intel Smart sound for example, as they provide more features such as noise supression, etc. So see if that might be your case, if so you want to install that driver, not just the realtek one.

If you need help finding driver, please type msinfo32.exe in the search on the taskbar and hit enter, then share a screenshot of the pop up please.

Laptops with a single audio combo jack require a TRRS mic. When you plug in your TRRS mic into a single combo jack, you have to select "mic in".

Computers with 2 separate audio jacks require a TRS mic.

Do you have a TRRS mic?

Do you have 2 separate TRS audio jacks and not a single TRRS combo audio jack in your motherboard?

If both questions are "yes", then it "worked" previously because you didn't insert fully so you have some intermittent connection. It was never supposed to work if you just fully inserted it properly.

This is a TRRS mic, the microphone manufacturer clearly states that it needs an adapter to work with PC's dual separate TRS audio jacks.

https://andreacommunications.com/products/sg-110m-shotgun-microphone/

This is a TRS mic, the microphone manufacturer clearly states that it needs an adapter to work with laptop's single combo TRRS audio jack.

https://andreacommunications.com/products/nc-8-ultralight-noise-canceling-head-mounted-microphone/