I get a "flatline" when I record on Audacity

[Chbrown1212]

Dear Audacity,
I am stumped.
I cannot get the “recording volume” to read anything above zero; even when I slide the bar manually. It just jumps back to zero.
I simply get a “flatline” recording with no sound.
I checked my Yeti Microphone and Headset and they are showing and connected.
I have a laptop computer for which I use Audacity as well (for travel) and it works perfectly. I get waveforms and excellent volume.
The volume recorder is loud enough to hear and record.
Clearly, I am not Audacity savvy.
I know I might have touched the wrong button somewhere along the line but don’t know which one and am afraid of pressing random buttons.
In addition, I have uninstalled and reinstalled Audacity on the computer thinking that the software might have been corrupted somehow but, of course, it wasn’t.
Can someone please help me right the ship?

[DVDdoug]

I checked my Yeti Microphone and Headset and they are showing and connected.

Sorry if this is a dumb question but did you select the Yeti as your Recording Device?

Are the headphones USB, or have you used another USB audio device on this computer? ...I had a problem once when switching between USB devices. Somehow Windows was using the wrong driver or the wrong driver settings or something.

[Chbrown1212]

I did choose Yeti.
And, any answer is a help.

[deric23]

You have to completely shut down Audacity, then plug in the Yeti. Then restart Audacity. You may have done that. I just started using my Yeti again and the mic and speaker settings are critical-have to be showing Yeti on both when recording. On playback change the speaker from Yeti to a different speaker. Also the first box in that row may need to be set to MME. YOu have to experiment. It took me most of the day off and on until I got the hang of using the Yeti. Further I at least have to pause Audacity rather than stop and start a new track-or at least delete the previous record before starting a new track. Otherwise I get the "error in sound device" message." I seem to remember that using the headphones will complicate things further. I have a Sure 58 mic and a Berringer dynamic. With both of those you can record in most any position of mic and speaker. The Yeti not that way but it seems to be more sensitive.

[Chbrown1212]

I will try it. Your suggestion is much appreciated.

[Chbrown1212]

Thank you Derec23.

I took your advice and, in addition, uninstalled the Yeti driver, plugged it back in and...voila...It worked.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.