Why is the Windows 7 Sound Recorder program recording in stereo?

Hello everybody I'm new here at seven forums. I have a question about the sound recorder program in windows 7. I have a headset with a microphone and I use the sound recorder program to record audio or record myself. Like I said the headset has a microphone and I when I use the sound recorder program before it use to record both left and right channel. I could hear audio from both channels or speakers. But now all of the sudden I can only hear sound from the left channel or left speaker. Weird right? I know. So I need help from you guys why is this happening. Why is the sound recorder program only recording on the left channel?

fireberd said:

Please fill in the "My System Specs". Helps us to help you.

Check the Sound Panel/Recording section. If "Stereo Mix" is not set as default recording device, set it. That may take care of the problem.

Ok check my Computer Specs now

Just forget it guys, I was using the headset and sound recorder program to hear how I sounded and I sounded very clear but it's weird how it use to record on both left and right channels and now it does not, only on the left channel. I used the headset microphone to call people through google hangouts on the computer. I don't have a smartphone, I broke it. So thats why I make phone calls on the computer through hangouts. The call quality is still bad on google hangouts. People say I sound staticky or muffled or my voice breaks up. I know I have very fast internet so it's not my internet. The culprit is Google Hangouts. Now I am done with Google Hangouts or Google Voice. I deleted my Google Voice number. So it's not my headset microphone that was the problem, Hangouts just has awful call quality.

Hey guys it turns out the stock windows 7 sound recorder program is the culprit recording in stereo. When I used Audacity to record myself I could hear both channels left and right because I recorded in mono. I don't understand why the windows 7 sound recorder records in stereo when you can only hear from left channel?