If the built-in Microphone , or the External Microphone connected to your Mac not working properly then you can resolve the issue using troubleshooting procedures as described below.
Microphone not working on Mac
If you’re wondering about where the Microphone is in your MacBook? It’s based upon your Model of your MacBook.
The latest versions from MacBook Pro (2021) are equipped with three microphones that are located on the left-hand side of the Mac The earlier models from MacBook Pro (2017) had only one mic located near an ESC key.
If your microphone on your MacBook isn’t working properly it could be due to many reasons, from a an intermittent software glitch to the Microphones not properly set up and many other reasons.
If you’re trying to connect the External Microphone on your MacBook or Mac Mini, the problem is typically caused by that Microphone that you are using not getting recognition by your PC.
1. Setup the Microphone’s Settings
A typical reason that results in Microphone not working properly on MacBook, Mac Mini or iMac is due to the Microphone not being properly set-up or the volume of input is kept at a lower volume.
Click on the Apple Logo in top-menu bar and then select System Preferences from the menu dropdown.
On the System Preferences screen, click the Sound tab.
The next page, go to the input tab and choose your microphone from the list , and ensure that the volume is set at the highest volume.
After that, you can speak to the Microphone and you’ll be able to see levels bars filling the entire menu.
2. Make sure the external microphone is listed as Sound Input Device
If you’re making use of the External Microphone for Skype, Zoom or Microsoft Teams calls, make sure that the Microphone is recognised by your Mac.
Open the System Preferences menu > Sound ensure that your External Microphone has been selected and accessible in the “Select an Audio Device Input” section.
If the Microphone isn’t acknowledged, you may require an TRS-to TRRS adapter to enable the external microphone work with your Mac.
3. Restart Mac
Sometimes, the issue is due to a stuck process or process, or even a small software glitch that interferes with the good functioning of the Microphone.
Click on the Apple Logo in the top menu bar and then select Restart option from the dropdown menu.
When your Mac restarts, you can check if you can see if the Photo Stream Album appears visible on your device and displaying the most recent uploaded photos.
4. Allow apps to access the microphone
If your microphone on your Mac isn’t working when you are using any third-party Apps (Skype, Microsoft Teams or Zoom) The problem is typically caused by that App not being able access to the Microphone installed on your device.
Open Settings > Security and Privacy > choose Microphone in the left pane. In the right-hand pane, make sure that the Third-Party Application is permitted to connect to Microphone.
Following this, you should be able to connect this Microphone to your Mac.
5. Turn on Dictation
Turning on the Dictation mode on Mac (even when you’re otherwise not using it) will activate the required launch agents to turn on the Microphone.
Open System Preferences, Click on Keyboard. On the screen for Keyboard, select the Dictation tab , and then select the On option next to Dictation.
Then, download the appropriate files necessary for the proper operation of the microphone for your Mac.
6. Make sure the Microphone is Operating
Start the inbuilt QuickTime Player on your Mac Click on the File tab on the top menu bar and then choose New Audio Recording option in the drop-down menu.
You can turn up the volume in QuickTime Player and try to record your voice.
If you can’t record your voice, then your Microphone is clearly not functioning properly.
7. Reset PRAM
Remove all external devices from the Mac then follow the instructions listed below to Reset your Mac.
Simply click on the Apple Icon in top-menu bar and select the Shut Down option in the drop-down menu. The computer will then fully shut off.
Click the Power button in order to begin your Mac immediately press and hold Command, Option and R keys simultaneously for approximately 20 minutes.
Hold down the four Keys until you hear the first startup sound. Release all the Keys simultaneously, when your hear the 2nd noise in your Mac.
This will reset NVRAM (or PRAM) on your Mac and hopefully resolve the issue with your Mac.
