Guide to Fix MacBook Microphone Not Working Issue [How-To]

The headset microphone is not working for Mac? That is the most frustrating thing that a Mac user faces. If Mac’s internal microphone is not showing the volume levels, just go to the microphone and check the recording check box is toggled on or off; If it is off, immediately toggle on it to fix Microphone issues. Here in this article, I am going to give you the working methods to Fix the MacBook Microphone Not Working issue.

If the microphone stops working, that leads to the Mac microphone not working with the Zoom application because the Zoom meeting application depends on the output devices, such as a webcam and microphone, for viewing and listening. Before going to enter the article, please make sure to check the Macbook Trackpad Not Working issue, if you are facing that issue, then fix it right now by following the given link.

Reasons For MacBook Mic Not Working

  • If the MacBook Mic is not configured properly in that situation, we may encounter a mic not working issue.
  • Some third-party apps interrupt the device settings, which sometimes stop working Mic due to the lack of functional support.
  • System cache and other junk files cause them to stop working Mic either.
  • If parameter random access memory is not set up well on your MacBook, that will cause the Mic not to work because PRAM consists of the elements of audio, mouse, alarm clock setting, startup disk, and others.
  • If the mic program files are missing or corrupted, that may cause this issue. By uninstall or reinstall it, you can resolve this issue.
  • Microphone not showing in privacy Mac.

How To Fix MacBook Microphone Not Working Issue?

If the MacBook Air microphone is not working on your MacBook device, it will be frustrating, because if it stops working, they cannot listen to anything. So to fix this issue, we have introduced some fixing methods for you, and we successively test all.

Fix #1. Check Microphone Settings:

If you have any problem with the media, whether video or sound, changing the audio settings will resolve the sound issue. When you see that the MacBook Pro microphone is not working or stops working,, you should check the microphone settings on your MacBook. Let’s see how to do that.

  • Unlock your MacBook and then straight away click on the Apple icon, which is located at the top left corner of your MacBook screen.

Click-on-Apple-logo-on-Mac

  • Now choose the system preferences from the drop-down menu.

Tap-on-System-Preferences

  • You can see the list of apps and drivers from their head to the sound.
  • On the next page, you will see the sound adjustments; at the top, select the input tab immediately.
  • You can see the list of sound devices, and when you notice the input device sound levels at the bottom, that shows how much volume level your Mic is maintaining right now.
  • If the input level is at your left-hand side, then simply drag it to your right-hand side, which will also increase the volume level.

Input-Volume-Adjustment

  • Now, shut down the Apple device and check whether it is working.

Fix #2. Resetting The PRAM/NVRAM:

  • Before resetting the PRAM/NVRAM, you should power off the MacBook device. For this, click the Apple icon and select the shutdown from the drop-down menu.
  • Press the power button and immediately press the “Option+Command+P+R” buttons simultaneously.
  • Hold them for a while until you get the apple icon on your screen; this
  • also happens within 20 seconds of the time.
  • After your MacBook is powered on, repeat the first method steps from right onwards.

Fix #3. Creating A New Account:

  • Select the system preferences underneath the Apple icon on your MacBook.

Select-System-Preferences

  • Now select the user & groups tab from the displayed app icons.

Click-On-Users-&-Groups

  • Tap the lock icon at the bottom left corner, as shown on your screen.

Tap-on-Lock-Symbol

  • You should enter your ID and password and then press the unlock button.

Enter-Password-Press-Unlock

  • You will be allowed to make changes; to do that, press the + symbol at the bottom left corner.
  • Now you will receive a form to create a new user for your MacBook.

Fill-The-Fields-&-Press-Create-User

  • After filling in the fields, tap the Create user button immediately.
  • The new account is created and then switched from the current user account to the new user account.
  • Now check out whether the problem is resolved or not.

Fix #4. Turning On Dictation:

If your Mac requires motor impairments or it is difficult to type on the keyboard unless you want something to talk to the device to grant requirements from the MacBook operating system. Dictation will cover up all these things and solve the current issue easily. Let’s see how we would do that.

  • Launch system preferences from the Apple logo.
  • If you can’t get the keyboard from the displayed list, then type in the search box for the keyboard and press enter button.
  • Tap on the dictation tab at the top.

Turn-On-Dictation

  • You will receive the popup box, simply enable the dictation button by tapping on it.

Click-on-Use-Enhanced-Dictation

  • Now toggle on the dictation option, which will automatically download the required files and activate the microphone.

Fix #5. Fixing App Permissions:

If you did not get the app permissions from the administrator at that time, you would encounter a present issue; when you get the administrator’s permissions, the problem will be solved. Let’s see;

  • Launch system preferences on your MacBook using the Apple icon.

Select-System-Preferences

  • Now scroll down the screen and search for security & privacy. If you cannot find it, search for it using the search box.

Tap-on-Security-&-Privacy

  • Once you have got it, select it straight away.
  • Now tap on the privacy tab at the top.
  • To your left, scroll down the screen and select microphone service.

Choose-Microphone-Service

  • Now toggle off the check box and again toggle on the check box.

Fix #6. Entering Safe Mode:

To open your MacBook in safe mode, you need to turn it off and start to open it in safe mode. Let’s see how we do that easily.

  • Just press the shutdown option underneath the Apple icon to turn off your MacBook.
  • Now turn on your MacBook, press the shift key, and then release until you get the Apple logo on your screen.
  • Then the system will start to initialize in safe mode, and you can see the safe boot at the top right corner.
  • After your MacBook has safely landed, check out the microphone audio levels and restart your MacBook in normal mode.

Fix #7. Mic Issues On Mac OS Catalina:

It is a different issue is raised in the Catalina Betas and Mac OS Mojave. As we know, almost the microphone works on the MacBook. Still, except for some applications and an issue reported by some users due to this, we are introducing this command-fixing method. Let’s take a look at this.

  • Launch the terminal app from the utility folder on your MacBook.

Launch-Terminal-on-Mac

  • Now type as rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/com.apple.TCC and then press the enter button.
  • Then restart your MacBook after executing this terminal command.

Fix #8. Get Support From Apple or Reinstall The App:

If your microphone is not working and the rest of the apps are working unanimously, then the problem is with that microphone app, so it is better to uninstall and reinstall it from your MacBook.

  • Now go to the apps folder on your MacBook.
  • Then locate the microphone app. After getting it, drag it and drop it into the trash.
  • Now try to install it from the official website or Apple store.
  • Or you can ask for help from Apple experts, who will show you the solution for how to fix the microphone that is not working.

Fix #9. Restart Your Mac:

Sometimes, you must turn it Off and ON your Mac devices to resolve any problems. Also, install any pending macOS updates under System Preferences >> Software Update. Or, upgrade to the latest macOS version if you still need to do so.

Mac-OS-Software-Update

Fix #10. Check the Levels on your External Microphone:

This method is for people who are using External microphones. Sometimes the Levels on the External MicroPhone can mute toggle your Mac Microphone. So checking the External Microphone Levels helps you to fix this problem. You might need to adjust the gain if you’re using an audio interface.

If Nothing works on your end, then try to Factory Reset or Restore Macbook Air to get the default settings back to the normal position if you have made changes in settings.

FAQ:

1. How to test the microphone on a Mac?

Launch the system preferences from the apple icon, head to sounds underneath that select input tab, and then adjust the volume control from left to right.

2. Why is my headset microphone not working on my Mac?

If the sound drivers fail, you cannot connect your microphone to the MacBook port, and also check if there is damage in the headset cable.

3. Why is my MacBook Air microphone not working?

When you see the microphone is not working issue on the Macbook Air, then head to the system preferences and select the input device from the sounds where you adjust the volume control.

Final Words:

We introduced several fixing methods to fix the MacBook microphone not working issue permanently. If you failed to execute the above methods, remove the existing Mic and switch to a new one for your Mac. When your Mic is stopped working from there onwards, your Zoom meetings and other voice chats are to be stopped, and you can not communicate with your teammates and fail to share your work either.

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