Apple MacBooks and many desktop Macs have built-in microphones. Despite this, you can also connect headphones and other microphones via USB, an audio connector of 3,5 mm o Bluetooth. Next, We show you how to fix a microphone that is not working on your Mac.
Find out which microphone your Mac is using
To effectively fix the microphone problems, it is essential to know which one is using your computer.
Your Mac will use one of the following:
- The internal microphone: Included in any MacBook or iMac.
- An external USB microphone: Directly connected to a USB port and self-powered.
- An external microphone 3,5 mm: Connected to your computer's microphone input or a separate audio interface, which may require additional energy.
- AirPods or similar Bluetooth headset: Wirelessly connected to your Mac.
If you want to use your Mac's internal microphone, you can go to the next step. If you are using a USB microphone, connect directly to your Mac (avoid using a hub).
If you are using a wired microphone that requires a stereo jack 3,5 mm, make sure it is connected to the correct port and does not require additional power (it won't work if you do).
Finally, pair your AirPods or Bluetooth headphones in System Preferences> Bluetooth. If you can't get your Bluetooth headset to work, unlink them by clicking on the “X” next to them in the list “Devices”. After, try to pair it again.
Once you are sure that the selected microphone is connected and turned on, time to take a look at the audio settings.
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Check the sound input settings
A common cause of microphone problems is a misconfigured sound input. Dirígete a Preferencias del sistema> Sonido y posteriormente haz un clic en la pestaña “Entry”. You should see a list of devices that you can use as a sound source, included (hopefully) the microphone you want to use.
To use a device, What “Internal microphone”, click on the. If everything goes according to plan, you should see that the bars are filled next to the “Entry level” while talking.
If you don't see anything, increase the slider “Input volume” and try to talk again. If the slider is too low, your Mac won't detect any sound.
If you want to use your AirPods as a microphone, select “AirPods” of the list. If you are using an audio interface, select it from the list.
You may also see entries for other applications you have installed, What “Soundflower” O “Added device”, but you don't want to use any of them at this time.
If you see movement in the indicator of “Entry level”, It is a good signal, but it is feasible that more problems need to be fixed for everything to work properly.
Check microphone permissions
Another common cause of microphone issues is Apple's expanded permission system. Prevent apps from accessing the microphone until you specifically allow it. When apps want to get into the mic, a notification should appear asking you to approve or reject the request.
If you reject the request, the application will not be able to enter the microphone of the computer. Often, it is a good idea to deny applications access to your hardware until you are sure you need it to function properly.
Dirígete a Preferencias del sistema> Seguridad y privacidad> Privacidad y selecciona “Microphone” in the sidebar. You should see a list of apps that have requested access to your microphone. Anyone who has approved will have a check mark next to them, while those who have rejected do not.
Click on the lock icon at the bottom left to authenticate with your admin password (the Touch ID the Apple Watch indicator). After, You can approve or deny the permission as you see fit by checking or unchecking the boxes next to the apps.
Delete problematic apps
With the correct font selected and the required permissions granted, your mic should work. Try talking to Siri to test things. If a specific app doesn't work, may be the cause of the problem.
You can try checking the application preferences to see if there are separate settings for the input devices. Apps like Adobe Audition and Audacity allow you to specify an input device separate from the one selected in your settings. “Entry” audio in “System preferences”.
If everything seems fine, try deleting and reinstalling the app. Look for an updated version to download, in case the problems were caused by incompatibility. Apple has made major changes to the macOS permission system during the latest revisions, so some outdated apps may not work.
If you can't get the app to work, it might be time to replace it with a similar one that does.
Reset NVRAM / PRAM
Non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) or the parameter RAM (PRAM) is the type of memory your Mac uses to remember settings, such as time and date and current volume settings. This setting persists even after your Mac has shut down. Sometimes, problems may arise and reset NVRAM / PRAM can help.
Since this memory is specifically responsible for volume and sound settings, is specifically relevant to microphone problems. How to reset it depends on the Mac you have, but you can learn how to do it on your particular model here.
RELATED: What is NVRAM and when should I reset it on my Mac?
Try to enable dictation
It's a wild card, but some reports claim that enabling macOS dictation feature can help explain some microphone issues, in particular those related to the inmate. It is not clear how this helps, but if you have come this far and your microphone still is not working, it is important to emphasize try.
Dirígete a Preferencias del sistema> Teclado y posteriormente haz un clic en la pestaña “Dictation”. Click on the radio button “Activated” and wait for the downloads to complete. Make sure the microphone you want to use is selected from the drop-down menu. If everything is set up correctly, you should see the levels move.
If you haven't used it before, you may want to take advantage of this to test your Mac's dictation feature. By default, You can activate it by pressing the Function key twice (Fn). Plus you can control the rest of your Mac with your voice, thanks to extensive Apple accessibility features.
Check the levels on your external microphone
Most external microphones allow you to change levels directly on the microphone, while others have a mute switch. Check your mic thoroughly to make sure the gain is high enough and you haven't accidentally muted it.
If you are using an audio interface, you may need to adjust the gain there.
Restart your Mac
Sometimes, you just need to turn it off and on again to fix any problem. You can also try installing pending macOS updates in System Preferences> Software Update. Or update to the latest version of macOS, if you haven't done it yet.
If you are also dealing with crackling sound and other sound issues in macOS, See how to fix them below!
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