MacBook Microphone Not Working

You’re recording a video in QuickTime, and QuickTime isn’t recording sound. Or, you join a FaceTime call or worse—a virtual meeting on Teams or Zoom—and suddenly, your Mac’s microphone won’t cooperate. It’s a huge inconvenience that can leave you scrambling to figure out what’s going on and how you can fix it.

Before we start:

No matter how experienced you are with MacBooks, sometimes you may get stuck and need expert assistance. It removes the guesswork from fixing Mac issues, saving you valuable time. That’s where MacKeeper’s Premium Services come in. They identify the basic issues on your Apple computer, frequently leading to your mic or MacBook sound not working, so you can continue being productive and social.

Follow these steps to fix the microphone on your Mac with MacKeeper’s Premium Services:

1. Download and install MacKeeper on your iMac or MacBook Pro or Air device with an M1, M2, or M3 chip.
2. Open the MacKeeper app and choose Premium Services from the sidebar.
3. Use the big Chat Now button on the right side of the screen to type your issue in the text box and follow the expert’s instructions to resolve it.

Your Mac’s microphone is important for key functions and activities, like when you need to record audio on Mac, stay in touch with loved ones, connect with colleagues, and more. Let’s dive into what else you can do when your MacBook laptop’s microphone is not working.

Why is the MacBook mic not working?

Here are some reasons why your MacBook microphone isn’t working:

• It is disabled in your Privacy settings.
• Outdated software leading to mic-related bugs.
• Physical damage due to spills, falls, and mishandling of your Mac.
• Software conflicts when simultaneously using multiple apps that require mic access.
• A malware attack was introduced by malicious actors, causing your microphone to not function.
• Loose cords and connections or improperly connected cords when using an external mic for your Mac.

How to check Mac microphone

It’s important to know what you’re dealing with. That’s why we advise you to check if your Mac’s microphone is working before attempting to fix it.

Here’s how to test your MacBook’s mic:

1. Open QuickTime Player. To do this, bring up Spotlight by pressing the Command + space bar keys, type QuickTime in the search bar, and choose it from the list of results.
2. Head to the menu bar and select File > New Audio Recording.
3. Increase the volume as needed by moving the slider to the right, then press the red Record button and start speaking.
4. Play back the recording by hitting the Play button to see if the microphone captured your recording.

How to fix MacBook mic not working

7 ways to fix a MacBook microphone that isn’t working:

1. Restart your MacBook
2. Check MacBook microphone settings
3. See if the volume is on
4. Check application settings
5. Look at mic permissions
6. Check software updates
7. Reset NVRAM/PRAM

Important: 

A faulty microphone can lead to Dictation not working on Mac, which can inconvenience you. Let’s take a look at the various solutions you can try when your MacBook mic isn’t working.

1. Restart your MacBook

Sometimes, a quick restart is enough to refresh your Mac’s system and fix simple issues such as a faulty mic.

Follow these steps to restart your Mac computer:

1. Click on the Apple menu.
2. Choose the Restart option from the drop-down menu.

2. Check MacBook microphone settings

Your Mac’s sound input settings may have been adjusted, causing leading you to believe your Mic isn’t working.

To check your Mac’s sound input settings, do the following:

1. In System Settings/Preferences, find the Sound option and select the Input tab.
2. Ensure your microphone is selected as the default. In the screenshot below, we selected Internal Microphone.
3. Move the Input volume slider to adjust the volume as needed, and then speak to check your mic activity.

3. See if the volume is on

In some cases, mic issues are the result of muting your MacBook’s sound. To check if this is the case, simply press the increase volume key on your keyboard a few times. It can be found in the upper-right corner of your Mac’s keyboard.

4. Check application settings

Apps that rely on your Mac’s built-in microphone contain mic settings or preferences. You can use these preferences to test your microphone. Note that the process differed depending on the app we used, so expect the same and use the steps below as a general guideline.

Here’s how to check your app’s microphone settings:

1. In your chosen app, navigate to the menu bar and click on Preferences > Audio or similar.
2. Find the option to test your speakers and check them.

A note from our experts: 

If nothing you’ve tried has worked, or you’re feeling stuck, confused, or overwhelmed, we recommend you try MacKeeper’s Premium Services. It connects you to more than 150 tech experts who are available around the clock to assist with basic Mac issues like a faulty mic.

Here’s how to leverage MacKeeper’s Premium Services:

1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac and select Premium Services in the upper-left corner of the MacKeeper window.
2. Click on the Chat Now button to start chatting with an expert. Ensure you explain your issue in great detail and follow their instructions to fix it.

5. Look at mic permissions

Apps that rely on your Mac’s microphone to function require you to permit them to use it. If you’ve disabled mic permissions, this may be the reason why your mic isn’t working in certain apps.

Follow these steps to check mic permissions for certain apps:

1. In System Settings/Preferences, click on Security & Privacy/Privacy & Security > Privacy > Microphone.
2. Go down the list to check which apps have microphone permissions, then enable the mic for apps you want to use it in. (You may have to click the lock and enter your admin password to adjust your Privacy settings.)

6. Check software updates

Outdated macOS software can cause a host of problems, including a microphone that doesn’t work. Updating your macOS can sometimes help to rectify performance issues such as this one, which is why we recommend that you check whether your Mac has any available software updates you can implement.

To find out if your MacBook has available macOS updates, follow this approach:

1. In System Settings, click on General > Software Update > Update Now if updates are available. You may be asked to enter your administrator password.
2. On older macOS versions, click on the Apple menu > About This Mac > Software Update > Update Now or Upgrade Now where applicable.

7. Reset NVRAM/PRAM

Resetting NVRAM/PRAM is your last option when none of the solutions above have made a difference. PRAM stores a bunch of Mac settings, so resetting it can help rectify microphone and other issues. However, keep in mind that this option is only available for Intel-based Macs. MacBook devices with Apple Silicon don’t require resetting PRAM.

To reset NVRAM/PRAM on your Intel-based MacBook computer, do the following:

1. Click the Apple menu and select Shut Down.
2. Wait until your Mac completely switches off.
3. When your Mac has turned off, press the power button and the cmd + alt + P + R keys simultaneously, holding them down for 20 seconds.
4. Now, let go of the keys and let your MacBook restart, then try to use your microphone again to see if the issue persists

Explore the methods to fix your Mac’s microphone

Your Mac’s microphone failing to work can be a minor setback. It can cause delays and much frustration during a virtual meeting, especially a work-related one on Teams, Skype, or Zoom. It can also disrupt the flow during a personal or social call with friends and family. In addition, a faulty mic can affect your productivity when working on a personal project.

The good news is that it can usually be fixed with a few solutions. Use the tips in our guide to get your MacBook’s microphone up and running again. Don’t forget about MacKeeper’s Premium Services—your go-to solution for troubleshooting basic Mac issues such as a faulty mic, available 24/7 for your convenience.