Published 2024-02-01 by TechNet New England
If your Mac microphone is not working, it is usually a permissions issue, wrong input selection, or application-specific setting. ## Fix 1: Check System Settings 1. Open **System Settings > Sound > Input**. 2. Select the correct microphone. 3. Speak and watch the input level indicator. 4. Adjust input volume if needed. ## Fix 2: Check Privacy Permissions 1. Open **System Settings > Privacy and Security > Microphone**. 2. Make sure the app you are using is toggled on. ## Fix 3: Check App Audio Settings Each app has its own microphone selection. Check Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet settings for the correct input device. ## Fix 4: Reset Core Audio Open Terminal and run: ```bash sudo killall coreaudiod ``` macOS will restart the audio service automatically. Test again. ## Fix 5: Check Bluetooth Conflicts If using a Bluetooth headset, make sure the hands-free profile is selected as the input device in Sound settings. Stereo mode disables the microphone. ## When to Contact IT If the built-in microphone shows no activity in System Settings across all apps, the hardware may be faulty. On managed Macs, an MDM profile may be restricting access. Contact your IT provider.