If your Mac microphone is not working, first check the selected input device and input level in System Settings, then confirm that the app has permission to use the microphone. If you use a Bluetooth headset, disconnect and reconnect it, and make sure the headset—not the Mac’s built-in microphone—is selected. Restarting the affected app often completes the fix.
Use the steps below in order. Test the microphone after each major step so you know which solution worked.
Quick Answer
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > Sound.
- Under Input, select the microphone you want to use.
- Speak and check whether the Input level meter moves.
- Increase the input volume if necessary.
- Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and allow access for the affected app.
- Quit and reopen the app.
- For browser-based calls, allow microphone access in the browser and on the website.
- If the microphone still does not work, restart your Mac, test in Safe Mode, and run Apple Diagnostics.
If the input meter never moves with multiple microphones, the problem may involve macOS audio services, an accessory, or hardware.
Check the Selected Microphone and Input Level
Your Mac may be using the wrong microphone, especially after connecting a monitor, USB accessory, webcam, or Bluetooth headset.
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Select Sound in the sidebar.
- Scroll to the Input section.
- Select the microphone you want to use, such as:
– MacBook Microphone or Built-in Microphone
– A connected USB microphone
– A display or webcam microphone
– A Bluetooth headset - Speak normally and watch the Input level meter.
- If the meter responds, the Mac is receiving sound.
- If available, adjust the Input volume slider. Move it to the right if your voice is too quiet.
The input meter is an important test. If it moves, the microphone itself is probably working, and the problem is more likely related to the app, browser, or call settings.
Check for a muted microphone
Some headsets, webcams, and conferencing apps have their own mute controls. Check all of the following:
- The physical mute button on the headset or microphone
- The microphone mute button in the video-call app
- The mute control on the website
- The input control in the app’s audio settings
A Mac’s microphone is not always muted through the Mac’s volume controls. The output volume and input volume are separate settings.
Allow Microphone Permission in macOS
macOS protects the microphone by requiring apps to request permission. An app can appear to have a microphone problem when it simply lacks permission.
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Select Microphone.
- Turn on access for the app that needs to record audio.
- If macOS asks you to authenticate, use your Mac login password or another available authentication method.
- Quit and reopen the app.
If the app is not listed, open it and try to use the microphone again. macOS may then display a permission request. Choose Allow.
If you previously denied access
If you selected Don’t Allow earlier, change the setting manually:
- Open System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security > Microphone.
- Turn on the switch next to the app.
- Quit and reopen the app.
An app may not detect the permission change until it is restarted.
Check other privacy settings
Some apps need additional permissions for related features:
- Camera: Required for video calls, even if the microphone itself works.
- Screen & System Audio Recording: May be required for screen-recording apps that also capture sound.
- Accessibility: Some presentation, dictation, or automation tools may need this permission.
Only grant permissions to apps you recognize and trust.
Check the App’s Audio Settings
Many apps let you select a microphone separately from the device selected in macOS. This means your Mac may be configured correctly while the app is listening to a different device.
Open the affected app’s settings or preferences and look for sections named Audio, Voice, Sound, or Devices. Confirm that:
- The intended microphone is selected as the input device.
- The input volume is not set too low.
- The microphone is not muted.
- Automatic input adjustment is enabled, if the app provides that option.
- Noise suppression or voice-isolation settings are not preventing your voice from being detected.
After changing the setting, use the app’s microphone test if one is available.
Restart the audio app
Audio devices can become unavailable after an app has been open for a long time or after you connect a new headset.
Before quitting, save any unsaved work. Quitting an app can close documents, end a recording, or disconnect you from a meeting.
- Save your work in the affected app.
- Quit the app by choosing App name > Quit App name from the menu bar, or press Command-Q.
- Wait a few seconds.
- Open the app again.
- Test the microphone.
If the app is frozen, press Option-Command-Escape, select it, choose Force Quit, and then select Force Quit again. Force quitting can cause unsaved work to be lost.
Fix Bluetooth Headset Microphone Problems
Bluetooth headsets can switch between different audio modes. They may also connect for listening but fail to provide a usable microphone connection.
Reconnect the headset
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Find the headset in the device list.
- Turn Bluetooth off, wait a few seconds, and turn it on again.
- Reconnect the headset.
- Open System Settings > Sound > Input.
- Select the headset’s microphone.
You can also disconnect the headset and pair it again. Before removing it, make sure you know how to reconnect it. If the headset is currently being used for a call, disconnecting it may interrupt the call.
Confirm the headset is not muted
Check the headset’s physical controls and companion app. Some models have a boom-arm mute function or a separate microphone mute button.
Try the Mac’s built-in microphone
Bluetooth connections can help identify the source of the problem:
- Open System Settings > Sound > Input.
- Select the Mac’s built-in microphone.
- Speak and watch the input meter.
If the built-in microphone works but the Bluetooth microphone does not, the issue is probably related to the headset, its connection, its battery, or Bluetooth audio settings.
Also charge the headset and test it with another device if possible.
Fix Browser Microphone Permissions
A browser may need permission at two levels:
- macOS must allow the browser to use the microphone.
- The website must allow the browser to use the microphone.
Check macOS permission
- Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.
- Turn on access for your browser.
- Quit and reopen the browser.
Check the website permission
The exact controls vary by browser, but the address bar usually provides a site-permission menu.
- Open the website that needs your microphone.
- Select the site controls near the address bar.
- Find Microphone.
- Set it to Allow, if available.
- Reload the page.
- Rejoin the call or restart the recording.
If the website asks which microphone to use, select the correct device. You may need to open the website’s own audio settings and select the same microphone.
Test another website or browser
Try a trusted browser-based recording or meeting service, or test the same website in another browser. This helps determine whether the problem belongs to the website, browser settings, or the Mac.
If the microphone works in one browser but not another, review the affected browser’s site permissions and privacy settings.
Disconnect Other Audio Devices
A Mac can automatically change its input device when you connect or disconnect hardware. Temporarily disconnect devices that may contain microphones:
- External displays
- USB hubs and docks
- Webcams
- Audio interfaces
- USB microphones
- Headsets
- iPhone or iPad audio connections
Then open System Settings > Sound > Input and select the Mac’s built-in microphone. If it works, reconnect devices one at a time to find the device causing the conflict.
If you use a USB microphone, try a different USB port or connect it directly to the Mac instead of through a hub. A faulty hub or cable can provide enough power for a device to appear connected without providing reliable audio.
Restart Your Mac
Restarting can reload audio services and clear a temporary device or app conflict.
Save your work first. A restart closes open apps and can interrupt calls, recordings, file transfers, and other activities.
- Choose Apple menu > Restart.
- Wait for the Mac to start.
- Open System Settings > Sound > Input.
- Select the microphone.
- Test it in the app that previously had the problem.
If the microphone works after restarting but stops again later, note what you connected or opened before the problem returned. That information can help identify an app or accessory conflict.
Test the Microphone in Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts macOS with limited software and performs startup checks. It can help determine whether software that loads during startup is interfering with the microphone.
The startup procedure differs between Apple silicon Macs and Intel-based Macs. If you are unsure which type of Mac you have, choose Apple menu > About This Mac. Apple silicon Macs show a chip description, while Intel Macs identify an Intel processor.
Start Safe Mode on an Apple silicon Mac
- Choose Apple menu > Shut Down.
- Wait until the Mac is completely off.
- Press and hold the power button until Loading startup options appears.
- Select a startup volume.
- Hold the Shift key and select Continue in Safe Mode.
- Sign in when prompted.
Start Safe Mode on an Intel-based Mac
- Choose Apple menu > Shut Down.
- Turn on the Mac.
- Immediately press and hold the Shift key.
- Release the key when the login window appears.
- Sign in. You may need to sign in again.
Once in Safe Mode, open System Settings > Sound > Input and test the microphone. Also test the affected app if it works in Safe Mode.
If the microphone works only in Safe Mode, a login item, audio utility, device driver, or other software that loads during normal startup may be interfering. Restart normally and review System Settings > General > Login Items. Disable only items you recognize, and change one item at a time so you can identify the cause.
Run Apple Diagnostics
Apple Diagnostics can help identify certain hardware problems. It does not replace a complete inspection, and a result that does not report a problem does not prove that every microphone component is working.
Before starting:
- Save your work.
- Disconnect nonessential external devices.
- Keep the Mac connected to power if practical.
- Write down any reference code that appears.
Start Apple Diagnostics on an Apple silicon Mac
- Choose Apple menu > Shut Down.
- Press and hold the power button until startup options appear.
- Continue holding the power button until the Mac runs diagnostics, or select the available diagnostics option if shown.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Start Apple Diagnostics on an Intel-based Mac
- Choose Apple menu > Shut Down.
- Turn on the Mac.
- Immediately press and hold the D key.
- Release it when the diagnostics screen appears.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
If Apple Diagnostics reports a reference code, record it exactly. Use that code when contacting Apple Support or an authorized service provider.
Seek service if:
- The built-in microphone never works in any app.
- The input meter never responds after you test multiple input devices.
- The Mac was dropped, exposed to liquid, or physically damaged.
- A microphone or audio-related diagnostic code appears.
- The microphone works intermittently and the problem is not tied to an app or accessory.
Do not attempt to open the Mac unless you are qualified to repair it. Internal repairs can cause additional damage and may create safety risks.
Troubleshooting
The input meter does not move
Select a different input device in System Settings > Sound > Input. Disconnect external audio devices and test the built-in microphone. If no microphone produces input, restart the Mac and test in Safe Mode.
The input meter moves, but the app records silence
Check the app’s microphone selection and input level. Confirm the app is enabled under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone, then quit and reopen it.
My MacBook mic is working but sounds very quiet
Increase the Input volume in System Settings > Sound > Input. Move closer to the microphone, check for blocked microphone openings, and disable or adjust any app setting that reduces input volume.
My Bluetooth headset works for sound but not for speaking
Select the headset under System Settings > Sound > Input, reconnect it, charge it, and check its physical mute control. Test the Mac’s built-in microphone to determine whether the headset is the source of the problem.
The microphone works in one app but not another
The working app confirms that macOS can receive microphone input. Focus on the affected app’s device selection, mute control, input level, and microphone permission.
The browser says microphone access is blocked
Allow microphone access for the browser in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Then allow the microphone for the specific website through the browser’s site controls and reload the page.
The microphone stopped working after connecting a monitor or dock
Disconnect the monitor or dock, select the Mac’s built-in microphone under System Settings > Sound > Input, and test again. If the microphone works, reconnect devices individually to identify the conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn on my Mac microphone?
macOS does not usually have one universal microphone switch. Open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and allow the required app. Then choose the desired device under System Settings > Sound > Input.
How do I test whether my Mac microphone works?
Open System Settings > Sound > Input, select a microphone, and speak. If the Input level meter moves, the Mac is receiving audio. You can also test the microphone in a trusted recording, calling, or conferencing app.
Why does my Mac say there is no microphone?
The microphone may be disconnected, disabled by a permission setting, selected incorrectly, or affected by a USB, Bluetooth, or audio-app problem. Disconnect external devices and test the built-in microphone in System Settings > Sound > Input.
Can I fix a Mac microphone without restarting?
Often, yes. Selecting the correct input device, allowing microphone permission, reconnecting a headset, and restarting the affected app may be enough. Restarting the Mac is still useful when audio services or device connections are stuck.
Why does my microphone work in a browser but not in an app?
The app may have its own microphone selection or may not have permission in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Check both the app’s settings and macOS privacy settings.
Do I need to reset macOS to fix the microphone?
Usually not. Test the input device, permissions, app settings, Bluetooth connection, and Safe Mode first. Resetting macOS is a major step that can remove apps, settings, or personal data, so it should not be a first-line microphone fix.
Final Thoughts
When a Mac microphone is not working, start with the basics: select the correct input device, confirm that the input meter responds, and grant the affected app permission under Privacy & Security. Bluetooth headsets and browsers add their own device and permission settings, so check those separately. If the microphone fails across multiple apps and input devices, Safe Mode and Apple Diagnostics can help distinguish a software conflict from a hardware problem.