Mac microphone not working? 5 fixes to try

howtosimply.com/guides/mac-microphone-not-working-5-fixes-to-try/ · Checked October 2026 · MacBook Neo · macOS 27.0.1

3 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Mac

Shown on

macOS 27.0.1 (MacBook Neo)

App

System Settings

Real screenshots

3 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. Quit the app

   Close the app you use for the call or recording completely. Permission changes only apply when it starts again.

   Done

2. 

   Open Privacy & Security, then Microphone

   Click the Apple menu, System Settings, Privacy & Security, and then Microphone.

   On our MacBook Neo, the Microphone row shows 0.

   Done

3. 

   Check the apps listed

   Every app that has asked for the microphone is listed here with a switch. Turn on the switch for each app that should use the built-in microphone, a USB microphone or an audio interface, then open the app again and test.

   On our MacBook Neo, no app is listed yet and the page says "Applications that have requested access to your microphone will appear here."

   Done

4. 

   Choose the right microphone

   Open System Settings, Sound and click Input under Output & Input. Select the microphone you want.

   Speak and watch the Input level. If the bars do not move, raise the Input volume.

   On our MacBook Neo, the list shows MacBook Neo Microphone with the type Built-in.

   Done

5. Check the app and the headset

   Many call apps have their own microphone menu and a mute button. Bluetooth headphones take over the microphone when they connect. Disconnect them for a test.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• The app is not on the Microphone page Apps only appear after they have asked for the microphone. On our MacBook Neo the empty page says "Applications that have requested access to your microphone will appear here." Open the app, try to use the microphone, then check again.
• Your microphone is not under Input Make sure Input is selected under Output & Input, not Output. On our MacBook Neo only MacBook Neo Microphone (Built-in) is listed, so an external microphone must be connected before it appears.
• You see System Preferences instead On macOS Monterey and earlier, look under System Preferences, Security & Privacy, in the Privacy pane.

If this does not work

• The Input level does not move In Sound, Input, drag the Input volume slider to the right and speak again.
• Others still cannot hear you Check the microphone menu and mute button inside the call app. Many apps choose their own microphone.
• A headset is connected Bluetooth headphones take over the microphone when they connect. Disconnect them and test again.
• Recording still fails Apple's support article "If you can't record audio on a Mac using macOS Mojave or later" describes the same permission check for each app. Source: If you can't record audio on a Mac using macOS Mojave or later

About this guide

If people cannot hear you in a call or a recording stays silent, the app usually has no permission to use the microphone, or the Mac is listening to the wrong device.

Menu names are from recent versions of macOS, where the settings app is called System Settings. The pictures are our own screenshots from macOS 27.0.1 on a MacBook Neo.

Good to know

On macOS Monterey and earlier, the permission is under System Preferences, Security & Privacy, in the Privacy pane.

Websites ask for the microphone separately in the browser. In Safari, look under Safari, Settings, Websites, Microphone.

An orange dot in the menu bar shows that an app is using the microphone right now.

If you hear nothing either: no sound on your Mac: 7 fixes to try.

In short: Quit the app, Privacy & Security > Microphone, switch the app on, check Sound > Input.