MacBook Air External Microphone Not Working

The microphone on your Mac is not always easily visible, making it challenging to locate if you're not familiar with the device. Unlike PC internal built-in microphones, which are nearly imperceptible due to their tiny size, examining the technical specifications and schematics for your MacBook, iMac, or Mac desktop model can help you find your Mac microphone.

To test your Mac's microphone, visit a microphone test app on your web browser. You will see a small window underneath the test area, which displays sound input and changes to reflect the loudness of the sound. Speak into the mic after the browser has gained access to it, and your browser will prompt you for permission to use the microphone.

Before conducting the equipment test, ensure that you produce noise while the equipment is being tested. Follow these steps to perform microphone test playback:

1. Close any other apps that may be utilizing your microphone, such as Skype, Zoom, or Facetime.

2. Visit a microphone test app on your web browser.

If your microphone fails the equipment test or you can't hear yourself, it's possible that certain games or apps are causing the issue. Alternatively, your microphone might be misconfigured.

There are several reasons why your mic might stop working, including:

1. AirPods or any Bluetooth headset connected to your Mac via Bluetooth.

2. External 3.5mm microphone connected to the microphone input on your PC or a separate audio interface, which may require more power.

3. External USB Microphone that is self-powered and connects directly to a USB port.

4. Internal Microphone, which comes with any MacBook or iMac.

It's essential to know which microphone your PC is using to successfully diagnose microphone issues. Setting up an external microphone on a Mac is easier than doing so on a Windows 10 PC, where the correct audio driver may need to be loaded.

To troubleshoot sound input settings, follow these steps:

1. Visit System Preferences > Sound.

2. Click on the 'Input' tab.

3. Select your desired input device from the dropdown menu.

By following these steps and troubleshooting common issues, you should be able to fix your MacBook Air external microphone not working problem.

Macbook air external microphone not working