iMac internal microphone problems

I was having the same problem as well, trying to record movies in Photo Booth and other applications. The solution that worked for me was to go to System Preferences/Sound, and make sure that the device for sound Input is set to Internal Microphone, and nothing else. Once I clicked on it, the mic worked just fine. I hope this solution helps someone.

Just remove the external sound device plug and use the internal mic and internal output for Skype

I tried everything that was suggested on this thread and finally called tech support and they have to fix my Mac because the mic is bad hope this helps someone else.

Mmm .. I checked and the panel showed an external micropone! I don't have an external microphone! I unplugged the external speakers and re-plugged the external speakers; then the panel showed an internal microphone. I discovered the problem when I couldn't be heard when I made a Skype call. I wonder if the latest update caused this problem.

I'm just going to through this out there:

My "Magic Trackpad" started playing up and on the apple troubleshoot they said that third party power adapters have caused dramas.

I unpluged my WD drive and now my trackpad works SWEET... AND (Bonus) my internal mic is also working... mmm.

Just throughing it out there incase someone else is in the same boat.

through = throw... 😊

I was having a simlar issue to the above, but w/some other oddities. It wasn't until I downloaded the new "Messages" beta (mountain lion OS) that i realized the problem, as I don't use skype and hadn't really used iChat in a long time. Trying to chat with a friend on the Messages beta and he pick up any sound from my end. Didn't think much (or care enough I guess) that I didn't pursue answer. Then I tried recording some practive movies for use w/iMovie to practice editing, etc, and NO sound. I purused through the System Prefs/Sound/Input to make sure all settings were proper etc, and the Input level indicated it was picking me up fine. So the computer could hear me in Sys Prefs, but not in Messages beta or iMovie.

I ran the PRAM reset and Voila, it did work for me.

Thanks tons! Hope the rest of you find your answer simply and affordably.

Having a similar issue with a 2007 24" iMac running Lion. Sound prefs set to internal microphone and input volume down as far as 40% but I still get noise when I use and chat software or make a QT audio recording.

What's happening? Are there and system files I can dump or anything?

tedus wrote:

Just managed to get the mic working again.

For those people with a 2010 27'' iMac the solution is to bash the top of your computer with your fist...

I can't imagine this lasting very long.

Believe it or not, this just worked for me on my mid-2007 iMac 24".

In my case, it probably has something to do with me putting the microphone back just a teensy tenth of an inch away from where it should be after taking the whole machine apart to upgrade a dead internal hard drive (which I've done twice so far). Obviously, anyone whose iMac is still under warranty should just let Apple deal with it.

I hahe the same problem here on an 2008 24' iMac. I tried everything you guys suggested. If i tap on the internal mike it seems to work ( i coulr record tapping noises with quicktime), but it does not pick up the voice. Any suggestions?

I'm on a 2007 iMac 20". I recently had to take in my computer to the Apple store for another issue I was having with it, but when I got it back, a CD of mine is stuck in the drive and won't eject now, and my mic won't work. Even when I plugged in a Yeti to try and use for input and output, nothing goes through. I also already reset PRAM, cleaned up everything I could on the computer. Nothing. Feedback meter in preferences isn't even registering ANY sound. It only flickers when I plug and unplug the Yeti. I'm very upset about this problem, too, and it's frustrating. I'll be taking it in again to see if they broke something while fixing my other issue from before. I'll post if I get a resolution that's necessary for you all.

If you weren't having these problems before, take it back to the store and ask them to fix what they've broken. Sounds like they've not reassembled it correctly. When you collect, check for dust behind the screen cover - it's very annoying.

I just had this issue on iMac late 2009, trying to use skype and no sound picked up from the built in mic. Checked this thread https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4747696?start=0&tstart=0 and a simple solution suggested by a Kotaks guy or gal, to plug and unplug the headphones in the mic (line in) hole and then try again, everything was back to normal. I tried the headphones that come with the iPhone 5, in case you wonder. Didn't restart, or PRAM. Good luck! 🙂

I tried everything else and nothing worked, but your suggestion of plugging headphone and removing did the trick. Thank you

My microphone and brightness control stops working shortly after reboot. And now my external hard drive is not recognized after two years of use???

Is it time for Windows? Has Apple fallen too far from the tree? Something this expensive should WORK longer? On the fence.