Neither USB-C nor headset input are recognized for audio input (i.e., to record on my MacBook 2019 Air). Help!

Question

Neither USB-C nor headset input are recognized for audio input (i.e., to record on my MacBook 2019 Air). Help!

Hi!

Neither USB-C nor headset input are recognized for audio input (i.e., to record on my MacBook 2019 Air with Catalina 10.15.6).

I have (a) restarted (b) reset PRAM (c) checked Privacy settings (d) turned off FileVault and (e) checked the input source.

I see the "headset" show up in Sound for 'output' when I plug it in, and disappear when I unplug it but not for 'input'.

Anyone have help/suggestions?

Thx!

Posted on Sep 12, 2020 4:22 PM

Reply

Answer 1

chris_g1

Community Specialist

Sep 16, 2020 2:08 PM in response to jacksoncarter

Hey jacksoncarter,

Thanks for following up with that additional information.

Do you have any EarPods or headphones to directly connect and attempt to use as an input source? This would help isolate the root cause of the issue to find a proper resolution.

Also, check out the information on the following page as reference for changing the input settings as well if needed:

Change the sound input settings on Mac - Apple Support

Thank you!

Reply

Answer 2

i_rina

Community Specialist

Sep 21, 2020 6:00 AM in response to jacksoncarter

Hi jacksoncarter,

Thanks for taking a look at the settings.

If it's an intermittent issue, it may be helpful to have your MacBook Air looked at in person for an inspection to determine the cause of the connection issue. Before that, however, speaking with Apple Support over the phone would help isolate further to ensure you're pointed in the right direction going forward.

You can contact the phone support team here: Contact Apple Support

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 3

karina184

Community Specialist

Sep 13, 2020 12:46 PM in response to jacksoncarter

Hello jacksoncarter,

We see you're having some issues with audio input connections. We understand it's important for recording to have a proper quality microphone to use, and we'd be happy to help look into this with you.

Is this issue occurring with multiple microphone/headsets?

Have you used the microphone/headsets you're attempting to use prior on this device, or other devices?

When they do appear visible for 'output', are you able to use them properly for speakers, or is that also not working properly?

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 4

Sep 15, 2020 3:10 PM in response to karina184

It's actually trying to record from a Sony Receiver into my MacBook Air - but even if I connect an ipad to the Macbook using a 3.5mm jack and play a song on the ipad, it doesn't appear as an "input channel" in "Sounds" preferences.

Outputs are working properly - it's just inputs that aren't.

Thoughts?

Reply

Answer 5

Sep 17, 2020 7:12 AM in response to chris_g1

Thanks Chris-

I’m not sure I follow. I’ve connected headphones directly through the jack - both EarPods and non-Apple headphones- and neither registers as an ‘Input’, though both register and work as outputs.

I've also connected other different devices through the headset and USB-C ports (as described in my original post) and they don’t register as inputs either despite my confirming that signal is passing through the line.

I'm surprised to find that I’m the only person who’s run into this! Any other thoughts? Or other details I can share to help trouble shoot?

thx!

Reply

Answer 6

Sep 20, 2020 12:37 PM in response to i_rina

Hi -

Thanks. The Privacy settings are all checked to allow access to the microphone.

I tested a different set of headphones that showed up as both a 'output' an input. I tried the plugging in the other RCA-3.5 mm input -- and it worked when I was playing music through it -- once. But when I tried again, it didn't show up.

Why would the headset jack not recognize sound coming through it as an 'input' every time?

Reply

Answer 7

Sep 21, 2020 7:01 AM in response to karina184

Hi Karina-

output is working perfectly, regardless of output format (headphone jack, speaker jack, Bluetooth, etc).

input only turns on for headset microphones - not for other inputs (sound in jacks, either 3.5mm or USB-C). My MacBook Air just doesn’t recognize it as an input, regardless of the Input device (stereo receiver, turntable, MP3 player, etc) that’s being connected to my MacBook Air.)

ive validated that sound is coming through those inputs by playing music on the input device but plugging it into headphones or another speaker instead of my MacBook Air.

Thoughts?

Reply

Answer 8

i_rina

Community Specialist

Sep 20, 2020 11:48 AM in response to jacksoncarter

Hey jacksoncarter,

Thanks for sharing.

Since the mentioned headphones would have both an output and input option, they may not show as an input being connected, but should be available to select as your input device if you select the Apple menu > System Preferences > Sound > Input.

Depending on where you're attempting to record the audio to, you may need to allow access to the microphone. You can learn more about that in the following article:

Control access to your microphone on Mac - Apple Support

Take care!

Reply

Neither USB-C nor headset input are recognized for audio input (i.e., to record on my MacBook 2019 Air). Help!

Similar questions