How do I get rid of the annoying missing microphone icon on my desktop?

This suggests that some application using audio input is running. Try quitting that application or, if unsure, quit one by one until the icon disappears.

Tiark wrote:

MacStudio connected to Dell monitor, I do not have any microphone and do not wish to connect any.

Operating on Sonoma 14.5 - as of today, a little red square showing a microphone icon with a x next to it appeared on my desktop. It is irritating because it is red and covers my connected drive icon.

Is there a way to tell MacOS that not having a microphone connected is exactly what I want, it is not missing.

Voice Control is disabled (and I tried enabling and disabling it to no effect).

Any guidance gratefully received.

Thanks!

As you and I both know - the Apple Studio does not have a Builtin Microphone

Mac Studio (2023) - Technical Specifications

Is it possible the " Dell monitor " does have such a Microphone and macOS 14.5 is detecting that it does ?

Is it possible that a Bluetooth Device equipped with a microphone is detected and is causing the icon to appear ?

Have you tried plugging in a 3.5mm microphone into the " 3.5 mm headphone jack " then removing it ?

Try restarting the computer in Safe Mode.

Does the ongoing issue priest while in this mode ?

I don't have a microphone connected to my mac Mini either. The icon symbol is there to remind me that I'm using Boom 3D and it creates some hook into the system, which treats the software as a microphone.

I suggest you have installed software that functions in a similar fashion?

Self correction and should read " Does the ongoing issue persist while in this mode ?

Sorry about the typo

You are welcome