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my built in mic isn't working

i have gone on to system preferences and looked at the internal mic and spoke to see the volume level but it didnt show up? It is also not working on skype, i have tryed the skype test call but i still cant hear my self. how do i fix my microphone? (and flicking it doesnt work)

Posted on Aug 16, 2012 1:41 PM

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Posted on Jun 26, 2017 12:48 PM

I know these posts are old, but I found a solution to my issue so thought I'd post it. I found out my internal mic was not working when I tried to Skype with someone and they couldn't hear me. First, test the internal microphone in Skype -> Preferences -> Audio/Video, then speak, and if the blue bars do not respond....Click the dropdown arrow under microphone and ensure it is set to Built-In Microphone (Internal Microphone). If/Once all that is setup, and microphone is still now working, click on Spotlight Search (magnifying glass) in top right corner of Mac menu bar and type in Audio Midi Setup -> Input -> Built-in Microphone and ensure Mute is unchecked. Voila! The reason why my microphone wasn't working was because the Mute button was checked. Hope this works for someone in the future.

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Question marked as Best reply

Jun 26, 2017 12:48 PM in response to paul_o11

I know these posts are old, but I found a solution to my issue so thought I'd post it. I found out my internal mic was not working when I tried to Skype with someone and they couldn't hear me. First, test the internal microphone in Skype -> Preferences -> Audio/Video, then speak, and if the blue bars do not respond....Click the dropdown arrow under microphone and ensure it is set to Built-In Microphone (Internal Microphone). If/Once all that is setup, and microphone is still now working, click on Spotlight Search (magnifying glass) in top right corner of Mac menu bar and type in Audio Midi Setup -> Input -> Built-in Microphone and ensure Mute is unchecked. Voila! The reason why my microphone wasn't working was because the Mute button was checked. Hope this works for someone in the future.

Mar 22, 2014 2:56 AM in response to paul_o11

Having the same problem since last year. The volume level displayed on "System preference > sound" and "Quicktime player > voice recorder" fluctuates even when I speak in normal volume, but no sound actually recorded. And both quicktime player recorder and skype test call recording records nothing. External headset works properly and I have to wear my headset allways for making skype call. I have been tried almost everything that I could find on internet since I found this problem, even I re-installed Mountain Lion to make it fresh, but the problem remains the same. Funny thing is that general headset mic does work but bluetooth headset mic does not work. Very annoying.

Oct 28, 2014 4:21 PM in response to Sirae87

I cleaned out the tiny little microphone holes-- and it worked:

I was also having a problem with my internal microphone. In System Preferences > Sound > Input, I had the Internal Microphone selected, and the input level bar would show some activity when I tapped the top of the computer, but not when I spoke. So first I had to figure out WHERE the microphone actually was, and I googled and found it is on the top of my iMac-- a very small circle of TINY holes, right in the middle at the top of the monitor. Turned out I had covered it with a little decorative angel, using a putty usually used to stick things to surfaces. I removed the little angel and the putty... but was still not getting my voice to register in the input level bar in the Sound preferences. I used canned air to blow at the tiny holes, but that didn't help. Finally I found a pin (thinking it was actually too thick to poke the little microphone holes) but I WAS able to poke the little holes-- so I poked each of them-- and voilà-- my internal microphone now works! Yay!

my built in mic isn't working

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