apple earpods external microphone not working until reboot

Question

Level 1

13 points

apple earpods external microphone not working until reboot

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)

System Version: OS X 10.11.2 (15C50)

I have a pair of apple earpods if they are plugged in before my Macbook is rebooted it recognizes the external microphone. If I remove it from its dock (Henge Dock) to go mobile (to work) and then dock it again (at work) the Macbook doesn't see the internal microphone. If I reboot the macbook it once again sees the external microphone. I have no idea why its acting this way. It acts the same way no matter which dock I use and even if I dont dock it and insert the ear pods it still doesn't see the external microphone until reboot. Its very annoying. To see if it was the Macbook having issues I tested with a coworkers laptop and had the same issues. I tried to relocad the audio drivers "sudo killall coreaudiod" thinking this might work but there is no change. It always fixes itself after a reboot. Does anyone else have these issues? Any suggestions on how to possible get it to recognize the headphones again and validate there is ane xternal microphone?

Thank in advance

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Dec 20, 2015 5:50 PM

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Answer 1

Dinnamon

Level 1

4 points

Feb 17, 2017 12:00 PM in response to ngerasimatos

Issue is with the dock, henge support recommends rebooting computer, or headphones need to be in dock before connecting to computer.

http://support.hengedocks.com/support/solutions/articles/1000087271-why-won-t-th e-microphone-work-on-my-headset-

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Answer 2

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Dec 20, 2015 6:32 PM in response to ngerasimatos

What Apple Earpods do you have? Are they the ones with remote mic's?Do they plug into the speaker or mic jack?

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Answer 3

ngerasimatos Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 20, 2015 6:34 PM in response to my ginger

Mode MD827LL/A

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD827LL/A/apple-earpods-with-remote-and-mic

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Answer 4

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Dec 20, 2015 7:22 PM in response to ngerasimatos

When I read your link, under compatibility it lists ipod,ipad and Iphone. Nothing on Macbook. I have since read that they work but the microphone won't. Have you tried to reset the pram. Command/Option/P/R keys and power button at startup for three chimes. When trying to use them open system preferences/ sound to see if they are recognized. When plugged directly into the Mac, you get the same thing?

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Answer 5

ngerasimatos Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 20, 2015 7:26 PM in response to my ginger

It well known and documented that all Apple headphone pods will work with Macbooks with a single input/output audio jack. I actually even discussed this with the individuals at the Apple Store and they also said any iPhone/iPad compatible headphones will work on the Macbook. In fact, here is a nifty article for you to read:

How to use Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic with your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 6

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Dec 20, 2015 7:32 PM in response to ngerasimatos

The single audio jack on the MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015) is output only. There is no way to input audio using that jack.

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Answer 7

ngerasimatos Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 20, 2015 7:48 PM in response to Duane

You are confused. It does both and verified this with Apple.

Also, I know it works as I use it without any issues until iI disconnect the headphones. Then the Mac forgets about the line in when they are reconnected. Please do some research and Google before you waste my time with replies such as these.

Mac Basics: Ports on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 8

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Dec 20, 2015 8:53 PM in response to ngerasimatos

You have a lovely attitude.

Your MacBook Pro only has one audio port. and on the page you linked to states this:

I do see that on the MacBook Pro spec site (https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/) it says support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone. So there is some confusion on the information published by Apple.

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Answer 9

ngerasimatos Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 20, 2015 8:59 PM in response to Duane

Duane,

I am growing weary of you wasting my time. My attitude towards individuals who cannot use a simple tool such as Google to validate simple facts is poor because you lack diligence. The 2015 Macbook Pro Retina does work with Apple Earpods and other 3rd party headphones that are supported on the iPhone and iPad. As I stated earlier. I use them daily and they DO work. Please use Google and stop wasting my time here. Go bother someone else with your injudicious. Thank you.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=mac book+retina+apple+earpods&newwindow=1&tb…

Ports and adapters for your MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015) - Apple Support

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Answer 10

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Dec 20, 2015 9:10 PM in response to ngerasimatos

Of course I have used poor judgement and lack of research knowledge to help years of Mac users with their issues.

Merry Christmas!

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Answer 11

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Dec 21, 2015 9:47 AM in response to ngerasimatos

You know insulting people that are trying to help does no good. We may not have all the answers, all the time. We are users just like you. Have you never heard that you attract more flies with honey than vinegar.

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Answer 12

ngerasimatos Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 21, 2015 10:10 AM in response to my ginger

I am not arguing with you and I understand. However, if someone insists they are right when you know for certain they are wrong it is frustrating for them to keep going down the "wrong road" if they obviously are not familiar with the specific details.

As I had mentioned to the other user previously, I have personally tested this and know it work. I have been to the Apple store and they also say it should work. The problem specifically is why when the headphones are removed and then reconnected is the eternal microphone no longer recognized. The headphones are an option for output but input the external microphone is no longer detected. There must be a bug.

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Answer 13

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Dec 21, 2015 10:44 AM in response to ngerasimatos

Ok. But Duane is right. They is one audio port on your computer. You can have sound out or in but not both at the same time. As far as I know you have to go thru a USB setup to do both. This earbud from apple, according to them will use the speakers and the mic when used with an Ipad, Ipod and Iphones. I even found other posts that declared that the mic would not work with apple computers with one audio port. Sorry, this is the best I can come up with.

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Answer 14

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Dec 21, 2015 10:58 AM in response to ngerasimatos

I may have something that works. But you are going to have to play with it to see. You will need to go to utilities for audio midi.http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/08/how-to-use-multiple-audio-inputs-and-output s-in-m

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Answer 15

ngerasimatos Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 21, 2015 11:03 AM in response to my ginger

Link doesn't load:

I am at the Apple store and they just ran a hardware diagnostic and tested using various certified Apple headphones. This is the verbatim form the Apple "Genius".

"There is one audio port and it can do both.As long as the headphones are supported by the iPhone or iPad inline controls, the microphone will be detected as an external. No USB needed. New Beats and the Apple headphones work just fine but some others will not, specifically Android headsets as they don't have the correct plug type. This seems to be a software issue with El Capitan as its not reproducible with Yosemite."

He said its always been known ever since Apple moved to a single audio port that it can do both. Unlike most non-microphone enabled headphones or Android models which use a standard two-ring TRS connector (tip, ring, sleeve), a supported Apple headsets add an extra ring to support microphone functionality. This is referred to as TRRS (tip, ring, ring, sleeve).

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