2017 iMac internal microphone very low

[NervousFish2]

Hey all,

Recently reinstalled my OS. Now, suddenly, my internal microphone on my 2017 27" iMac is very low. If I record something, I can't hear myself except faintly. The mic is working, or at least a bit, it seems, as if I tap the bottom of the casing (which is where I belie the mic is located), I can audibly hear it. But it is very low. So low that Siri can't hear me, for example. Now, I went into system settings and turned the volume on the mic all the way up. But no luck. So I think perhaps the mic is faulty? Is there any way to test the settings, or reset them? The computer was recently opened and a new SSD was installed. I'm worried it may have knocked the mic out of place or something.

Nick

 

[Guy Clark]

Hey all,

Recently reinstalled my OS. Now, suddenly, my internal microphone on my 2017 27" iMac is very low. If I record something, I can't hear myself except faintly. The mic is working, or at least a bit, it seems, as if I tap the bottom of the casing (which is where I belie the mic is located), I can audibly hear it. But it is very low. So low that Siri can't hear me, for example. Now, I went into system settings and turned the volume on the mic all the way up. But no luck. So I think perhaps the mic is faulty? Is there any way to test the settings, or reset them? The computer was recently opened and a new SSD was installed. I'm worried it may have knocked the mic out of place or something.

Nick

You can alter volume and microphone settings in macOS system preferences
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/2017/04/04/setting-mic-levels-on-the-mac/

 

[NervousFish2]

You can alter volume and microphone settings in macOS system preferences
https://mediacommons.psu.edu/2017/04/04/setting-mic-levels-on-the-mac/

Yes, I know. As mentioned, I did max out the mic volume in system settings. No joy. Incidentally, my Blue Yeti mic is working fine. But the internal mic isn't picking up my voice very well, unless I get right up into the bottom of the machine.

 

[J.Gallardo]

“Audio MIDI Setup” app (into “Utilities” folder) is worth a look. You can check all in/out sound routes and tweak some settings.
(This app should be named “Audio & MIDI Setup”...)

 

[NervousFish2]

“Audio MIDI Setup” app (into “Utilities” folder) is worth a look. You can check all in/out sound routes and tweak some settings.

Brilliant. Will look into this when I get home.

 

[J.Gallardo]

If it’s a software issue, “eliminating” added dispositives (your yeti mic...) and reverting all to starting status (in Sound MIDI Setup) has helped me twice.
You can add your mics... dac (my case) ... ,or whatever, after this “reset”.
(Good luck)

 

[NervousFish2]

If it’s a software issue, “eliminating” added dispositives (your yeti mic...) and reverting all to starting status (in Sound MIDI Setup) has helped me twice.
You can add your mics... dac (my case) ... ,or whatever, after this “reset”.
(Good luck)

I share your view that it is a software issue, but I am not quite sure what you mean by eliminating dispositives. Exactly how to I revert to starting status?

 

[J.Gallardo]

When you attach a mic, a dac... it will appear listed in the app. Even when config. appears to be automatic (and it is; that’s why this app is ignored by many) “audio MIDI Setup” shows mac’s “memory” about once plugged in/out dispositives.
My DAC (a DragonFly Red) worked just after plugging. But some installation or upgrading made things work oddly in my mac. I fixed it making my mac “to forget” my dac & start over again.
“Audio MIDI setup” isn’t very kind & intuitive...
http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/audio-midi-setup-your-macs-secret-sound-manager
Note the typical list with “+” and “-“ at the bottom. Watch every device and its status. Like in “printers” list (& others), strange behaviors can be fixed (sometimes) eliminating devices and starting from zero...

 

[NervousFish2]

When you attach a mic, a dac... it will appear listed in the app. Even when config. appears to be automatic (and it is; that’s why this app is ignored by many) “audio MIDI Setup” shows mac’s “memory” about once plugged in/out dispositives.
My DAC (a DragonFly Red) worked just after plugging. But some installation or upgrading made things work oddly in my mac. I fixed it making my mac “to forget” my dac & start over again.
“Audio MIDI setup” isn’t very kind & intuitive...
http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/audio-midi-setup-your-macs-secret-sound-manager
Note the typical list with “+” and “-“ at the bottom. Watch every device and its status. Like in “printers” list (& others), strange behaviors can be fixed (sometimes) eliminating devices and starting from zero...

OK, I actually wiped the computer and set it up as new, without the Yeti being attached. The mic is still malfunctioning. At this point, I suspect it is a hardware issue and not a software issue. Thanks for your help tho!

 

[toru173]

From memory, the mic is between the display and the aluminium enclosure, about 8 inches (20cm) from the right. It should by just to the right of the Apple logo (https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT204392#2017). Do you have any tape, post-its, labels etc on the front of the Mac that could be covering it?

When you installed the SSD, did you cover the small hole in the frame that the mic listens through? The 2017 uses a specific type of adhesive tape that has a cutout for it. Using a 2015 model's tape will cover it up!

 

[NervousFish2]

From memory, the mic is between the display and the aluminium enclosure, about 8 inches (20cm) from the right. It should by just to the right of the Apple logo (https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT204392#2017). Do you have any tape, post-its, labels etc on the front of the Mac that could be covering it?

When you installed the SSD, did you cover the small hole in the frame that the mic listens through? The 2017 uses a specific type of adhesive tape that has a cutout for it. Using a 2015 model's tape will cover it up!

I did not myself install the SSD. An Apple certified technician did it. But he seems to have forgotten your very important point! I'll be taking it to the shop this week, I think!

(No tape or post its!)

Thanks!

 

[Rosculet Andrei]

Hey all,

Recently reinstalled my OS. Now, suddenly, my internal microphone on my 2017 27" iMac is very low. If I record something, I can't hear myself except faintly. The mic is working, or at least a bit, it seems, as if I tap the bottom of the casing (which is where I belie the mic is located), I can audibly hear it. But it is very low. So low that Siri can't hear me, for example. Now, I went into system settings and turned the volume on the mic all the way up. But no luck. So I think perhaps the mic is faulty? Is there any way to test the settings, or reset them? The computer was recently opened and a new SSD was installed. I'm worried it may have knocked the mic out of place or something.

Nick

Hello ! How did you solve the problem? I have the same problem!

 

[NervousFish2]

Hello ! How did you solve the problem? I have the same problem!

Honestly, it was a long process. I took it to an Apple Store. They identified a problem with the way the microphone was mounted, and a problem with the video cable from the iSight camera.

 

[Rosculet Andrei]

Hey all,

Recently reinstalled my OS. Now, suddenly, my internal microphone on my 2017 27" iMac is very low. If I record something, I can't hear myself except faintly. The mic is working, or at least a bit, it seems, as if I tap the bottom of the casing (which is where I belie the mic is located), I can audibly hear it. But it is very low. So low that Siri can't hear me, for example. Now, I went into system settings and turned the volume on the mic all the way up. But no luck. So I think perhaps the mic is faulty? Is there any way to test the settings, or reset them? The computer was recently opened and a new SSD was installed. I'm worried it may have knocked the mic out of place or something.

Nick

Honestly, it was a long process. I took it to an Apple Store. They identified a problem with the way the microphone was mounted, and a problem with the video cable from the iSight camera.

Hello ! I solved it myself! The problem was the adhesive tape that covered the microphone! My model is 2019. I know that from 2017 until now the position of the microphone has changed!

 

[mgrl013]

Hello ! I solved it myself! The problem was the adhesive tape that covered the microphone! My model is 2019. I know that from 2017 until now the position of the microphone has changed!

Hey, could you please explain in detail what you did? I have 2019 IMac, too with the same problem and I really want to fix it by myself.

 

[Rosculet Andrei]

Hey, could you please explain in detail what you did? I have 2019 IMac, too with the same problem and I really want to fix it by myself.

Facebook. Rosculet Andrei ! Text me !

 

[Rosculet Andrei]

Hey, could you please explain in detail what you did? I have 2019 IMac, too with the same problem and I really want to fix it by myself.

you need to cut the tape in front of the microphone. exactly as in the picture.
[automerge]1588339010[/automerge]

Facebook. Rosculet Andrei ! Text me !

 

[Ryan Kim]

Hey all,

Recently reinstalled my OS. Now, suddenly, my internal microphone on my 2017 27" iMac is very low. If I record something, I can't hear myself except faintly. The mic is working, or at least a bit, it seems, as if I tap the bottom of the casing (which is where I belie the mic is located), I can audibly hear it. But it is very low. So low that Siri can't hear me, for example. Now, I went into system settings and turned the volume on the mic all the way up. But no luck. So I think perhaps the mic is faulty? Is there any way to test the settings, or reset them? The computer was recently opened and a new SSD was installed. I'm worried it may have knocked the mic out of place or something.

Nick

Hi Nick, i have the same problem as you. my iMac is 21.5" in 2017 and the microphone location is in the location as yours. after i changed HDD to SSD myself and i found out that microphone volume was very low. people could hear me but they said it was about 50% less than before. i am sure that there is no double side tape applied on the microphone area. i don't know what is the cause. I've already opened and closed iMac for 3 times. i have been kind of exhausted.

I am thinking about making a little space under the LCD panel that is assembled to the iMac plastic frame, especially near the microphone by adding some tapes or a piece of thin small plastic. i still don't know how the sound can enter to the microphone if LCD panel blocks the sound though.
by the way, It would be helpful if you could explain in more detail how you solved this problem.
What parts were repaired, and how much did the repair cost?

 

[NervousFish2]

Hey all. Sorry not to reply to these posts sooner. It actually ended up being a weird story. I hinted at this in a previous post. Anyway, I now have the 2019 summer 27" iMac. Its going great. But I am kind feeling like I'm going to sell it next year, when the ARM iMac comes out.

 

[Ryan Kim]

you need to cut the tape in front of the microphone. exactly as in the picture.
[automerge]1588339010[/automerge]

Hi Andrei,

i did cut the tape in front of the microphone. but still the volume is low. However, when i put together with the LCD panel , the sound came back to normal by making a small gap with a rubber band at the bottom of the LCD panel where microphone is located.But the bottom part is slightly floating and it doesn't look good. so if I assemble the LCD panel to be completely closed, then my voice sound becomes very low again. Do you have any experience like me? I use the iMac to do zoom and make a lot of video calls, but I want to repair it with my own hands as soon as possible

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Hey all. Sorry not to reply to these posts sooner. It actually ended up being a weird story. I hinted at this in a previous post. Anyway, I now have the 2019 summer 27" iMac. Its going great. But I am kind feeling like I'm going to sell it next year, when the ARM iMac comes out.

I guess the Apple technician had mess-up the iSight Camera 7 microphone connections, and they blamed you instead. You fought for it but lost, didn't you?
If your iMac warranty expired, they tend to do that to persuade you to purchase a new machine.

 

[Zen_Slug]

I guess the Apple technician had mess-up the iSight Camera 7 microphone connections, and they blamed you instead. You fought for it but lost, didn't you?
If your iMac warranty expired, they tend to do that to persuade you to purchase a new machine.

yes exactly, the Apple Certified Technician did not own up to their mistake and should be reported for this.

 

[NervousFish2]

So, I just to be clear: This is a kind of a long and crazy story. But the short version is: the Apple certified Technician (in San Antonio) was 3rd party. And he did say it was his fault. He broke the microphone. But it was covered. So, the next step was to take it to the Apple Store up in Austin. They tried to repair it, but then broke the camera somehow. So they had to repair the whole camera module and the microphone.

When I finally got the unit back, I was still not fully persuaded that the microphone was working correctly. But it was at least working a lot better than after the SSD was installed.

The San Antonio technician was cool about everything, but admitted that these microphones were tricky.

 

[maltock339]

Same problem here. Apple store installed a new SSD on my 27" 2019 iMac. The internal mic is very very low after repair, to the point it is unusable. It is functioning at a very very low pick up. Almost like the microphone is blocked or severely muffled. Worked just fine before the repair, when used for zoom and conference calls. Now it is effectively useless.

 

[eaunver]

I tore up my microphone cable trying to upgrade the CPU on my 2017 27" iMac. I got a new microphone/cable. The problem now is, I do not know which side gets glued to the aluminum frame. Any help would be greatly appreciated.