Input is not working with closed lid

[Susja]

Hello.
I'm using MacBook Air 2021 M1 running 26.2 (25C56)
I noticed that my internal audio input i.e. microphone is not taking signal when lid is open.
My questions:
1. is it known issue?
2. is MacBook Air 2021 designed to stop take input audio signal with closed lid?
3. is it a bug introduced by latest MacOS update
I don't want to use external microphone and have to keep the lid open all the time... is it the only option or I could workaround it somehow?
Thanks

 

[Grumpus]

Your laptop sleeps when the lid is closed unless an external display is attached. To avoid this, you can leave the lid open, attach an external display, or use a dummy display adapter plug to make the laptop think an external display is attached. The link is just an example, there are multiple vendors for these things, possibly with lower prices.

 

[Susja]

thanks for reply @Grumpus
Actually, in my case ... I do have external display. That's the reason I am closing the lid. based on your suggestion ... it should not fall in sleep ... but it does. what could be wrong? My assumption was that it's 'designed' that way .. and nothing will help ... I have to keep the lid open ... which is a little bit inconvenient ... maybe it does not recognize the external monitor?

 

[!!!]

3. is it a bug introduced by latest MacOS update

Did this happen before the latest update? If not, then my guess would be yes, this is a bug introduced by an update.

Actually, in my case ... I do have external display. That's the reason I am closing the lid. based on your suggestion ... it should not fall in sleep ... but it does. what could be wrong? My assumption was that it's 'designed' that way .. and nothing will help ... I have to keep the lid open ... which is a little bit inconvenient ... maybe it does not recognize the external monitor?

Does the entire mac fall asleep when you close the lid and have a monitor connected? Or just the mic?

 

[Grumpus]

Have you tried an external microphone with the lid closed, and, if so, does it work? Did the internal microphone work with the lid closed when running whatever OS you had prior to installing Tahoe? Are there any adapters or docks used to connect the laptop to the external display?

 

[Susja]

thanks for reply.
I don't have external microphone and never tried to use it
With the previous operating system, I never tried to use it with close lid so I don't have anything to come with
Yes, my monitor is connected using external hub because I don't have option to connect directly to laptop

 

[Grumpus]

With the previous operating system, I never tried to use it with close lid so I don't have anything to come with

You seem to have asked about this back in 2023, well before Tahoe.

A web search indicates that the mics on your M1 MBA are under the left speaker grill and under the keyboard on both the left and right (a 3 mic array). With the lid closed these mics will be shielded from any sound so they're probably being muted.

The path of least resistance is to simply leave the lid open when you want to use the mics. Otherwise, you might already have an external mic - the wired earbuds that Apple used to ship with their phones have a built-in mic, as do many other earbuds.

 

[Susja]

@Grumpus - thanks a lot. I do recall that I hit same issue before but didn't remember the resolution ... hence, thanks for the link . based on it I found that it's simply part of the design of my MBA.
I simply will keep lip slightly open. Appreciate your input.

 

[kitKAC]

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/security/hardware-microphone-disconnect-secbbd20b00b/1/web/1

The internal microphone is disabled in hardware when the lid is closed.