Internal microphone on Big Sur not showing up in settings

[styago1]

Hello everyone,

I have realised for the past months that my internal microphone on my MacPro 2017 with BigSur often disappears from the settings and I cannot hear or use the microphone at all.

I realised this when I tried to switch from Safari to Chrome for Meet videocalls and suddenly no microphone nor speaker was being detected. The same happens with MS Teams app. I have not been able to reproduce this to find the trigger for this to happen.

The only thing which helps is to reboot. However, it will happen again. Yesterday I paired my wireless headphones via BT and listened to music. This morning....microphone and speakers not working. Have a look at the screenshot below, please.

This is how it looks after rebooting:

I had Airparrot installed, but uninstalled it yesterday, it still shows up?

I have really no idea why this is happening. I have reset PRAM and did not help either.
Any ideas, guys? You'd make my day.
Many thanks in advance!
styago

 

[cobra521]

Sty,

I had a similar problem with my Mac Pro 7,1. I posted another thread here for that. The problem showed up when I upgraded from 11.2.1 to 11.2.2. and the sound output device disappeared.

I finally downgraded to 11.2.1 and the problem was solved - the sound output device (Headphones) returned.

At Applecare's request I upgraded again to 11.2.2 and the sound output remained normal. Quite a process, but so far it has been successful. No idea why...

Tom

 

[styago1]

Sty,

I had a similar problem with my Mac Pro 7,1. I posted another thread here for that. The problem showed up when I upgraded from 11.2.1 to 11.2.2. and the sound output device disappeared.

I finally downgraded to 11.2.1 and the problem was solved - the sound output device (Headphones) returned.

At Applecare's request I upgraded again to 11.2.2 and the sound output remained normal. Quite a process, but so far it has been successful. No idea why...

Tom

Oh, what a bummer. Many thanks for your answer.

One newby question. How do I downgrade and then update again?
Will I loose content on my device?
Many thanks!

 

[styago1]

Well, I just checked...I am on 11.2.1 .....😮
I have an update to 11.2.2 pending. Would you recommend updating and have a look if that solves the problem?

 

[cobra521]

Sty,

Whoops! Not sure what to suggest. Maybe if you upgrade to 11.2.2?

My problem started with 11.2.2 and eventually went away after the second update. There may be a place to get the 11.2.1 download, but I don't know of it. When I downgraded, the 11.2.1 software was directly downloadable from the App store. It has since been replaced with the 11.2.2 version.

If you upgrade from 11.2.1 to 11.2.2 there should not be any data loss - I didn't have any with the downgrade/upgrade processes. Apple does caution that a good Time Machine backup (or equivalent) needs to be made first. I do have those, but have not ever needed them through many upgrades. Still...

Sorry that I can't be more helpful,

Tom

 

[styago1]

No worries,
I will try upgrading. What evil can happen? My mic disappearing? lol
Thanks so much!