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  • Microphone not working or muffled sound after re-assembly
  • 3 steps

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  • BackiMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display 2019

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Step 1

              Microphone not working or muffled sound after re-assembly
  • I just replaced the HDD with a SSD and upgraded the memory to 32Gb.
  • After reassembly I discovered that the microphone sounded very muffled using Zoom. I found an article from someone who disassembled a 2017 iMac and encountered the same problem. He wrote a solution and I will share it with you.

I just replaced the HDD with a SSD and upgraded the memory to 32Gb.

After reassembly I discovered that the microphone sounded very muffled using Zoom. I found an article from someone who disassembled a 2017 iMac and encountered the same problem. He wrote a solution and I will share it with you.

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Step 2

              Old position microphone
  • Here you see the old position of the Microphone at the bottom of the screen just between the two adhesive strips in the middle.

Here you see the old position of the Microphone at the bottom of the screen just between the two adhesive strips in the middle.

Step 3

  • This is the new position of the microphone of the iMac Intel 21,5 inch Retina 4K Display 2019 and apparently also in the iMac 21,5 inch of mid 2017…
  • The adhesive strips set that is advised to use for this iMac, covers the microphone hole. That is the reason of the muffled/no sound after assembly.
  • I learned this the hard way and need to disassemble the iMac again and order a new set of adhesive strips but I hope I prevent you from making the same mistake.
  • The solution is simple. Just cut the right lower adhesive strip at the place where the Microphone is now situated and your good to go!

This is the new position of the microphone of the iMac Intel 21,5 inch Retina 4K Display 2019 and apparently also in the iMac 21,5 inch of mid 2017…

The adhesive strips set that is advised to use for this iMac, covers the microphone hole. That is the reason of the muffled/no sound after assembly.

I learned this the hard way and need to disassemble the iMac again and order a new set of adhesive strips but I hope I prevent you from making the same mistake.

The solution is simple. Just cut the right lower adhesive strip at the place where the Microphone is now situated and your good to go!

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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                    Peter van Eijsden

Member since: 10/13/2015

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Sam Bat - Nov 17, 2022

Reply

Hi, I have the same issue. I completely removed the lower-right adhesive strip altogether but still, my mic is muffled. Now I don’t know what to do. If anyone has any idea kindly please chime in!

Amber Taus - Nov 19, 2022

Hi Sam. I’ve not delt with this issue, but I’d suggest double checking that the mic is positioned right where it should be. If you’re still having issues getting it to work properly, post your question on our Answers forum and our community can help you troubleshoot your issue. Best of luck!!

Adrian Schell - Dec 11, 2022

Open audio preferences and drum with your finger on the display glass near the Apple logo. Do you see the signal level moving on the preference pane? If not, check the mic connector. If yes, you might still need that right strip, but with a hole cut for the mic. Completely removing it may influence the sound as well.