Moto g6 - both mics work for video but nothing else. why?

[jibedaddy]

Bizarre situation... my Moto g6 phone microphones suddenly stopped working in all apps (incl phone calls and voice to text) EXCEPT for when taking videos with either front or rear cams.

Troubleshooting verified this issue also reproduces when booted in SAFE MODE and even after FACTORY RESET with NO APPS loaded at all - pure native. Even tried SAFE MODE immediately after a FACTORY RESET and still the stupid mics do not work other than when shooting video and then work perfectly.

Since the mics do work for video, it seems this is not a hardware issue, but a complete device reset doesn't resolve the problem.

Ideas to fix?

 

[Annie_M]

Hello and welcome! I'm sorry you're having this issue. Also, in order to continue participating in this conversation, you may want to consider registering for an account here on Android Central. If you're interested in registering for an account, you'll find instructions here:
https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! It's possible the primary mic at the bottom of the phone is blocked or faulty. When the camera records video, it uses both the primary mic and the secondary mic (at the top of the phone) to record stereo audio, so if the secondary mic is still functioning, you can still hear what's recorded -- but it would only be on one stereo channel. Watch one of the videos you recorded using headphones -- do you only hear sound from one channel?

 

[jibedaddy]

When I tested the mics via video capture, it seems quite clear when speaking or blowing air directly into each mic that both that both mics are working well. So, I think that confirms the mic h/w.

Using some other apps for diagnosis (voice recorder, or texting audio capture), when blowing air really hard into the mics I can sometimes hear a very faint response during the playback. It's like there is severe muting occurring. AFAIK, this G6 does not have factory noise cancellation - at least I haven't found any settings indicating such.

 

[jibedaddy]

Hello and welcome! I'm sorry you're having this issue. Also, in order to continue participating in this conversation, you may want to consider registering for an account here on Android Central. If you're interested in registering for an account, you'll find instructions here: https://forums.androidcentral.com/ask-question/as...community.html

Check the link you are posting to everyone's thread. The "as...community.html" is not valid.

 

[mustang7757]

Check the link you are posting to everyone's thread. The "as...community.html" is not valid.

Hows that ?
Fixed!

 

[mustang7757]

Check the link you are posting to everyone's thread. The "as...community.html" is not valid.

By the way are you the one that created this post?

 

[B. Diddy]

I made you the owner of the original guest post to make it easier for you to find.

That "Join the Community" link works for me, at least through the forum website on my Chromebook. Are you tapping it from the AC Forums app?

Does the mic issue still happen in Safe Mode? https://www.motorola-support.com/us-en/?page=device/motorola/moto-g6/topic/reset/safe-mode. You'll only be able to test preinstalled apps, but that should include phone calls.

 

[jibedaddy]

yes, per the OP info. issue occurs in SAFE MODE and even after FACTORY RESET + SAFE MODE. Seems no way to resolve at this point.

Really strange the only time the mics work properly is with the video cams (either front or rear) default camera app. Tested the mics individually for audio capture.

 

[B. Diddy]

You've also made sure Mic permission is turned on for other apps?

 

[mustang7757]

yes, per the OP info. issue occurs in SAFE MODE and even after FACTORY RESET + SAFE MODE. Seems no way to resolve at this point.

Really strange the only time the mics work properly is with the video cams (either front or rear) default camera app. Tested the mics individually for audio capture.

Might want to try a repair shop to see what they think.

 

[jibedaddy]

When a factory reset is done the Android system defaults are all in place, so yes, you would expect the mic permissions to be set for phone use and any other factory default apps... or at least there would be a permissions popup asking to approve. There are no other non-factory apps to contend with at this point and even less to contend with when safe mode is used.

Since there has not been any readily available information about this issue, I am tossing the phone and moving on. This Moto G6 has otherwise worked well, but not worth paying for repair at this point. I bought my wife a new phone and ported over to her old G6 which still works fine for my purposes.

 

[mustang7757]

When a factory reset is done the Android system defaults are all in place, so yes, you would expect the mic permissions to be set for phone use and any other factory default apps... or at least there would be a permissions popup asking to approve. There are no other non-factory apps to contend with at this point and even less to contend with when safe mode is used.

Since there has not been any readily available information about this issue, I am tossing the phone and moving on. This Moto G6 has otherwise worked well, but not worth paying for repair at this point. I bought my wife a new phone and ported over to her old G6 which still works fine for my purposes.

I think you made the right choice