Hi,

Given that the microphone works perfectly fine in other apps and even within CapCut for voiceovers, but not specifically during screen recording (and doesn't show the preview level), this strongly points towards a bug or configuration issue specific to CapCut's screen recording module on macOS.

Here are a few more things to try, building on what you've already done:

1. Double-Check Screen Recorder Specific Settings:

   • When you initiate the screen recording in CapCut, a small control panel usually appears before you hit the final record button.
   • Ensure that within this specific panel, the correct microphone (your internal or external one) is explicitly selected from the microphone dropdown menu. Don't rely on the system default; actively choose it.
   • Look closely for any separate mute icon or volume slider specifically for the microphone within that screen recording panel. It's possible it's muted or turned down to zero there, even if other CapCut mic settings are fine.

2. Reset Core Audio: Sometimes macOS's audio engine can get into a weird state.

   • Open Activity Monitor (you can find it via Spotlight search or in Applications > Utilities).
   • In the search bar, type coreaudiod.
   • Select the coreaudiod process.
   • Click the "X" button in the toolbar to Quit the process. Choose "Force Quit" if prompted.
   • coreaudiod will automatically restart.
   • Try screen recording in CapCut again.
3. Switch Default Mic Input Manually
   • Try setting your desired mic as the system-wide input, just to rule out CapCut’s input picker being stuck.
   • Go to:
     • System Settings > Sound > Input
     • Select the correct microphone and watch for input level movement.
     • Then launch CapCut fresh and try recording.

4. Check for Conflicting Audio Utilities: Do you have any other audio routing software installed (like Loopback, BlackHole, Soundflower, Aggregate Devices set up in Audio MIDI Setup, etc.)? Sometimes these can interfere with how applications capture audio, even if they aren't actively being used. Temporarily disable or uninstall them if present, restart your Mac, and test CapCut again.

5. Test in a New User Account: This helps determine if the issue is system-wide or specific to your user profile's settings/preferences.

   • Go to System Settings > Users & Groups.
   • Click Add Account (you might need to unlock with your password).
   • Create a new Standard or Administrator user.
   • Log out of your current account and log into the new one.
   • Open CapCut (you might need to install it if it wasn't installed for all users).
   • Grant it microphone and screen recording permissions when prompted.
   • Try screen recording with the microphone. If it works here, it suggests a corrupted preference file or setting in your main user account. If it still doesn't work, it leans more towards a CapCut bug or a deeper system interaction issue.

6. Clear CapCut Cache Manually (Beyond Reset): While reinstalling should do this, sometimes preference files linger.

   • Quit CapCut completely.
   • Open Finder.
   • Click Go in the menu bar, hold down the Option key, and click Library (it appears when Option is held).
   • Navigate to the Application Support folder. Look for a CapCut or ByteDance folder and potentially clear its contents (or move them to the desktop temporarily). Be cautious doing this, as it might remove projects or settings if not backed up.
   • Navigate to the Caches folder within Library. Look for CapCut-related cache folders and delete their contents.
   • Navigate to the Preferences folder within Library. Look for .plist files related to CapCut (e.g., com.lemon.lvoverseas.plist or similar) and move them to the desktop temporarily.
   • Restart your Mac and try CapCut again.
7. Recheck Microphone Permissions:
   • Even if you said they're set — let's double check just in case something's bugged.
     • Go to:
       • System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone
       • Make sure CapCut is toggled on.
     • Then also go to:
       • System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording
       • Make sure CapCut is enabled here too.
     • Sometimes macOS gets weird and you have to toggle them off and back on again to force a refresh.
8. Reset Microphone Permissions via Terminal:
   • You can reset all microphone permissions and re-grant them:
     • tccutil reset Microphone
     • After this:
       • Open CapCut again.
       • It should prompt you to allow microphone access — click Allow.
       • Try screen recording again.
9. Delete CapCut's System Preference Files
   • Sometimes the app’s preference or cache files get corrupted.
   • In Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G and go to:
     • ~/Library/Preferences/
     • Look for files like:
     • com.capcut.*.plist
     • or anything CapCut-related
     • Also check:
     • ~/Library/Application Support/CapCut
     • You can temporarily move these files out of the folders and try launching again (like a fresh install without losing project files — just back up your projects first, of course).

10. Contact CapCut Technical Support Directly: Since you're a Pro user and have isolated the issue specifically to screen recording within CapCut app (despite it working elsewhere), this is likely a bug CapCut needs to be aware of.

    • Write an email to [email protected] and [email protected]
    • Provide all the details you've mentioned here: macOS version, CapCut version, the fact that it worked previously, mic works for voiceover/other apps, system audio records fine, steps you've already taken. This detailed report is crucial for CapCut team to diagnose it.

Given that it used to work and stopped recently, and that the mic works for voiceovers in CapCut, a bug introduced in a recent CapCut update affecting only the screen recording audio input seems the most probable cause.

Workarounds:

Use QuickTime + external mic to record your screen and mic, then import into CapCut. 

Here are two solid options:

Option 1: QuickTime Screen Recording with Mic (Then Edit in CapCut)

• Open QuickTime Player
• Click File > New Screen Recording
• In the toolbar that appears, click the small arrow or gear icon next to the Record button.
• Under “Microphone,” select your desired mic (internal or external).
• Hit Record — select your screen or window.
• Talk during the recording to test mic capture.
• When finished, stop the recording (via the menu bar or hitting ⌘ + Control + Esc).
• Open CapCut and import the .mov file.
• This ensures you get:
  • Full screen video
  • System audio (if using tools like BlackHole or Loopback)
  • Microphone input properly embedded

Option 2: OBS for Advanced Capture (Screen + Mic + System Audio)

• If you want:
  • More control over audio tracks
  • Better quality or overlays
  • Multiple audio sources (e.g., mic + system sound separately)
• Download OBS Studio (if you don’t already have it).
• Add:
  • Display Capture (your screen)
  • Audio Input Capture (your mic)
  • Audio Output Capture (your system audio — use BlackHole or Loopback)
• Do a test recording and make sure audio meters are bouncing.
• Export recording.
• Drop into CapCut to edit.