Internal Mic Suddenly Unusable [Fedora Linux]

Community Support
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1

I haven’t needed to use my internal mic for a few months now, so I have no idea when this began, but I can no longer get proper audio in from the internal microphone. Has anyone else experienced issues with the internal mic not working/suddenly only outputting static on Linux?

System details at the end of the message. Things I’ve tried:

  • Checked that the optical switch for the mic (on the webcam module) isn’t obstructed by dust
  • Made sure the internal mic was actually selected & made sure no other mics were plugged in during testing
  • Ensured microphone volume is at a reasonable gain in GNOME settings & alsamixer (set to 30, but I’ve tried various levels and only gotten different levels of static in test recordings)
  • Done multiple reboots after changes (haven’t tested other kernels yet since the only stable kernel versions I have on my machine are 6.12.9 and 6.12.10, and the last time I used the internal mic was long before I was running those kernel versions)

I can use headphone mics via 3.5mm jack, but the internal mic was still not detecting input when I manually switched to it.

Software Info

  • Distro: Fedora Linux Workstation 41
  • DE: GNOME DE
  • Linux Kernel: 6.12.10
  • BIOS: 0.0.3.6

Hardware Info

  • Framework Laptop 13 AMD
  • CPU: Ryzen 7 7840U
  • RAM: 32GB
  • 1st Gen Camera Module

Is there anything I can do to keep troubleshooting? Has anyone else had their 1st gen camera module’s mic die? Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Edit: moved post to the more appropriate Community Support board

2

UPDATE: I saw something in another post while I was searching around and I got the bright idea to test recording audio while moving the laptop lid. While slowly moving the lid back and forth, the audio cut back in when the lid was pulled down towards me (~45 degree angle with keyboard).

This narrows it down to a hardware issue, presumably with one of the cables routed by the hinges. It’s a relief to know what the problem is, but now I was wondering if those familiar with similar issues had any advice on what to do next. When the lid is at a < ~45deg angle, it sounds exactly as I’d expect it to, no signal fuzziness/integrity issues. Does this mean I can get away with just rerouting one of the cable bundles better, or should I get a replacement cable, or some other possibility?