Blue Yeti Microphone Problems, Troubleshooting & Quick Fixes

(Last Updated On: March 31, 2023)
Different colors and editions of Yeti Mic.

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Have you been using the Blue Yeti microphone and experiencing some problems with its use? If your answer is “yes,” you’re not alone, for some users of Blue Yeti have also contended with some resolvable issues when using Blue Yeti. Of course, even if Blue Yeti microphone is a great product, you will sometimes encounter minor problems. These minor issues are easily resolvable if you have the knowhow. 

The Blue Yeti microphone is a very popular USB microphone often used in streaming and recording. It is also perfect for game streaming, podcasting, and music recording. Moreover, blue yeti microphone comes with several features that you would surely love and appreciate. 

The Blue Yeti produces THX-certified audio quality. It also comes with integrated sound control. Plus, it offers four recording modes. Besides, it is a reliable and durable microphone. Yet, despite being a perfect choice, there are instances when you would encounter unexpected issues with its use.

To avoid such problems, you need to be cognizant of these potential issues. These issues may include buzzing, popping, muffled sound, background noises, mic not working with a USB cable, and some other problems. Below is a discussion of these potential issues and the appropriate solutions to such problems:

1) Popping, Buzzing, and Muffled Sounds on Blue Yeti Mic!

This problem may be a problem in a mic positioning. If you are a Youtuber or singer, you may tend to position your mic very near your mouth, with the mic shock-mounted on the boom arm with a pop filter. This setup is perfect in keeping the mic neither too far nor too close. 

If your mic is too far, you will experience low volume, and with low volume, you tend to crank up the gain to offset the decrease in audio quality. In such a case, it is better to keep the mic a bit closer to you so that you do not need to crank up the gain.

However, if you hear a buzzing sound when using a Blue Yeti, you need to figure out what is causing the buzzing sound. Try to reduce the gain settings to a manageable level. If the buzzing sound persists after doing so, it might be an electrical noise emanating from the ground loop or USB hub. It might also be a vibration picked up by the mic from the fans, desk, or other nearby equipment. 

When it comes to popping sound, you need to use a pop filter to do away with it. However, if popping sounds persist, it might be a case of your mouth being too close to the mic. The ideal distance of the sound source from the mic should be from 4 inches to 8 inches. If you position your mic away from your mouth within this recommended distance, you can surely do away with the popping sounds.


2) The Blue Yeti Picking Up Background Noise!

When doing a recording, your mic will sometimes pick up ambient noise. This ambient noise can be a downer when you are recording a song or doing live streaming. Blue yeti will help to take note that most sound recordings will generate background noise. Yet, there are tricks on how to minimize or even do away with such noise. 

The primary thing you should do is utilize a shock mount. You can use a shock mount and fit it into your Blue Yeti mic stand to lessen background noise. You can also utilize a windshield to prevent the wind from moving or making the mic to vibrate a bit. This windshield, of course, will reduce heavy breathing and wind interference.

Other steps you can take include checking for any nearby devices that may generate this interference and switching off any noisy fans, televisions, and other gadgets. You can also directly speak to the microphone.

Moreover, blue yeti will help if you close the doors and windows, so no whiff of wind will enter the room. Furthermore, you should ensure that the main electrical cables do not run across any audio cables or wires because this may cause EMF interference. On the side of the mic, you can set the mic on the appropriate pickup pattern. You can tweek some blue yeti microphone pattern settings to get perfect output.


3) Blue Yeti Sounding Bad (Crackled & Underwater Sound)!

If the Blue Yeti sounds terrible, you should check the USB connection, for it may be a connection problem. If it sounds like crackled or underwater, it may be due to connection errors. 

To remedy such a problem, you can then check if you’ve plugged it into the correct USB port. If you are using a desktop, you should check where you have plugged the USB mic. If you’ve plugged it on the front USB port, you should transfer it to the back USB ports because the front ports are only rerouted from the USB ports at the back. 

However, if you utilize a USB hub, you can bypass this USB hub. If the sound of the mic has improved, then you have solved the issue. You can also check the connection if it is loose. If the cable is defective, then try to use another USB cable.  


4) Blue Yeti Cable Not Working

Although this may happen on an infrequent occasion, you may find your Blue Yeti not working with the supplied USB cable. In such instance, it may be a hardware problem. So, you should figure out if the USB port is working. Try to plug your mouse on that port, and if the mouse does work, then the port is good to use. The problem then would be with the supplied USB cable. You should find a new USB cable with MINI USB B on the mic side.

The Blue Yeti not working with a USB wire can also be a driver problem or usage problem. If your computer does not recognize anything plugged into the port, it might be a connection problem. However, if it identifies the device as a mic, then the cable is working, yet, it may be a driver problem. You can then check the mic if its red mute button is steady. If it blinks, then it is muted, so you need to press it. 

If it is steady, you can insert headphones and try to talk on the mic. If you hear your voice on the headphones, then it is working. If you don’t hear your voice, then try to turn up the volume. Try to check also the gain for it might be turned down too much. 

In case the mic remains unrecognized by the computer, it may be a case of a driver problem. Maybe your OS could not support it, and you need to update it. Lastly, it could be a case of the USB port not capable of supplying enough power.


5) Windows 10 Could Not Recognize my Blue Yeti!

You can solve many software related problems by merely rebooting your PC. In the case of Windows 10 not recognizing your Blue Yet mic, then the first thing you should do is reboot your PC. In so doing, you can remove corrupted temporary files and refresh the OS.

Now, if the issue persists, you should check if Windows 10 recognizes the mic. If it does not, then hold the Windows key and simultaneously press R. Afterward, type in Control Panel, then press Enter. Then, click on the View devices and printers. If you notice an entry USB Advanced Audio Device, your PC detects your mic. You can disconnect the mic to confirm whether it is the Blue Yeti mic. If the entry vanishes, then you are now sure that your PC detects the mic.

If you want to change the device’s name, you can right-click on the Speaker icon via the system tray. Then, select Recording Devices. Afterward, locate the mic named USB Advanced Audio Device. Right-click on the device. After that, select Properties. You will notice a text box that has the device name. You can write over the text box the name you prefer. Afterward, click Apply and choose OK.

In most instances, this issue is solved by having your microphone connected to a USB 2.0 port. Sometimes, the mic would not work when you connect it to a USB 3.0 port. So, if you did connect it to a USB 3.0 port, you should connect it to a USB 2 port.


6) Blue Yeti Sounding Muffled!

If you hear muffled sound when using your Blue Yeti mic, then it may be a case of a wrong setting. As mentioned above, your Blue Yeti mic comes with four modes or polar patterns, namely: cardioid, stereo, omnidirectional, and bidirectional. You can figure out the right setting for whatever you are doing. For example, if you are podcasting, you should set the mic’s mode to cardioid mode. 

Putting it on the cardioid mode will eliminate the mic’s back and side noise, improving its overall sound. It may also be a case of wrong positioning of the mic. Maybe it is too close to your mouth. So, move farther away from the mic and figure out the sweet spot from the mic.  


Conclusion

Having known the potential issues you may encounter with your Blue Yeti mic, you are now in a better position to solve these issues when they crop up. Yet, to get the optimal result when using your Blue Yeti device, it will help to know what you should do to prevent such issues. 

When recording audio or podcasting, you should ensure that you eliminate any back ground noise like those noise coming from your computer, fan, laptop’s fan, and any other noise. It will also help if you do the recording or podcasting in a room that is acoustically treated. You can also equip your mic with a pop filter to remove plosive sounds.

Moreover, you should set your mic correctly in the right mode to get the best result. The gain level can be a factor, too, so you need to set the gain level well. Lastly, you should check and update drivers and apps to ensure the optimum functionality of your Blue Yeti Microphone.

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3 thoughts on “Blue Yeti Microphone Problems, Troubleshooting & Quick Fixes”

  1. I’ve had my Blue Yeti just about a year, however I haven’t been using it because it developed a bad/loud hum when it is used. It sounds like a ” grounding ” issue because when I touch the microphone housing the hum decreases. I would send it in to have it fixed or checked out but you can’t even find support for the darn thing. Right now it is just an expensive paper weight.
    I might add this is the 2nd microphone, the first one had a bad USB port on the microphone right out of the box and I had to exchange it.
    Not impressed with Blue Yeti microphones. Right now I am using my old Samson Meteor microphone. No background noises, no loud hum, just a decent microphone. IF I ever get another microphone you can be sure it won’t be a Blue Yeti.

    Reply
  2. For me, the issue is entirely different. I’m not sure if it’s the cable or what, but the audio when recorded stutters and loops at random. It’s extremely annoying and I have searched everywhere for the solution.

    Reply
  3. Hello, this my first time using a usb microphone and I’m not understanding why it blocks all other sound sources on my Dell PC running Windows 10 64bit/2020. When I plug it in, everything else gets cut…

    Reply

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