How to fix 'Microphone unavailable' error for Recognize Music on Mac?

I have a 2025 mac mini w/ Tahoe 26.2. The built in Recognize Music function does not work. I get a message that says "No result We were unable to find anything." Same for listening to vlc player, youtube, etc. I installed a shazam version from the app store and it's right beside the built in recognize music (with the shazam icon) as a bigger shazam icon, but it also does not work. The message this version gives is "Microphone unavailable. Connect a microphone or check system preferences.

I've come back to it over the last couple of days but always give up when none of the instructions I find online address my problem or even really match up with what I see on my computer.

Any help is welcome. Thanks.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Recognize Music not working