diff --git a/services/audiopolicy/service/AudioPolicyInterfaceImpl.cpp b/services/audiopolicy/service/AudioPolicyInterfaceImpl.cpp
index d283007..c675af4 100644
--- a/services/audiopolicy/service/AudioPolicyInterfaceImpl.cpp
+++ b/services/audiopolicy/service/AudioPolicyInterfaceImpl.cpp
@@ -793,8 +793,29 @@
 
     Mutex::Autolock _l(mLock);
 
+    ALOGW_IF(client->silenced, "startInput on silenced input for port %d, uid %d. Unsilencing.",
+            portIdAidl,
+            client->attributionSource.uid);
+
+    if (client->active) {
+        ALOGE("Client should never be active before startInput. Uid %d port %d",
+                client->attributionSource.uid, portId);
+        finishRecording(client->attributionSource, client->attributes.source);
+        return binderStatusFromStatusT(INVALID_OPERATION);
+    }
+
+    // Force the possibly silenced client to be unsilenced since we just called
+    // startRecording (i.e. we have assumed it is unsilenced).
+    // At this point in time, the client is inactive, so no calls to appops are sent in
+    // setAppState_l.
+    // This ensures existing clients have the same behavior as new clients (starting unsilenced).
+    // TODO(b/282076713)
+    setAppState_l(client, APP_STATE_TOP);
+
     client->active = true;
     client->startTimeNs = systemTime();
+    // This call updates the silenced state, and since we are active, appropriately notifies appops
+    // if we silence the track.
     updateUidStates_l();
 
     status_t status;