How to Fix the Sound on a Mac Computer

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If you're experiencing problems hearing sound or selecting a playback device on your Mac, there are quite a few quick fixes you can try before heading to the Genius Bar. Simply plugging in and then removing a pair of headphones is usually enough to get things working again. You can also reset your PRAM, which can fix a variety of sound-related issues. Updating to the latest version of OS X can fix sound issues caused by system bugs.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Basic Troubleshooting

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  1. Sometimes a simple reboot will fix the audio issues you are experiencing. This should always be the first thing you try when something goes wrong.
  2. If your volume controls are grayed out or you see a red light from your headphone jack, insert and remove an Apple headphone plug a few times. This has been known to fix the issue and restore sound. [1]
    • Note: This is a sign of failing hardware, and you will likely need to do this more and more often until it fails completely. You'll need to have your Mac serviced to get this problem fixed for good.
    • Some users have reported better success by using Apple brand headphones or earbuds for this procedure.
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  3. There may be a system or hardware update available that will fix the issues you're having. Click the Apple menu and select "Software Update" to begin looking for and installing any available updates.
  4. This will restart the sound controller for the Mac: [2]
    • Open Activity Monitor from the Utilities folder.
    • Find the "coreaudiod" process in the list. Click the "Process Name" header to sort the list alphabetically.
    • Click the "Quit Process" button. After confirming, coreaudiod will be closed and will restart automatically.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Checking Speakers and Headphones

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  1. If you have headphones plugged in, you won't be able to hear sound from the speakers. Sometimes inserting and removing a headphone plug will get the speakers to switch back on.
  2. If you have multiple audio devices connected to your Mac, it may not switch inputs correctly. [3]
  3. This will display a list of devices that can output audio.
  4. Select the device that you want to use to play sound. [4]
    • If you want to play sound from your Mac's speakers, select "Internal Speakers" or "Digital Out."
    • If you're trying to play sound from your connected TV, select the "HDMI" option.
  5. Many external speakers will have their own volume controls. If the speakers are turned off or down, you won't be able to hear sound from them even if they're selected.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Resetting the PRAM

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  1. Resetting the parameter RAM (PRAM) can fix a variety of problems related to volume control and sound output. This will reset a few settings but will not delete any of your data.
  2. Continue to hold these keys until your Mac restarts.
  3. Your computer will continue to boot as normal. You may notice that this boot takes a little longer than normal.
  4. Test to see if you can hear sound again, and if you can adjust the volume. Your clock may have reset during this process, so you may need to change this back.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Updating Your Mac

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  1. OS X Mavericks (10.9) has a lot of problems with sound, many of which were fixed in Yosemite (10.10). El Capitan (10.11) has fixed even more of these problems.
  2. Mac updates are free and are available from the Mac App Store.
  3. If there are any available system upgrades, they'll be listed here.
  4. Download El Capitan if it is listed in the Updates section. The download will likely take a while to complete.
  5. Follow the prompts to install the system update. It's a pretty straightforward process, and you won't lose any of your files or settings.
  6. Once the update has finished and you're back at your desktop, test your sound again to see if it is working. [5]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I fix no sound on my computer?
    Gonzalo Martinez
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialist
    Gonzalo Martinez is the President of CleverTech, a tech repair business in San Jose, California founded in 2014. CleverTech LLC specializes in repairing Apple products. CleverTech pursues environmental responsibility by recycling aluminum, display assemblies, and the micro components on motherboards to reuse for future repairs. On average, they save 2 lbs - 3 lbs more electronic waste daily than the average computer repair store.
    Gonzalo Martinez
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Go into your system settings and check if your output or input device got changed. Then, select the device you want the audio to come out from.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 1
  • Question
    Why does my sound only work in the morning?
    Community Answer
    Do you have parental controls enabled? If so, the sound might be disabled at night. If not, I'd recommend taking it into a tech-shop; they'll know more.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 2
  • Question
    What should I do if there is no sound on my Mac and a red light at the headphone jack?
    Community Answer
    Put head phones in the jack, then pull them out again a day later or take the battery in then out.
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      Tips

      • Sound hardware failing is a very common issue for many different MacBook models. The only reliable fix is to get the MacBook serviced by Apple. This is usually due to a faulty logic board. [6]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.macworld.com/article/671014/what-to-do-if-your-mac-sound-is-not-working.html
      2. ↑ http://www.imore.com/losing-audio-os-x-mavericks-heres-what-you-can-do-about-it
      3. ↑ Gonzalo Martinez. Computer & Phone Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 30 March 2021
      4. ↑ Gonzalo Martinez. Computer & Phone Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 30 March 2021
      5. ↑ http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/sound-advice-fixing-common-mac-audio-problems-os-x/
      6. ↑ https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1736638?start=390&tstart=0

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Restart the computer.
      2. Plug in and remove headphones.
      3. Download any system updates.
      4. Open Activity Monitor and stop the "coreaudiod" process.
      5. Open System Preferences > Sound .
      6. Select the proper output.
      7. Adjust the volume of internal and external speakers.
      8. Reset the PRAM.

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      • A. Marie Christopher

        May 17, 2016

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