The sound on your MacBook does not work: no music, no video, no notifications. Or the sound comes out of your headphones but not the speakers. Usually it is a setting: the Mac sends the sound to another device, or the volume is off somewhere. Sometimes it is hardware. This article explains step by step how to find out why there is no sound from your MacBook and how to fix it.
Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam, including when the speakers or audio chip are the problem.
Step 1: volume and mute
Press the volume-up key a few times. If a crossed-out speaker appears, the sound was muted. Also check the app itself: many apps and websites have their own volume control.
Step 2: where does the sound go?
Open System Settings, Sound, Output. Choose MacBook Speakers. If another device is selected, such as AirPods, a monitor, a TV over HDMI or a Bluetooth speaker, the sound goes there. That often happens when your AirPods are still connected while in their case.
Step 3: Bluetooth and external devices
- Briefly turn Bluetooth off and see whether the sound returns from the speakers.
- Disconnect HDMI cables, docks and USB sound cards.
- Pull headphones out of the headphone jack. On some older MacBooks the jack kept "thinking" headphones were in; sometimes a red light showed in the opening.
Step 4: restart the sound
Restart your MacBook. For advanced users: in Terminal, sudo killall coreaudiod restarts the sound system. On an Intel Mac an NVRAM reset can help, because sound settings are stored there too. See resetting NVRAM.
Step 5: safe mode and updates
Install the latest macOS update and test in safe mode. If sound works there, an app or extension is interfering, for example a sound recording program or a virtual audio device. Remove or update it. See safe mode.
Sound from headphones, not from speakers
Then the audio chip works, but the speakers or their connection are the problem. Software is then rarely the cause. Also read MacBook speakers crackling.
No sound in just one app
Check in that app's settings which output device is chosen. For video calls, apps sometimes pick their own speaker or headset. If a website has no sound, check whether the tab is muted (a speaker icon on the tab).
System sounds
Hear music but no alert sounds? Check in System Settings, Sound under Sound Effects which device and volume are set, and in Notifications whether sound is on per app.
When is it hardware?
- The internal speakers no longer appear in the Output list.
- Even in safe mode and after a restart no sound comes from the speakers.
- It started after moisture, a drop or an earlier repair.
Then the speakers, the cable or the audio chip on the logic board may be to blame.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
We test the sound output with and without software, measure the speakers and look at the logic board. You hear beforehand what is needed. More on our page about MacBook repair in Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the sound keep going to my AirPods?
AirPods connect automatically when nearby. You can set that per device under Bluetooth, in the AirPods options.
Can an update turn off the sound?
Sometimes an output setting reverts after an update. Then check Sound, Output again and choose the right device. Also check the volume of that device itself.
Does the microphone not work either?
Then it may be a bigger sound problem. Check Sound, Input and have the MacBook tested if that does nothing too.
