This post will help you troubleshoot and fix sound problems on your Mac (macOS Mojave) computer. If you’re experiencing relevant symptoms from broken audio to low or no sound at all, then you can refer to the outlined solutions below. Read further to learn how to fix sound that’s not working on your Mac computer.
What causes sound problems on your Mac?
Audio problems among computers are usually due to system errors if not hardware damage. In most cases, the problem is attributed to invalid or misconfigured settings from the volume level to the audio output selections. For hardware-related sound problems, the underlying causes are usually defective speakers or faulty audio systems in use. Software-related sound problems on your Mac can still be remedied at home by performing some workarounds including the ones I’ve mapped out below. Feel free to refer to the outlined procedures should you wish to troubleshoot your Mac sound that is not working.
Before troubleshooting, check the volume controls and make sure that they are not turned down. If the volume is set to low, then increase the volume by pressing on the Volume Up control. Also try playing different audio files from CD or DVD, or any other files stored on your Mac folders. Doing so will help you determine whether or not the problem is isolated to a certain audio file you’re trying to play. If you’re trying to play or listen to music through your Mac’s built-in speakers, be sure to remove any external speaker or headphones from your Mac. This will rule out the possibility that the sound output is bypassed or interfered with the external audio devices.
First solution: Restart your Mac computer.
Restarting a computer can fix multiple issues affecting apps and services including audio/sound functions. It also helps improve your computer’s performance as it frees up memory space from junk files. There are several ways to restart your Mac. The standard restart method is through the Apple menu. Here’s how it’s done:
- Click on the Apple logo located in the toolbar.
- Click on Restart.
- When asked to confirm, click on Restart again.
- Your computer will then instigate the restart process.
You can also use the Shutdown window to restart your Mac computer. Here’s how it’s done:
- Press the Control key and Eject key on the keyboard simultaneously.
- Next, click on Restart when asked to choose an option.
The computer will then restart immediately.
In an instance where your computer is unresponsive, you can use the control keys to carry out a forced restart. Here’s how:
Simultaneously press the Control, Command and Eject keys on the keyboard for a few seconds and then release when the computer reboots.
As soon as soon as your computer boots up, you can run a series of tests to see if sound functions are back up and working properly again.
Second solution: Check and manage sound preferences on your Mac computer.
As mentioned earlier, misconfigured or incorrect sound settings can also cause audio problems to occur on your computer. That said, you must consider ruling this factor out especially if the problem continues after restarting the computer system. So here’s what you should do then:
- Click on the Apple logo.
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on Sound.
- Navigate to the Output devices section then select Internal Speakers.
- Scroll down to the Volume slider then check the Output Volume slider on the right side. Make sure that the Mute box is not checked. If it’s checked, then click on the box to uncheck or unmute it.
Meanwhile, if you’re trying to listen to audio using external speakers, the here’s what you should check on and do:
- Check and ensure that the external speakers are properly connected or plugged into the audio port of your Mac or Display port.
- Another thing to check is the external speaker’s volume level. Be sure to set it to a higher, if not the highest level. Also ensure that it’s turned on.
- The line-out port on your Mac must also be checked. If this port is lit by a red light and the Output pane lists show Digital Out instead of Internal Speakers, then your Mac likely needs service.
Third solution: Disable/disconnect Bluetooth connections on your Mac computer.
You won’t be able to hear sound from your Mac’s built-in speakers if it’s currently paired with or connected to a Bluetooth-enabled audio device. In this case, the sound is bypassed to the paired Bluetooth device. To make sure this isn’t the underlying cause of the problem, try to disconnect or delete all Bluetooth connections on your Mac with these methods:
- Click the Apple logo to open the Apple menu.
- Select System Preferences.
- Click the Bluetooth icon.
- Click the option to Turn Bluetooth Off.
You can also type in a command line to stop Bluetooth services on your Mac. Here’s how:
- Go to Finder.
- Select Go.
- Click Go to Folder.
- In the pop-up box, enter ~/Library/Preferences then click Go.
- Scroll down and find com.apple.bluetooth.plist.
- Drag it to the Trash Folder and then turn off Bluetooth.
If the previous methods don’t work, then you can just disconnect all paired Bluetooth devices from your Mac. Here’s how it’s done:
- Press and hold the Shift and Option keys and click the Bluetooth icon simultaneously.
- Select the option to Debug.
- Then click Remove all devices.
- Click Remove again when asked to confirm.
Your Mac will then forget all paired devices and accessories. Restart the computer then test to see if the sound services are now working as intended.
Fourth solution: Kill all audio services then reload coreaudiod on your Mac.
A lot of people have found ultimate solution using a command line to kill all audio services on the Mac and then restart them.
To kill audio services, open the Terminal app on your Mac and then type in or copy and paste this command:
sudo killall coreaudiod
After entering this command line, you will notice that your Mac doesn’t have any sound or volume at all. The next thing you should do is type in this next line of command code:
sudo launchctl unload /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.audio.coreaudiod.plist && sudo launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.audio.coreaudiod.plist
After typing in the codes, restart your computer to refresh its core audio functions.
Still couldn’t get your Mac computer sound to work?
If the sound problem persists on your Mac computer after applying the previous solutions, contact Apple Support for further assistance in fixing the issue. There might be some advanced system settings that need to be reconfigured to restore audio functions. Alternatively, you can set up an appointment for tech service or visit the nearest Apple Mac service center in your place. Your Mac computer might have obtained some sort of physical damage or some of its audio components need repair.
I hope that we’ve been able to help you fix the problem with your device. We would appreciate it if you helped us spread the word so please share this post if you found it helpful. Thank you so much for reading!