Mac Speakers Not Working? How to Fix No Sound
No audio from your Mac? Whether it's completely silent, muted, or outputting to the wrong device, these fixes will get your sound working again.
Common Mac Audio Problems
- Completely silent: No sound from any source
- Volume grayed out: Can't adjust volume slider
- Sound going to wrong output: Playing through headphones when none are connected
- Crackling or distorted audio: Corrupted audio driver
- No sound from specific apps: Per-app volume issue
Fixes to Try
1 Check Volume and Mute Settings
Start with the obvious:
- Press the volume up key (F12 or the speaker icon key)
- Check the menu bar — is the speaker icon showing a mute symbol?
- Open System Settings → Sound
- Make sure the output volume slider isn't at zero
- Uncheck "Mute" if it's checked
2 Check Output Device Selection
Mac may be sending audio to the wrong device:
- Go to System Settings → Sound → Output
- Make sure "MacBook Speakers" or "Built-in Speakers" is selected
- If you see "HDMI" or "Headphones" selected but nothing is connected, switch to built-in speakers
3 Plug In and Remove Headphones
This resets the audio jack detection:
- Plug in a pair of headphones
- Play some audio
- Unplug the headphones
- Mac should switch back to built-in speakers automatically
4 Reset Core Audio
Restart the audio system without rebooting:
- Open Terminal
- Type: sudo killall coreaudiod and press Enter
- Enter your password if prompted
- Core Audio will restart automatically in a few seconds
- Test your speakers
5 Check App-Specific Volume
Some apps have their own volume controls:
- Check the volume slider within the app (YouTube, Spotify, etc.)
- On macOS Ventura and later, check System Settings → Sound → Applications for per-app volume
- Make sure the specific app isn't muted
6 Restart Your Mac
A full restart clears audio driver issues:
- Go to Apple menu → Restart
- Let it fully restart
- Test audio immediately after login
7 Reset NVRAM (Intel Macs)
NVRAM stores audio settings that can become corrupted:
- Shut down completely
- Turn on and immediately hold Option + Command + P + R
- Hold for about 20 seconds until you hear the startup chime twice
- Release and let Mac boot normally
8 Update macOS
- Go to System Settings → General → Software Update
- Install any available updates
- Restart and test audio
9 Delete Audio Preference Files
Corrupted audio prefs can cause persistent issues:
- Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G
- Navigate to ~/Library/Preferences
- Delete: com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist
- Also delete: com.apple.audio.SystemSounds.plist
- Restart your Mac
Recommended Audio Accessories
USB-C External Speaker
If built-in speakers are failing, a compact USB-C speaker is a great solution.
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USB Audio Adapter
Bypass the internal audio system entirely with a USB audio adapter.
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Still No Sound?
If none of these fixes work, your Mac's internal speakers or audio chip may have a hardware problem. This requires professional diagnosis.
📞 Get Professional Help
Need Mac audio repair? Contact PC Medics of New Jersey for expert service.
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Not comfortable doing this yourself? Send your device to a professional repair shop.
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