Sound on MacBook not working: how to fix it

There can be many reasons for the sound on MacBook not working, and most of them can be solved with software. However, there are situations when speakers fail and need to be replaced. In the second case, the most important thing is to use only original parts, which guarantee correct operation during the declared service life.

In this article, we'll talk about the most common reasons why the sound on MacBook does not work and give you tips to help you fix it. You'll also learn which parts you'll need to replace the speakers.

Also: How to clean MacBook fan

Tips for fixing MacBook sound that doesn't work

You don't need any special knowledge to solve basic sound problems on your own. It is enough to strictly follow the instructions and everything will work out if the cause is one of the following.

1. Restart the device

If you run the MacBook for a long time without restarting, you may experience minor failures, and often restarting the operating system will help solve the problem, if the sound on MacBook is not working.

To restart macOS:

1. Click on "Restart" in the Apple menu.
2. Wait for the MacBook to power off and then power on back.
3. Run any application that plays audio to check if the sound works.

2. Add Volume

Sometimes users don't notice that the device is muted. In this case, simply drag the slider to the right and/or try to increase the volume by pressing F12 on the keyboard.

3. Test in other applications

If the sound on MacBook is not working in one of the applications, test it in some other application. To start an audio track or movie, check if there is sound in QuickTime Player and iTunes.

In the Safari browser, sound is turned off by default. To enable it, go to Settings, click "Audio" and then "Auto Play".

4. Install macOS updates

Apple regularly releases operating system updates. Often an update installation helps you avoid sound problems. There are two simple steps to update macOS:

1. Go to Apple Settings and then to the App Store.
2. To download and install updates for macOS, click "Update".

5. Check the audio settings

After installing updates the settings may be changed, so if the sound on MacBook is not working, you should check them with the built-in tools.

1. Disconnect the headphones, speakers, and other peripheral devices connected by cables to the MacBook.
2. In the Apple menu, go to "System Preferences" and find the "Sound" tab.
3. Click the Output tab and select "Internal Speakers" from the list.
4. If silent Mute is set, uncheck and add volume.

6. Use Mac Cleaner

Hardware conflicts can occur after installing some applications, so sometimes it is enough to delete the software and if the sound on MacBook not is working, the problem will be solved.

You can do this with the help of Mac Cleaner. In addition to removing programs, this application will help you get rid of unnecessary "garbage", duplicates and old files that are no longer needed by the system.

If necessary, download and install the application, and then follow the instructions:

1. Run Mac Cleaner, and if you like, test the state of your drive, memory, and CPU performance.
2. To delete the application, select ToolKit and click on "Uninstall", then run the scan to display the software installed on your MacBook.
3. Click on "View", select the application that interferes with correct operation from the list and delete it.

7. Restart Core Audio

In MacBooks, Core Audio is the infrastructure that is responsible for sound in general. Sometimes resetting and restarting the API helps solve problems.

1. Open the terminal by pressing CTRL+ or just type "terminal" in the search bar.
2. Type "killall coreaudiod" and press the return key.
3. Follow the instructions the system offers.

8. Reset NVRAM/PRAM memory

Some Macbook settings are stored in a small area of NVRAM/PRAM memory. If problems occur, you can try to reset and restart.

1. Power off the MacBook and then power it on.
2. After powering on, quickly press the Option, Command, P, and R key combinations.
3. Hold the combination for 20 seconds.
4. A successful reset will be indicated by the characteristic sound of the device turning on again and the Apple logo will appear on the screen.

9. Restart the sound controller

Restarting the controller responsible for sound sometimes helps to fix the problem, if sound on MacBook is not working.

1. Use the Finder or Spotlight to find the Activity Monitor and go to it.
2. In the list, look for the line with "coreaudiod", click on it, and then click "Exit" to stop the process.

Software troubleshooting will not work if the speakers are not working due to a malfunction. In this case, you will need to replace them with new ones or, if they are clogged, clean them.

When replacing parts, you should buy original ones, not analogues of dubious quality. Only certified components are guaranteed to work correctly.

You can buy original parts at affordable prices on the AppleParts website. The store offers a wide range of spare parts for Apple devices, with a convenient website search by device model. You can use PayPal or bank card for payment, delivery time is 1-7 working days.