MacBook Air - a sound disappeared

I've got the same problem. There's no sound icon in the Menu Bar just a blank space. When I try to click the empty space, the Menu Bar resets. Opening Audio PrefPane leads to an image identical to the one shown above. There are no listed audio devices. Very strange indeed. I think it began when I rebooted after the .5.3 update.

I'm having this same issue with my Air. I'm not really sure what caused it. It might have happened after a system crash related to putting the machine to sleep. No input or output sound devices can be found in sys prefs. The machine can't make any sound (e.g., iTunes can't play, can't change system volume, etc.). It is like the audio hardware is not present.

Thoughts?

Shockingly, zapping the PRAM actually solved this problem on my PowerBook G4 (10.5.3). The problem developed after I installed the 10.5.3 update yesterday. Zapping the PRAM is always the tech's first suggestion and it has never solved a problem for me before! To do it, restart your computer then quickly hold down Option, Command, P and R until the computer reboots again.

Mine is now doing the very same thing. After a day of repeated error messages after opening up a sleeping laptop (as soon as I would open it a "you must restart your computer" message would be on screen in English, French, German, and Japanese), the sound icon disappeared from the upper right corner, the prohibitory symbol would appear on screen if I tried to toggle the volume, and no audio output devices appear in the system. Zapping the PRAM worked once, but never since.

I have absolutly the same issue. Is anybody solve this problem? or only service?

I'm having the exact same problem. The recurring demand for restart after waking from sleep started when my processor temperature sensor read 190 F, while I was watching thedailyshow.com. Do you guys remember having your processor overheat (and shut down a core) before your system failures?

I am allready have no sound..
Before sound devices disappear I have some kernel panic but not processor overheat.
I think that it firmwire-related problem.
I am at far frome service and can't fix it now... May be firmware update can solve this problem whithout came to service.
Sorry my English.

I had the same problem. The sound speaker disappeard and digital output was instead.
Putting an earphone in and out solved the problem.
The problem was that the optical output got dirthy and the system swithed to digital output mode. The digital output/input is in the same connector as the earphone. So putting in earphone maybe cleaned the optical.
After that the speaker works again.

When sound disappeal in yore macbook is the sound DEVICES disappeales too, as in upper picture?

I never use headphones. I try to connect-disconnect headphones whith no result.

I don't remember there being any heat surge prior to the kernel panic. But I know that this thing goes crazy every once in a while and gets way too hot - forcing one core to shut down and bringing the machine to its knees. That's when I generally close the lid and count to ten...

Closing up the book is a bad idea when she is hot.

The fan tends to move air via the keyboard as well as the vents on the bottom.
Prove it your self; hold your hand over the right side of keyboard and it is relatively cool. However on the left half of keyboard heat is rising; also from left most side of case.

Closing the screen down traps in the heat.

I understand if you can not shut down the programs you are using and sleeping the Air is only choice. But other wise, at all costs, just quit your running aps until you just have the desk top and keep the screen up and the fan running. The fan running fast is a good thing until the temp is brought down.

Sorry if I am coming across as too "know it all". I don't know much about the Air but I am learning.

Message was edited by: barkingmad

Same Problem no audio output device found. Grey screen of death has mute sign on it.

This worked for me. Download tool call ONYX. Use it to repair disk Permission. (dont know if this is necessary but good practice anyway) There is a cleaning menu. Clean out the audio cache. (among other things (I didnt touch the kernel !) it will prompt you for a restart and you should hear the chime.

Hope this helps someone else.

MD

DegM - Thanx for youre reply.
Unfortunately Onix clean cache (system then user) not help.

I was try earlier:
- hardwire diagnostic ("D" on start-up & from ext. Mac OS X DVD) - all OK (??)
- re-install system
- reset PRAM and CMS
- disassemle Air, disconnect battery (for "hard reset"),
- check earphone jack for electrical contact (I'm electronic engineer 🙂 )
//I'm not found digital output there

No sound, no sound devices in Prefs, in "About this Mac" - Audio only:
"Intel High Definition Audio:
ID : 0x106B00A2"
Thats all. Mysterious problem.