MacBook Air no audio output device found ???????? *please help*

I too had the exact problem listed several times in this thread. No sound intermittently and then one day it just failed all together. Nothing to do with a software update! This is definitely a hardware problem people.
Despite serious reservations, I elected to order the new audio cable from ifixit.com and with the great detailed instructions and photos on their website I was actually able to fix it myself for a fraction of the price quoted by the local Apple repairer (Around $30 versus the quoted $130 to fault find plus parts and labour after that!!!). *I'm happy to admit that my MacBook Air now works perfectly again, however......................*

I am absolutely annoyed that Apple refuse to recognize this is obviously a common problem and it should be fixed by them whether you're still under warranty or not!!! Come on Apple wake up to yourselves and admit it's an issue and help out the thousands of others that will come across this problem in the near future and save them from the pain staking effort of having to pull apart their own computer to fix what is clearly *a manufacturer error*.

Cheers and beers all, and good luck!!!

I completely agree - if this is a widespread issue of hardware failing it calls into question the fitness for purpose of the hardware in the first place. Will see what they say in Belfast Apple store tomorrow and post back on this thread.

My Mini with the same problem has fixed itself, presumably after cooling down switched off overnight...

Message was edited by: peter.ryan

Apple store also say its a hardware fault. £60.95 to repair inc replacing ribbon cable and audio board. Will be without laptop for 14 days. I think I'll try the incredibly helpful detailed instructions above - big thanks Joe Holt and all willing info providers/helpers!! You should all be on commission from Apple!!

Message was edited by: peter.ryan

I had the same problem. The Built-in audio output on my MBA stopped working two
days ago. I had the laptop for less than 2 years but the warranty had expired. I went to the Genius Bar at 5th ave. Apple store in manhattan today. The guys there told me it was
a hardware problem and the sound card and cable need to be replaced. It will cost me more than $300. The guys were not helpful and rude. I am very disappointed with the experince. I took my MBA to the digital society, an apple approved tech support shop to have the problem fixed. They charge me half what apple store would have! I expected better quality than this from Apple.

I ended up replacing the cable. I bought one from welovemacs for a little bit more than ifixit because I am dumb. But it came overnight and 24 hours later my sound is fixed. The ifixit guides are outstanding. One word of caution, according to welovemacs there are three variants of the same cable, depending on the year model of the MacBook Air. Double check what the site has to say about the right one (my Air is one of the first productions off the line, note the "DATE 0208" on the sticker, so it was simple to figure mine out).

It sounds like the geniuses want to replace the sound board too, but everyone's experience in this forum indicates that it's just the cable. So spend the 40 or 50 bucks, grab some jeweler's screwdrivers, and go to town.

On a side note, I'm totally impressed with the innards of the MBA. I've owned all flavors of Mac laptops, and I completely expected this one to be untouchable inside, owing to it's micro size and the presumed necessity for all the electronics to be one monolithic chunk. Instead I think it's one of the more hackable Mac laptops ever. You can actually identify the speaker wires coming from the sound card. It looks trivial to replace the drive, battery, etc. Also, if you do tighten the screws on the hinges (you should, they wiggle loose quickly) apply some locktite while you're in there.

Same problem here. 1st generation MacBook Air, lost it's sound after 10.6.1. Pressing volume keys gives the "not allowed" symbol, Volume icon is grayed out. Videos stop after a few seconds. Done all the things suggested (PRAM zap, plist files etc.), not even 10.6.2 fixed it.

I'm starting to believe it's a hardware failure. My MacBook Air is one of the original overheating ones (when playing Flash or iTunes video) and needs a constant CoolBook Air presence to keep heat under control.

The problem is so widespread I'd say it's inherent to MacBook Air design and should be fixed for free.

Ditto (failed slowly over the last week). Plus the loose hinge problem (flops like the above-mentioned baby's head). Plus my battery is shot (down to 839mAh capacity). Ugh.

Message was edited by: Hans Tobeason

I had an audio output problem that seemed to occur suddenly, for no apparent reason. The day before I had been using the audio jack to connect to my speakers for a webinar.

If you have a sudden unexplained audio output issue, check your audio output jack. If you see a red light in the jack, that is may be your problem. Insert an audio device into the jack until the red light disappears. I had to do this multiple times. Finally, the light was out and the audio returned to my computer.

Having similar issues, upgraded to Snow Leopard and a few days later the sound is permanently muted. No sound from the internal speakers or headphones. In system preferences "selected sound output device" is the only option, but there is nothing plugged into the headphone jack. The "mute" button is checked and I can't uncheck it. Also, itunes just stopped playing songs although it does play video such as podcasts, but of course without any sound! Completely frustrated, I've researched solutions for hours, can not find a fix. Since this is a widespread problem it would be great if someone from the Apple Team could offer a possible solution.

My MacBook Air also doesn't have any sound output device after 10.6.2 update. 10.6.2 combo update seemed to fix it for a while, until I played YouTube video in Firefox few more times.

While it was working I have to say it did much better than under 10.5. No overheating (75 C), and the flash videos were running smooth even in fullscreen mode. No Coolbook is needed anymore.

IMPORTANT: Do not be naive and pay for audio cable change to fix this bug. As described in previous posts there may be an issue with the loose connector, but this can be fixed by yourself. (It happened to me before, and I also double checked the connector after latest 10.6.2 upgrade).

This latest MacBook Air sound problem (10.6.2 upgrade) is definitely software related. I and probably the rest of few million users out there around the globe can't wait to see the solution from you Apple guys. This whole thing is very frustrating and it is making a high end computer MacBook Air a useless piece of equipment.

I am having the same issue, post snow leopard install. brought it in to genius bar and they did a boot from an old OS and diagnosed that it must be a hardware problem. they eventually landed on the audio connector, like many of you in prior comments stated. it would cost me around $99 to get the $15 dollar connector and then have the apple tech install it, as I'm out of warranty.

i'm planning to wait a little to see what the apple folks say given the number of similar issues. i think it may be a hardware issue, but certainly could have been aggravated by 10.6.2.

btw, i'm also having issues with receiving invites into iCal from Outlook , where prior to snow leopard, i didn't see that.

I too have exactly the same problem. One day it was working, the next day not. I'd just started doing a lot of headphones listening, having subscribed to Spotify.

The bulk of posts seem to suggest a hardware issue, although I'm not sure I'm brave enough to take the cover off and there are at least some who believe software lies at its heart (although I've been on 10.6 for a while.

I think I'm posting to log the problem, although my courage may increase (and I already own jeweller's screwdrivers, so at least have some form with delicate electronics).

Hi.. I have the same problem. I work with in the audio field and I need a quick solve. I contact with the authorized support here in Bogota, Colombia, but the can't help me.
I really don't expect this from the apple technology. At least, form the support.
What can I do?

Please, all MacBookAir Users need a solution.

Thanks

Imagine, this thread started more than one year ago, and there still isn't a straight answer in here from Apple, or any straight forward solution. Disappointing.

My problem also affects sound, missing soundcard in preferences, problems with video, and problems making a proper diagnosis. I actually got the sound back for a few hours at one time, but then it disappeared again 😟

Does anyone know if a USB sound output device can circumvent the problem? Like with this http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/ ??

Kim

Mine too, everything listed, no audio, no youtube. My machine is only 20 months old and now Apple wants to charge me $1000. to change the logic board??? Are you f%^king kidding me???? They are supposed to last a little longer than this before you gotta drop another 1k to repair them no? IS MAC THE NEW SONY???? I AM NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER AT ALL. I was on the phone with 3 levels of authorization, and yet no one took the opporunity to provide some customer satisfaction. For the first time ever i am saying, APPLE *****