I have just had this same problem. I booted up on Safe Mode and can get sound working and Sound Preferences appears fine. However, when I switch back to normal mode, it goes back to sound not aorking and Sound Preferences hangs freezes causing me to Force Quit. See attached.
I too had CleanMy Mac installed. Should I remove that App?
I reinstalled Monterey and the problem persists.
What is the best solution to this?
I managed to get it working again by using iboysoft.com workout found here: https://iboysoft.com/howto/system-preferences-not-responding.html
I'm posting it here to help anyone else who encountered same problems. This worked for me:
Once I restarted my machine Sound Preferences pane showed up fine and YouTube, Cubase all worked as normal.
I managed to get it working again by using iboysoft.com workout found here: https://iboysoft.com/howto/system-preferences-not-responding.html
I'm posting it here to help anyone else who encountered same problems. This worked for me:
Once I restarted my machine Sound Preferences pane showed up fine and YouTube, Cubase all worked as normal.
Good job troubleshooting this so far.
The information you are providing is very relevant, namely that it does not occur in Safe Mode, but occurs in different accounts. This gives a clue where to search.
Now we need information: Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. Use the "additional text" button and paste the report into the text box.
The report will tell us what system modifications are installed. Since the problem happens in all accounts, it is probably in one of: system extensions, launch daemons, or launch agents.
I know it sounds daunting, but the easiest way may be to start fresh.
Make sure to have two backups.
In System Preferences, choose "Erase All Content and Settings".
This will erase all data and leave the OS untouched.
When done, your mac will restart as if for the first time.
You will be asked if you want to import stuff.
VERY IMPORTANT: migrate ONLY the user accounts.
Check that all your stuff is there, and everything works.
Gradually install back the things you do use, and test along.
Hello arvmeister,
We see you have some questions about the sound not working on your Mac, and we'd like to help. As the sound works when in safe mode, we'd like to have you reset the NVRAM on your Mac.
NVRAM (or PRAM) is a small amount of memory that your Mac uses to store and quickly access certain system settings such as sound volume, display resolution, startup-disk selection, and time zone. These settings vary by Mac and the devices you're using with it.
As it mentions, this can sometimes help with sound volume. You can find the steps to do this, here: Reset NVRAM on your Mac
Let us know if this helps, and we'll go from there.
Regards.
I am sorry to say but you have installed a lot of dubious stuff, to be mild.
Sites like softube and megaupdater are breeding grounds for all sorts of adware.
And I have to say that I have no sympathy for stuff like littlesnitch and surfshark.
Maybe neither of these have direct impact on the sound, but still.
I strongly recommend reading this excellent post by one the most savvy members here:
Effective defenses against malware and other threats
Also, you have of course many pieces of audio software, some of it installed relatively recent.
If you can pinpoint the time where the issue first appeared, this may help by figuring out what was installed around that time.
I actually thought Cleanmymac was good as I had been using it for several years without any problems. But, since reading so many negative views on here I have now uninstalled it completely from all my systems!
Yes. When I start up in Safe Mode the Sound Preferences pane shows without any problems. I can also watch YouTube, open Cubase etc without any Hangs or Beachballs.
The moment I go back to standard mode, it errors again with now show. I even tried creating another User Account just to see if that would work but I get same problem. It seems to only wok when in Safe Mode. It's super-confusing?
Cleanmymac is utter garbage and should be uninstalled.
That said, I cannot say it is the cause for this, of course.
If you start your mac in Safe Mode, does the Sound preference pane open?
Cleamymac claims another victim :-(
Thank. I'm on a Mac Mini M1 Silicon.
I checked the link you provided and it stated:
The steps to reset NVRAM don't apply to Mac computers with Apple silicon, and aren't needed on those computers.
So I did not pursue it any further.
Softube is a reputable Plugin Company whom I have purchased plugins from for years. Regarding Megaupdater. I didn't even know I had that? Will remove it.
I use littlesnitch and surfshark to wath UK programmes as I am English but live in Mauritius.
Ok. I will check that article. Thanks.
The issue firat appeared day after I deleted some unused apps from the Applications folder. I manually removed them. Most of them were Waves Apps. I honestly didn't think it would affect my system?
After I deleted the apps I ran Cleanmymac thinking it would cleanup any left-over files etc.
How would I know what system extensions or launch daemons would be needed?
I even re-installed Monterey 12.6.3 from Recovery OS and that did not help either.
...I'm now thinking it may have something to do with the apps I deleted?
You are right. That is daunting!
I guess I will have to give it a shot. I did think of partioning my HD and installing a fresh Monterey OS on that. then graudally installing as I go along. That way I can still use my Safe Mode when needed and cross-referecing what Apps/Plugins I need to install.
Is this a good idea? Or should I just push the boat out and do a clean install.
arvmeister wrote:
Yes. I did think about that also.
Problem is, what happens once I've installed all apps/plugins to use. How would I move all that back to my main internal SSD Drive?
At that point, you can use Migration Assistant - in that case, choose to migrate everything, not just the accounts.
Ok. Please find report in additional text.
I totally agree with you on that one!
It may be, depending on available space.
One other option is to install on an external SSD.
Sound Preferences pane freezes hangs and Erroe appears
