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iMac built-in speakers cutting in and out

Hi,

I have a 2010 21.5" iMac (3.06Ghz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, macOS High Sierra) which has had a lot of issues with the speakers. I tried using them multiple times but when I press the up or down volume buttons on my Magic Keyboard it just shows a small circle with a line through it. Eventually it will come back, but only for a few seconds, then back to silence. I have tried to see if it was my Mac overheating, but Macs Fan Control shows that the hottest my iMac is right now is just above 45*C.

iMac 21.5″

Posted on Aug 28, 2023 9:23 PM

Reply
1 reply

Aug 28, 2023 10:21 PM in response to 1982nintendocrew


The 'Fan Control application' offers other settings & could override defaults

to make fan run faster, too; what have you tried from there? ~Each selection

has some potential.


If present, does the Fusion drive appear to have failed shared parts?


How to fix a split Fusion Drive - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/HT207584


This in itself, if not a cause of overheat or present failure

of Fusion; read & set aside for now. It might be in future.

Details in article, would not be useful at this time.


(When replacement of known failed Fusion drive, there is a need to include

what is not there, a separate Sensor to control a new drive ~ which has no

fan controller sensor. This is in aftermarket upgrade kit.)


..If this may be a project you might consider, in any event make good backups

and get ready since these harddrive models with SSD too, fail as they age..

OWC In-line Digital Thermal Sensor for 27-inch & 21.5-inch iMac (Late 2009 - Mid 2010)

[Might require investigative look into hardware causes.] this is offered with Kit.


To see what replacement &/or upgrades for iMac 21.5 inch model exist:

https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac-21-5-inch-mid-2010-3.06-ghz

(Should that iMac have failing Fusion drive; may cause excessive heat too.

However due to vintage, may or not be worth service costs involved.)


Troubleshooting might be on the agenda; be sure to make more than one

backup. Beyond an external HDD dedicated to Time Machine, and others

maybe for clones of the present system, on an external enclosed HDD?


How to Upgrade iMac Hard Drive (2009, 2010, 2011): EveryMac.com

https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/imac-aluminum-faq/imac-intel-21.5-inch-27-inch-aluminum-how-to-upgrade-hard-drive.html


(owc macsales offers kits w/ sensor to upgrade & replace imac drives)

DIY Bundle - 1TB OWC 3G SSD and HDD Kit for 2009-2010 iMacs

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/KITIM09HE1TB/


These usually have a replacement 'internal heat sensor' as part of kit.


You may need to consult an authorized Apple service (AASP) to see

if one of these independent Apple repairers may inspect and offer

cost assessment, what they may charge to repair your old Mac.


Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

//www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/


The old iMac may be too old for a retail Genius appointment to help

diagnose & field questions about its status; but you may ask anyway.


PS: does the headphone jack provide audio output? Maybe external

speakers may be used if that would be an option. And try an original

Apple keyboard or not the magic one?


iMac built-in speakers cutting in and out

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