Level 1

12 points

Audio stops working on macOS Sonoma

I've finally noticed a pattern that occurs rather frequently on macOS Sonoma. I was blaming Bluetooth issues before, but it looks like it's more about audio in general.

What happens is that at some point, all audio freezes. The hotkeys for the audio controls show "Stop" sign, like there are no audio outputs connected, the taskbar is completely unresponsive: Control Centre shows a spinning circle, the sidebar is not opening (Spotlight works, though).

If you go to the System Settings, some menu items will be unresponsive: Sound doesn't open, Bluetooth does not open, Accessibility and Siri & Spotlights all do not open.

Then, a new bug appeared that I've just started to notice recently. The screen is flashing like there's an Accessibility feature enabled that uses warning flash instead of sound. It appears just randomly, out of nowhere. Immediately after that, sound works just normally.

When this is happening, and video/audio content in the browser and wherever does not work, Tidal shows many random errors, and Firefox just completely hangs when you try to play a video on YouTube. I've tried to stop `coreaudiod` and it did restart the daemon, but nothing else happened.

The device is a very fresh M1 Max MacBook, and nothing like that was happening on Ventura. I've had audio cracks on another M1 Pro laptop, but this one didn't even have those.

P.S. This is happened just when I was writing this post, and I've disabled Bluetooth just before. Now, the Bluetooth section in the Settings is opening, but others are still unresponsive.

For reference - I have yabai and BetterSnapTool installed, which modify system behavior, but with system protection enabled. Siri is disabled. I've tried to stop a bunch of random processes when this happened, but none helped so far.

This issue constantly haunts me since I've upgraded, and it's extremely annoying.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Oct 18, 2023 4:06 PM

Top-ranking reply

dantaeusb1 Author

Level 1

12 points

Posted on Dec 19, 2023 11:08 AM

Upgraded today (Sonoma 14.2, major version did not change), got no crashes for over 10 hours so far, which is quite impressive. Plugged/unplugged headphones, toggled the Bluetooth headphones, made a couple of calls _with changing input/output during calls_, the usual scenarios that were leading to crashes and sound lags are now gone. For anyone having troubles with Sound/Bluetooth, I recommend checking for an update.

Continuing observation!

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27 replies

dantaeusb1 Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 16, 2023 3:30 PM in response to dantaeusb1

Unfortunately, updating to 14.1.1 did not help. The audio is still failing periodically, and the taskbar is still freezing. In order to do basic calls, I have to reboot daily to get at least some level of stability. I don't remember macOS in such a bad shape.

Can't have basic watch: it's 7 minutes behind:

Audio freezes on average 40 times a day:

Nov 17, 2023 12:34 AM in response to dantaeusb1

Exactly the same on my computer, 14.1.1 since yesterday, no change. I don't want to install beta, I need stability on machine I'm earning money on.

I've bought Airpods Pro to get rid of manual headphones switch between iPad, iPhone and Mac during workday, Teams calls etc. and now I have more problems than benefits.

As a Mac OS user since 10.4 Tiger and G4 CPUs and I can't remember anything more problematic than this issue.

chdsl

Level 2

410 points

Nov 17, 2023 1:25 AM in response to michaldudkowski

michaldudkowski wrote:

As a Mac OS user since 10.4 Tiger and G4 CPUs and I can't remember anything more problematic than this issue.

Do you mean you are having problems with the new macOS, or the problems with your M chip Mac? Or, both?

It is interesting to know, as I am using an Intel MBP 2018 model, but it doesn't have any problems of this sort with Sonoma 14.1.1.

chdsl

Level 2

410 points

Nov 17, 2023 1:36 AM in response to michaldudkowski

I use Redmi Buds 3 Pro, when I'm not supposed to disturb others, and the Bluetooth connection never failed. Even, the Chinese 10 Euro no-name external Bluetooth keyboard never gets disconnected. Maybe, it is the M chip that troubles your computer?

Nov 22, 2023 12:46 AM in response to dantaeusb1

Since 14.1.1 it's a little bit better, I still have issues with connection but no freezing on taskbar and I can switch between devices, also no crashes of Discord or MS Teams. But when I disconnect AirPods internal speakers randomly mutes itself if there's no sound for a while.

So now it's better, not annoying, but still not perfect.

Dec 1, 2023 6:06 AM in response to dantaeusb1

I too have this problem on my MacBook Pro M2 Pro since upgrading to macOS Sonoma. It mainly occurs with AirPods Pro 2 but I have also had this happen to me using OnePlus Buds.

The blockages are the same as you have experienced and, as I often work in video conferences, blocking MS Teams or Google Meet is really becoming a serious problem.

[Edited by Moderator]

Thom-as

Level 1

8 points

Dec 19, 2023 5:09 PM in response to dantaeusb1

I am having similar issues.

If I have the chance to be able to connect any audio device, then my computer totally freezes and crashes. Then go into a loop of crash one after the other (had 7 in a row yesterday...).

I cannot make any call (Slack, Zoom, Teams). Not sure how that computer is still of any value anymore for working remotely...

I am on Sonoma 14.2, MBP 2019 16"

By the way, most of the time my sound is like that...

I am downloading Sonoma 14.2.1, hopefully that solves some/all of the issues.

Dec 20, 2023 2:11 AM in response to michaldudkowski

Yes, the AirPods firmware update is silent. In my case (while using Logitech Pop Keyboard and Pop Mouse) the problem with the audio disconnecting still occurs.

As I said in my previous message, it's less noticeable but it's there. This morning during a Microsoft Teams call I lost audio for about 40 seconds (less than in the past) but as usual all audio devices disappeared, then came back, then I managed to reselect the AirPods Pro 2 and they started working again.

For those who use the Mac for work, this has become a huge problem. It works better now but it still doesn't work as expected.

dantaeusb1 Author

Level 1

12 points

Dec 28, 2023 12:50 PM in response to dantaeusb1

Things are getting more funny for me, though: here's Tidal casually playing music through headphones while the system thinks there are no available outputs.

I wouldn't say it is as bad as it was before, but after some uptime the show goes on, constant coreaudiod crashes, sound failing during meetings, no matter whether I use MacBook speakers, wired or wireless headphones – all work equally terrible after some uptime. Though before it was bad right after startup, now it starts in a couple of days.

Apple, how about a new year gift of fixing a basic feature on one of the most expensive laptops on the market? That would be so good. Especially considering it was good just, like, three months ago?

Jan 17, 2024 2:29 PM in response to dantaeusb1

I am a basic Mac user and I got this fancy Macbook Pro last year and I did notice with Sonoma that my Mute button in my Sound Settings keeps getting checked/unchecked, having the audio cut in and out constantly. It's especially awesome when I'm in an interview. Like this morning. At 6 am.

I tried calling Apple Support and they had me run through the same song and dance -- reboot, check settings, reinstall operating system, and my personal favorite, create a test user. This is HORRIBLE.

Jan 4, 2024 2:20 PM in response to michaldudkowski

I'm running an M2 15" MB Air, Logic and OS up-to-date, and it's still cutting out intermittently. Even when playing back on only the computer speakers.

May 3, 2024 1:03 AM in response to Pillitamia

Doing a sudo killall coreaudiod works for me too. Also doing the same in Activity Monitor works as well.

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Audio stops working on macOS Sonoma