M1 Mac mini media playback issues after macOS update

Question

Level 1

31 points

M1 Mac mini media playback issues after macOS update

After updating my M1 MacMini to MacOS 27 yesterday, a strange thing started to happen. It happened multiple times and the only solution I found was to restart the machine.

The issue is that all media don't play regardless of the media source. The media gets stuck and doesn't play

I tried playing some media (Video/Audio) from:

Youtube
Quick review
Music (Apple)
VLC
Elmedia video player
Infuse
Plex

It happened to me twice yesterday and it's happening today as well.

Mac mini, macOS 27.0

Posted on Sep 17, 2026 4:37 AM

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ahm99 Author

Level 1

31 points

Sep 17, 2026 4:57 AM in response to Ahm99

My setup is I have to connected monitors that have speakers (1 HDMI, 1 USB-C port with HDMI adapter) , and I'm using one of them as speaker (USB-C)

I tried "sudo killall coreaudiod" and it didn't work.

Then, I changed my audio output to mac mini internal and the other monitor and the audio worked. So it looks like the issue is only with one audio channel.

Then I opened Audio MIDI Setup app and changed the format and returned it again as it was, and the audio worked.

Answer 2

Ahm99 Author

Level 1

31 points

Nov 9, 2026 9:30 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks for the reply.

It's not starting and then buffering, it's 100% local media issue and not network-related.

when it happens I can't play any media from any application until I change the audio format from MIDI then everything starts working again. It's 100% an OS issue that was not there before.

Answer 3

Ahm99 Author

Level 1

31 points

Nov 9, 2026 8:15 AM in response to Ahm99

It looks like an issue with driver handshake or something, I'm using USB-C port then USB-C to HDMI adapter to connect my monitor that has build-in speakers (LG 27UP850N).

The temporary solution is to open Audio MIDI application and change the speaker's audio format. This forces a refresh or something like that and the audio works again with all of the applications.

The issue is, this happens frequently, and every time I need to change the format again.

I alternate between "2 ch 24-bit Integer" and "2 ch 20-bit Integer"

Answer 4

Ahm99 Author

Level 1

31 points

Nov 10, 2026 6:11 AM in response to Ricky_d_nb

I had a chat with Gemini and it gave me the solution I'm currently following and mentioned earlier:

The temporary solution is to open Audio MIDI application and change the speaker's audio format. This forces a refresh or something like that and the audio works again with all of the applications.

The issue is, this happens frequently, and every time I need to change the format again.

I alternate between "2 ch 24-bit Integer" and "2 ch 20-bit Integer"

I would recommend trying it or chatting with AI if it didn't work

Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

99,148 points

Nov 9, 2026 8:22 AM in response to Ahm99

If the videos are starting and then buffering, it sounds like you might have a network issue.

Is the Mac mini connected to your local network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet..?

If you are using Wi-Fi, do the following and test.

1) Test the current speed of your internet connection.

2) Uninstall any and all third-party security software's and VPN's.

3) Restart both the Router and the Mac mini to reestablish that connection.

4) Check the Details of the Wi-Fi connection to make sure that "Low data mode" is off.

5) Temporally disconnect all USB devices to see if any of those are cause Wi-Fi Interference.

6) If it is possible, connect the Mac mini directly to the Router using a Cat 5e or better Ethernet cable.

Here are some items to help you troubleshoot the issue.

https://www.speedtest.net/

https://support.apple.com/en-us/102281

https://support.apple.com/en-us/101588

https://support.apple.com/en-us/102319

https://support.apple.com/en-us/102766

Answer 6

kaz-k

Level 9

53,902 points

Sep 17, 2026 9:48 PM in response to Ahm99

Hi,

Most of the applications you get trouble are Intel based applications which required Rosetta 2 which translates Intel code to ARM ones. You should install Apple Silicon version applications which could some of your issues.

Answer 7

Nov 9, 2026 7:17 AM in response to Ahm99

MacMini M1, After update I have no media playback for Apple music, Logic, YouTube or media via a browser. A restart has not cured the issue and I've run out of options. And possibly employment if I cant cure the issue soon!

Any ideas