Macbook stuck on mute

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Level 1

1 points

Macbook stuck on mute

hi -

i have a macbook that is stuck on mute. you cannot increase or decrease the volume. the option to adjust the volume is greyed out and the mute button remains checked.

i have inserted and removed headphones several times. there is no red light coming from the headphone jack.

any suggestions besides reloading the OS?

Thanks!

macbook pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jan 23, 2011 2:01 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Lyssa

Level 8

41,327 points

Jan 23, 2011 2:12 PM in response to bugaronie

This isn't a software issue, so reloading the OS won't fix it. You need to bring the computer to an Apple store and see if the folks there can help.

~Lyssa

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Answer 2

Gryff

Level 1

57 points

Feb 19, 2011 1:29 PM in response to bugaronie

Same problem here. Adjusting the volume using the keyboard brings up the semi-transparent volume icon, but the mute symbol is visible and no sound can be heard.

Put in headphones, and I can hear sound fine (and adjust the volume). When I pull out the headphone jack, I can see a red LED light visible inside the audio port.

Zapped the parameter ram, and could hear the startup chime after the first cycle, but audio still muted when computer is fully started up.

This appears to not be an infrequent thing among users. No solution other than "take it to an Apple Store Genius?"

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Answer 3

Mar 9, 2011 11:20 AM in response to bugaronie

I am experiencing the same thing with my iMac- pretty odd! Its stuck on mute and the options in sound preferences are greyed out as well. Its only 2yrs old, I am so bummed. I had seen on here about resetting the PRAM I tried that and for about 2 days it worked my sound was back but then it went again. So I am faced with taking it for repair I guess, which so stinks 😟 I was hoping to find another solution.

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Answer 4

Dec 27, 2011 10:04 AM in response to PixByCindy

@PixByCindy the same thing happened to my MacBook Air. PRAM reset worked but the mute is back again. Was it a hardware issue?

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Answer 5

Apr 20, 2012 9:32 AM in response to davidsdiego

same problem here as well guys....

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Answer 6

Apr 20, 2012 9:48 AM in response to Gryff

Check the headphone port - if you can see a red light, the port is still live, cutting off the internal speakers.

The cause is a little leaf switch that is pushed over by the jack when you insert it. Sometimes these stick.

Try inserting and removing a jack a few (dozen) times.

If that doesn't free it you may attempt to tease it with a slim non-conducting tool (like a plastic toothpick). Ensure the Mac is not only shut down, but unplugged if you try this.

And be careful; the leaf is fragile and it's an expensive bit to get to and replace, in fact on some models it's directly on the logic board.

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Answer 7

Apr 20, 2012 9:56 AM in response to AlansurfBrazilOzzy

When I brought my MacBook Air to the Genius Bar they coiuldn't diagnose the issue, so they had to send it somewhere else for repair. I didn't have Apple Care so I payed $180 for the repair. They diagnosed it and replaced the logic board.

After that issue, half my scren turned green and my display hinge was loose as well. It's been in repair quite a few times for other issues too.

I own a few vintage and new Apple products and the only two devices that were always bad and caused me an abandance of frustation were the iPhone 4 and the MacBook Air (2010). I own an iPhone 4S and MacBook Pro (late 2011) and they have been bulletproof so far.

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