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Sound icon is greyed out at start up (though sound can be heard); only workaround found so far: plugging in/out earphone, then sound icon is reactivated

Hi,

On my new MacBook Pro / Lion, Sound icon is greyed out at start up, as well as the output volume in System Preferences (though sound can be heard, you just can't change the volume); only workaround found so far: plugging in/out earphone, then sound icon is reactivated.


Do you have any idea? Concurrent access to sound output from another software? (Skype, Growl...?)


PS: in Windows 7 / bootcamp, volume settings work perfectly from start up


Many thanks,

Fred

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7), Bootcamp

Posted on Aug 5, 2011 3:40 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Aug 5, 2011 3:47 AM

Firstly, have you tried repairing premssions?


Secondly, try deleteing the prefernce files for the system sound


rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systemsound.plist


and


rm /Library/Preferences/com.apple.soundpref.plist


From the terminal


And reboot.

18 replies

Aug 5, 2011 9:27 PM in response to fredblondieau

I'm having what sounds like the exact same issue. I have sound but the volume controls are grayed out. I tried all the above suggestions also with no luck. Plugging in headphones and then unplugging is the only way can get volume control as well.


I'm expecting a callback from Apple support tomorrow morning so I'll post if they identify a solution.


Out of curiousity, when did the issue start for you or has it always been this way? I have a 2010 MBP with Lion. I didn't previously have this issue until today when I had to do a clean install (first Snow Leopard, then upgrade to Lion) after replacing the hard drive.

Aug 5, 2011 11:35 PM in response to fredblondieau

The Audio folder you want to change is in prefereces. Re-name it " Audio.old". Make sure you turn Bluetooth off.

1- Press Command + Shift + G

2- Go to Folder window will appear type /Library/Preferences/Audio

3- Change name of Audio folder to Audio.old

4- restart computer and check audio.

5- Open Disk Utility app and Repair Permission then restart.

If that doesn't fix it another work around was to hold the space bar while the computer boots.

Good Luck!!!

Aug 6, 2011 1:22 AM in response to macwzrd

Hi macwzrd, I followed your procedure and... IT WORKS!! I rebooted several times now, and I still have a true black sound icon in the menu bar. So the issue seems to be fixed, thanks! 🙂

BUT now, _coreaudiod process is taking *much* of my cpu resources (136 coreaudiod _coreaudiod 114,7 5 3,4 MB Intel (64 bit)) and the fan keeps turning on and on like mad... 😕

Any ideas on how to stop this strange behaviour?

Aug 6, 2011 8:06 AM in response to fredblondieau

Didn't notice any change after macwzrd's first procedure, but after rebooting with the space bar held down, I have volume control again! Not sure if it was only rebooting with the space bar that did the trick or the combination of the two.


I also had the new problem of _coreaudiod taking up pretty much a whole core of the cpu. I noticed that the Audio folder under /Library/Preferences was never automagically regenerated, so I tried renaming Audio.old back to Audio. As soon as I did this, the _coreaudiod cpu usage stopped.


All appears to be working smoothly now. Thanks!

Aug 6, 2011 8:47 AM in response to Francois Dillenger

Yes I also renamed the folder to "audio", and the cpu was relieved. I tried to boot with backspace: it worked, but to be sure I restarted the machine, and after several reboots, the unfamous grey sound icon was back... :-(

But after another reboot with the space, the icon turned back to black. So I cannot say the problem is solved, but I now have an easy workaround. Thanks anyway!

Aug 7, 2011 4:30 PM in response to fredblondieau

fredblondieau wrote:


Yep, thanks, yet another workaround, but not requesting to reboot.

Let's then wait for the fix/patch from Apple...

Ok, thanks for the feedback fredblondieau and Francois Dillenger .

Sorry I'm just getting back with you guys so late but lets give it a second try and

lets make sure we check all our t-s and i-s. I upgraded three of my computers from Snow Leopard

to Lion. The first two (2006 iMac and mid 2009 Macbook Pro) no issues. However, the third (late 2009 Macbook Pro)

with the sound icon greyed out issue which I notice after the first update. So, lets try fixing this issue again!!! This is what

I've done so far!!!

I- Start computer by holding down Shift + Control+ Option and Power at the same time.

Press and release! (resetting System Management Controller SMC)

You may want to read http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964

II-Open System Preferences

A) Click on Users & Groups

B) Click on Login Items

C) Delete all applications listed if any. Specially if its a third party software which I believe is the issue.

D) Quit System Preferences

III- Make sure you turn off Bluetooth

IV- Lets get speaker icon working for now by opening terminal application under utilities folder.

A) Type sudo killall coreaudiod

B) Type your password (you are not going to see your password so get it correct)

C) Press Enter= (return)

D) Type exit and quit terminal application

V- Lets re-name the Audio folder. The Audio folder you want to change is in preferences. Re-name it

Audio.old. This how we do it!!!

A) Press Command+Shift+G

B) Go to Folder window will paper type: /Library/Preferences/Audio (Enter)

C) Change name of Audio folder to Audio.old

D) Re-start computer and check audio (Audio should be working)

VI- Lets deal with fredblondieau issue (_coreaudiod process is taking *much* of my cpu resources (136 coreaudiod _coreaudiod 114,7 5 3,4 MB Intel (64 bit)) and the fan keeps turning on and on like mad... ) and Francois Dillenger issue (I also had the new problem of _coreaudiod taking up pretty much a whole core of the cpu. I noticed that the Audio folder under /Library/Preferences was never automagically regenerated, so I tried renaming Audio.old back to Audio. As soon as I did this, the _coreaudiod cpu usage stopped.)

A) Re-start computer by holding down command+R to access Recovery HD or

re-start by holding down the Option key and choosing Recovery HD. Also if you

have OS X Lion on a flash drive you can choose that. You may want to read

http://osxdaily.com/2011/07/08/make-a-bootable-mac-os-x-10-7-lion-installer-from -a-usb-flash-drive/

B) Click on Reinstall Mac OS X. NOTE: OS X Lion will keep your System Intact so long you don't use disk utility to erase HD.

C) After computer re-start go to /Library/Preferences/ by

1-Pressing Command+Shift+G

2-Go to Folder window will appear type /Library/Preferences/Audio. You should have a new Audio folder.

Go ahead and delete Audio.old folder.

3-Repair permission from disk utility and Shut Down computer.

4-Start up computer and Hold down Option+Command+R+P until you hear the second star up chime. You may want to

read how to reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

D) Check Audio and _coreaudiod process.

VII- If this doesn't fix it, Another workaround would be to hold the space bar while the computer boots

and wait for chime.



Finally

I hope all should be well with your system.


Until next Lion update!!!

Enjoy!!!

PS Stolen from linux forum: Beware of the man who would deny you access to information,

for in his heart he dreams himself your master

My disclaimer this is just my new hobby and english is may second language!!! Good Luck Guys!!!

Sound icon is greyed out at start up (though sound can be heard); only workaround found so far: plugging in/out earphone, then sound icon is reactivated

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