RolfMendez

Q: Internal Speakers not available in Audio Output

I have a 17 inch i7 Intel Chip 2010 MacBookPro running OS 10.8.5 that works correctly in all respects except that my Built-in Speakers stopped working. My Built-in Speakers worked perfectly until...

 

I was using Rosetta Stone software and it required plugging in (and using) the included USB mic/headset.  The Rosetta software gave instructions to Open Preferences/Audio and choose the USB mic/headset as the input/output device (this muted the built-in speakers on my MacBookPro.

 

After completing the lesson, I unplugged the USB mic/headset and plugged in my external speakers into the Audio OUT port.  Since I could hear the audio through the external speakers, I forgot to reset any settings in the Preference/Audio window.

 

When I disconnected the external speakers, and restarted my MacBookPro, I heard the Startup Chime (so I knew the speakers work) but, when I tried to listen to ANY audio through the Built-in speakers (from iTunes, video, clips from the internet, etc.) no audio was heard.  Remembering I had to change back the audio settings, I opened Preferences/Audio/Output and the ONLY selection listed under Name/Type was Digital Out/Optical digital-out port.  The Mute Box is unchecked and the Volume Curser is grayed out.   There were NO OTHER options available so, Built-in Speakers was no longer an option.  Without that option, I can't "choose" the Internal Speakers to turn them "on".

 

I have reset PRAM and SMC Power Management 4-5 times with no success.  I have used Disk Utility to "VerifyRepair Permissions" (which was needed) and also checked "Verify Disk" (which didn't find anything wrong).

 

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to try next?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Oct 10, 2013 12:43 AM

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Q: Internal Speakers not available in Audio Output

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  • by clintonfrombirmingham,Helpful

    clintonfrombirmingham clintonfrombirmingham Oct 10, 2013 12:47 AM in response to RolfMendez
    Level 7 (30,009 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 10, 2013 12:47 AM in response to RolfMendez

    Your audio out plug may be stuck in digital out mode. You can USUALLY 'see' if this is the case if a red light is evident in the port. Even if it's not, you may want to plug/unplug a jack from your headphones, etc., to try to reset the switch (some people have also successfully used a toothpick to 'flip the switch').

     

    If that doesn't fix the problem, call back...

     

    Clinton

  • by RolfMendez,

    RolfMendez RolfMendez Oct 10, 2013 1:22 AM in response to RolfMendez
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Oct 10, 2013 1:22 AM in response to RolfMendez

    Well, I looked INSIDE the Audio OUT port and yes, I could a red light on (the optical audio laser).  It doesn't STAY lit.

     

    When I open Preferences/Audio/Output, it still reads Digital Out/Optical digital-out port until I plug in my Mac iPhone earplugs; then it changes to Headphones.

     

    But, when I unplug the earplugs, it goes back to the Digital Out setting.  Using a round toothpick to "probe" the interior of the Audio Out port (with the end cut off the end of the toothpick to give me a "flat" end, didn't change anything.  So, any other suggestions?

  • by db24401,Helpful

    db24401 db24401 Oct 10, 2013 1:33 AM in response to RolfMendez
    Level 3 (879 points)
    Oct 10, 2013 1:33 AM in response to RolfMendez

    Maybe you should check the settings in the Audio MIDI Setup.app

    On my computer that application is found in the Applications / Utilities folder

     

    Screen Shot 2013-10-10 at 4.06.39 AM.PNG

  • by RolfMendez,

    RolfMendez RolfMendez Oct 10, 2013 1:39 AM in response to RolfMendez
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Oct 10, 2013 1:39 AM in response to RolfMendez

    I tried ONE MORE TIME to plug in and unplug my iPhone ear buds WHILE I was watching the Preferences/Audio/Output window and it SWITCHED TO INTERNAL SPEAKERS!

     

    I tried playing music in iTunes and it worked!  So, IT'S WORKING!

     

    So now what is my Mac's prognosis?  I usually plug in my external speakers to the Audio OUT port so, if I have a sticking Digital Out Port SWITCH, I'm thinking this can happen again.  Is there any preventive maintenance I can perform?

  • by clintonfrombirmingham,Helpful

    clintonfrombirmingham clintonfrombirmingham Oct 10, 2013 1:42 AM in response to RolfMendez
    Level 7 (30,009 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 10, 2013 1:42 AM in response to RolfMendez

    Not really - the diagnosis was correct and your solution worked. Just use the port as usual - as it's not really UNUSUAL for the switch to become 'stuck'.

     

    Just go about your usual workscheme and, should the port become stuck again, you'll know how to fix it!

     

    Clinton

  • by RolfMendez,Solvedanswer

    RolfMendez RolfMendez Oct 10, 2013 1:46 AM in response to RolfMendez
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Oct 10, 2013 1:46 AM in response to RolfMendez

    Great!  Thanks for helping me, Clinton.

     

    THIS SOLVED MY PROBLEM! (hope this helps others as well!)

  • by lightspeed2008,

    lightspeed2008 lightspeed2008 Oct 10, 2013 2:05 AM in response to RolfMendez
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 10, 2013 2:05 AM in response to RolfMendez

    sound output issue could be 10.8 NOT hardware

     

    In my case

     

    Have already been through dead internal drive, new power supply, top half of screen is dimming.

     

    I have both 10.8.5 and 10.6.8 external boot drives.

    I only went to 10.8 because Apple won't accept iPhoto orders from older versions anymore.

     

    iMac 7,1 - 3gb

    10.8.5 - itunes 11.1.1

    10.6.8 - itunes 11.1.1

    I also use Audio Hijack Pro for general sound enhancement and SRS iWow in iTunes

    with 2 small Sony SRS-88 powered speakers

     

    Was using 10.8 and all of a sudden sound went flaky.  Sound control panel showed it constantly switching back and forth from internal to headphone with the sound actually reversed - i.e. speakers plugged in, played through internal speakers - with no speakers, no sound.

     

    Tried some of the suggestions - zap pram, permissions, audio midi, etc. - no joy.

     

    Rebooted into 10.6.8 and everything works fine.

     

    Rebooted into 10.8.5 and everything works fine so far.

     

    I wonder if Apple has too many ex-Microsoft people doing systems work.

     

    Lightspeed2008

  • by Levi The Great,

    Levi The Great Levi The Great Feb 14, 2014 9:33 AM in response to RolfMendez
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 14, 2014 9:33 AM in response to RolfMendez

    Try plugging your headphones into the Digital I/O port to reset the switch.  This will turn it off if it's stuck on and enable your onboard speakers again.

     

     

    I've been frustrated by this same issue.  My onboard speakers stopped working one day, after I had unplugged my external ones from the headphone port.  I zapped PRAM and tried plugging in headphones and unplugging them. I checked my sound preferences and saw that my only sound output was listed and "Digital I/O".  After reading the forums, I found that it's possible for the audio port switch to get stuck on.  So I tried plugging the headphones in and taking them out again.  Then I realized it was the Digital I/O port that was stuck on.  As soon as I plugged my headphones into the Digital I/O port and took them back out it reset the switch and turned it off.  Then my speakers came on as normal. It was actually a very minor hardware glitch, although really frustrating.

     

    Levi

  • by simonhodson99,

    simonhodson99 simonhodson99 Feb 19, 2014 1:08 PM in response to RolfMendez
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 19, 2014 1:08 PM in response to RolfMendez

    I've just had the same problem and found these posts really useful.  Thanks!

  • by rtpftguy,

    rtpftguy rtpftguy Mar 20, 2014 11:30 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 20, 2014 11:30 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

    Hope you're still around, Clinton.  My wife's MacBook Pro has the same issue, but the switch is not resetting.  The light is NOT on in the I/O port.  When she plugs in earbuds, she can hear music.  When she unplugs them, no sound.  I checked the MIDI app, as suggested above.  When the earbuds are plugged in, there are numbers in the dB and value fields.  When she unplugs them, they disappear, the sliders dither at 0.

    Any more suggestions?  Thank you!

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Mar 22, 2014 12:24 PM in response to rtpftguy
    Level 9 (71,578 points)
    iTunes
    Mar 22, 2014 12:24 PM in response to rtpftguy

    You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is marked solved, less people are likely to look at it. You can link to this one.


  • by johnp2011,

    johnp2011 johnp2011 Jun 21, 2014 10:33 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 21, 2014 10:33 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

    I have the same question that Rolf has. Although I cannot find this button, wither with a toothpick or with a headphone jack.

  • by dondavanzo,

    dondavanzo dondavanzo Oct 19, 2014 9:48 PM in response to johnp2011
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 19, 2014 9:48 PM in response to johnp2011

    Hello everyone

     

    The resolution I used on my own Macbook 2008 can be found here. Apple will not let me post the resolution here on the their forum.

     

    Proceed at your own risk

     

    http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=20146330#post20146330

  • by ArnoB,

    ArnoB ArnoB Jul 16, 2015 5:29 AM in response to RolfMendez
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jul 16, 2015 5:29 AM in response to RolfMendez

    I tried two days but often also before.

    I did not realized that it could be something else than settings; that it could be hardware.

    I saw in sound setting that the Digital Out/Optical digital-out port was selected when headphone was unplugged.

    I tried with tooth pick, ... Not worked.

    I bought a Dry Air Spray. Sprayed inside and immediately Built-in speakers came back in sound setting. So, just a dust issue.

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