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Level 1

59 points

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

Best reply

harraz2008

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Oct 11, 2017 1:47 PM

same problem my macbook air 13' output audio no found..... help me what can i do...

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32 replies

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

rtpftguy

Level 1

11 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!

Eric Root

Level 10

684,045 points

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.

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.

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

ArnoB

Level 1

19 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.

bfar264

Level 1

13 points

Aug 24, 2015 10:05 PM in response to RolfMendez

I had the same problem and after trying everything suggested including reseting PRAM, I just plugged headphones in and out several times and then was able to switch the output back to internal speakers.

Sep 9, 2015 9:57 PM in response to Levi The Great

I have spent many an evening the past week trying to get my internal speakers to show as an output after my sound just stopped working out of nowhere. This post, with the digital i/o suggestion finally worked. I plugged headphones into it and removed. put headphones into headphone input, restarted and reset PRAM, for good measure. Finally, got the start up chime! And viola, my headphones appeared as a device (finally) and I was able to unplug them and my internal speakers appeared. I think my ten year old tried to plug her headphones in and accidentally put them in the digital i/o which flipped a switch? Sounds hokus pokus, but I have sound now. Off to watch Netflix! Thank you Levi The Great!

Feb 16, 2016 11:51 AM in response to Levi The Great

woo hoo! Worked like a charm.. wow I thought it was going to be this huge issue- glad it's something super simple!

thanks

matt

13HANDS

Level 1

4 points

Sep 15, 2016 5:31 PM in response to ArnoB

I saw that when the mini plug was removed from the headphone jack, there was a red light still on...digital port still activated?

so I just blew air into it as I removed the mini-plug....and light went off.... and then the internal speakers option popped back on and

wooolah, the problem solved... must of been some dust on the contact that could reset back to internal speaker option... so that's the goto fix, something going on on the contact point on the motherboard?