I have a 2013 mac pro and the volume keys aren't changing the volume of my LED display. The icon shows up as going up or down but the volume seems to not adjust.

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I have a 2013 mac pro and the volume keys aren't changing the volume of my LED display. The icon shows up as going up or down but the volume seems to not adjust.

I've had this computer since october of 2013 or so and I have just recently run into this problem. I use the volume keys on the keyboard and I hear the tick sounds and it shows that its going up and down but the volume doesn't actually change. I've looked in the "sound" settings and everythings seems to be correct... I can't adjust the sound in their either though. I pay too much to be having an issue like this.

Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Feb 25, 2014 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

markwmsn

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Feb 25, 2014 11:36 AM in response to tnymhvlvch

How do you have the display connected to the Mac Pro, especially the audio?

(By the way, a Mac Pro you bought in October would be a 2012 model or earlier -- the cheese grater. The 2013 Mac Pro -- the black tube -- didn't come out until December.)

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Answer 2

tnymhvlvch Author

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Feb 25, 2014 12:05 PM in response to markwmsn

The same way it was plugged in, in 2012. All the hook ups from the display are plugged into their proper ports into the back of the mac pro.

I'm thinking either something died, or the latest firmware messed something up.

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Answer 3

markwmsn

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Feb 25, 2014 12:19 PM in response to tnymhvlvch

Or the cable or a connector got damaged or partly unseated (which I guess would come under "something died").

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Answer 4

tnymhvlvch Author

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Feb 25, 2014 12:44 PM in response to markwmsn

You think it's possible for something to just crap out even though I didn't move any cables or anything? I found that others had this issue, but that was years ago. The workarounds didn't work.

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Answer 5

markwmsn

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Feb 25, 2014 1:20 PM in response to tnymhvlvch

Possible? Yes. Likely? I'm not sure.

In my house, I would suspect that either one of our pets chewed on a cable or dislodged a connector, or somebody bumped a connection loose, but then I would expect either no volume at all or hum from a grounding problem. Clear, non-zero constant volume is harder to explain.

You say adjusting the output volume directly in the Sound settings or on the menu bar also has no effect on the audible output?

You might want to go ahead and answer the question about connections. Somebody else might come along who recognizes a possible problem with the particular combination you are using. I don't have exactly your model of Mac Pro or display. (Is yours the Apple LED Cinema Display? Which size?)

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Answer 6

tnymhvlvch Author

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Feb 25, 2014 1:59 PM in response to markwmsn

When I adjust the volume with the F11/F12 keys I can hear the noise its supposed to make and the icon shows up and shows that its going up and down.. But the volume doesn't actually change, the ticks are the same volume.

When I go to "Sound" Settings and move that slider, it has not effect either haha. It's really strange.

It is the Apple LED Cinema, and its the 27" I believe.

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Answer 7

markwmsn

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Feb 25, 2014 4:28 PM in response to tnymhvlvch

OK, so you must be using the Mini DisplayPort connector for both video and audio.

Just out of curiosity, do you have the USB connector plugged into the Mac Pro? Might it have come loose or gotten some dirt or corrosion?

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Answer 8

tnymhvlvch Author

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Feb 25, 2014 7:36 PM in response to markwmsn

GOT IT WORKING! I unplugged them blew on them both and put them in different ports. Then I simply restarted and everything was a go!

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Answer 9

markwmsn

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Feb 25, 2014 8:29 PM in response to tnymhvlvch

Glad to hear it. I knew that some Apple monitors use the USB connection to control the screen brightness, so it wasn't much of a leap to guessing it might be used to control the volume of the speakers. The online manual for the display confirmed that the USB connection was required to use the display's camera, microphone, and speakers.

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Answer 10

PaulSB

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Feb 25, 2014 8:38 PM in response to tnymhvlvch

Same thing happened to my machine today after upgrade to 10.9.2. I have three cinema displays. Now when I adjust volume I hear the volume adjustment noise and see on the screen the volume is changing. Except the volume is not actually changing.

I guess I'll try the reboot trick.

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Answer 11

tnymhvlvch Author

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Feb 26, 2014 9:43 AM in response to markwmsn

Thanks for being there for me... 🙂 haha just to hear me vent.

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Answer 12

tnymhvlvch Author

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Feb 26, 2014 9:44 AM in response to PaulSB

Yeah Paul! Try unplugging all the monitor cables and plugging them in different ports (I did the ones right next to the ones they were plugged in) then rebooted. Let me know what happens.

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