iMac headphone jack stopped working

Hi folks

The headphones are not working any more on my iMac and nothing has apparently changed. They were working yesterday.

Have tested several other sets of phones and an external speaker system too - no go.

The headphone output choice suddenly does not appear anymore in Preferences/Sound/Output, even though the headphones are plugged in all the way to the hilt. Only the 'Internal Speakers" appear in the window as an output option.

I have also changed and inter-changed all the setting choices on the Applications/Utilities/Audio Midi Setup/Output/Internal Speakers function.

In addition, all the mute settings are unchecked.

I have shut down restarted and slept the Mac. Still nothing.

My operating system is OS X Mavericks. No upgrades of any kind have a link to the problem as I have not carried out any.

So - I'm stumped.

Does anyone have any ideas, please?

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Aug 1, 2014 7:08 AM

Top-ranking reply

writerpioneer

Level 1

12 points

Posted on Sep 10, 2014 7:08 AM

Befuggled,

Found your question when I discovered my earphones were not working this morning. Your systematic approach was very helpful. I will point out for others that there are different "Preferences" available on various system applications. I did solve my problem by 1. Restarting the computer; 2. Going to the folder "Applications" then System Preferences; 3. Plugging my headphone jack securely whereupon "Headphones" magically appeared under device for sound under "Output"; 4. I then noticed the "Mute" button was on (on the Output volume bar), so I unmuted and sound blissfully arrived through my headphones.

I will note that at all times I did have sound on my iMac while my headphone jack was not working. It appears there is this mute button which is specific to the headphone jack and it only appears when the headphones are plugged in. Why the mute button was engaged overnight I have no idea. I rarely visit things like system preferences unless I am having some trouble with my iMac (which is also rare).

Hope this trial is helpful to some folks.

Writerpioneer

View in context

21 replies

Feb 11, 2015 8:05 PM in response to writerpioneer

Excellent advice, writerpioneer! Your final paragraph described my situation, and your solution proved apt. Very helpful to a frustrating, bizarre occurrence.

Apr 21, 2015 3:42 PM in response to writerpioneer

Excellent!! Had the same problem and this was definitely the answer.

Jul 25, 2015 9:43 PM in response to sanjampet

Thanks, this worked for me! I need to be more gentle

davemp

Level 1

0 points

Jan 9, 2016 11:26 AM in response to writerpioneer

Awesome work mate

Mine was the same but you sorted it pal

audiosik

Level 1

8 points

May 7, 2016 9:31 AM in response to CarlAVII

thanks Allen. i tried numerous reboots and shutdowns. new cables.

your reset SMC advice worked. legend!
i was looking my s&#t on this one. 👿

Oct 8, 2016 9:14 AM in response to writerpioneer

I too had a similar issue and have no idea how my headphones suddenly went on mute overnight. After disabling mute it works fine. Thanks.

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iMac headphone jack stopped working