Luis Ortega

Q: Mac Pro lost all sound

My 2008 Mac Pro recently stopped producing any sound.

The startup chime is silent. No sound comes from the speakers at all and the line out/in options in system sound preferences are missing, although it still lists my Logitech webcam microphone and the volume meter for it responds to sound changes.

Could the sound chip on the logic board have stopped working?

Could it be a virus or a software conflict? I haven't updated the system recently or installed new software, but Skype has been acting erratically and has crashed a few times.

The missing line in/out devices in the sound preferences seems like it might be a hardware problem.

I have tried all of the normal things like checking cables and resetting pram but no change.

I have the same condition whether I boot into my primary drive or into the clone (made before the sound stopped working) on a separate drive or into Windows through Bootcamp.

If the logic board integrated sound is broken, can I add a sound card to take over the audio for everything (startup chime, audio from software and audiovisual sources, Skype, etc.)?

Thanks for any advice.

Posted on Sep 5, 2014 11:17 AM

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Q: Mac Pro lost all sound

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  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Sep 5, 2014 11:31 AM in response to Luis Ortega
    Level 10 (189,425 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 5, 2014 11:31 AM in response to Luis Ortega
  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 5, 2014 11:36 AM in response to Luis Ortega
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Sep 5, 2014 11:36 AM in response to Luis Ortega

    There are many possible causes for this issue. Take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried. Some may not apply to your model. Back up all data before making any changes.

    1. Start with the steps recommended in this support article. Don't skip any of the steps. It's the starting point for further efforts to solve the problem.

    2. Run Software Update and make sure you have a fully up-to-date installation of OS X.

    3. If you've installed an application called "Memory Clean" or any other third-party software that is supposed to "clean" or "purge" memory automatically, remove it according to the developer's instructions and restart. You should do that even if the software is not causing the problem, because it's useless.

    4. Other third-party software that has been reported to interfere with sound output includes "Boom" and "Samsung Kies." If applicable, uninstall according to the developer's instructions (not by dragging something to the Trash.)

    5. If an AirPlay device is selected for sound output from iTunes (or from other applications via third-party software such as "Airfoil"), deselect it.

    6. Launch the application "Audio MIDI Setup" by entering the first few letters of its name in a Spotlight search and selecting it in the results (it should be at the top.) Select Built-in Output from the list on the left. If the Mute boxes are checked, uncheck them.

    7. If a red light is visible in the audio-out port when sound should be playing, the internal switch is stuck in the position for digital output. You may be able to free it by inserting and removing a mini-stereo jack of the proper size. Inserting any kind of tool in the port may cause damage that won't be covered by the warranty.

    If there's no red light, the switch may still be stuck in the headphone position. Try to free it the same way.

    8. Disconnect all wired peripherals except keyboard and mouse, if applicable. If more than one display is connected, disconnect all extra ones. Restart and test.

    9. If you have a MacBook Air, turn off Bluetooth and restart.

    10. Start up in safe mode. Don't log in; just restart as usual when the login screen appears. When you do, make sure the words "Safe Boot" do notappear in the login screen. If they do, the system is still in safe mode and sound won't work.

    11. Reset the NVRAM.

    12. Reset the SMC.

    13. Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

    /Library/Preferences/Audio

    Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select

              Services Reveal in Finder (or just Reveal)

    from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item selected. Move the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password. Restart the computer and empty the Trash. Recreate your settings in the Sound preference pane.

    *If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination  command-C. In the Finder, select

              Go Go to Folder...

    from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

    14. Reinstall OS X after backing up all data.

    15. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store.

  • by Luis Ortega,

    Luis Ortega Luis Ortega Sep 5, 2014 12:41 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 5, 2014 12:41 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Thanks for the advice.

    But all of the built-in outputs and built-in inputs have disappeared from my sound preferences in the computer. They don't show up as options in any of the programs or system settings that deal with audio such as sound preferences, audio-midi setup, Skype, iTunes, etc..

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 5, 2014 12:54 PM in response to Luis Ortega
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Sep 5, 2014 12:54 PM in response to Luis Ortega

    If you have already concluded that the problem is due to a hardware fault, go to Step 15.

  • by godsmwc,

    godsmwc godsmwc Jan 15, 2015 11:08 PM in response to Luis Ortega
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 15, 2015 11:08 PM in response to Luis Ortega

    Go to system preferences : Click sounds at lower part of page you will see        Use Audio Port for   --move arrow to Sound Input all sounds will return to normal.