LindizzyQ

Q: MacBook Pro OS X Yosemite upgrade: No internal or external audio output devices listed in System Preferences.

Hi,

 

I upgraded my MacBook Pro to OS X Yosemite 10.10 a couple weeks ago, and among having many other problems, my audio has now stopped working entirely.  I went into System Preferences>Sound to see if I had the wrong audio output device selected, but I found that there are no internal output devices listed at all under the Sound tab. I meant to include a screenshot of the window, but for some reason I couldn't take any using Command+Shift+3 or Command+Shift+4.

 

Aside from upgrading to Yosemite, the only other usual thing I may have done was shut down my laptop early this morning and then power it back up in the evening when I got home. My audio was working fine this morning before I turned my laptop off.  It only started having problems after I turned my computer back on.

 

Does anyone know how this problem might be resolved? Is it even related to Yosemite? I don't use external speakers or a monitor, and I would prefer not to have to only rely on my headphones to hear audio on my computer, so if it's possible to get my laptop to connect to the internal speakers again I would really appreciate knowing how to do it!

 

Here are my computer's specs, in case they help at all.  I was not sure what information to include, so if more would be useful please let me know:

 

OS X Yosemite Version 10.10

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009)

Processor: 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHZ DDR3

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB

Storage: 250 GB SATA Disk (88.91 GB free of 249.2 GB)

 

Thank you!

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Nov 6, 2014 5:19 PM

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Q: MacBook Pro OS X Yosemite upgrade: No internal or external audio output devices listed in System Preferences.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Nov 6, 2014 5:50 PM in response to LindizzyQ
    Level 10 (207,963 points)
    Applications
    Nov 6, 2014 5:50 PM in response to LindizzyQ

    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 LindizzyQ,

    LindizzyQ LindizzyQ Nov 6, 2014 6:20 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 6, 2014 6:20 PM in response to Linc Davis

    It looks like I somehow got myself stuck in Safeboot, which was causing a lot of my problems tonight.  I logged out, turned off my computer, and then turnd it on again and it got out of Safeboot.  Everything seems to work with the audio now, aside from a few other generic bugs from the upgrade, but those are manageable.  Thank you so much for all of the suggestions!

  • by ArnoB,

    ArnoB ArnoB Jul 15, 2015 12:02 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jul 15, 2015 12:02 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Thank you, Linc, for all these possibilities.

    This time, #8 works for me but previously, I also used:

     

    sudo kextunload /System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext

    sudo kextload /System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext

  • by ArnoB,

    ArnoB ArnoB Jul 16, 2015 5:43 AM in response to LindizzyQ
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jul 16, 2015 5:43 AM in response to LindizzyQ

    Internal Speakers not available in Audio Output

    I tried two days all solution points listed 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.