My MacBook Air will not play sound - stuck on mute

Question

Level 1

13 points

My MacBook Air will not play sound - stuck on mute

My MacBook Air won't play sound. When I press the sound buttons (whether to increase, decrease, or mute the sound), the icon pops up grayed out with the circle and line through it symbol. When I check audio devices, it says "No devices found on the system." Under "System Preferences" and then "Sound" it shows no input or output devices found. At the bottom of this window it shows output volume at max but the mute checkbox is checked and grayed out. However, I can't uncheck it or change anything. Please help! Have already tried restarting and shutting down.

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Mar 13, 2015 12:28 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 17, 2017 1:47 AM in response to mako13

Hey

I don't think that there's any problem with my speaker or anything on my MacBook because when I turn it on the sound that plays at the start when the apple logo comes up, which means that my speakers work fine but when I'm logged in and trying to play any sound it won't work. Ø a sign like this comes up under the 🔈speaker sign.

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Answer 2

vitabear

Level 1

8 points

Sep 29, 2017 5:48 PM in response to cmmacair

Same here. Has anyone got a solution?

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Answer 3

Oct 16, 2017 8:53 PM in response to cmmacair

I have the exact same problem as well

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Answer 4

mako13

Level 1

4 points

Oct 29, 2017 11:24 PM in response to cmmacair

I also have exactly the same problem. I updated the OS a week before the audio failed, so I doubt it is that. If dominic23's steps don't work, it may be a logic board problem, which could be expensive. I'm going to buy a cheap digital USB converter tomorrow and see if I get sound that way. I'll let you know how I get on.

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Answer 5

dominic23

Level 10

84,024 points

Mar 13, 2015 2:36 PM in response to cmmacair

Go step by step and test.

1.Plug in and remove the headphone.

If you see red light in the headphone port, plug the headphone

in and out of the port 5 or 6 times to flip the microswitch inside.

Sound output may be stuck in the digital mode.

Try this even if you don’t see the red light.

2. Reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14222

Do this twice

3. Reset SMC. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Choose the method for: "Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".

4. Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup

Audio Devices window

Side Bar

Click the Built-in Output.

Make sure that no box is checked under “Mute”.

5. Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup

Audio Devices window

Side Bar

Click the Built-in Output.

Under Mute any of the boxes checked? If so, uncheck it.

Make sure that CH1 and CH2 volume sliders are at the middle and matched.

6. System Preferences > Sound> Sound Effects

Play sound effects through:

Select "Internal speakers" and then back to "Selected sound output device".

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Answer 6

cmmacair Author

Level 1

13 points

Mar 17, 2015 11:51 AM in response to dominic23

None of this worked for me. Under Audio MIDI Setup, there is nothing listed. Also, under System Preferences -> Sound, the mute button is checked but it is grayed out and will not allow me to uncheck it. Any other thoughts?

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Answer 7

dominic23

Level 10

84,024 points

Mar 17, 2015 1:59 PM in response to cmmacair

If you option click the sound/volume icon in the menu bar, does it show "Internal Speakers"?

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Answer 8

cmmacair Author

Level 1

13 points

Mar 17, 2015 2:05 PM in response to dominic23

It does not. It shows no input or output devices found. It shows the mute button is checked but I can't toggle the sound marker and it won't let me uncheck the mute button.

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Answer 9

Jun 10, 2015 9:15 PM in response to cmmacair

Has anything changed for you??

I have exactly the same problem word for word as you.. I have tried everything.. My sound is muted out, there's no red light in the port, the port isn't dirty, there are no options to change the sound settings.. It's like my computer has completely forgotten it ever had speakers or can transmit sound of any kind.. it doesn't play through aux or anything..

It's so weird, I think we will just have to go to apple with this as it seems like the end of the line?? Genius Bar?? 😟

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Answer 10

Dec 15, 2015 9:26 AM in response to cmmacair

hey did you fix this problem and if you did would you please let us know how you fixed it

thanks

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Answer 11

Apr 2, 2017 5:50 PM in response to tristan4144

Im having the same problem can someone please help me.

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Answer 12

Apr 2, 2017 6:21 PM in response to Mattdolamite

It was fine until I updated it also.

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