sophiesarah

Q: Sound is locked on mute

So this whole evening I have been unable to listen to any music or watch any videos; there's no sound. I restarted my laptop, removed my earbuds like a 100 times. Nothing. I just updated to El Capitan, thinking; perhaps this will work. Nothing. But, now it's locked on mute. At first i'd be able to turn the volume up and down, without any sound, but now it just shows the sound icon with the 'ø' icon underneath. Again; I restarted my laptop, removed my earbuds, and when I go to 'Sound' in System Preferences, there's no output devices found.
What do I do?

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.0.x)

Posted on Oct 16, 2015 1:00 PM

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Q: Sound is locked on mute

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  • by sophiesarah,

    sophiesarah sophiesarah Oct 16, 2015 1:57 PM in response to sophiesarah
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2015 1:57 PM in response to sophiesarah

    Just did a Safe Boot (no sound), and restarted again. Still, no sound. Clueless

  • by sophiesarah,

    sophiesarah sophiesarah Oct 16, 2015 2:11 PM in response to sophiesarah
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2015 2:11 PM in response to sophiesarah

    Screen Shot 2015-10-16 at 23.10.08.png

    Nobody?? at all??

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 16, 2015 5:15 PM in response to sophiesarah
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Oct 16, 2015 5:15 PM in response to sophiesarah

    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. 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. If not, the machine needs to be serviced. 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 not appear 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 sophiesarah,

    sophiesarah sophiesarah Oct 17, 2015 3:30 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 17, 2015 3:30 AM in response to Linc Davis

    I did everything, I even reinstalled OS X. Nothing. How can this happen? Every thread I look up, people find the solution, but I don't? This is ridiculous. I'm this close to throwing this laptop out of the window.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 17, 2015 6:29 AM in response to sophiesarah
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Oct 17, 2015 6:29 AM in response to sophiesarah

    I did everything

    What happened when you took Step 15?

  • by sophiesarah,

    sophiesarah sophiesarah Oct 18, 2015 4:54 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 18, 2015 4:54 AM in response to Linc Davis

    We only have three apple stores in our whole country

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 18, 2015 6:41 AM in response to sophiesarah
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Oct 18, 2015 6:41 AM in response to sophiesarah

    You could also go to another authorized service provider.

  • by sophiesarah,

    sophiesarah sophiesarah Oct 22, 2015 4:03 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 22, 2015 4:03 AM in response to Linc Davis

    I'll look at that, thank you.
    Also, my left usb-port has stopped working, and my laptop won't charge anymore. When I stick in the magsafe connecter, my mac says it's charging, but the light on the connecter isn't showing up and my mac doesn't actually charge, it just stays at the same percentage. The charger does work on my mom's mac.
    Could this be connected?

  • by jay._.jay,

    jay._.jay jay._.jay Jun 20, 2016 12:56 AM in response to sophiesarah
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 20, 2016 12:56 AM in response to sophiesarah

    Hi Sophie,

     

    I am having the same problem with my macbook pro.

     

    Did you manage to fix the problem on yours?

     

    Thanks,

    JayJay.