Headpone port not working with hdmi connected

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Level 1

18 points

Headpone port not working with hdmi connected

After updating to macOS Sierra the headphone port on my mac mini (mid 2010) will not work with my display connected over hdmi. I have selected the headphone port as output device in the menu, but there is only silence. If I remove the hdmi cable I get audio over the headphone port. I'm guessing there is some kind of bug with audio over hdmi that causes this. Is there any way to deactivate hdmi as an audio output device so it just defaults to the headphone port? Or some kind of other workaround?

best regards
Martin

Mac mini, macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Sep 28, 2016 3:50 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

92,290 points

Sep 28, 2016 6:36 AM in response to mm9000tut

Reset the SMC, as per > Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

and then the NVRAM, as per > How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

Try switching the sound output in System Preferences > Sound > Output

and then also from Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.

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Answer 2

Oct 15, 2016 8:46 PM in response to mm9000tut

Yes - This solved the problem for me as well. I had a very strange manifestation, my headphone jack would work only during sleep. As soon as the system went to awake mode, the sound stopped playing. Same with standard HDMI Cable - unplug it, sound started playing; plug it back in and it stops. Further into the Twilight Zone, I can use the HDMI adapter (not the miniDV) for monitor signal and everything returns to normal operation. I too spun my wheels with PRAM & SMC reset attempts, deleting pref files, restarting, etc. At the moment, this appears to be the problem and the solution. Thanks!

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Answer 3

mm9000tut Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 29, 2016 5:51 AM in response to den.thed

Hello, I did the steps you, but there were no change. Ended up getting a miniDP to DVI adaptor and connecting my monitor that way so now it is working. Thanks for the suggestions.

Martin

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Answer 4

den.thed

Level 10

92,290 points

Sep 29, 2016 5:57 AM in response to mm9000tut

.

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Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

92,290 points

Sep 29, 2016 6:11 AM in response to mm9000tut

That is one way a great way to fix the sound output to HDMI problem.

FWIW I've always only used a DVI or dual DVI monitor setup with my 2010 and 2012 Mac Mini's.

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Answer 6

Rudegar

Level 10

181,044 points

Sep 29, 2016 8:29 AM in response to mm9000tut

I would sort of assume that to be by design same as an ios device muting when a headset is connected an my iMac muting when I connect the external speakers

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