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Mac mini (mid 2010), Sierra upgrade, sound not working

I upgraded my Mac mini (mid 2010) to Sierra 10.12, and the output sound via the headphone / optical digital-out port has stopped working. However, oddly, this output does work when the video display is asleep.

I usually have the sound outputting through the optical digital-out port, to the digital in port of my Yamaha DVR S300 sound system. The video output is via HDMI to a Sony Bravia Color TV (KLV-40S220A). It is an old setup, but has worked well for a number of years. This problem has only emerged with the upgrade to Sierra.

Steps taken so far:

Rebooted the Mac mini - makes no difference
Tested the headphone / optical digital-out port, by swapping the digital-out connection to some analog headphones - no sound output
Changed the audio output of the Mac mini to HDMI - this works; the sound outputs through the TV

I discovered by accident that the optical digital-out port does work when the Mac mini puts the screen to sleep. So it's possible that there is a setting that disables the optical digital-out port when there is an active HDMI output. However, I am stumped and would appreciate some guidance as to how to rectify this issue.

VIN,Mac mini (Mid 2010), macOS Sierra (10.12), null

Posted on Oct 15, 2016 5:35 PM

Best reply

MVMike

Level 1

114 points

Posted on Mar 10, 2017 11:45 PM

PROBLEM AREA FOUND - thanks to lukefrombrno on another Apple support thread.

He found that the problem lies in the MIDI default settings.

Since I've never launched or touched this App I gave it a go and it fixed the issue in minutes.

Sound returned every time after numerous reboots as well.

1) Spotlight search for the App - Audio MIDI Setup - Launch the App

2) Change the default Format settings to 2 ch / 16 bit / 44.1Mhz for all your devices on the Left

3) Once all are set the same, close the App. Tap your volume ctrl and the click click click should be

music to your ears ( It certainly was to mine after months of silence )

OK APPLE - GET TO WORK PATCHING IN 10.12.4 !!!!

View in context

27 replies

Oct 22, 2016 10:52 AM in response to Community User

Thanks James for you reply. I just tried again and confirmed safemode. also tried the SMC reset but no luck. For now, I am using the the sound thru the hdmi to the TV and digital out from tv back to my preamp.

heertum

Level 1

4 points

Oct 23, 2016 11:23 AM in response to patrickt888

I face the same isasue, restarts as above make no difference unfortunately.

So same here, my surround spekers are not in use anymore only HDMI on the TV :-(

Any othe suggestions?

Oct 25, 2016 11:56 AM in response to ChrisFromAbbotsford

I also have the exact same problem. Issue persists after 10.12.1 update.

Restored a 10.11.6 backup and the optical output works fine again.

Oct 26, 2016 6:13 AM in response to mikaelfromnorrköping

5.1 optical output from my Mac mini server mid 2010 to my Denon AVR 3311 worked perfectly over the years up to the day I updated to mac os sierra, 10.12. No sound at all after the update. No sound after the most recent 10.12.1 update. Boot into safe mode and SMC reset brought back stereo output but still no multichannel visible in midi control.

Switched to the HDMI output for 5.1 sound for now.

Nov 1, 2016 3:00 PM in response to ChrisFromAbbotsford

Anyone testing the first version 10.12.2 beta?

Nov 30, 2016 4:09 AM in response to ChrisFromAbbotsford

Update to my update. The Safe mode restart only briefly solves the problem. If the Mac Mini goes to sleep, when it wakes up again, the headphone output no longer works. And the problem then persists until next time I restart in Safe mode. I have also reinstalled Sierra, and this solves the problem, once only.

So the problem remains, and it is extremely frustrating, because it has basically destroyed much of the utility of my computer aka entertainment unit. Apple needs to sort this out!

Dec 24, 2016 10:52 AM in response to ChrisFromAbbotsford

Yes, same here, a very annoying and recurring problem. Spent >10 hours in total trying to fix it. Recurs with some but not all Sierra updates (e.g. the latest one). So far I was always (and only that way) able to fix it with a complete fresh re-installation of Sierra. Apple Software engineers need to take notice of this....

Mar 11, 2017 8:38 AM in response to shkarst

Yep, it usually does work with wireless keyboard. If you have an external monitor connected you can tell that it's in safe mode because it loads much slower. Then you have to log in

Apr 18, 2017 6:11 AM in response to MVMike

Same problem here.

May 1, 2017 3:36 PM in response to ChrisFromAbbotsford

I have the same problem and it is frustrating and apple is definitely ignoring the situation.

Jul 28, 2017 8:38 PM in response to MVMike

same symptom for me (mac mini 2010) with 10.12.6 update as well.

SMC, nvram resets did not work for me. neither did safe mode reboot

Bill L

Level 2

175 points

Sep 9, 2017 8:19 PM in response to MVMike

This worked. Hooray! 🙂 I'd add that one needs to go to Window => Show Audio Devices to get to the audio settings (took a little hunting on my part).

Thanks!

Mac mini (mid 2010), Sierra upgrade, sound not working