Sound not working on mac resolved

Mac Sound Not Working? The Ultimate Quick Fix for No Audio Output!

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Darren’s Tech Tutorials!

Nothing is more frustrating than sitting down to watch a video, listen to music, or hop on a video call, only to discover that your Mac has suddenly gone silent. You know the volume is up, and yet—no sound!

If you’ve checked your volume buttons and confirmed that your apps are playing audio, the problem is almost always a simple configuration error: your Mac is routing sound to the wrong output device. Perhaps you unplugged a headset, disconnected a Bluetooth speaker, or closed a display, and the Mac simply failed to switch back to its internal speakers.

The great news is that this is one of the easiest fixes we cover. Let’s dive into how to correct your audio output settings and get that sound back immediately!

Why Did My Mac Audio Stop Working?

Before we jump into the steps, it helps to understand why this happens. macOS is highly flexible and remembers many external devices (like HDMI monitors, USB headphones, or AirPods). When one of these devices is connected, the Mac automatically designates it as the primary audio output.

However, sometimes the Mac gets stuck on that setting even after the external device is removed. If the Mac is trying to send sound to a device that is no longer there, you will hear nothing. Our mission is to force it to use the “Internal Speakers.”

Step-by-Step: Correcting Your Mac’s Audio Output

This quick troubleshooting process will take you straight to the System Preferences menu to re-select your desired audio output device.

Step 1: Access System Preferences

The journey to fixing your sound starts in the same place as most Mac configuration changes:

1. Click the Apple symbol () located in the top-left corner of your screen (the main menu bar).
2. From the dropdown menu, select System Preferences (or System Settings in newer macOS versions).

Step 2: Open the Sound Settings Panel

Once the System Preferences window is open, locate the control panel dedicated to audio.

1. Click on the Sound icon. This will open the main Mac audio control window.

Step 3: Navigate to the Output Tab

The Sound panel contains three primary tabs (Sound Effects, Output, and Input). We are interested in where the sound is coming out.

1. Click on the Output tab located at the top of the Sound window.

Here, you will see a list of all recognized output devices, which may include your internal speakers, connected headphones, monitors, or any currently paired Bluetooth devices.

Step 4: Select the Correct Audio Device

This is the critical step that corrects the “no sound” issue.

1. Look through the list of devices.
2. If your sound is currently out, you will likely see a device selected that you know is currently disconnected (e.g., an old Bluetooth speaker or a pair of AirPods currently in the case).
3. Click and select Internal Speakers.

Pro Tip: If you had music or a video playing while doing these steps, the sound should immediately start outputting from your Mac’s speakers the moment you click “Internal Speakers.”

That’s all there is to it! By manually selecting your internal speakers, you override any incorrect settings and force the audio back to where you need it.

Troubleshooting Different Output Options

Depending on your setup, you might have different output options listed:

• If you use a monitor with built-in speakers: Ensure you are selecting the specific monitor’s audio output if you want sound from it, or stick with “Internal Speakers” if you want the Mac’s speakers to handle the audio.
• If you are connecting headphones or USB devices: Make sure the device is plugged in before you open the Sound Output panel; it should appear instantly. If it doesn’t appear, try unplugging and replugging the device, then re-check the list.

Final Thoughts and Getting Back to Work!

Dealing with sound issues can quickly derail your productivity, but as you’ve seen, this particular Mac bug is incredibly easy to squash! Most “no sound” problems are just a quick trip through System Preferences to reset the default output.

We hope this tutorial helped you get your sound working again. Now you can get back to listening to your favorite tunes or finishing that important video!

If this short guide fixed your Mac audio issue, please hit the Like button below and Subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more quick fixes and clear technology guides. And if you have any further questions or unique audio setups, drop a comment—we love hearing from you!