IMac sound output changes

As I'm trying to watch tv shows I've bought from iTunes the sounds keep turning on and off.
I opened the sound preferences and found the output was switched to digital out- I cant even remember the last time I put headphones in!
Then, as I put my show on, right before my eyes the sound output changed from digital out to internal speakers (at which point I could hear my show once again) before it just as quickly changed to digital out without me doing anything at all!
How can I stop this?

I don't think there is a real fix to the problem, there was a thread about this a while back and no one came up with anything, but to just get it to go back to built-in output, try plugging an 1/8th inch cable into the audio out jack, then either a) jiggle the plug in the jack (seems to have worked for other people) or b) adjust the computer volume (worked for me - I used the keyboard buttons rather than the sound preferences to do it, not sure if it makes a difference), then unplug it, and your sound output SHOULD change back to your internal speakers. Hopefully. Try both methods a couple of times if it doesn't.

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Device for sound output changing randomly

After the latest OS update, I've been having issues with my sound output settings. My sound will play most the time through the "line out" setting, but then randomly the "sound effects" will play thru the internal speakers. I keep changing the setting in the "sound" panel of system prefs but it keeps changing randomly on me. I've saved the setting and rebooted and thought it would be fine, but it keeps doing it. Once my Sound Output setting were changed too, and my music just started playing thru the internal speaker.
Anyone know what's up with this, and what could correct the problem?

It may sound silly, but from my own experience (having had exactly the same problem while working on a soundtrack) after snooping around I found that the plug/cable I was using (a cheapo cable) was somehow the guilty party.
It fit snugly, no wobble, no crackling, changed the cable and all problems went away.
Same cable works 100% now used to hook up the iPhone to the mixer.
Seems to make no sense, and yet... voodoo (or a badly soldered plug).

Using iMac sound output with JBP 'Creature' speakers

Am trying to install a pair (set actually) of JBL Creature speakers. I am using the iMac digital audio output which I understand should also serve as an analogue output. However, the sound out of the JBLs is quite muffled, tinny, and low, which leads me to believe that something is wrong. Any clues?
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HI,
I have the Creature with satellites. One of your satellites should have a plus and a minus sign. That is volume. The bass and treble are on the Creature subwoofer.
The outlet you use on your Intel based iMac is the one closest to the right side on the back.
Make sure your cables are seated properly. They connect "just right". I have found the Creature to have superior sound for such a small system.
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Retina Macbook using iMac sound output?

Hi I'm currently using a thunderbolt display with my retina macbook pro. I'm thinking about getting an iMac instead of the thunderbolt display.
I know you can use the iMac as a secondary display for the rMBP just like the 27" thunderbolt display. But my question is can I use
the iMac's headphone output on my RMBP through thunderbolt? I think this would be really convenient, hope my question makes sense
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I don't know - I have a Thunderbolt Display but not an iMac...
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Sound Output changes from headphones to HDMI after waking from sleep

My late 2013 Retina MBP has had this issue since I purchased it last year, but I'm hoping there's a solution.
When I'm working at my desk, I have an external monitor connected via HDMI (and a 2nd via Thunderbolt). The Monitor connected via HDMI has (crappy) speakers. Even though I have headphones plugged in, when I wake the machine from sleep, the audio device will revert to HDMI.
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Thanks

Others here are also suffering from similar problems after the last update.
see > loss of sound after waking up from sleep: Apple Support Communities
and > TS4113 Mac mini looses audio output...: Apple Support Communities
For some installing the > OS X Mountain Lion Update v10.8.5 (Combo) over the top of the current 10.8.5 version solved the problem.
It might also help to report the problem to > Apple - Mac OS X - Feedback
and/or > Apple - Mac mini - Feedback

Sound Preferences Changed when using HDMI - Yosemite

Mid 2010, 27'' iMac
3.6 GHz Intel Core i5
14G RAM
When using the HDMI output (from my iMac, into my Lenovo laptop) my default sound output preferences are being changed since upgrading to Yosemite.
I have an external sound card for my monitor speakers. the sound card is my default in and output.
When I insert the HDMI into my laptop (and use the iMac as an external monitor for my laptop) Yosemite changes the default sound output to the iMac internal speakers. I've used the keyboard to (cmd + F2) and toggled between the laptop external display and iMac home screen and can see the sound output changed to internal speakers)
Appreciate this is quote a specific issue
Any ideas if there is a work around for this?
CT

Hi,
Please try this first to enable Speakers in Playback devices as follows:
1. Right click speaker icon (bottom right hand corner)
2. Select Playback devices
3. Right click HDMI sound
4. Enable it
5. Click Apply/Ok
Regards.
BH
**Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

System preferences in iMac for sound output shows only headphones. How do I change this to get sound through computer? Thanks.

In sound System preferences on iMac headphones is only option for sound output. How do I change this to get sound output through computer, as in a video etc. Thanks.

There is a switch in the jack that may be stuck. Try plugging and unplugging a headset plug into the socket a few times.
You might try dipping the headset plug into some pure alcohol, wiping it nearly dry, and repeating the process to clean/clear the socket.

Can not change sound output. Help Please

Well, i've been digging all the forums lately in web. my problem is, i can't change my 'system' sound output to my sound card which is Native Instruments Audio8 Dj.
Let me explain my problem decently. I do the usual procedure, system preferences > sound > n then select the output. but nothing happens. it is always set on internal speakers or headphone or whatever plugged in to the *Built-in Output*. I try switching from audio-midi setup n that doesn't work as well. The system perfectly recognizes the sound card, i can get output from sound card with applications which have their own output settings. But i cant change the system output. I have the latest version of soundflower loaded(this might be causing the problem who knows), i used many soundcards before(or maybe even ex-drivers?) n they used to work until i updated to snow leopard. I also tried trashing the files in macintosh hd > library > preferences > audio >>
and those files *did not regenerate* after restart(like 10 times), so i had to copy them from my imac.(hehe). i tried resetting pram or nvram.(didn't do any good too)And also i tried trashing soundpref.plist which didn't do me any good neither. Now i need that sound card to give me my system output. I don't need drivers of any other ex-sound cards or whatever. My drivers are up to date. And im pretty sure this ain't an hardware fail.
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I am having the exact same problem. I have spoken with Apple Care and they are having my case reviewed by "Engineers," apparently. Its very frustrating as I cannot listen to iTunes or any of my video games through my really nice monitor speakers. FYI, I had this problem without installing Sound Flower, since then I have installed it in the hopes that having something different to select it might work but no changes. If I hear any good news from Apple I will be back to let you know. This seems to be a very rare problem as I have only found one other post about this issue.

Sound output: keeps changing from internal speakers to Apple TV

My iMac keeps changing the soudn output from internal speakers to Apple TV. Why. This makes it a pain. Eveytime I use the iMAc, I have to go into preferences>sound>output and switch to internal speakers. Any ideas how to stop this form happeneing?
Thanks!

If you use LogMeIn, it is their sound driver. I'm having identical problem and it started after using LogMeIn.
See this page;
http://community.logmein.com/t5/Free/Mac-restore-defaul-sound-output-device-on-d isconnect/m-p/88522/highlight/false#M8093

How to change sound output?

Howdy
I recently bought a high-end toslink cable which I connected from the optical/digital out from my iMac to my receiver. The sound quality is excellent, however I noticed that all sounds now gets passed to my Hifi system all the time. The only way (I could find) to route sound to the internal speakers is by physically unplug the cable. This is really not workable in the long run as it wears down the plug and, not to mention, my patience...
So, anyone know any way to switch output to internal speakers w/o having to unplug the cable? Or is there another approach (I'm thinking Airport Express)?
/Cheers

Unfortunately, you cannot select +Internal speakers+ in System Preferences Sound pane Output tab, if you have something plugged into the audio output port.
If you got an AirPort Express, its AirTunes feature would certainly work for iTunes output. However, I believe AirTunes would only play the output of iTunes. So it would work great as long as you were only playing songs and videos using iTunes, because all other sounds will come from your computer speakers. No need to change any setting manually, after you are done listening over the stereo system. However, it would not work so great, if you wanted the audio output of some other programs to be played from the stereo system; but there seems to be a third-party solution for that issue
http://www.rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/mac/
If you have separate powered computer speakers that connect using a standard mini-jack, one alternative is to get a USB (or possibly FireWire) sound output device (if you want to be able to change the sound output setting manually). The least expensive one may be the Griffin iMic.
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/
It provides a second sound output port over USB, so it should show up as a separate choice in System Preferences Sound pane Output tab. Therefore, you should be able to use the Sound preference pane to manually switch the sound output from you stereo system to the computer speakers connected over the USB iMic.

The choice of headphone jack is not showing up under the system preferences - sound output options. Therefor, my speakers suddenly do not work with my iMac

On my Intel based iMac, OS 10.6.8, my speakers suddenly were not transmitting sound. When I checked the System Preferences, Sound output, the headphone option was no longer available. This has always worked in the past - what is up?
Anyone have any suggestions???
Ellen

Applications > Utilities > AudioMIDI Setup.app
Audio Devices window
Side Bar
Click the Built-in Output.
Under Mute any of the boxes checked? If so uncheck it.
Plug in the headphone and check whether in the output headphone shows up in the same panel.
If so, you can adjust the volume there.
Reset SMC and PRAM.
     Reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
     Reset SMC.     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
     Choose the appropriate method.
Best.

How can I change default audio / sound output or remove the displayport audio option?

I upgraded from Mavericks to Yosemite and while I don't have any of the number of issues that see to accompany that move, I've discovered a different one that is not necessarily related to it, but is irritating.
2014 Macbook Pro Retina
I use a thunderbolt to displayport (AKA just displayport) cable to attach a Dell monitor to my mac at the desk.
Prior to this update, the mac ignored the display as far as audio was concerned (the Dell does NOT have audio built in). But now it seems to think it does.
Moreover, it continually switches back to that Sound output in the preferences whenever I plug or unplug an audio source from the audio jack. This is Annoying!
Is there any way to either
1) set the default to prefer the internal speakers / headphones instead of the DP?
2) remove the Sound output for the DisplayPort connection (which is a false connection since the Dell doesn't actually have AUDIO)
Thanks much

I found the com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist and Com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist, but can't make sense of either enough to feel confident in altering any entries there. here's the SystemSettings one that seems like it might have something you could change, but...

Selecting sound output on new alu iMac

I realise there have been quite a few posts about similar topics in Apple Discussions, but I would be really grateful if somebody could answer this one. I am using Tiger 10.4.11 (i'm waiting for software updates for Leopard to be released before installing it).
My question is, why haven't I got the option to switch sound to my iMac's internal speakers while still having my headphones plugged in?
When I go to System Preferences > Sound, the only sound output options I have are 'Headphones', and the Bluetooth headset that I use for iChat. It seems logical to me that I should have the choice to switch between internal speakers and headphones.
When I unplug the headphones, the internal speakers show up, any ideas? Could it be something to do with the Audio MIDI setup options?
Thank you in advance for your help.

I have a newer alu iMac, 24" and I have SoundSticks connected (external speakers). My options for Sound in SysPrefs are the SoundSticks or internal speakers. I have the option to select either one, even while the external speakers are in use.
I would think that you should have similar options, but maybe the Headphone option cancels the internal speakers similarly to how cell phones work when an earpiece device is connected. You don't hear sounds coming from the phone until you disconnect the earpiece.

Can't change device for sound output

Hi,
Hi I've a MBP 17 inch that is plugged in to an USB sound card.
I usually just switched between the USB sound card and the internal speakers through the day, but for some reason that isn't working for me anymore.
No matter what preference I pick from the Sound Preferes output devices list, the Mac plays its sound on whatever device it picked as default -- for example, if I boot it without the USB audio card plugged in, it plays on the internal speakers; if I reboot it with the USB plugged in, it plays sound to the USB card.
So the actually problem is in switching between the devices.
I couldn't link this to anything abnormal, just started out of nowhere.
Any ideas? Any preference files I can delete or re-setup?
From the Console application, this is what I get when I try to change devices:
2/2/10 8:05:25 AM System Preferences[477] Error who? trying to set sOut device to 262
Thanks in advance.

I wasn't familiar with that app; I just tried it, and got the same problems.
It won't let me change the sound output.

Can I put ALL the sound output from my iMac through Airport?

Just got Airport Express, and managed to install it very quickly on my existing Belkin network. Just don't forget the $ before your WEP key.
Does anyone know if its possible to put ALL the sound output from my iMac through to Airport, rather than just iTunes? So internet radio, streaming videos etc?

Thanks matey - that's just what I was after.
Not sure if that will also let me put my iMac's system sounds through my HiFi - probably not - but then who in their right mind could possibly want to...?
(Be nice if you could though)

IMac sound output changes

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