Internal/built in speakers suddenly missing?

I was playing music through a pair of external speakers in my office and when I came home and tried to use my MacBook Pro's own speakers, they now don't work. In fact, they appear to be gone. In System Preferences, under Output, all that's listed is 'Digital Out -- Optical Digital Out Port' (and if I put in headphones, headphones replace that). There is an internal/built in microphone under Input. I have no idea where the internal speaker suddenly went.
I tried restarting, using the headphones (which work just fine), and reading around in the forums. Any help would be much appreciated!
PS - There's an occassional (i.e. I haven't figured out what triggers it) red light in the earphone outlet.
Message was updated by: souligner

I am wondering what kind of optical digital output it is.
Is the fiber optics using red light from a plain LED or a laser diode?
Soulinger, please be careful about looking into the connector until you know which it is.
You do not want to look into a laser.

Similar Messages

Tecra A8, WinXP SP2 - issue with built-in speakers

Hello there,
I know this issue has been brought up a few times, but I can't find a solution.
I recently inherited a Toshiba Tecra A8. Problem is : the built-in speakers can't seem to work, but the sound is just fine on external speakers or headphones. The speakers used to work at some point in the past, but the previous owner can not tell me what caused the sudden change.
Here's what I did, chronologically, after browsing multiple forums :
- SP3 was installed when I got the computer. I tried to revert back to SP2.
- I've reinstalled XP (had to, machine was too slow). SP2 came with the install CD.
- I've installed two XP hotfixes that were supposed to solve the problem : KB835221 and KB888111
- I've re-installed the Realtek Audio HD codec
- I always try muting/unmuting after everything I do, even before or after a reboot.
Here's what I can tell so far :
- Sound icon is present on the system tray. All volumes are up, whether on the Windows sound manager or on the Realtek one.
- I do not have DOS beeps.
- I'm still on SP2. Didn't try moving on to SP3 (on this new XP install, of course).
- Before I did reinstall Realtex Audio HD, the "internal" option listed under "I/O audio" was shown, but I couldn't access it. After the reinstall, it simply disappeared.
I think that's pretty much it. I came across the same solutions on different forums or group discussions. I've been searching for two days now, to no avail. The computer has never been dropped or damaged, and since it seems that a lot of people experience(d) the same problem as mine, I'm pretty sure it's not a hardware problem. Well, I hope it's not.
So there. I urge you, nay, I beg you to work your magic and come up with a flawless, absolute solution that will give me back the joy of listening to Justin Bieber in peace. Or something else.
Thanks in advance !
Toshiba Tecra A8
Windows XP Pro 2002
SP2
Intel Core 2
T5500 1.66GHz

> the built-in speakers can't seem to work, but the sound is just fine on external speakers or headphones. The speakers used to work at some point in the past, but the previous owner can not tell me what caused the sudden change.
The speakers dont work but the sound is coming from headphones and external speakers?
Well, this would mean that your sound driver is OK and this is probably a speaker related problem. I think it speaker hardware malfunction :(

How does one reestablish no sound from either internal or external speakers in iMac 10.6.8?

All of a sudden I have no internal or external speaker output from my iMac 10.6.8. I've tried to reset permissions and rebooted computer with no effect. Can you help please? Vic

Repair permissions & restart.
Check your settings in the Audio Midi app which is located in the Utilities folder.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1574 Troubleshooting issues with no audio from built-in speakers on Macs
Trick/Tip: Open up GarageBand if installed then, open a program (optional).
Quit out of the GarageBand app.
=====================
Repairing the mysteriously muted Mac
The background on the issue is that there’s a small sensor switch inside the headphone port. When you insert a headphone jack, the sensor understands what's what and changes the sound output setting to Headphones. If you insert a jack for digital audio output, the device changes to Digital Out. When you remove the jack completely, it should read Internal Speakers.
The spirits tell me that there’s a very good chance that you recently had something jacked into this port—a set of headphones or a cable leading to powered speakers, for example. When you removed the jack, something in the port prevented the sensor from tripping correctly. That’s why you see Digital Out instead of internal Speakers.
The solution is to force the sensor to do its job. The safest way to do that is to simply run a jack in and out of the port a few times. Much of the time, this takes care of the problem by correctly tripping the sensor. If that doesn’t work, there may be gunk in the port. Before turning to more invasive techniques, get a can of compressed air, attach the small tube that fits the nozzle, and blast a few shots of air into the port. With any luck, that should dislodge the gunk and the port will operate as it should.
If that doesn’t work, find a foam-tipped swab that fits (electronics shops generally carry them), dip it in rubbing alcohol, and gently insert it into the headphone port in an attempt to wipe away any stubborn gunk. I recommend foam rather than cotton swabs because the cotton variety might leave threads behind. (This same technique works well with misbehaving headphone ports on devices such as iOS devices.)
It's possible that gunk has nothing to do with it. Rather, it may be that the switch just needs a subtle nudge. If a jack or swab doesn't work, I've heard of people successfully resetting it with a deft poke of a toothpick.
http://www.macworld.com/article/2031146/repairing-the-mysteriously-muted-mac.htm l

Is it possible to use the built-in speakers when headphone connected?

I have a mini amp and speakers connected via the headphone jack on my late 2009 21.5" iMac.
First, is this the proper way to make this connection?
If I want to switch to use the built-in speakers, I can do so by unplugging the external amp. However, it seems that there should be a way to do this via software. But, I can't find it. Is it possible? If so, how?
I don't always want to make use of the external amp, I want to use it for music and videos, but not otherwise. And, I don't want to have to unplug it when it's not in use.
Thanks.

System prefs> sound> output.
select your internal speakers in there.
No need to unplug your mini amp.
This actually works on your Mac? I doubt it. This does not work on either the Early '06 iMac, nor the Early '09 Mac mini in my house. When anything analog is plugged into the audio-out port, the name of the device in Sys Prefs/Sound/Output simply changes from Internal Speakers to Headphones, there is no option for one or the other.
This has been asked over and over here, and I know of no way to do what the OP has asked.
Dah•veed

How do I get my built-in speakers to work again

I recently had my built-in speakers stop working less than a year after purchasing my MacBook Pro 15". About 24hrs ago, my built-in speakers were working fine. At some point, I was using my bose headphones, and after I unplugged them, my speakers did not work. I've confirmed that the sound is not muted. I have sound visible on the desktop bar, but it is grayed out. I looked on my system preferences for audio output, and my speakers are not listed as an option. Only optical digital-out is an option besides my Apple TV.

Have you tried a PRAM reset?
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379
If you look in the audio output port, is there a red light showing. If so, the internal switch is stuck.. Insert the headphones a few times, jiggle a toothpick inside or shot some compressed air to trip the switch. If no success, have the Apple store genius bar technician do it.
Ciao.

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.

Solution for sound system problem (built-in speakers)?

I have my macbook pro since 2012 and I never had a problem. I was listening to music on youtube this morning when the sound started to be not clear. It's like my built in speakers are not built in anymore and are far away from my mac. It's quite annoying because it's the same issue with all the software (Itunes, Skype....) Some has clue and can help me. Thanks in advance.

1. System Preference > Sound > Output > Internal Speakers
    Move the Volume slider a bit to right. If Mute is checked, uncheck it.
2. Some sound settings are stored in PRAM. Reset PRAM.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
3. Reset SMC.
     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
    Choose the method for:
    "Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".
Hope this helps.

I have lost all audio on both my internal and external speakers.

I have lost audio on both my internal and external speakers. I have checked the System Preferences when my external speakers are plugged in it is acknowledged. When using internal speakers they are also acknowledged. Sound volume on Preferences is on and fully high. The sound buttons on the keyboard do not work and the sound level is now locked in at full sound and cannot be adjusted using the keys. The System Preferences shows that Mute is now checked and I cannot uncheck it. What should I do to get my sound back both internally and externally?

Repair permissions & restart.
Check your settings in the Audio Midi app which is located in the Utilities folder.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1574 Troubleshooting issues with no audio from built-in speakers on Macs
Trick/Tip: Open up GarageBand if installed then, open a program (optional).
Quit out of the GarageBand app.
=====================
Repairing the mysteriously muted Mac
The background on the issue is that there’s a small sensor switch inside the headphone port. When you insert a headphone jack, the sensor understands what's what and changes the sound output setting to Headphones. If you insert a jack for digital audio output, the device changes to Digital Out. When you remove the jack completely, it should read Internal Speakers.
The spirits tell me that there’s a very good chance that you recently had something jacked into this port—a set of headphones or a cable leading to powered speakers, for example. When you removed the jack, something in the port prevented the sensor from tripping correctly. That’s why you see Digital Out instead of internal Speakers.
The solution is to force the sensor to do its job. The safest way to do that is to simply run a jack in and out of the port a few times. Much of the time, this takes care of the problem by correctly tripping the sensor. If that doesn’t work, there may be gunk in the port. Before turning to more invasive techniques, get a can of compressed air, attach the small tube that fits the nozzle, and blast a few shots of air into the port. With any luck, that should dislodge the gunk and the port will operate as it should.
If that doesn’t work, find a foam-tipped swab that fits (electronics shops generally carry them), dip it in rubbing alcohol, and gently insert it into the headphone port in an attempt to wipe away any stubborn gunk. I recommend foam rather than cotton swabs because the cotton variety might leave threads behind. (This same technique works well with misbehaving headphone ports on devices such as iOS devices.)
It's possible that gunk has nothing to do with it. Rather, it may be that the switch just needs a subtle nudge. If a jack or swab doesn't work, I've heard of people successfully resetting it with a deft poke of a toothpick.
http://www.macworld.com/article/2031146/repairing-the-mysteriously-muted-mac.htm l

Safari audio goes through built in speakers

I am using an Edirol FA-66 audio interface and the default audio output is set to this, however recently the audio from safari (and firefox if used) comes through my built in speakers (as does the bbc radio widget) and volume is not controllable with the mute button and volume controls on my keyboard, it is only controlable from the audio midi setup internal audio volume slider. All other apps (iTunes, logic, vlc etc. etc.) come out via my interface. Its obviously a hassle.
Any ideas as to what has caused this and how i can resolve the issue?
iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.8) 2GHz, 512 RAM

Most apps that have an equalizer tap into the digital stream and introduce a noticeable delay into the audio. If you need to keep some video in synch with the audio, then an app such as airfoil, which I use won't work. Just to let you know when you search.
Here are some that seem to fit your requirements
http://mac.softpedia.com/downloadTag/audio+equalizer

Macbook Pro 17" - My built in speakers are not working.

Macbook Pro 17"
My built in speakers are not working.
The speaker logo is not highlighted (grey not Black) and when in sound options "output" pane only displays the digital out for 'optical' - ie, the internal speakers dont register (headphone socket works)
Any ideas?

1. If red light is visible in the headphone port, plug the headphone into and out of the port 5 or 6 times
     to flip the microswitch inside the port. Hopefully that will make the mode revert back to analog from digital.
2. Reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
3. Reset SMC.   http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
     Choose the appropriate method.
Hope any one of these steps helps.

Ipod touch built-in speakers wont work anymore. please help

Like I said my ipod touch built in speakers wont work now yesterday I was able to hear and use them when I was using the pianist app from the itunes store and it worked fine and today I redownloaded the digidrummer lite app since my old one for some reason didnt work and once I did download the app I synced to my ipod and tried to play and noticed that no sound came out so I tried other apps and also my music and also no sound. with headphones connected it works fine sound comes out and all.

K, so last night I tried the home+sleep/wake button hold thing and reset it that way and also just normal shutoffs which didnt fix it and also tried the ideas that you guys said and no go. everynow and then it would make the sound when I unlock it. so i just left it on and let the battery die see if that would do something it got to 10% and shuts off i guess so then i charged it on my stereo system with an ipod dock and was listening to music then i disconected it and to my suprise it started playing through the internal speakers again. I was skeptical at first so I turned it off and tried again it worked. so i went to the app that I think caused the problem in the first place called digidrummer lite I was able to hear the drums tom toms etc went to the home menu tried again played that app once more but this time there was no sound. I went to my music and everynow and then it would play but fade out or not play at all. so I took digidrummer off and so far the speakers are working again but I will still need to test them more.

HP Pavillion dv5-1235dx laptop - No audio from built in speakers of recently purchased laptop

I purchased my laptop (HP Pavillion dv5-1235dx laptop) from best buy on Saturday, May 9th, less then a week ago. Yesterday the audio/sound stopped working completely - from the built-in speakers. I can hear ALL sound just fine from headphones. Only the internal speakers aren't funcioning. I did online troubleshooting, and also chatted with a technician, and I still have the same problem. I ran all updates, the status on the sound driver says it is funcioning properly. Even the little fluctuating green bars (on the volume control) SHOW that sound is coming out, but still unless I have headphones in, no sound comes out. The HP monitering software DID pop up and say there were critical errors and the computer needed to be updated yesterday, but I don't know if that was related because once I did all the updates, the audio still had the same problem. Please help me out.
Thanks,
Kalli

If it is less then a week, just return it to bestbuy. You may have a loose connection in speaker jack.
Have you try to use recovery DVD? try to install it to the factory setting.
If it does not work, definitely you have a hardware problem.
Pavilion DV2922TX, XP-SP3 32bit, Intel T5750 2.0Ghz, Nvidia Geforce 8400M GS with 128MB, 4GB 667 DDR2, 250GB HDD

My MacBook Pro has no audio. Sounds preferences showing output is Optical digital-out port. How do I change this to built-in speakers?

My MacBook Pro has no audio. Sounds preferences showing output is Optical digital-out port. How do I change this to built-in speakers?

I experienced this same problem yesterday on my MacBook Pro, still searching for a solution, several other posts here indicate people have been experiencing this since at lease 2007. I have yet to find a clear solution.
It appears that occasionally inserting headphone causes this, it turns on the Optical digital-out port feature (red light glows inside the headphone port) and takes away the internal speakers option. Restarting did not restore it, but for some reason after sitting asleep overnight the sound started working again and the internal speaker option return in the Sound - Output Window, and the Optical Digital-out option went away.
Here is another post with some ideas on this
https://discussions.apple.com/message/4160477#4160477

Sys update removed built-in speakers from output options

Hello All:
Can anyone help me get my sound working again? Can someone tell Apple they shouldn't have fired everyone who checks that their updates don't screw up machines in other ways?
Problem: No sound after installing updates. Built-in speakers have been removed from sound output preferences dialog.
System: 10.4.11
Hdwr: MacbookPro 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Details:
Yesterday I installed two updates:
2009-05-24 13:06:57 -0700: Installed "Security Update 2009-002 (Intel)" (1.0)
2009-06-08 00:56:54 -0700: Installed "Safari" (3.2.3)
After, no sound comes out of my built-in speakers. Machine has been re-booted, sound control panel checked many tiems, etc. The only options in the sound pane>output are :
digital out Port=Built-in Output
soundflower (2ch)
soundflower (16ch)
All options say, "Settings for this selected device: The selected device has no output controls".
So, the built-in speakers have been zorched somehow.
Apple help doesn't say much other than make sure nothing plugged into headphone jack (there isn't).
I now cannot participate in any of my scheduled skype conferences ---crap crap crap.
The last security update caused deletions of libraries for x11 on my G5 10.3 machine, now this one has killed my sound on my other machine. Fixing the aftermath of these updates have really become a time-sink. I wish someone would tell Apple to take a little more care with testing these updates.
Apple engineers, are you listening?
Thanks,
-Bruce

Sorry, I just got a fix for my own question: "sys update removed built-in speakers from output options"
This was provided by www.mac-forums.com. Apparently, this was a ???coincidence??? and a hardware problem, not a software problem(!).
BTW I didn't resort to WD-40, I just plugged in a sound cable repeatedly.
Thank you all for putting up with me, and I do apologize to apple for dis-ing their testing this time (but not last time when they zorched my x11 libraries!)
-Bruce
===========Fix from http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/apple-notebooks/88527-no-output-devices-found-n o-sound.html
Macriot has the solution:
macriot - Apple Hardware | The Fix For No Sound From Your MacBook Pro or iPhone
Contributed by "Mac":
<quote>
For MacBook Pro owners this is commonly characterised by:
* the internal speakers still chime when your Mac is powered on
* a 'no parking' like symbol appearing below the sound icon whenever you attempt to manipulate the volume on your Mac
* the red light that continues to emanate from the audio output port
* only "Digital audio out" as the only output source displayed in the Sound pane of the System Preferences.
If you have these symptoms, we recommend a very gentle and minute tinkle of WD-40 into the audio output jack, followed by gently inserting and removing the audio input jack a few times. At least until the sound is returned to normal and red light ceases to glow from the audio output jack.
Remember, we said "tinkle" not spraying into the jack like there's no tomorrow...
Following the steps above will give you a good chance of restoring your internal audio.
</quote>
This worked for me; doubtless, there had been dust or smear or something else polluting the macintosh perfection. Everything else people are doing is incidental and only coincidentally will have effect. Sorry, but this is a mechanical issue, not a software one.

No audio from built-out speakers on my Mac book pro

no audio from built-out speakers on my Macbook pro, but with external headphones or speakers it does work. I see a red light inside the audio line-out port when you disconnect devices. What can I do?

The internal switch is stuck.
Insert the earphone jack several times.
Blow real hard into the audio output ort.
Take a toothpick and jiggle inside the audio output port.
If no success, visit the Apple store genius bar.
Ciao.

Internal/built in speakers suddenly missing?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for