Macbook 2008 no audio from speakers - can't disable digital audio - red light in headphone jack

Looking for help with this problem, that seems like a lot of people had in the past and still have, but I see that a couple of discussions on it here have been archived. Too bad, as the problem continues.
I seem to be having the same problem with my late 2008 white 2.1Ghz Macbook.
I had used earphones a few times with movies and iTunes, with no problems. Now I've just rebooted to find that I have no audio from internal speakers (the boot up chime works though). Earphones work perfectly.
There is a constant red light in the earphone jack. The volume icon in the top menu bar is greyed out. In the Sound preference panel, Built-in Speakers are not available as an option for audio out. The only option is Digital Audio. If I connect earphones, then they are available as the only option.
I have tried all the various methods that people have recommended, to switch off digital audio through the earphone jack: trying to flip the little switch with a toothpick, paper clip, etc., as well as cleaning around inside the jack with a bit of rubbing or cleaning alcohol; also tried inserting and removing the earphones plug several times, while pushing the volume buttons on the keyboard. Nothing works.
I did get something from inserting/removing the earphone plug, as I seemed to be able to adjust volume from the keyboard, but I never got sound out from the speakers; the volume window seemed to indicate increase/decrease volume as I pressed the keys, but after a few seconds the volume window greyed out again with the No Entry symbol.
Trying to flip the digital audio switch in the jack occasionally gets the red light to turn off for a couple seconds, but then it comes back on.
Is there any particular problem with this that can't be solved by the aforementioned methods, that many people have used to solve it in a simple manner? Could my problem be more serious? Is there anything I could do if I opened up the Macbook, e.g., somehow to manually turn off the digital audio switch?
Any help greatly appreciated.

Got it fixed with a small flathead screwdriver with a fairly wide blade. Opened iTunes, started playing songs, had red light in headphone jack, as per usual with this problem.
Put screwdriver in jack, with blade more or less vertical, started moving it around inside of jack in clockwise motion, pressing pretty firmly. Took just a couple of "swirls" around the inside of the jack and then audio finally turned on! Was a bit of a hassle, but finally worked.
Many thanks to all for their suggestions.
P.S. re. advice not to use metal object. This was the only way I was finally able to solve the problem (i.e., using the small screwdriver). I didn't see where using a metal object would be a problem, seeing as the headphone plug itself is metal. Anyway, it worked.

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tried the "wiggle the plug" solutions, but no luck.
I have to say, after something like 20+ years of using apple products (IIC was my first), my instinct here is that this is a software issue. People are getting sound out of a variety of devices (USB, Firewire, headphone plug) and the problem is intermittant but recurring. I don't wonder if it didn't start w/ the last iTunes update (to 4.9)? just a guess there. (although note that when i was fiddling w/ iTunes, the system speed and iTunes slowed way down.
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Red light inside headphone jack. no option for internal speakers.

what do i need to do?

A toothpick.
Get a toothpick and wiggle it around in the audio out port until you 'flip' the switch for optical/digital out. The red light should go off and you should be able to select your internal speakers again for output.
Seriously. It's worked for hundreds of people.
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The fix won't be liked by Apple Support, the genius bar, or the repair shops but it worked for me after over 12 months of using headphones / external speakers - WHAT A PIA !
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Held Macbookpro on it's side with screen open and headphone/ audio port facing toward ground.
Took WD40 can with straw dispenser and placed straw inside audio port - sprayed 3 or 4 one second burst of WD40 into port.
Held MBP that way for 30 seconds giving MBP a shake to drain WD40 out
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I then took an old set of headphones and re-inserted / removed them from the audio port approx 20 times in and out with music playing on the MBP - intially when inserted music will only come from headphones then eventually MBP internal speakers start working !
I've tried everything else including the cocktail stick and bent pin inserted inside the port to try and free micro switch - nothing worked it was stuck fast.
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My headphone jack is glowing with a red LED and when I press any of the volume controls it just shows an error icon under the volume bar which is at full. I've researched this before, and everyone says to put a paperclip or headphones into the jack and wiggle it around, but this hasn't worked for me.

Hi, Zack.
Calm down. This is a quite simple situation to solve.
I had the same problem and struggled to find the answer. Apple's solution was to take my MB to the nearest authorized center (which is 250km away from my town), so, before taking such trip, I read lots of stuff and found a solution.
You, accidentally, triggered the digital audio switch that is found inside the audio jack, that's why you can see a red light coming out from it. You might have done so by plugging in and out a headphone or external speakers, so, the first attempt should do the same thing again.
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2. Use a resistant toothpick or similar-shaped tool, you won't want to have a piece of wood stuck inside your Mac.
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Product: HP G62 Notebook PC
Serial Number: [Personal Information Removed]
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No Sound from the Speakers (Windows 7)
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Although I am an HP Employee, I am speaking for myself and not for HP.

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Hello everybody!
I have a problem with my speakers can anyone help me? I have a satellite L855 laptop with realtek HD audio and windows 8. I was playing some civ 5 last night when my computer suddenly freezed. When i restarted the computer had a system update. After the system update the sound does not work from the internal speakers.
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Solved!
Go to Solution.

Try a System Restore back to just before you processed the "System Update". From the Start screen, type "System Restore" and select Settings at the upper right and then click on "Create a Restore point" at the upper left and follow directions.
If you post back to these Forums again, please include your COMPLETE model info as in my examples below.
C.B.
C.B.
Toshiba Sat. C75D-B7260 Win 8.1 64 Bit--Toshiba Sat. L775D-S7132 Win 7 HP SP1 64 Bit and Win 10 PRO Technical Preview--Toshiba Sat. L305-S5921 Win Vista SP2 32 Bit

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My system keeps freezing and stuttering I have ran many tests and all my hardware is a month old all parts brought brand
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Hi,
How about your problem now, you can paste your link as text style here.
In addition, please try to disable Graphic rendering for test. Following the steps below and check the option.
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Roger Lu
TechNet Community Support

Macbook 2008 no audio from speakers - can't disable digital audio - red light in headphone jack

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