Red light in the headphone output of my MacBook and no speakers.

My MacBook recently has been shining a RED light out of the input for the headphones. This is accompanied by the problem of me not being able to get sound to play out of the internal MacBook speakers...I believe the two are related. I am able to play music when I plug in headphones and hook my computer up to my TV, but when I disconnect the source I cannot hear anything coming out of the computer itself. When I try and adjut the volume with the buttons on the keyboard the volume icon appears and a little "no smoking" or "circle with a line through it diganal" appears next to the level of volume that I want to hear...Can anyone please give me some insight as to what may be the problem with my MacBook.

there's a small switch in the very back of the headphone jack. I know it doesn't sound like a good idea, but just take a tooth pick or something small and flick the tab by the light. it's somewhere around the 4 or 5 o'clock position.
the switch turns the computer's audio out from digital to analogue and seems to get stuck with some computers. mine had this problem but hasn't resurfaced since.

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No sound on my mac book and a red light in the headphone jack

as in the title,
The sound controls dont work and I have a constant red light out of the earphone jack, with the earphones in all is okay but without ....silence

The red light is the digital in light, that is how it reads the headphone jack. The reason the sound doesn't work is because a switch to turn the speakers back on is stuck (note that if you boot the computer, you will hear the startup tone).
There are several ways to fix this...
Some have found that putting the headphone plug in and out several times (maybe twisting it a little) will work.
Others have used a toothpick to adjust the switch (I don't advise this because the toothpick may break).
Instead of a toothpick, many have used a paperclip (probably best to use an insulated one). I couldn't get this to work, but I would suggest straightening, folding in half, then twisting the paperclip and moving it around in the port.
You can also use a sewing pen/needle.
I have seen all of these methods online, but they didn't work for me. I took a que from this instrucable and cleaned my jack with a dry q-tip. I then cut off most of the end and turned it around inside the port. This worked, but after I put the headphones back in the same problem came up, I just did the same procedure again and it worked again (even after I plugged the headphones back in and took them out).
PS: I woud suggest putting some q-tips and possibly some scissors in your MacBook bag in case the problem arises on the move.

Is it dangerous to look at the red light in the headphone jack?

I recently purchased an early 2009 model white MacBook. Today I was installing Windows on it and I noticed a red light coming out of the headphone jack. I thought there must be an LED in there to help you locate it in the dark. I was curious about it so I crouched down next to the computer and looked inside the jack to see what the deal was.
At the time I didn't know that there is such a thing as an optical audio jack. Obviously I now know that's what the red light was all about. Now I'm wondering if looking at that light could have injured my eyes. Is it a laser, an LED, or something else? Does anyone know how dangerous it is to look at that light? I looked directly at it from close range for perhaps 3-10 seconds, with eyeglasses on. I don't remember it seeming uncomfortable to look at.

Thank you both for your replies.
GfulDedFan wrote:
To the best of my knowledge, that light shouldn't be on when the port is empty.
Yes, my understanding is that that light should only ever come on when there is a Toslink mini-plug adapter inserted into it (or at least a regular 3.5mm analog plug). However, like you said, I've seen a number of posts on the internet about that switch that turns on the digital output (red light) getting stuck in the on position (even without having plugged in a Toslink adapter). My understanding is that in my case the light came on because I was in the process of installing Windows and the driver for the audio hardware hadn't been installed yet.
GfulDedFan wrote:
As far as harmful rays, I doubt that it would be harmful because I've read about this audio problem before but never with a cornea damage attached to it.
I did look inside the jack directly at the light. I think it might be the retina that would be at risk if anything, but in any case, I sure hope nothing was damaged.
JoeyR wrote:
The power for the lasers used for digital audio is very low.
Is it a laser?
JoeyR wrote:
Especially if you didn't find it uncomfortably bright.
I don't recall having a reaction that it was uncomfortably bright and then having to force myself to look at it. If it had seemed uncomfortable I don't think I would have continued to look at it.
I don't think I actually became concerned about it until I found out that the light is for digital audio output and wondered if it is a laser. Not that I recommend looking right at a bright LED either. But I wasn't expecting a bright LED either (let alone a laser) -- like I said, my first thought was that there must be an LED inside to make the jack easy to locate in the dark (I was in a darkened room at the time.
JoeyR wrote:
If you've ever, even very briefly, had a low power laser pointer hit your eye, you'd realize it is super bright.
Fortunately I haven't, but someone who did have a laser pointer aimed at their eye told me they noticed it when they felt a burning sensation on their eye.
JoeyR wrote:
Any damage would almost always be nearly immediate. If you haven't had a problem, you're fine.
Do you think any damage would be readily apparent right away, in the form of pronounced discomfort or noticeable vision problem?

No sound on Boot Camp (Windows 8) red light in the headphone jack ?

I have a MacBook Pro 9.2 (i7 3rd gen, HD4000, 750GB, 8GB) and i install Windows 8 Pro 64 bit. I have a issue with my headphone jack only when i use BootCamp i have the latest driver for it (download from bootcamp application OSX). I see that inside of the headphone jack there is a red light i think that it is the optical out of it. I try to reinstall the driver no succes. Now i need help to fix it

The red light means you have jammed the digital audio jack by inserting an analog plug too far. It is not a BootCamp issie--can happen to people without BootCamp. Here is the reason for the problem I posted in another thread:
Background, or "why this happens": the audio-out port on a modern Mac is digital and is held to high dimensional standards. Most headphones have an analog plug not made to such standards. The specific issue is the the "tip-to-stop shoulder" distance on many analog plugs is just a bit longer than on a digital one and jams the "mute" contact inside the port in the muted position. <deleted>'s advice to insert a plug and gently wiggle it in the horizontal plane is exactly on target unless you are under warranty, which would still necessitate a trip to an Apple store for service.
The best action is prevention. When connecting headphones (or external speakers), put on the headphones and have an audio track running BEFORE you insert the plug. Insert the plug slowly, listening for sound on both channels and, when you hear it, STOP INSERTING.
Bottom line is you do NOT want to insert any random plug "to the hilt" until you know it is dimensioned to fit a digital port.
My MacBook Pro has the same jack. I have a pair of decent-quality, name-brand headphones and their plug is not to spec. This picture shows their plug in the port at a position that delivers proper sound and does not let the plug fall out:
Note that the shoulder is about 1/16-inch from contacting the computer case. It is secure in this position.
Every plug is different. I have a pair of El Cheapo external speakers I picked up for US$2 at a yard sale and their plug fits perfectly on my Macs with a digital audio port. Go figure!

My speakers on my macbook receiently quit working after I had been using some headphones. My headphones still work whenever I plug them in with both increase and decrease in volume. I have also noticed a red light on the inside of the headphone jack.

My speakers on my macbook pro quit working the other day after using my headphones. when I try to adjust the speakers my screen indicator sayes that it is at full volume on the bar but also muted(circle with line through it). I also noticed a red light inside my headphone jack. My headphones still work including volume. Any quick fix?

Hopefully one of these steps should solve the problem.
1. System Preference > Sound > Output > Internal Speakers
    Make sure Mute is not enabled.
2. Remove the headphone.
    If you see red light in the headphone port, plug the headphone
    in and out of the port 5 or 6 times to flip the microswitch inside.
    Sound output may be stuck in the digital mode.
3. Reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
4. 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".

On my ipod touch 5 i can see clearly a red light insode the screen on a dark background but on a light background i can faintly see yhe red light what is the light i don't know

On my ipod touch 5 i can see clearly a red light inside the screen on a dark background and i can faintly see the red light on a dark background what is the light, i don't know help me!

You did not answer my question in my reply to your other post
https://discussions.apple.com/message/25834405#25834405
Did you try the suggestions in my other reply?
It is very rude and counterproductive to make a new post and not acknowledge replies to another post you made.

No sound output and red LED in the headphone socket

Suddenly there is no sound output from the built in speakers of my Mac Pro 17 in. Sound is only heard through headphones and there is a red LED in the headphone socket.

Here's a tip: using the headset that came with my iphone (the one that has 3 bars on the mini jack instead of the usual two) seems to trigger this issue! I'll try to never ever use that headset again for my Macbook! This has happened before and always when I use the iPhone headset, but unfortunately sometimes I forget. Thank you for your sharing.
Ciao!

HT2995 I have no audio output implementing the toslink digital , can see the red light at the input end to audio recv'r any thoughts

does the toslink output need turned on , currently there's a toslink connected to the headphone output , but no audio

Hello, what shows as Sound Ouput choices in System Preferences>Sound?
Also...
Open Audio Midi Setup in Applications>Utilities, see the input & output options & KHz setting there.

HT5783 My MacBook Pro (Mid-2009) digital output has stopped working. It turns on the red light at the other side of the plug, but fails to connect with my receiver. Output from Airport works fine.

It was working fine until now, and now suddenly, the sound is gone. I've tried PRAM and SMC reset. Nothing works.
Using the same cable with my airport express, through airplay, the sound comes out fine.
It wasn't working when on Mavericks, nor now, on Yosemite.

Hey marcalc,
Thanks for the question. I understand that you are experiencing issues with the digital output of your MacBook Pro. The following resource may provide a solution:
OS X Mavericks: If you can’t hear sound from your speakers
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13841
If you’re trying to listen through a digital receiver
If you’re using your computer’s digital output port (not available on all computers), choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Sound, then click Output. Make sure Digital Output is selected.
Make sure your computer is connected to a digital-ready receiver using an optical digital cable, and that your receiver is set up for digital input (see the information that came with your receiver).
Try adjusting the volume on your receiver. You can’t use the computer’s volume controls to adjust the volume while using digital output.
Thanks,
Matt M.

Red light emitting from headphone out (spdif /digital out)

hey guys,
i have a red light emitting from my headphone out. I can plug-in the headphone but when i want to hear the built in output (comp speaker) nothing comes out.
i tried to swtich this option, doesnt give me the option, anyone know how to make this red light go away?
macbook pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Andreyas...
The red light is the data signal that is transmitted if you plug in an Optical Audio device such as surround sound speakers. I had the same problem for a short while with my 17' MBP. Sound was working fine from my built in speakers but I plugged in some earphones to listen to something that I did not want the rest of the office to hear and after pulling the hearphones out, the optical signal (red light) was being transmitted. The switch Cessna is referring to is the switch that is triggered inside the port that tells OSX that earphones/optical audio device is plugged in and to shut down power to the built in speakers. When the device is un-plugged from that port, the switch should get triggered again and power up the built in speakers and disable the optical light signal. Perhaps there is the slightest defect on the earphones you are plugging in that are preventing it from triggering the switch when the earphones are un-plugged.
Try a different sent of earphones to maybe trigger the switch if you are uncomfortable with the paper clip solution.
Yaniv
MacBook Pro 17" Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Getting red light on the audio port

Hi, im not able to get sound on my macbook, ive tried using a headphone, and it works fine, but as soon as i plug out the audio jack, i see a red light on the audio port, and the sound icon is grayed out...
I've read similar problems on the forum, but could not get a resolution, can someone help me out with the correct resolution of this problem????

the toggle switch inside the audio jack it flipped the wrong way, so your mac still thinks your headphones are still plugged in. Try to rapidly insert and remove the headphone jack in and out of the port to toggle the switch back.

I have a MacBook Pro. My mac can detect wifi. But will not connect. I did get connected vis TCP/IP settings but I can't connect to any wifi anywhere. Network diagnostic has a green light for wi-fi and wi-fi settings. Red light for the rest.

I have a MacBook Pro. My mac can detect wifi. But will not connect anywhere. I did get connected via TCP/IP settings but I can't connect to any wifi anywhere. Network diagnostic has a green light for wi-fi and wi-fi settings. Red light for the rest. (Network settings, ISP, Internet and server.)

Hello NotAppleSavy,
Thanks for the question. After reviewing your post, it sounds like the computer wont connect to networks. I see you have used network diagnostic. I would recommend that you read this article, there are a lot of other things you can do in this article that may be able to help you resolve or isolate the issue.
Wi-Fi: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Have a nice day,
Mario

I've got a mac pro problem with the starting up, but also a red light on the logic board solidly on. Its not among the diagnostic led. It's located near the BT adapter and the front fans. Also the fans run loud also. any solutions?

Hi
I've got a mac pro late 2006, and i am having problem with it for quite a while now. the problem i am facing is the start up process, and the red light on the logic board. Earlier I've got the two led on the diagnostic leds 5 and 6 turned on without the diagnostic button being pressed, and i think those are related to the processors overtemp. I've managed to solve that by, removing the processors and re applying the thermal compound on the heatsink. what i have left now with is the red light on the logic board at the time i plugged in the power. At the same time when this light come on, the power indicator at the front panel come on as well. i am not sure what is this light relates to. We've replace the power supply too, and gone through the SMC reset but seems no help.
Any idea on the problem? I am desperate about it, and i will be greatful if anyone can help..
thanks and hope for your best solutions
Kari

I can't help directly with your problem but you might check here http://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/macpro/ for a service manual which could answer your question.

My Macbook is not playing sound unless i have headphones in. The light in the headphone plug stays on even when they are not plugged in. How can i fix this?

My Macbook is not playing sound unless i have headphones in. The light in the headphone port stays on even when they are not plugged in. How can i fix this?

You might need to clean the headphone port (I was in the same situation and this worked for me). Dirt, dust, and debris accumulate in the port and eventually the computer registers the debris as headphones being plugged in. After cleaning the issue was resolved.

Red lights behind the power button

In reading through some posts last night I got the impression that I should be paying more attention to the lights inside the box, behind the power button, when booting (or I should say attempting to boot) my dual-core G5 PowerMac.
My observations this morning are that I see a big red light when the machine is first powered up from cold, and also when it is restarted. That goes off. A few seconds later, before the chime, I see a brief, much smaller red light flash in that same area. Almost a pinpoint.
Is that normal, or is it diagnostically significant?
(As noted in my earlier post today, I'm launching a final effort to fix this sick puppy before I give up and take it down to the Apple Store, but it needs to be a campaign of controlled baby steps.)
TIA,
Kathi

Hmm, on second thought I'm not so sure... but I don't have time to open the thing up right now and figure out exactly where each of those LEDs is. The drawings in that article and in my manual aren't terribly helpful.

Red light in the headphone output of my MacBook and no speakers.

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