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.
Clinton

Similar Messages

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that seems like a lot of people had in the past and still have, but I see that a couple of discussions on it here have been archived.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.

Macbook pro - no audio - no option for internal speakers in sound prefs.

No audio will play from my 2011 macbook pro. It is fully updated. In sound preferences, there is no 'internal speakers' option to select in output, and no 'internal microphone' in input. No red light in headphone jack. Any solutions?

1. Reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
2. 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".
3. Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup
    Audio Devices window
    Side Bar
    Click the Built-in Output.
    Under Mute any of the boxes checked? If so uncheck it.
    Option click the speaker icon, if present and select Internal Speakers.
4. Launch iTunes and play a song through headphone and adjust the volume

TS1574 n in head phone port,no option for internal speakers in option tab

Internal speakers not working, red light in head phone port, no option for internal speakers in option tab. No luck with tooth pick or paper clip.

1. Reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
2. 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".
3. Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup
    Audio Devices window
    Side Bar
    Click the Built-in Output.
    Under Mute any of the boxes checked? If so uncheck it.
    Option click the speaker icon, if present and select Internal Speakers.
4. Launch iTunes and play a song through headphone and adjust the volume

No audio with 64 bit Vista Ultimate, red light in headphone jack

So I've been searching these forums for the last several hours, trying to find some helpful tidbit of knowledge to help me in this situation. I have whatever the latest version of bootcamp installed, and just did a full install of Windows Vista Ultimate (64 bit). With relative ease, I got everything working except for sound. With the generic driver off the Snow Leopard install disk, it tries to tell me it's working, but there is obviously no sound. The red light inside the headphone jack stays on all the time, and I have tried all the dumb tricks suggested for that issue too. I have unsuccessfully manually installed the latest realtek driver (2.28), and even tried both the 32 bit and the 64 bit. The 32 obviously does nothing, but with the 64 it tells me the device won't start, and shows that obnoxious yellow exclaimation point. Just trying to progress beyond this point so I can hear what I am trying to do in windows. Please help!

Same problem here. Daily I plug in speakers at the office, then rely on internal speakers while on the road/at home. I use old analogue speakers that go into the headphone jack.
I don't think i have any firewire audio out devices, but think i might put my hands on a USB one, so will try a varient of that trick.
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.
Apple, please note there are two other related threads on this, one small at
Topic: "Sound optical out/ Headphone"
and a very large one (which may conflate several problems) at
Topic: "Entire sound on PB is gone ! "

Help! red light from headphone jack and strange sound issues!

Help! I use my baby for listening to music and watching DVDs almost constantly when I'm working, and just the other day it started doing something really odd whenever I start doing something that involves sound!
If I'm listening to a song, watching a DVD, playing a game, whatever, as long as it involves sound it does this. What happens is, it'll be fine for up to a minute, and then it starts making this staticky skipping noise and losing the tracking on whatever it is I'm doing (game, song, DVD, etc.). This happens whether I've got headphones or speakers plugged in, or I'm using the laptop speakers. Also, a red light flashes from INSIDE the headphone jack with every staticky noise.
Everything else works fine. The problem doesn't appear as long as I'm not doing anything using sound, and it goes away about a minute after I stop using sound when it appears. It just started doing this yesterday, which was an entirely uneventful day and no different from normal. I traveled, but the laptop stayed in its case the whole time and didn't get dropped or jostled or anything.
I depend on my music to keep me sane! I can use my iPod for now, but I've got finals coming up and I need to use music while I study! HELP!

if the red light is flashing at the output, it means that the computer is trying to output a digital optical signal.. which would explain why your audio is cutting in and out, cos it's flipping randomly between digital out and built in speaker, which means the speaker is being intermittently muted.
the reason for this is that the sensor in your audio output port is dodgy. this sensor is supposed to detect when you have a digital optical cable connected, and yours seems to just be going a bit nuts. fraid the only way to get it properly sorted is to take it in for a service.

When on windows xp red light from headphone jack and low sound

I put windows xp sp3 on my computer about a week ago. There is a red light that comes from the headphones jack that is always on. The sound is only audible at full, it is extremely low. I don't understand this problem. It only happens when Im on windows (T_T I like to play sims). Does anyone have any information, or helpful suggestions about this? Thank you.

I think this was covered in the update for bootcamp.

How do you disable "digital optical output" so the red light in headphone jack goes off and I can use the internal speakers?

HI,
I have a red light in my headphone jack and I see "correct responses" listed as "when digital output is enabled speakers are disabled." That's all well and good but doens't really help. HOW do you disable the "digital output," get the red light to turn off and be able to hear through the speakers? What's the SOLUTION to the problem. Sorry, just a bit frustrated. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Best,
dpeast12

Allegedly this can occur if there is a contaminant in the headphone jack that makes the computer believe there is an optical connection there, so it shuts off the internal speakers.
Try inserting and removing a headphone plug repeatedly. This ought to dislodge the junk, and seems to have fixed the problem for others. Hope it helps!

Red light from headphone jack--- no speaker volume

I am sure that I have done something wrong
but I no longer have any external sound or control of sound for that matter
and there is often a red light shooting from my headphone jack.
what must I do to regain control of my sounds.
thanks
1.67 g4 powerbook hi res Mac OS X (10.4.6)

The red light from your headphone jack is probably from the 'optical digital output'.
I don't know that model of PB but does enabling the digital out turn the headphone out off? Check in the sound control panel.
Phil

HT2494 2012 MacBook Pro - no sound from internal speakers, red light in headphone port

Mid 2012 MacBook Pro 15".
I normally use external speakers plugged into headphone jack.
The other day I unplugged the external speakers and when I re-booted my Mac, I got the start up sound
but I have no sound coming from my internal speakers. In System preferences sound output I see no entry for internal speakers.
I also notice a red light shining in the headphone jack port. I see on youtube that this problem is rather widespread.
Some suggest using a paper clip to try to turn the light out, but I am not doing that.
I have Lion installed, tried using the MIDI-app to reconfigure the speakers, but I only get sound if the headphones are plugged in.
Is this a software or hardware problem?
I have a genius bar appointment today at my local Apple retail store, and my mac is still on warranty but this
is troubling that you spend $2300 for a laptop and after a bit of regular use the internal speakers no longer work.
Any ideas?
thanks.

I agree Nick - it is a concern especially on such a basic function (sound) - Linc is right, the issue is microswitch, sounds like a bad design or a huge batch of sub quality switches, checking the forums this issue is common on MBP's.
Judging by the date and lack of further activity I assume you managed to get yours fixed at the genius bar ?
I finally fixed mine myself but posting reply for others who have same issue as this - however buyer beware folks, try this at your own risk !!!
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 !
Method -
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
(I performed this whole excercise outside where the WD40 could drain out without an issue ;-)
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.
As stated, can't endorse this for anybody else - you do so at your own risk - just stating this is what I did to get mine working again !

Ipod shuffle 4th generation device not shown on itunes, not charging. Seeing red light when connecting to USB charger for a few seconds, then nothing. How to fix this?

My ipod shuffle 4th generation was working fine for a few months. My son then bit the USB charger. I bought a new USB charger, but the shuffle is not charging and not showing up under the devices in itunes. It also doesn't appear in my windows under my computer. Just to note. I also have a new ipod touch. I am able to charge that fine on the same computer using the USB charger. The device (Ipod touch) does show up in windows and in itunes. The shuffle doesn't show in either place.
I have tried to use the apple support page. I went through each step. I made all of my USB drives not shut down, I had my computer on all night to try and charge the shuffle. All I see is a red light that appears on the shuffle for a few seconds when I first connect the USB charger to the computer. Then, nothing. Since this was working a bit ago, I don't think that I have a defective shuffle. The USB charger is brand new, I just picked it up yesterday from the apple store. I have the short one, and the longer cable as well.
Any help that you might be able to give to me would be much appreciated. My daughter is missing listening to her music. Thanks!

Instead of "charger," you should call it the "USB cable" to avoid confusion. When started reading your post, I was thinking, how can your son break a USB power adapter (the "charger" that plugs into a wall socket) by biting it...
Since you got the product with the two USB cables at the Apple Store, you have the right replacement (some third-party replacements are for the 2nd gen shuffle and do not work with the 4th gen shuffle). Make sure you are completely inserting the plug into the headphones jack. The fit may be tighter than expected, since the connectors are new.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3572
If you tried both of those cables, it would be unlikely that you got two faulty cables in one package. If a new USB device has been added to the computer between the time it worked with the old cable and now, there could be a problem on the USB bus (such as not enough power or a device conflict).
As a test, you should shut down (power off) the computer and disconnect all USB devices (including any hub), except for standard keyboard and mouse (if used). Do this to reset the shuffle
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1655
Start up computer, run iTunes, and connect the shuffle by itself to a direct USB port on the computer.

Red light at headphone socket under Vista Ultimate

I plug headphone into Headphone socket but sound still comes out from speakers. I notice there is a red light in headphone socket. This problem only happens when I use Vista Ultimate by boot camp . In Leopard OS that's fine. Headphone works well. I search the website and someone said use toothpick to reset the socket, so I tried but no lucky. Can anyone help me? Is microsoft did it on purpose for our new switchers from Vista to OS? LOL
Pls help!Thanks in advance.

And the Cirrus Logic reply (had to edit it for privacy purposes):
Thank you for your note. Cirrus Logic as you know is an IC company, providing products for a wide variety of applications and customers. If you are experiencing any issue with a particular product, the path of recourse is to work directly with the manufacturer of the product.
Best regards,
The Cirrus Logic PR person
To: Subject: New Apple MacBook Pro with Cirrus Logic CS4206(AB75) chips...
Hello:
I found your e-mail address at your website and I hope that you can route this to the correct technical people at Cirrus Logic. I recently received an Apple MacBook Pro Mid 2009 model which is brand new to replace the Late 2008 model. It is possible to run Windows on the Mac using an Apple technology called "BootCamp". Apple supplies the drivers required by Windows for all of the hardware in the laptop including the sound drivers. On this model, the sound chip is supplied by Cirrus Logic and is a CS4206. The problem that I as well as many other Apple users with these new laptops who also run Windows is that our sound volume coming from the onboard speaker is not nearly as loud as when we are running Mac OSX with is the original operating system. There is also a red light coming from the headphone jack indicating that the optical output is always on. Apple has not acknowledged the problem so far: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2037093&tstart=0.
Once again if you could please route this to the right people. There must be someone at Cirrus Logic with some knowledge of this.
Thanks.

IPad (1st gen.) headphone jack just stopped working, Internal speaker works fine

iPad (1st gen.) headphone jack just stopped working, Internal speaker works fine

If the headphones work in another device, then the headphones are OK.
If different headphones work in the iPad, then the iPad is OK. If not, check the headphone socket for fluff ot other debris. If you see nothing, try repeated plugging and unplugging several times.
Resetting the ipad may do the trick as well.

I bought a bluetooth Bose speaker so I could listen to music from my imac in multiple rooms at the same time. I wanted to use BOTH my existing speakers using the headphone jack and add additional bluetooth speakers in other rooms, but the imac wants me to

I bought a bluetooth Bose speaker so I could listen to music from my imac in multiple rooms at the same time. I wanted to use BOTH my existing speakers using the headphone jack and add additional bluetooth speakers in other rooms, but the imac wants me to pick one or the other, is there a way to have both?

I asked same question
Any answers

No sound from internal speakers, red glowing light in headphone jack

Okay. Have seen a few posts on this topic, but scattered symptoms, resolutions and ideas. Here is my timeline and plan:
My speakers went out spontaneously running 10.4.5 when I switched to battery power. We had a blackout here in L.A. and I was trying to play a DVD for the kids- no internal speaker sound.
* There is a red light glowing from the headphone jack. Never noticed this before, it seems to be a sign associated with the problem.
* External speakers/headphones work fine.
* Absolutely no sound from any app, alert or startup unless something (speakers/headphones)external is plugged in.
* if nothing is plugged in, the slider volume control in the menu bar is greyed out at full volume. Sound pref panel only shows "digital out" as choice, but is greyed out. "Built-in speakers" is absent as a choice.
What I've tried:
Select/deselect "look for spekaers" option in iTunes.
Update to 10.4.7
Update all listed apps to latest in Software update (iTunes, QT, etc.)
Trash sound prefs
Zap PRAM
Clean install from OEM DVD
Restore System from previous backup (although last backup may have been corrupt because I may not have noticed the problem for a while.)
That's about it.
My plan: Take PB to genius bar today and see what they say.
I'll report back what they say.

I have had the same syptoms as the above people in my PowerBook and was hating life without sound. i got to thinking about what earlier people had posted and concluded it could not be a software problem, that it had to be a hardware problem. I thought, maybe the headphone jack was just dirty, you know, plugging headphones/speakers in and out of the computer many times, it could have just gotten dirty. If I just clean it with rubbing alcohol, maybe that will do the trick. It did! I have been going two days and am doing great!
THE BOTTOMLINE!
Clean the headphone jack out! I used a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. (I have found that making my own q-tip with a toothpick and a small amount of cotton works better because it is thinner than the stick for a q-tip. Just twist the cotton to the edge of the toothpick.)
For all you people out there who try this and it works for you post for other people so they can be more confident that it does work.

Red light inside headphone jack. no option for internal speakers.

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