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A Detailed Guide to Fixing MacBook Speaker Volume Issues
Do you hear crackling or muffled noises from your MacBook’s speaker when playing music or videos? Did sound suddenly become too low despite cranking your MacBook speaker volume to the maximum? This guide compiles eight (8) possible fixes to sound and speaker issues on your Mac.
If the built-in speaker produces no sound, check for any external audio device connected to the Mac via Bluetooth or the headphone jack. Also, make sure the media file you’re playing isn’t muted by default. Try playing other songs or videos to check for sound. If audio output is still very low or non-existent, proceed to the solutions below.
1. Modify Sounds Preferences
To make your MacBook’s built-in speaker the default audio output device, follow these steps:
1. Open System Preferences and choose Sound.
Step 2: Navigate to the Output tab.
Step 3: Check the built-in MacBook speaker is selected. Also, ensure the Mute box for the built-in speaker is unchecked.
2. Restart Mac
On numerous occasions, I’ve resolved sound issues on my Mac by restarting the device. If the built-in speaker is not producing sound despite being set as the default audio output, try restarting. Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the display and select Restart.
3. Close Core Audio
Core Audio is the process responsible for audio on Apple devices. Apple refers to it as the “digital audio infrastructure of iOS and OS X.” If your MacBook’s speaker volume is acting funny, force quitting the Core Audio process might resolve the problem.
First, launch the Utilities folder using the Shift + Command + U shortcut and double-click on Activity Monitor.
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Step 3: Tap coreaudiod and click the x icon at the top-left corner.
Step 4: Click Force Quit on the prompt.
The coreaudiod process will be restarted instantly and possibly eliminate the glitches affecting your Mac’s speaker’s performance.
4. Reset NVRAM/PRAM
Information about your Mac’s display resolution, speaker volume, and startup disk configuration is stored in the NVRAM or PRAM. Resetting these can resolve various software and hardware issues.
If you’re experiencing low speaker volume or a decrease in volume quality on your MacBook, you can reset the NVRAM or PRAM by following these steps:
1. Shut down your Mac by clicking the Apple logo on the menu bar and selecting Shut Down.
Step 2: Press the power button and immediately hold the ‘Option + Command + P + R’ keys on your keyboard.
Hold the four (4) keys simultaneously until your Mac restarts. This takes about 10 — 15 seconds.
Your Mac’s speaker volume should now return to its default state. Try playing a song and check if the low volume issue has been fixed.
5. Check In-App Settings
Some apps have their own volume control that’s separate from your Mac’s volume control. For instance, the Apple Music app has a volume slider in the top-left corner. If the app’s volume is muted, there will be no audio, even if your MacBook’s speaker (or external audio device) is turned up all the way.
Check the volume control of the app and make sure it isn’t muted.
For web browsers, make sure the tab that’s transmitting audio isn’t muted. Right-click on the tab and select Unmute Tab (for Mozilla Firefox) or Unmute Site (for Google Chrome).
For Safari, unmute a tab by clicking the speaker icon in the address bar.
6. Force Quit App
Is the problem specific to one app or is it system-wide? For example, if your Mac’s speaker doesn’t work with Apple Music, try playing a YouTube video on a browser.
There are cases where one app won’t transmit audio to your Mac’s speaker while others work fine. In this situation, force-quit the app and reopen it. To force-quit the app, use the ‘Option + Shift + Command + Escape’ keyboard shortcut or click the Apple logo on the menu bar and select Force Quit.
7. Update App
Software bugs could tamper with an app’s sound output. Check the App Store or the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest version on your Mac. Update the app from the settings menu if designed that way.
8. Update macOS
Lastly, ensure that your MacBook is running the latest macOS. Go to System Preferences > Software Update and click Update Now.
Loud and Clear
If the volume or speaker output problem continues after trying all of the troubleshooting solutions mentioned above, your MacBook’s built-in speaker is likely damaged. Visit an authorized Apple repair center or contact Apple’s MacBook Support center promptly.
Next up: Is your MacBook overheating unnecessarily? Read the linked post below to discover possible causes and solutions.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
My articles cover a wide range of topics, from troubleshooting out-of-sync audio on TikTok and managing Firestick devices, to understanding the impact of Capcut on video quality and resolving sound issues on Hisense Roku TVs.
I also delve into more general tech tips, like how to block numbers on landlines or use VPNs without Wi-Fi. My goal is to make technology more accessible and less intimidating for everyone, whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned user. I strive to offer clear, concise, and helpful advice to make your digital experience smoother and more enjoyable.