How to Repair Basic Mac Sound Issues

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction: MacOS: Sound Issues

This guide will walk you through, step by step, diagnosing and fixing many basic sound issues you may have with your Mac computer.

2. MacOS: Mute

Push the Mute or Volume Up key in the top-right corner of your keyboard.

3. MacOS: Volume

Push the Volume Down or Volume Up key in the top-right corner of your keyboard.

4. MacOS: Sound Preferences

1. If you are not using headphones or speakers, make sure none are plugged in.
2. Click the Apple Menu, and choose System Preferences, then Sound.
   

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2. Choose Output at the top. Make sure your device is selected, the “Output volume” slider is not all the way to the left, and the Mute checkbox is not selected.
   

5. MacOS: Powercycle

1. Select the Apple menu, then Shut Down...
   

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2. Wait for your computer to shut down, and turn off.
3. Wait 10 seconds.
4. Turn your Mac back on by pushing the Power button on the keyboard.
   

6. MacOS: Reset NVRAM

NVRAM (nonvolatile random-access memory) is a cache of settings specific to your Mac. Resetting NVRAM is safe, however you will need to reset some of your minor customizations, such as volume, time zone, or screen resolution.

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Shut Down... (2).
   

1. Wait for your computer to shut down, and turn off.
2. Turn your Mac back on by pushing the Power button.
   

1. Immediately push and hold the option, command ⌘, P, and R keys on your keyboard.
   

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2. If your Mac plays a startup sound, release the keys after the second time it plays.
3. If there is no startup sound, release the keys after the second time the Apple logo disappears.

7. What's next?

8. MacOS: Test Audio in Multiple Programs

Try playing sound in another program.

For example, if sounds are garbled watching video in Safari browser, try playing music in iTunes.

9. MacOS: Quit and Restart Program

1. To quit an application, click the application menu at top, then choose Quit Safari at the bottom.
   

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2. Make sure the application leaves your Dock at the bottom or no longer has a dot underneath it.Running ApplicationClosed Application

1. If the program does not quit properly:
2. Click on the Apple menu, then click Force Quit.
   

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2. Select the app you want to force close, then click Force Quit.
   

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2. Click Force Quit when prompted.
   

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2. To restart the program, click its icon on the Dock or from the Applications folder.

10. MacOS: Powercycle

1. Select the Apple menu, then Shut Down...
   

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2. Wait for your computer to shut down, and turn off.
3. Wait 10 seconds.
4. Turn your Mac back on by pushing the Power button on the keyboard.