No sound out of MacBook speakers & red LED in Headphone jack

[SCMaverick]

Just this past weekend after watching a DVD (used the headphone jack to listen) I am no longer able to hear anything out of the speakers. I also now have a red LED light shining through the headphone jack. Under the 'Sound' option in System Preferences, it says "Digital Out" instead of "Internal Speakers".
I've called Tech Support and they haven't been able to help me. My next option is sending my laptop back in to them for service. I'd like to see if there if there is somebody out there that has had this same issue before I lose the laptop for atleast a week.
Any thoughts??

[andrewfee]

Try plugging some headphones in (or your Toslink lead, if that's what you used) and slightly wiggling the lead as you pull it out. (be gentle though)

I found that sometimes (pretty rarely) my Powerbook would get stuck on the headphone setting after listening to headphones on it, and this sorted things out. Only seemed to do it when it was new, it's fine now though.

[SCMaverick]

Thanks for the suggestion, however that didn't seem to help. I tried that about 5 times to no avail.
Any other thoughts or suggestions??

[brady.ca]

I'm having the same bad day. I've got no sound from my speakers and a little red light shining out my jack (sounds serious huh?).

In the sounds menu, I don't have the option to switch to my internal speaks. Only digital output is present. Now I can't hear anything. All because I just used some headphones in the jack. Nice.

On top of that, my DVD player isn't reading DVDs. Totally unrelated. But still. I need to take this piece a' dirt back but I'm in Germany for the next month and I'm stuck with it. Who needs DVDs or sound in a computer these days anyway. I wish Apple could help, but I couldn't find anything on the Apple site. Does anybody have a solution for either of these problems?

Cheers.

[brady.ca]

:rolleyes:
I found a fix for the red light problem. I'm not sure if I like it, but it works. After reading forum thread after forum thread of users that had this problem, I found a dude who fixed his jack with a rubber ended bobby pin. It seems a sensor gets bent (?) and the system thinks your digital external line is still plugged in. I took the butt end of a matchstick and tickled inside the jack. My red light went out. My internal speakers work again. Whatever.

[CBennett]

I tried the headphone jiggle to no avail, but the matchstick method worked perfectly. Thanks.

[madsstenhoj]

It worked for me too. Not with a matchstick, but with a little bronze stick. I found that it was in the top of the headphone jack input the switch was placed, and it needed only a gentle push to be helped back to ordinary analog status...

[monlam]

I got the same problem today.
I tried to reset PRAM and NVRAM, and it changed nothing.

Finally, I took in and out the headset jack 4/5 times and the red light switched off.
And the internal speakers began working again.

Bye and thanks!

[Pants Dragon]

That happened on my MBP. I fixed it with a paper clip. A metal one. Probably not the best idea. :p

[cardiac dave]

Just this past weekend after watching a DVD (used the headphone jack to listen) I am no longer able to hear anything out of the speakers. I also now have a red LED light shining through the headphone jack. Under the 'Sound' option in System Preferences, it says "Digital Out" instead of "Internal Speakers".


Just to clarify... that 'red LED' IS the digital (Optical) interface - confirmed by the note under preferences that the 'Digital Out' is enabled.

Jiggling the headphone plug, or using the match/pin trick should release the microswitch that turns the Digital Output on.

I'm surprised that Tech Support wouldn't come to this conclusion right away - the symptoms you described were pretty specific. Was it AppleCare you contacted?

[bluzharp]

Me too folks! Happened just now. Matchstick trick worked, but what the hell???!!! I paid $1300 for my 13 in. MacBook in June. This is an unacceptible way to "fix" the problem. I'm gonna milk my warrenty for all its worth.

[Kamera RAWr]

S**t happens. Your computer isn't broken.

I had this same thing happen to me. Plugged headphones back in, pulled it out... problem solved. :)

[mburgur]

Had this problem. with my Macbook pro.....simply plug and unplug phone jack in rapidly several times until the red light close....after go to pref. ....sound...select internal speakers and it works for me!

[Gleidus]

same thing happened to me

the only thing I had was the inside of a pen

I tried being gentle at first but it wouldn't do anything so after jamming it it finally worked. Tested with head phones once again :cool:

thank god for these forums or i'd be driving to the apple store right now
Stupid piece of junk!

[maryse]

I can hardly believe that this"low-tech" fix actually worked. Thankfully, I can cancel my trip to the "genius bar"...freaking idiots there. Thanks everyone...really appreciate the information. Audio works! ;)

[kwahamot]

Same problem. I found a thread on Apple.com that recommends using a toothpick to clean the headphone/speaker jack. Worked for me! Apparently there is a microswitch inside the jack that gets clogged with dust and then you get stuck in "Digital Out" mode. For $4000.00 you'd think it would come with its own toothpick!

[cledezma]

Same problem here. Solved it using a paper clip.

[kwahamot]

Objects with metallic properties, not recommended. ;)

[prm]

I found that the best non-metallic item is a cotton bud. I removed the cotton part and inserted in the headphone jack, and instantly the internal speaker came to life. :)

__________________
MacBook 2.0GHz 250GB 2GB| iPhone 3G 16GB

[bukilong]

I also had the same issue. I cut a q-tip in half. Using the smooth, non-cotton end, I was able to deactivate the digital output and restore the internal speakers within the sound preferences! Thanks for the help you guys! :)

[msinkula]

Too damn funny... the matchstick trick worked. I should have googled this problem months ago. Thanks everyone.

[MowingDevil]

Hilarious that stuffing Q-tips & matchsticks into a headphone jack is solving this problem. We should write a 'Household remedy a day to keep the Genius away' book.

[Tardigrada03]

After the use of a cotton bud or matchstick, or jiggling a headphone jack, the red light dissapears briefly, or starts flashing, only to turn on again after a moment.

Any ideas? Is it possible that the microswitch needs to be "pushed harder" to stay in it's off position?

Looking forward to hearing back from you,
and Thanks

[kwahamot]

Push it, push it real good...

[diegogo]

qtip worked as a charm.
had to wait a moment though, so if you're trying for the first time, do the matchstick-qtip-paperclip thing then wait a moment (like a sec) and try your volume keys again.

Oh what a laugh.

Expensive technology fixed by little pokey things...

[tbarclay]

I have the same problem, tried the match stick method but I'm having no luck. Can anybody recommend what I should try next?

The annoying thing to add to this problem is that i don't have the option of taking it back to a store because it was second hand from one of my teachers at college, I'm sure I could ask him to sort it out. How long does the warranty last for one macbooks? It was bought about 9 months ago

[kwahamot]

It might take a couple of tries with the q-tip or matchstick end to clean or reset the sensor/switch. Also check your audio preferences and make sure it is set to built-in speakers, if available. The red light should go out though, just gently insert it and wiggle it around several times and don't be afraid to go in a little deeper if it doesn't respond the first time. Just be gentle with it.

[diegogo]

hey guys
well, after about 2 months os wiggling with a q-tip, two keys from the keyboard stop working.
You may think this two problems are not related to each other, but after some research, I found that your logic board might be damaged in wich case these two problems are related. In my case this was due to liquid (deep sigh).
If you think you might have damaged in some way the logic board I suggest you take your macbook in right away. The problem might be getting bigger.
This is what I did and the diagnostic told me what I´m telling you.

If you´re sure that its just the audio jack, then keep trying. Also use a light and some twizzlers to actually see what youre doing (Already did this and worked temporarily).

Good luck.

[kwahamot]

Cool! I hope that's not my problem. I rarely have the red light anymore and when it does come on the q-tip or toothpick always works, but my trackpad button stopped working recently...turned out it was just dusty inside so I blew it out and it was fine. I leave the lid open and the system running 24/7...

[tongatonga]

After an initial panic and consulting this forum - thanks everybody for all the good tips with Q-tips - I fixed the "stuck microswitch issue" on my Macbook with the inside plastic tube of a ball point pen. Not conductive, rigid and the ideal diameter. Push gently but firm. Strange problem nevertheless. I though by 2008 this should not happen. But life is strange...every day a new surprise.

[mokhles]

I plugged the headphone jacket in and out several times and it didnt work. Went to the kitchen to pick up a toothpick to try it. when i came back, the red light had already gone!
It must hate toothpicks!

[kwahamot]

Hey, I just experienced a weird thing. I hope my logic board isn't damaged, but it seems fine now. I came to work on the laptop and the keyboard was totally unresponsive, just giving a "beep" when I tried to type anything. I couldn't click anything with the trackpad either. I could select objects on the desktop but couldn't do anything with them. I also heard a repetitive clicking sound inside the machine. I ended up power-cycling it and everything was fine after that. I then realized that I had my external speakers plugged into the wrong port (the one next to it). Could that have caused this problem? I'm very careful that I touch something else before touching the laptop for the first time when I walk up to it, to discharge any static electricity, so I don't think that was the issue.

hey guys
well, after about 2 months os wiggling with a q-tip, two keys from the keyboard stop working.
You may think this two problems are not related to each other, but after some research, I found that your logic board might be damaged in wich case these two problems are related. In my case this was due to liquid (deep sigh).
If you think you might have damaged in some way the logic board I suggest you take your macbook in right away. The problem might be getting bigger.
This is what I did and the diagnostic told me what I´m telling you.

If you´re sure that its just the audio jack, then keep trying. Also use a light and some twizzlers to actually see what youre doing (Already did this and worked temporarily).

Good luck.

[macrem]

I have the same problem, tried the match stick method but I'm having no luck. Can anybody recommend what I should try next?

The annoying thing to add to this problem is that i don't have the option of taking it back to a store because it was second hand from one of my teachers at college, I'm sure I could ask him to sort it out. How long does the warranty last for one macbooks? It was bought about 9 months ago
Without AppleCare, it's under warranty for 1 year, with AppleCare it's under warranty for 3 years.

Selling it to someone else does not void either warranty, you can take it to Apple yourself :)

[eye candy twins]

First i would like to thank everybody on here for there expert advice, (you guys are genius).
After having been informed that i had managed to break the speakers on my girlfriends macbook pro after she had removed my headphones a red light was showing from the jack i was starting to accept that i may have to pay to fix the comp.
She booked the comp into the mac store but before going i decided to see if you guys could help..
I tried all suggestions with no results until eventually the simplest solution worked..
Using a dental floss brush called a go between and rubbing alcohol.
http://www.drugstore.com/qxp79943_333181_sespider/g_u_m/go_betweens_cleaners.htm
I was beginning to lose hope so i just dipped it in the alcohol and shoved it in the hole..
Nothing happened so i swirled it about a little. Again nothing. SO i looked inside the hole and brushed around the edges and anywhere i could see gaps.
The brush did not go deep into the hole but all of a sudden off went the light.
I turned up the volume and pop back in business.
So try this method and please dont give up until you have as i think it saved me a good bit of cash.. i guess it must just be grease build up or dirt?
Respect and Thanks to you all.
xx Allister Blackham xx

[kwahamot]

i guess it must just be grease build up or dirt?
xx Allister Blackham xx

My theory is that due to the design of the cooling system the internal fans are causing air (and dust) to be sucked into the speaker/headphone port resulting in buildup of airborne contaminants on the internal switch and sensors...

[Mr.Marcus]

I had the same problem and I just now fixed it using the back of a plastic filling of a ballpoint pen.

I recently turned my macbook in for repair at a certified mac dealer here in Amsterdam, as a side note I mentioned the sound problem and they eventually told me they had to replace the motherboard to fix it.
That would have set me back about 500 euros if I remember correctly... Frickin' ridiculous! :mad:

Btw they also charged me 80 Euros (about 100 bucks) for trying (but failing) to retrieve the data from my busted HD. I dread the day I'll have to deal with them again :(

[hkward001]

Ugh this is not working for me at all! I bought my macbook back in Oct 2007. And I do not have applecare so I don't think I can take it in.

What should I do.

The qtip doesn't do anything. The light doesn't filcker or anything. It does when I take out my headphones but then always goes back to constant. And if it does stay off for a while when I push the volume keys it always goes back to being red.

[dukelaxx]

So I had the same problem with the red light through the headphone jack and no sound and I followed everyone's advice and I got a bobby pin and wiggled it around inside of the headphone jack and I had sound! Thank you everybody and good luck to anyone having a problem, I am sure you will fix it.

[itsgenesis]

Thanks dukelaxx and everybody else!
I didn't read much cuz I've been so impatient with this...
I tried the bobby pin approach and voila!
Sound once again!
Loyal to my :apple:

[latempete]

I had the same issue with a late 2008 17 inch MBP. I tried tickling inside the jack but my computer was only 6 weeks old so I didn't go further. I found the answer to what was going on in Apple's support pages and called Applecare. Applecare had no clue what I was talking about and kept telling me it was a software issue. I went along with their troubleshooting until they wanted me to reload OS X. I stopped them there and reminded them I was having the same issue under Windows so a software problem was unlikely. I was placed on hold for about 10 minutes until they found this issue in their support documents and had me send my computer in for repair.

One positive thing came out of this (I think it was positive anyway). Apple offered me a new 17 inch unibody MBP to replace my broken 17 inch MBP and I accepted. Now if the new MBPs would actually be released...

[Keithcorp]

The match worked for me. I tried everything, as well as reloading the drivers and having our IT department have a look at it for two days. In the end the solution was a simple match. Thanks for the suggestion. Cheers

[ndw137]

After reading thru the whole thread and trying all the suggestions (matchstick - no luck, paperclip - no luck, rapidfire headphone jack - no luck, firm but gentle - no luck), I finally got it with the plastic ink container from inside a ball point pen. first try. the light went off after a real gentle insertion with rear end of the ink container. must have been the correct diameter. don't give up.

[izzodude]

i was using my apple headphones watching a you tube video and when pulled them out a red led was shining in my headphone jack:eek:
so i went on to mac rumors
saw this so i chopped a q-tip in half and used the level end to push and jiggle the sensor, it worked, make sure you dont go to hard or you might cause another problem, you need to put it right against the sensor and just jiggle in till you here something click then go to audio midi set up and make sure its on internal speaker:D

[silverbella]

Thanks for the tip, guys! I was tearing my hair out but this solved it in seconds. :]

[sprale]

None of the solutions have fixed mine yet, still trying. Odd thing is, when I boot my system, I get the boot tone via built-in speakers. After POSTing, I get sound only through the headphones.

[mbzcarzslr]

i had the same problem and i tried all the match/paper clip wiggling techniques but nothing worked. so i tried this and for some reason it worked!!


Instructions:
1) Plug in ear phones
2) Start toggling the volume controls on your keyboard (press the volume buttons up and down continually)
3) While toggling, slowly pull the ear phones out. Remember to keep on toggling quickly!!!
4) Now actually make the volume louder by turning it up on the screen

It should now work... at least that worked for me. I guess the idea is that you are trying to tricked the computer in a weird way.

Hope it helps!!

[sprale]

I finally repaired mine, yeah! The odd bit is that I repair these things for a living (albeit part-time) and I fixed it on other's Macs before my own. I finally used a modified dental pick to trip the trigger. I felt I was going to break something, and the audio port is not easily repaired. If you break it, you'll need to have the logic board replaced or repaired. It's not a DIY project for even an above average computer geek. (I've sent a few in to specialists for this repair)

[nursenat]

hi everyone,
just wanted to say that my speakers stopped working and the light came on, with no headsets in! GAH
going to give the "object in the hole" a try!
thanks for the suggestions

[GriffMasterChee]

Okay well I've been working on these suggestions for over a month now, and nothing has worked :( I've tried using a Q-tip, a matchstick, the inside of a pen, as well as a paperclip and normal headphones... no luck.
I'll try a bobby pin next I guess, but I'm starting to lose faith; and it kills me that everyone is having success stories for something that seems so easy to fix.

Also, as of today, I plugged headphones into the other jack next to the headphones one, and the red light went away for the first time, but there is still no sound or settings to switch to "internal speakers." Thus, I must be getting closer but not there yet... I hope I didn't mess things up bad, any other suggestions?

Also, don't know about you guys, but the cause of my problem resulted from me accidently knocking my computer off my bed side table with the headphones in it, but I don't think it landed on them, at least I hope not... Does anyone know details about this?

[Earthshine]

I finally got it with the plastic ink container from inside a ball point pen. first try. ... must have been the correct diameter.

This also worked for me, also first try. It was the back end of the cartridge from from one of those really cheap pens with the wide, straight (not tapered) barrel. Thanx, ndw!

[brich83]

At this point, I have had the red light problem for over a year. This weekend, in an effort to procure a means of listening to system sounds via an external source, I downloaded Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil program which allows transmittal of system volume through an airport express. Strangely, whenever the program boots up, it has the side effect of turning off the red light in the headphone jack and allowing access to the internal speaks. I am not sure if this will work in the same way for everyone, but it has been a welcome benefit to a program that has numerous uses. Hope this helps.

[areusche]

At this point, I have had the red light problem for over a year. This weekend, in an effort to procure a means of listening to system sounds via an external source, I downloaded Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil program which allows transmittal of system volume through an airport express. Strangely, whenever the program boots up, it has the side effect of turning off the red light in the headphone jack and allowing access to the internal speaks. I am not sure if this will work in the same way for everyone, but it has been a welcome benefit to a program that has numerous uses. Hope this helps.

The "red light" is the optical audio out port. It sounds like the little micro switch in the jack is stuck. Use a pin to tease the thing out of it's on position.

[DirectorKay]

That happened on my MBP. I fixed it with a paper clip. A metal one. Probably not the best idea. :p


I used a plastic twist tie- just pushed it back until I felt it hit something.
Worked perfectly!

[erinblythe]

I love the rare (for me) occasion when a problem with my Mac only takes a few minutes of research to "fix". Other issues in the past have had me on these boards for hours at a time and no resolution. Thanks for posting!:cool:

[zeraldo]

same problem. picking the jack with a plastic pick worked like a charm. mine is a white macbook. the sensor is located in the internal wall of the jack which is opposite to the lcd screen. this should make it easier to "hit the target".
:cool:

[kingromes]

Thanks to whoever suggested the rubbing alcohol. I tried every solution on here, but the q-tip with rubbing alcohol did the trick. Must have been dust or something.