Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Resolved MBP 15" audio output problems.

S

sweex

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 27, 2009
76
0
Hy,

I have some troubles with the audio of my 15" MBP (6.2 medio 2010 OS 10.8.3) and I hope somebody can help me solve it.
Since a few days my computer seems to think that there is an optical cable plugged in the audio (out jack) even when there isn't. If I connect my headphones or use an optical cable for my sound it puts out sound. Just when nothing is connected he thinks there is so I can't play any sound trough my computers speakers. Everything was still functioning fine a few days ago, and if I boot my laptop I can hear the startup chime so I guess it's a sensor or a software issue.
Does anybody have a clue on how to solve this?

Thanks in advance.

Edit: I solved it by pocking a bit with a toothpick and a headphone jack after reading this post:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/239287/
 
Last edited:
justperry

justperry

macrumors G5
Aug 10, 2007
12,557
9,750
I'm a rolling stone.
Your headphone jack has crapped out, most if not all audio jacks have a mechanical switch inside, it will close a contact so that the electronics/software knows something is inside, yours seem to be crooked.
The only way to fix this is to service the MBP.
You might have a separate sound board and if this is the case you can replace that part only.

But, before you do you could test your MBP with a new clean install on an external medium like a USB stick (Minimum 8 GB), install a fresh copy on the stick, boot from it, if still the same it is almost 100% sure to be the jack.

You can go to iFixit guides to see if yours has a separate sound board.

I would also recommend to run Apple Hardware Test.

Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test

Update: Sadly your MBP does not seem to have a separate audio board.

http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_15%22_Unibody_Mid_2010
 
S

sweex

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 27, 2009
76
0
And isn't there a (software) way to force OS X to output the sound through the speakers.
When I boot into Ubuntu I can do this, but it seems OS X does not give me the choice.
 
justperry

justperry

macrumors G5
Aug 10, 2007
12,557
9,750
I'm a rolling stone.
sweex said:
And isn't there a (software) way to force OS X to output the sound through the speakers.
When I boot into Ubuntu I can do this, but it seems OS X does not give me the choice.
Click to expand...

No, I don't think so.

I have to add something to my former post, it is almost sure to have a supporting switch inside the jack but I am not 100% sure, it could also be done by voltage sensing for instance.

Best way is to do as in my first post, run Apple Hardware Test first, if there are no errors install a clean OS on a USB stick and boot from it, see if it sol ved the problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom