iMac Headphones Port Dead

[elektrizitat]

Hi,

I've had intermittent problems with my headphone port since I've had my iMac 27" late 2013 but today the headphone port seems to have bitten the dust. The internal speakers are fine, but whenever I plug in headphones or a stereo via 3.5mm jack, once a sound occurs within OS X (music, notification noise, etc.) it produces a very loud, constant buzz. No audio whatsoever. Then after perhaps 30 seconds-2 minutes, the sound will stop.

Has anyone got any idea what the hell is happening? Have I got a faulty headphone port?

 

[elektrizitat]

(I have reset PRAM, tried resetting audio in Terminal, tested a couple of different peripherals in the port; no luck)

 

[keysofanxiety]

Yeah that's definitely a faulty headphone port. Do you still have AppleCare?

 

[elektrizitat]

No sadly not. But I'm still within the 2 years EU warranty, I'm hoping that can hold some sway as I'm UK-based. Any idea how much it might cost to replace a headphone port should they charge me? Probably half the cost of the iMac I bet!

 

[Fishrrman]

If you come to the conclusion that the headphone port is physically broken, I wouldn't bother repairing it -- the cost of the repair would be way too high.

Instead, get some kind of usb-to-analog type device with a stereo headphone jack.

Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_16?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=usb+to+headphone+adapter&sprefix=usb+to+headphone,aps,163
(numerous items shown)

Will run you about $10 (US) and solve the problem -cheaply- !!

Addendum:
"whenever I plug in headphones or a stereo via 3.5mm jack, once a sound occurs within OS X (music, notification noise, etc.) it produces a very loud, constant buzz. No audio whatsoever. Then after perhaps 30 seconds-2 minutes, the sound will stop."

After the buzzing stops, do you have a normal "output" to the phones?
This almost sounds like a software -- not a "hardware" -- problem.

Have you tried more than one set of phones?
Same with each pair?

 

[elektrizitat]

I think that's the way to go, Fishrrman.

I've tried with two sets of apples latest ear buds and connected directly to a stereo. It's very odd. I'm planning a full reset on the iMac later this year as airdrop has never worked on it either bizarrely (it's a system I've migrated from a Tiger Mac Mini 2006, to a 2008 iMac, to this one and I think a fresh start might wash out some issues).

Thanks for your help & advice.

 

[macthefork]

Before going the USB route, there is one more thing to check. In Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup App,
put the settings for "Built in Output" at, Output: Format: 44100 Hz, and 2Ch-16bit Integer. This is a most basic setting for audio, and should work for headphones and most simple audio out situations. If this does nothing to correct your problem, then go for the USB option.

 

[Fishrrman]

macthefork makes a very good point.

Check that your software settings are correct...