Loud Charging Chime on MacBook at Startup and Login Screen

[farmaceut]

Hello,

When I plug in the charger to my MacBook Pro (late 2023) whether it's launching or on the login screen, the chime is extremely loud. Conversely, when I'm already logged in, it is moderate and can be adjusted by the sound settings. Can this be fixed somehow?

Thanks

 

[Bigwaff]

First, unplug any external speakers or disconnect them from bluetooth. Open Settings > Sound and make sure built-in MacBook Pro speakers are selected in the Output tab. Adjusting the charging chime volume should be a combination of the Alert volume and Output volume sliders. Are you charging using MagSafe or USB-C?

 

[farmaceut]

First, unplug any external speakers or disconnect them from bluetooth. Open Settings > Sound and make sure built-in MacBook Pro speakers are selected in the Output tab. Adjusting the charging chime volume should be a combination of the Alert volume and Output volume sliders. Are you charging using MagSafe or USB-C?

No speakers. I checked the settings, and they are fine. This does not happen when I'm already logged in, only when turning on the computer or when in the choose user window. I use the Magsafe; it has only Magsafe.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

For now, wait until you're logged in - for the future, apple.com/feedback

 

[farmaceut]

For now, wait until you're logged in - for the future, apple.com/feedback

So this is 'a feature'? Interesting. On my old (2012) MacBook Pro, the chime sound upon login in was adjusted to the overall laptop's sound level.

 

[PotentPeas]

So this is 'a feature'? Interesting. On my old (2012) MacBook Pro, the chime sound upon login in was adjusted to the overall laptop's sound level.

Newer Macs with FileVault enabled operate in a sort of protected/isolated mode from initial bootup until you actually log in, because your account password is actually used to unlock the decryption keys for your disk. So... it probably doesn't know what you have the volume set to until after you log in.

 

[adrianlondon]

I can't replicate this.

I mute my volume and whatever I do, the charging chime doesn't make a sound. I plugged it in while the laptop was off (but lid open) and it booted. I tried pulling/pushing the charging cable during boot, at the login screen, and after logging in, and it was silent. Same as the boot-up sound. Silent.

This isn't a FileVault issue as I have a Mac with the T2 security chip and FileVault fully enabled. The sound volume, like other items such as the user avatar, are somehow written to the part of the disk which is booted from before the drive is unlocked.

 

[farmaceut]

So I wonder why the chime is loud whenever I restart the computer despite lowering it…

 

[Apathist]

So I wonder why the chime is loud whenever I restart the computer despite lowering it…

By way of contrast: If I attach the MagSafe charger to my M1 during startup (black screen, with white and progress bar) it makes no sound. If I attach it at the login screen it makes an extremely loud chime. If I attach it during or after login, the chime corresponds to the system's volume level setting.

I guess this might support PotentPeas's suggestion that the volume setting is simply in an anomalous state during the initial stages of startup. In any case, I guess I wouldn't be too concerned about it, unless I were in a library or other quiet setting.

 

[farmaceut]

> If I attach the MagSafe charger to my M1 during startup (black screen, with white and progress bar) it makes no sound.
Didn't have the opportunity to check that.
> If I attach it at the login screen it makes an extremely loud chime.
THIS !!!
> If I attach it during or after login, the chime corresponds to the system's volume level setting.
Same here!

 

[Fishrrman]

"> If I attach it at the login screen it makes an extremely loud chime.
THIS !!!
> If I attach it during or after login, the chime corresponds to the system's volume level setting.
Same here!"

Ummm...
I'm just a dumb old guy, but...
... wouldn't "the solution" (assuming you don't want a LOUD chime) be to just wait until you're logged in before you attach the charging cord?

 

[farmaceut]

@Fishrrman Sure it is. Just though that's an issue need to be fixed

 

[greg.macbookpro]

Same thing happened to me. I was using Bluetooth headphones, Output Volume set to my headphones and Sound Alerts to my Macbook Pro Speakers.

I shut off my Bluetooth headphones first. Then turned Down the Volume (with volume down key) to 0.
Then opened my Sound Settings at System Preferences.
I set my "Play sound effects through" to "Selected Sound Ouput Device".

Then I connected my Bluetooth headphones back again.
"Alert Volume" set to the second level.

Output volume - I selected my BT headphones.
Set the volume to desired volume.

The power chime was gone when plugging the power adapter.

The trick is to select your default System Audio to your Macbook speakers, turning down the volume, and then connect your headphones to the desired volume, while setting your Alert volume to the min. level desired.

Well, at least this worked in my case. No more power chime sound to the max level.