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Problem with macbook headphone jack

M

macnewbbie

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 5, 2006
159
0
Hi.
I have a problem with the headphone jack of my macbook.
When i plug in some headphones or external speakers, it wont get sound to them, just like the headphone jack isn't there and the sound come out from the macbook speakers. The only ones that seem to work are the ipod original ones, but not if insert them completely, they need to be strategically plug in, like half in and half out, and if i move it a bit more the sound goes back to the speakers again.
Does anyone knows what this might be and how to fix it? I can't use the warranty, because the warranty time already passed.
Sorry for any mistakes on my english.
Thanks
 
I've had/have some difficulty with my PowerBook's headphone jack. I'm guessing your issue is related. To improve the situation i reached inside the jack with a needle and bent the little copper leads out so that there would be better contact with the plug. This helped some... temporarily. In the end, I've had to resort to applying some light force to the headphone cord in the direction of the back of the laptop. I achieved this by wedging the cord between the screen and the base or clipping it onto the power cord.

I wish is had a good permanent fix for you. Maybe bending the leads will do it for you. If not... sorry.
 
I have the same problem. I'm going to try to take my macbook to the apple store and see what they have to say about the issue. It should be under the warranty since my macbook is less then two weeks old
 
MacBook Headphone Jack

I thought I had the same problem as well. I found that the headphones were not working or I had to jiggle the wire, then I made sure the headphones were completely plugged in fully and it solved the problem. I am pretty sure that I tried that yesterday when I had the same problem and my headphones seemed to be working like I had a loose connection. Everything seems fine today. There is about a 3 second delay from the time I plug the headphones in to the time the sound actually gets cut off from the external speakers and I begin to hear sound through the headphones. One pair of my headphones does not click into that last little bit that is needed to make them work. They work but if I move and they move a little then sound cuts in and out or goes mute (no sound from external speakers either). These same headphones work perfect in every other device I use them in. There does seem to be a flaw with the headphone jack of my MacBook compared to every other device I have ever used. Otherwise this thing is by far the best computer I have ever owned.
 
Similar problem with some variations

I'm using a 2007 white MacBook with OS 10.5.6.

I've used it for over a year with no problems until recently.

I get no audio through my headphones (which work fine in other devices such as my Ipod).

The internal speakers work fine. When I plug my headphones in, the computer recognizes the insertion as evidenced by a change from "internal speakers" to "headphones" in the list for sound in system preferences. the internal speakers stop when the headphones are inserted and start again when they are extracted.

In all the other threads I've read on this I see users mention a red light or else they talk about having recently used a digital interface.

This is not the case for me. No red light, no digital interface.

The only change Ive made recently is that I started downloading and watching flv files with real player. So I wonder if there is a connection there.

Or I wonder if it is a software issue?

I'm hesitant to go monkeying around with a toothpick in the jack.

Can anyone help?

Thanks a lot,

NotBill.
 
NotBillShatner said:
I'm using a 2007 white MacBook with OS 10.5.6.

I've used it for over a year with no problems until recently.

I get no audio through my headphones (which work fine in other devices such as my Ipod).

The internal speakers work fine. When I plug my headphones in, the computer recognizes the insertion as evidenced by a change from "internal speakers" to "headphones" in the list for sound in system preferences. the internal speakers stop when the headphones are inserted and start again when they are extracted.

In all the other threads I've read on this I see users mention a red light or else they talk about having recently used a digital interface.

This is not the case for me. No red light, no digital interface.
Click to expand...
This is exactly what's happening to me right now. Anyone?
 
I had the same problem a while back, but the solution is surprisingly simple. Take a Q-tip, cut of the cotton ends, and stick the thing into your headphone jack. Do it carefully, twist it around, push it back and forth. This worked for me.

P.S. - Sexual innuendo not intended
 
Whitebread said:
I had the same problem a while back, but the solution is surprisingly simple. Take a Q-tip, cut of the cotton ends, and stick the thing into your headphone jack. Do it carefully, twist it around, push it back and forth. This worked for me.

P.S. - Sexual innuendo not intended
Click to expand...

I think your problem was your macbook was stuck in "digital" mode, I have read the q-tip thing as being a fix for this. As for mine/ours I believe its a software related problem. My macbook recognizes that headphones are plugged in and responds immediately if I remove them. I recently was experiencing this problem and I reloaded leopard and for a couple of days my headphones worked again. But now after only installing items using "software update" my headphones no longer work again. Tried permission repair..resetting SMC ...Resetting PRAM...and booting in safe mode. I dont know enough about the Plist files associated with sound and MIDI or I would try to delete and rebuild. :(
 
simple solution to macbook headphone jack problem

buy bluetooth headphones and they will work perfectly. It is a problem with your logic board but that costs about $1200 to fix and purchasing an audio interface can run you about $200 and is an inconvenience to carry around. The bluetooth headphones will give you the same sound quality of regular. Sometimes better and you can get them for as little as $30.
 
NotBillShatner said:
I'm using a 2007 white MacBook with OS 10.5.6.

I've used it for over a year with no problems until recently.

I get no audio through my headphones (which work fine in other devices such as my Ipod).

The internal speakers work fine. When I plug my headphones in, the computer recognizes the insertion as evidenced by a change from "internal speakers" to "headphones" in the list for sound in system preferences. the internal speakers stop when the headphones are inserted and start again when they are extracted.

In all the other threads I've read on this I see users mention a red light or else they talk about having recently used a digital interface.

This is not the case for me. No red light, no digital interface.

The only change Ive made recently is that I started downloading and watching flv files with real player. So I wonder if there is a connection there.

Or I wonder if it is a software issue?

I'm hesitant to go monkeying around with a toothpick in the jack.

Can anyone help?

Thanks a lot,

NotBill.
Click to expand...

I'm having this problem at the moment. My headphone jack seems kinda loose. I connect my macbook to a larger stereo to listen to music everyday. It would stay loose but work. Now its loose and recognizes the headphones but doesn't play any music through them. I think it's time to make a trip to the apple store for this to get fixed...
 
keithers24 said:
Another person here no light, macbook totally acts as if headphones are plugged in just no sound!
Click to expand...

I have the same problem, only when another source such as external speakers or headphones are connected, the music is EXTREMELY FAINT, if there at all, and all i can hear is static and "popping" sounds. I have a White MacBook running 10.5.7 that I've had for about 3-4 weeks. Help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks:apple:
 
wantitgud said:
buy bluetooth headphones and they will work perfectly. It is a problem with your logic board but that costs about $1200 to fix and purchasing an audio interface can run you about $200 and is an inconvenience to carry around. The bluetooth headphones will give you the same sound quality of regular. Sometimes better and you can get them for as little as $30.
Click to expand...

:eek:

I might as well buy a new macbook if it's 1200 to fix.

Oh, and by the way, how to you hook your macbook up to a audio mixer (Peavy, Mackie, Shure, etc.) using bluetooth headphones?
 
Macbook Headphone Jack Has Many Problems

This one is a bit complicated. My 6-month old uni-body Macbook has an odd assortment of headphone problems. This seems to involve hardware and software, so my uneducated guess is that it's a problem with the logic board (this would be my 5th such problem in as many years)

Here are a few symptoms:

- I plug the headphones in, connection sounds active (very faint hiss), but no sound. When I unplug the headphones the speakers do not engage until after restart.

- I plug the headphones in, all sound works except for iTunes music, even as iTunes shows full volume and active playback.

- I plug the headphones in (all the way), no sound to the headphones and the speaker stays engaged. Unplugging the headphones and plugging them in again either resolves the issue or leads to the previously mentioned problems.

- The headphones are plugged in, the headphone cord gets tugged ever so slightly (side to side, not out), and the headphone connection is lost, speakers activate.

These problems occur alternately but with equal regularity--so most of the time my headphones are not working properly. I haven't damaged the headphone jack in any way that I know of (no yanking), and I haven't had any drops or spills. Of course, I have tried several pairs of headphones, and checked all relevant settings (that I know of).

I will try to get this fixed while I am within the warranty (along with my cracked glass track pad--see other thread), but unfortunately I'm in Germany where they have yet to translate the phrase "customer service", so who knows.
 
I'm having the same problem. I just noticed it this week. No sound comes out of my headphones when I put them in. The OS is noticing that the headphones are put in. Anybody have any luck?
 
Bump!

I have been having this problem and am not sure if my mac is still under warranty, but would love to fix the problem... I've tried the q-tip routine for about 20 minutes... and have had no positive result. As soon as I plug my HeadPhones in, i hear sound for a split second come through the phones, but then an abrupt cut out and that's it. Midi audio settings still detect the headphones and say there should be sound coming out, but no. I've used several speakers/headphones in place of the ones i want to use with the same results. I guess i may have to try to get my mac replaced???? *sigh*
 
DrewBeFree said:
I have been having this problem and am not sure if my mac is still under warranty, but would love to fix the problem... I've tried the q-tip routine for about 20 minutes... and have had no positive result. As soon as I plug my HeadPhones in, i hear sound for a split second come through the phones, but then an abrupt cut out and that's it. Midi audio settings still detect the headphones and say there should be sound coming out, but no. I've used several speakers/headphones in place of the ones i want to use with the same results. I guess i may have to try to get my mac replaced???? *sigh*
Click to expand...

When did you buy your Mac? Did you purchase the AppleCare warranty extension? If not, the warranty would have/will expire 1 year after purchase. If yes, 3 years after purchase.
 
yeah i guess i shouldn't even have mentioned that fact.. i was just hoping someone would throw in a new solution after all these months of no posting. don't want to deal with not having my mac for several weeks
 
headphone/macbook

i just had this on a 10 month old unibody, q tip did nothing but a reboot restored headphones to normal..... i use itunes extensively with bose earbuds and leopard 10.5.
hope this is not just the beginning.
scott
 
USB headphone adapter

Im having the same problem. just buy an usb headphone adapter. u can plug the headphone into the adapter and plug the adapter into the usb socket in the computer. problem solved!
 
Problem Solved

I was having the same problem and I was able to fix it. Your Macs are not broken so stop cramming stuff in them. What is happening is when you plug in your iPhone/iPod headphones the mac configures it to work with the mic that is apart of the headphone. Here's what you need to do to fix it so you can use a regular headphone. First, plug the headphone in. Second click on 'System Preferences' then 'Sound.' Third click on the tab 'Output'. Fourth, at the bottom of the page there will be something there that says 'Use Audio Port For:' Fifth change it from 'Sound Input' to 'Sound Output.' It will now work. Please stop cramming and bending things. The headphone jack it used as both an input and output to minimize space and make things easier.
 
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Before you bring it to the apple store and assume its broken (sorry saw your name was macnewbbie) try this, click the apple in the top left corner, select system preferences. Click the button labeled "sound" in the second row from the top on the far right.
Click the "output" tab and make sure your external speakers or headphones are selected, or just click on them. If this doesnt work look at the other peoples :) hope i helped!


guy above me got to it first :p
 
Last edited:
Plug Headphones back in - turn mute button off

This is an easy fix. Save yourself the trip to the apple or the Q-tip store....

You turned on the mute button when you last used your headphones. You just forgot you did this.

Yes- I know you think the mute isn't on, because you can hear voices when listening to the built in speakers, right?

Trust me. Plug your headphones back in and put them on your ears.

Now hit the computers mute button again. TADA!

Fixed. right? NEXT!
:D
 
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