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The mystery of the gone internal speakers

V

Ved

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 29, 2007
23
0
So... for reasons unknown, my macbook pro is not recognizing it's internal speakers, in the sound options for output it only shows the digital out option.
I searched trough the apple support site and the mac's help and all they say is to select the speakers, but that's kinda hard when they play hide and seek. Anyone knows what's up with that? Cause the weirdest thing is that they will make that mac sound when you first press the "on" button.
Do I have a haunted mac?
 
Is the volume up all the way? :D

My best guest would be to take it to a Apple Store and set up a appointment before you go or you if theres not one by you, you could set up a repair online.
 
Try pressing Fn key and the volume keys - I think there is a setting in system preferences as well, but this might work as well.
 
hahaha

of course there is a function to use the fn key instead of just the volume keys, but the computer won't even recognize the speakers, if you try to level up or down the volume the icon shows up with a ban sign unless you plug in some headphones, then it works normally.

And c'mon of course i could go to an apple store, but where's the fun in that?
 
I've had this problem before too. To fix it I put my headphones in, cut the volume all the way up then all the way down, then unplug them and cut the volume up. If that doesn't work try restarting after trying this method.
 
surprisingly...

I did a routine upgrade on leopard and that was it. Worked like a charm. Weird uh?
 
quick fix

I've been having this problem a lot lately.
What happens is that the computer basically forgets that it has internal hardware, so you have to basically reboot.
What you do is shut down your computer, then while you are restarting constantly hold the apple + option + r + p + power buttons. It should take a few seconds (about 30), until the computer beeps (kind of like a tv testing sound), but keep holding until the computer restarts and then release.
I've done it a few times and it's worked every time. Should work on any apple model, although no guaruntees :)
 
I know this is half a year later, but I am having the same problem; what the hell? Someone please help!

I've heard 2 suggestions, but neither worked: put the comp to sleep w/ headphones in and take them out while its asleep.

Shut down, unplug, remove the battery, and hold the power button for 5 secs. This also did nothing.

What's really weird is on boot up the start sound plays through the speakers...
 
Get it checked if you have applecare. It can definitely be a hardware issue (headphone jack malfunction).

Startup tone works because it bypasses headphones regardless if they are plugged in or not.

fire up iTunes and play some music. If the light in the headphone jack comes on then it is a hardware issue.
 
Solution

Rebooting my computer and holding option, apple, p, and r on startup fixed the problem. The computer then rebooted before starting up with the sound fixed.
 
I have this same problem, what i haven't heard here is what i did that caused this problem.
Before I got this problem, I entered in the headphone input a little piece so I could enter two headphones. after this all the symptoms you guys described happened.. If anyone else knew a different solution to this problem it would be awesome :/ thanks
 
I updated my OSX to 10.5.3 before going on vacation last week and when I returned today, I found that my internal speakers are no longer being recognized (and therefore neither are my external speakers that were plugged into the headphone output). This is not good. I am a video editor. I need to hear what is going on...obviously...

Any other suggestions other than lugging this thing somewhere to get it checked out? Is there a chance it is a bug with the update?
 
I have this happen on occasion, my MBP lives in a fairly dirty environment.

Did you try blowing out the headphone port? The computer might have some dirt in there making it think there is an optical cable plugged in. usually fixes things for me.
 
My, Testy, Aren't We?

Yes, exact same problem. Red light of death, iTunes opens whenever I plug in and unplug the headphones, Digital Out as the internal choice, etc.

My Mac is about a year and a half old. 1st Gen. UB MBP 17, 2.93GHzC2D/8GB/256GB Corsair SSD (Aftermarket).

The old "toothpick in the socket" routine doesn't work. Neither does the "unplug and replug" routine. Same goes for zapping the PRAM. I'm pretty good at researching stuff like this.

I have an appointment with a Mensa member at my local Apple Store tomorrow. I strongly suspect that (s)he will tell me to get the Mac fixed. Won't happen for a month or so. I have two international trips in which I'll need it, and headphones work great.
 
it's been a while since this

I even forgot I had this problem... well here's what I know: you get that red light on the headphones jack, so the mac thinks there's something plugged and you're stuck, so it's def a hardware issue, i've seen a few people have this same problem and has never been software related. What I think works is trying various options of the plug/unplug routine, maybe go half the way only, then all the way, and also... somewhere, i'm almost sure, i found a way to reset your audio card, can't promise it's true, it's been a while and my mac has been mean with the video card, the battery, audio and webcam, so i can't remember if something i've used is for one thing or another, but i think there's a way to do an audio reset.
Good luck with this guys! I think it's not worth a trip to the mac store! (plus those guys are expensive!)
 
I Have AppleCare

(I always get it -and often need it :mad:).

It's a matter of giving the computer up for a couple of days. It won't cost me anything. The AC is good for another year and half. I may put off fixing it until I get its replacement.

I generally don't use my internal speakers anyway (For all I know, I have had this issue for a while). I have some nice BO$E externals that I use, and I always use headphones elsewhere.

Thanks for the thread. I have a "genius" appointment this morning. We'll see what they say.
 
Hardware problem

They ran some diagnostics, and decided it was a hardware issue. I'll have to make another appointment when I can give up the machine for a few days.
 
Had same problem, fixed it

Hey pal, sorry for the years late, but this can help some other people having the same issue. Had exactly same thing with my late 2011 MBP, internal speakers "Locked", headphones sounding absolutely normal, input's red light always on, :apple: screen sounding normal also. Reseting PRAM wouldn't change anything as well.
I examined the input with a flashlight, discovered a tiny piece of metal (probably aluminum or steel from one of my headphones). Turned off the computer, to avoid short-circuits or electrical shocks. Removed the fragment with a small sewing needle, rebooted my mac.
Internal speakers are now working like a charm, just as it did before it all. It also seems to me that system's headphone-speaker shift is a little bit faster than before.
 
I followed instructions above. Clean audio jack port and press command, option, p, r at boot up and worked perfectly.
 
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