Sound Not Working on MacBefore proceeding with the solutions, restart your system. Also, make sure nothing is muted in the sound preferences of your system. Additionally, check if the sound can be played through headphones, AirPlay, or Bluetooth. Moreover, make sure no 3rd party peripherals are attached to your system (it will be a good idea to remove their support software like plug-ins or drivers as well).
Solution 1: Force Quit the CoreAudioD Process
You may encounter the error at hand if the CordAudioD process (that is handling all the audio of your Mac) is in an error state. This is a very common scenario that occurs usually when process runs into an exception when operating. In this context, force quitting the CoreAudioD process of your Mac may solve the problem.
Solution 2: Select the Different Audio Output Device
The sound issue could be a result of a temporary software glitch due to which the system could not communicate to the audio device. The glitch can be cleared by selecting another output device and then reverting to the internal speakers.
Solution 3: Re-Load the Audio Driver
You may encounter the error under discussion if the audio driver is in the error state. Drivers are the main components that run the sound mechanism in your computer and communicate at the hardware level. If they themselves are in an error state, you will experience issues like the current one under discussion. In this scenario, unloading and then loading the audio driver may solve the problem.
Solution 4: Delete the Audio Preferences Files
This issue might also occur if the audio preferences of your system are corrupt. In this case, deleting the audio preferences may solve the problem (no need to worry, preferences will be recreated on the next system startup).
Solution 5: Clear the Audio Port from Lint/Debris
Over time, lint and debris can build inside the headphone port, which can make Mac “think” that the headphone is plugged-in (if the red light is visible inside the port) and macOS routes the sound to that port. In this scenario, cleaning the audio port may solve the problem.
Solution 6: Reset SMC to Default
System Management Controller (SMC) is a chip responsible for several system operations like thermal management, keyboard backlighting, battery management, etc. The sound problem may also occur if the SMC is not functioning properly. In this scenario, resetting the SMC to its defaults may solve the problem.
Solution 7: Reset PRAM and NVRAM to Default
NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) and PRAM (Parameter RAM) are two types of memories used to store all the system configurations. These can get into error states quite often as mentioned in the Official Apple website. In this scenario, resetting these memories to defaults may solve the problem. Keep in mind that temporary or customizable configurations will be lost.
Solution 8: Update the macOS of Your System to the Latest Build
Apple updates macOS regularly to patch the known bugs and cater to the latest technological advancements. Sometimes, not having an updated operated system might cause problem with outputting sound. In this case, updating the OS of your system to the latest build (compatibility issues will be ruled out) may solve the problem.
Solution 9: Remove Conflicting Applications
Applications share system resources in a macOS environment. You may encounter the error at hand if another application is interfering in the operation of audio modules of the system. In this context, removing the conflicting applications may solve the problem.
Solution 10: Login Through Another User Account
Usually, the user account on a Mac machine does not get corrupt, but there are always exceptions. The sound issue could be a result of a corrupt user account. In this context, logging-in through another user account may solve the problem. If another user account is already setup on your machine, then use it to log in to the system. If not, then follow the instructions below to create another user account on your Mac.
Solution 11: Reinstall the OS of Your System
If nothing has helped you so far, then the issue is most probably a result of corrupt OS installation. In this case, reinstalling the OS may solve the problem. If nothing has worked for you, then the sound issue could be a result of a hardware issue and you have to visit the Genius bar. But it will be a good idea to repair the system permissions before visiting the Genius bar.
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