macOS
Fix No Sound from Speakers on macOS
Choose the right output, raise volume, and confirm both channels with the DevicePrep Speaker Test.
Updated 2025-12-09
Send left and right test tones to confirm the Mac outputs audio.
Most silent speakers on macOS come from the wrong output device, muted sliders, or per-app volume drops. A quick Speaker Test shows if audio leaves the Mac at all before you dig into deeper settings.
Quick wins (2 minutes)
- Click Control Center -> Sound and pick the headphones or speakers you want.
- Raise Output volume above 40 percent and make sure Mute is off.
- Play the DevicePrep Speaker Test and check left and right both sound.
- Toggle Bluetooth off and on if using wireless headphones.
- Reconnect USB or HDMI audio and try a different port.
- Close music apps and reopen them after changing devices.
Step-by-step fix
- Click the volume icon or Control Center -> Sound and pick the headphones or speakers you want.
- System Settings -> Sound -> Output -> select the device, then raise Output volume above 40 percent and ensure Mute is off.
- Run the DevicePrep Speaker Test and play left/right; center the Balance slider if one side is silent.
- Check per-app volume: in Control Center -> Sound or inside Zoom/Spotify/Teams, raise the app's output slider.
- Turn off Spatial Audio or head tracking if a USB headset cuts audio.
- Disconnect and reconnect the device; try another USB port, cable, or unpair and re-pair Bluetooth.
- If audio is frozen across apps, restart CoreAudio in Terminal with `sudo killall coreaudiod`, then rerun the speaker test.
Deep fixes
Confirm sound leaves the Mac
Play the DevicePrep Speaker Test. If you hear tones, the Mac outputs audio and the issue is inside an app or cable. No tone at all means either the wrong device is selected or system audio is muted. Watch the volume HUD while pressing volume keys; if it shows a crossed circle, macOS thinks no output is available. Keep the test looping while you change settings so you instantly know when sound returns.
Pick the correct output device
In System Settings -> Sound -> Output, click the device you want and confirm it shows a checkmark. If you see both HDMI and DisplayPort entries, try each one; some monitors expose multiple sinks and only one carries audio. AirPods and Bluetooth headsets may show separate entries for headset and high-quality modes; pick the one that matches your use. When switching devices, close and reopen music or meeting apps so they route to the new output.
Set volumes and balance
Raise the Output volume slider above 40 percent and confirm Mute is off. Center the Balance slider; if it drifts to one side, one channel goes silent. Some apps like Zoom and Music keep their own volume sliders; open their audio settings and raise those too. If an app is stuck quiet, toggle its output device to something else and back to reset routing.
Handle Bluetooth, USB, and HDMI quirks
Toggle Bluetooth off and on, then reconnect the headset. Stale profiles can mute audio until refreshed. For USB headsets, move the plug to another port and avoid unpowered hubs when possible. HDMI monitors often default to low volume; open the monitor menu and raise its internal volume after selecting it in macOS. If Spatial Audio or head tracking cuts output on some USB headsets, disable those features and retest.
Restart CoreAudio when stuck
If audio died across every app, open Terminal and run `sudo killall coreaudiod`, then enter your password. You will hear a short cut, then the service restarts. Play the Speaker Test again to confirm it is back. If the command fails due to permissions, reboot the Mac instead; it restarts CoreAudio as part of boot. Persistent failures after a restart may indicate hardware faults in the output device. Test the same device on another computer to compare.
Quick checklist
- Correct output selected in Sound settings
- System and app volumes above mute
- Balance centered; both channels play in the test
- Device reconnected or on a stable port
- CoreAudio restarted if the system was stuck
FAQs
Why do system sounds play but apps are quiet?
Many apps hold separate volume sliders. Open Control Center -> Sound and the app's audio settings, then raise those sliders and pick the right output device.
Can HDMI carry audio on macOS?
Yes, but you must pick the HDMI device in Output. Some monitors default to low volume; raise volume on the display too.
Is the Terminal command safe?
`sudo killall coreaudiod` only restarts the audio service. You may hear a short cut and then audio returns.
Wrap up
When both channels play cleanly in the DevicePrep Speaker Test, jump into a quick call or song to confirm real use. Keep the test bookmarked and run the Pre-Call Test before meetings so mic and camera match your chosen output.