How to fix sound that is louder on one side on a Mac

2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 4 October 2026

Device

Mac

Shown on

macOS Tahoe 26

App

System Settings

Path

System Settings › Sound › Output › Balance to the middle

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

When music comes mostly from the left or the right, the cause is often a setting and not a broken speaker. The Balance slider in the Sound settings shifts the volume between the two channels.

The screenshots show System Settings on macOS Tahoe 26.

Step by step

1. 

   Open System Settings

   Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.

   Done

2. 

   Click Sound in the sidebar

   Sound is in the group with Notifications and Focus. You may need to scroll down in the sidebar.

   Done

3. 

   Select the output device

   Under Output & Input, with Output selected, click the device you are listening on. In the picture it is MacBook Pro Speakers.

   Done

4. 

   Drag Balance to the middle

   The slider goes from Left to Right. In the picture it is in the middle.

   Done

Good to know

Output volume and the Mute checkbox are just above the Balance slider.

If you hear with one ear, mono may suit you better than balance: how to play stereo sound as mono on a Mac.

In short: System Settings, Sound, Output, Balance to the middle.