No sound on your Mac? 7 fixes to try
2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 2 October 2026
Press the volume up key and check that sound is not muted, then open System Settings, Sound, Output and select the built-in speakers or your headphones. Disconnect Bluetooth devices and displays that may have taken over the sound.
Silence on a Mac is nearly always the wrong output device: the sound is going to a monitor, a Bluetooth speaker or headphones that are not in use.
Step by step
Check volume and mute
Press the volume up key, or drag the Sound slider in Control Centre. The mute key toggles sound off and on.
Choose the right output
Open System Settings, Sound and click Output. Select MacBook Speakers, Mac mini Speakers or your headphones. Make sure Mute is not ticked and the output volume is up.
Disconnect other audio devices
Turn off Bluetooth for a moment and unplug headphones and HDMI or USB-C displays. External displays often take over as the sound output.
Check the app
Many apps and websites have their own volume or mute button. In Safari, a muted tab shows a speaker icon in the address bar.
Test with another app
Play a song in Music or a video in QuickTime Player. If that works, the problem is in the first app.
Restart the Mac
A restart reloads the sound system.
Update macOS
Open System Settings, General, Software Update.
Good to know
If the headphone socket shows a red light inside, or the Mac insists headphones are plugged in when they are not, plug headphones in and pull them out a few times. Dust in the socket can cause this.
Alert sounds have their own volume under System Settings, Sound.
If the built-in speakers do not appear in the Output list at all, contact Apple.
In short: Volume up, unmute, System Settings, Sound, Output, pick the right device.
- Apple Support: If the internal speakers on your Mac aren't working
Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.