Mac Laptops Troubleshooting Sound Issues
Troubleshooting speaker or headphone jack issues
Troubleshooting microphone issues
Troubleshooting speaker or headphone jack issues
Identify issues
Read these articles if you notice any of the following issues:
No sound, or low or distorted sound from the left or right speaker
No sound, or low or distorted sound from the headphone jack
Symptom occurs only with internal speakers
Symptom occurs only with external speakers or headphones
If you can’t hear sound from your Mac speakers
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Unplug any headphones or external speakers.
Ensure that cables or other objects are not inserted into the headphone jack.
Visually inspect the headphone jack to identify any debris inside the headphone jack.
Clean the computer. If you find any debris in the headphone jack, gently clean this area using a small, non-metallic, soft-bristled brush. Ensure that the brush is clean and dry. Gently brush out lint or debris. Use just enough bristles to fit inside the headphone jack. Twist the bristles to loosen and lift out debris. Brush debris away from the opening to avoid brushing debris into the opening. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the loosened debris.
Caution: Disconnect all cables and turn off the computer. Don’t use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish. Don’t use any metal objects to clear debris or obstructions, as this can short the connector and cause damage. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don’t spray liquid directly on the computer. Don’t use compressed air.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If your issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or trying the quick troubleshooting steps, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
Run the Audio diagnostic suite.
Open and inspect the computer
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the computer’s repair manual to open and inspect the computer. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Follow repair manual procedures to remove the bottom case and disconnect the battery from the logic board.
Locate the speaker flex cable connectors and audio board flex cable connectors on the logic board. Disconnect and inspect the flex cables and connectors for any signs of pinched wires or connector damage before reseating them. Inspect the logic board for connector damage.
Reseat all flex cables, reassemble the computer, and retest with MRI and Audio diagnostics.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the following parts one at a time in the order shown. After you replace the first part, repeat the troubleshooting steps to determine whether replacing a part resolves the issue. If it still isn’t resolved, replace the next part.
If you find damage in the headphone jack, or if the issue is isolated to the headphone jack, replace the audio board.
If the issue is isolated to speakers, replace the speaker, speaker pair, or left or right speaker with antenna (depending on the model). Replace the top case (in models without separately replaceable speakers).
Replace the logic board.
After the repair is completed, turn on the computer and connect and disconnect headphones or external speakers. Verify that audio can be played through both external and internal speakers and that sound is clear and free of distortion.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Troubleshooting microphone issues
Identify issues
Microphone not working, but audio output functions
Microphone audio is garbled
Internal microphone input can’t be selected
When trying to record, an alert says that audio input isn’t accessible
Audio recording playback is silent
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Unplug any connected headphones or external speakers.
Ensure that cables or other objects are not inserted into the headphone jack.
Visually inspect the headphone jack to identify any debris inside the headphone jack.
Clean the computer. If you find any debris in the headphone jack, gently clean this area using a small, non-metallic, soft-bristled brush. Ensure that the brush is clean and dry. Gently brush out lint or debris. Use just enough bristles to fit inside the headphone jack. Twist the bristles to loosen and lift out debris. Brush debris away from the opening to avoid brushing debris into the opening. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the loosened debris.
- Caution: Disconnect all cables and turn off the computer. Don’t use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish. Don’t use any metal objects to clear debris or obstructions, as this can short the connector and cause damage. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don’t spray liquid directly on the computer. Don’t use compressed air.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If your issue wasn’t resolved by trying the quick troubleshooting steps, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
Run the Audio diagnostic suite.
Open and inspect the computer
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the computer’s repair manual to open and inspect the computer. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Follow repair manual procedures to remove the bottom case and disconnect the battery from the logic board.
Locate the microphone flex cable connectors and audio board flex cable connectors on the logic board. Disconnect and inspect the flex cables and connectors for any signs of pinched wires or connector damage before reseating them. Inspect the logic board for connector damage.
Reseat all flex cables, reassemble the computer, and retest with MRI and Audio diagnostics.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the following parts one at a time in the order shown. After you replace the first part, repeat the troubleshooting steps to determine whether replacing a part resolves the issue. If it still isn’t resolved, replace the next part.
If you find damage in the headphone jack, or if the issue is isolated to the headphone jack, replace the audio board.
Replace the top case, which contains the microphones.
Replace the logic board.
After the repair is completed, turn on the computer and verify that the internal microphone is available, selected, and functional and that the input level indicator moves when speaking into the microphone. Then record a sample audio file and play it back to verify that it is free of distortion.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.