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Silence is golden, as the old saying goes. But not when it’s coming from your Mac while you’re trying to listen to your favorite playlist, join an important meeting, or watch a movie. In Italy, a land of music and lively conversations, a mute laptop is a contradiction. The absence of audio, signaled by the dreaded “No output devices found” message, can turn a work and entertainment companion into a silent, frustrating box. Fortunately, this problem can often be solved without needing to call a technician.
This error indicates that the macOS operating system cannot detect any hardware for sound playback, whether it’s the built-in speakers, headphones, or external speakers. The causes can be numerous, ranging from simple oversights in settings to software conflicts or, in rarer cases, hardware issues. Tackling the problem with a structured method is the most effective way to restore your device’s audio. In this guide, we’ll explore step-by-step solutions, from the simplest to the most complex, to solve the mystery of the silent Mac.
Before jumping to solutions, it’s helpful to understand what can cause audio output devices to disappear. Generally, the causes fall into two main categories: software and hardware. Software issues are the most common and can include corrupt audio drivers, incorrect settings, application conflicts, or bugs introduced by a system update. For example, it has been noted that some macOS updates, like Sonoma, have caused audio problems on certain Mac models. These conflicts prevent the system from communicating correctly with the physical components responsible for sound playback.
Hardware problems, though less frequent, are more serious. They could involve a malfunction of the internal speakers, damage to the headphone jack, or a failure on the logic board. A classic example is the audio jack sensor, which, due to dirt or wear, gets stuck, making the Mac think headphones are permanently plugged in. Understanding this distinction is crucial, as it guides the troubleshooting approach: you always start with the simpler, more immediate software solutions, gradually ruling out causes until a potential physical problem is isolated.
Often, the solution is simpler than you think. Before diving into complex procedures, it’s best to start with basic checks, which can solve the problem in moments. These preliminary steps are essential to rule out the most trivial and frequent causes.
The first step is to check your Mac’s sound settings. Go to System Settings > Sound and select the Output tab. Make sure “Internal Speakers” are selected and that the volume slider is not at its minimum or muted. It sounds obvious, but an accidental change is a common cause. If you’re using headphones or external speakers, unplug and reconnect them to see if the Mac detects them correctly. Sometimes, a simple reconnection can re-establish communication between the device and the system. If you notice that the Mac’s volume is low but present, the problem might be different and require other checks.
If the basic checks didn’t work, the next step is to restart the Mac’s audio controller, known as coreaudiod. This process manages all audio on macOS, and force-quitting it can resolve temporary freezes or conflicts. To do this, open the Activity Monitor application (you can find it in Applications > Utilities). In the search bar at the top right, type “coreaudiod”. Select the process from the list and click the “X” button at the top left to quit it. The system will automatically restart it in a few seconds, restoring audio functionality in most cases.
NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) and PRAM (Parameter RAM) are small portions of memory where the Mac stores system settings that need to be accessed quickly, such as audio volume, screen resolution, and startup disk selection. The SMC (System Management Controller), on the other hand, manages low-level functions like power, battery, and fans. Resetting these components can resolve issues that a simple restart won’t fix. The procedure varies between Macs with Intel processors and those with Apple Silicon chips. On newer Macs with Apple Silicon, a simple restart is often enough to reset similar parameters, but for Intel models, the procedure is manual.
To reset the NVRAM/PRAM on an Intel Mac, shut down the computer. Turn it back on and immediately press and hold the Option + Command + P + R keys for about 20 seconds. For the SMC on an Intel MacBook, shut down the Mac, then press and hold the Shift (left) + Control (left) + Option (left) keys and the power button for 10 seconds. Release all keys and turn the Mac back on.
If the quick fixes haven’t borne fruit, it’s time to move on to more in-depth procedures. These methods take a bit more time but are effective for resolving more deep-seated software conflicts that could be causing the audio problem.
Keeping your operating system up to date is crucial. Apple regularly releases updates that not only introduce new features but also fix bugs and compatibility issues, including those related to audio. To check for updates, go to System Settings > General > Software Update. If a new version of macOS is available, installing it might solve the problem. However, it’s also possible that a recent update introduced the bug; in that case, a further corrective patch may already be on its way. It’s important to ensure the update process completes successfully, as a Mac stuck on an update can cause further complications.
Booting your Mac in Safe Mode is an excellent way to diagnose problems. This mode starts the system with a minimal set of drivers and extensions, disabling non-essential login items and third-party software. If the audio works in Safe Mode, the problem is very likely caused by an installed application or driver. To start a Mac with Apple Silicon in Safe Mode, shut it down, then press and hold the power button until the startup options window appears, select the startup disk, press and hold the Shift key, and click “Continue in Safe Mode”. If the problem disappears, try uninstalling recently installed applications, which could be the source of the conflict, such as some incompatible software on Mac.
If you’ve tried all the software solutions without success, the problem is likely hardware-related. This means a physical component of your Mac might be damaged or malfunctioning. Signs of a hardware problem include the inability to fix the error with resets or updates, visible damage to ports, or the problem persisting even after a complete reinstallation of macOS. A classic symptom is a red light inside the headphone jack, which indicates a stuck optical sensor.
In these cases, attempting DIY repairs can be risky and may void your warranty. A hardware issue is often complex and requires the intervention of qualified personnel, similar to when the MacBook microphone isn’t working due to an internal fault. The wisest choice is to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider. They have the proper diagnostic tools to definitively identify the faulty component and proceed with a safe, guaranteed repair.
Facing the “No output devices found” error on a Mac can seem like a daunting task, but in most cases, it’s a software issue that can be resolved with a methodical approach. By starting with the simplest checks, like verifying sound settings and restarting the computer, and moving on to more technical procedures like resetting the NVRAM/SMC and the audio controller, you can progressively rule out the most common causes. Using Safe Mode proves to be a powerful diagnostic tool for isolating software conflicts.
It’s important to remember that while system updates are crucial for security and performance, they can sometimes introduce temporary bugs. Keeping your Mac updated is still the best long-term practice. If none of the proposed software solutions work, the cause is likely hardware-related. In this scenario, the safest and most recommended option is to contact official Apple support for a professional diagnosis and to avoid causing further damage to the device.
This error occurs when your Mac doesn’t detect any hardware for sound playback, such as the built-in speakers or headphones. The most common causes are software-related: a temporary system glitch, a problem with the system process that manages audio (called ‘coreaudiod’), or incorrectly configured sound settings. In rare cases, it can be due to a hardware problem, such as a malfunctioning headphone jack or logic board.
The first and simplest solution is to restart your Mac, an action that resolves many minor software issues. If the problem persists, check the sound settings in ‘System Settings’ > ‘Sound’ and make sure the internal speakers are selected in the ‘Output’ section. Another quick and effective solution is to force-restart the ‘coreaudiod’ process using the ‘Activity Monitor’ application or from ‘Terminal’.
For a complete reset of audio settings and other temporary memory, the procedure varies by model. On Macs with an Intel processor, you perform an NVRAM/PRAM reset: shut down the Mac and turn it back on while holding down the Option-Command-P-R keys for about 20 seconds. On newer Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3), this operation is not necessary; a simple restart is sufficient to clear temporary settings.
If software solutions like restarting, checking settings, and resetting ‘coreaudiod’ and NVRAM/PRAM don’t work, the problem could be hardware. Try plugging and unplugging a pair of headphones to see if the jack is stuck. If the audio doesn’t work even with headphones and you’ve already tried reinstalling macOS without success, it’s very likely a hardware failure that requires a technician’s intervention.
Yes, if you have followed all the software troubleshooting procedures, including reinstalling macOS, and the problem persists, it’s time to turn to a professional. Contacting Apple Support or an authorized service center is the best choice for an accurate diagnosis and a safe repair, especially if the device is still under warranty.