MACBOOK PRO SOUND ISSUE... HELP! :o/ Solved/Closed

Question

Hello,

I carefully read the valuable advice given regarding various sound issues on MacBook Pro, but I didn't find a case similar to mine.

Since I connected external speakers (USB) to my Mac, it no longer detects any internal input and output devices.

The sound only works if I plug in headphones or external USB speakers. The headphone jack doesn't work anymore, but it doesn't emit a red light.

The sound keys on the keyboard are unresponsive. The volume bars are stuck at maximum and a prohibition symbol is displayed.

When I go to system preferences, no devices are detected and the mute box cannot be unchecked.

I tried the suggested fixes:
- delete the sound preferences (home - library - preferences - com.apple.soundpref.plist)
- repair the permissions on my hard drive

But nothing works...

I bought my Mac two months ago, and this is already the second major problem I've encountered. I made an appointment at the "Apple Store" just a week ago because it wouldn’t start... A problem that the technicians couldn't explain but was resolved by reinstalling the entire system.

I have no doubt that I still have a lot to learn about my Mac (which is a valuable work tool for me), but for now, I’m not very lucky... I hope you can help me.

Thank you in advance!!!
Valérie

Configuration: MacBookPro5,3 Mac OS X Version 10.5.6 Safari 525.27.1

caipirinha · Answer

Hello.

Excerpt from an old HowItWorks topic:

"A simple toothpick is enough to unblock this problem, insert it into the headphone jack, and at the bottom is the sensor that is stuck, making the system believe that there’s a digital output connected.

Be gentle, it’s a tiny "latch" that detects the insertion of the plug, and thus gets stuck."

I had the same problem, a mini screwdriver just saved me, thank you !!!!!

--
In order: Manual - Google - Forum. And not the other way around.
90% of problems are due to what is between the keyboard and the chair.

valymax · Answer

Thank you... I had already read this response and tried it, but unfortunately it doesn't work.

Then, I don't know if it's a sign, but I don't have a red light on. Which seems to be a common sign for users who fixed their problem with the toothpick.

I only get sound by connecting audio outputs via USB port.

But maybe I'm going about it all wrong? Where is this latch? Because even forcing a bit at the back doesn't change anything.

Thank you :o)

Anonymous user · Answer

Hello,

and what about the audio MIDI configuration? What does it say?
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-9645273-plus-de-son-sur-quicktime-depuis-bootcamp#1

Good luck
--
Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac Intel Core 2 Duo + iMac-G5 - Mac OS 10.5.8

valymax · Answer

Here are the AUDIO devices:

SYSTEM SETTINGS
- Default input: none (dropdown not accessible)
- Default output: unknown device (dropdown accessible but no other choice)
- System output: unknown device (dropdown accessible but no other choice)

PROPERTIES OF: no device (dropdown not accessible)

AUDIO INPUT: unmanaged input

AUDIO OUTPUT: unmanaged output

As for MIDI devices, it's the default configuration.

----

All of this happened after I connected external speakers via USB.
Should I have disconnected them in a specific way?

Thank you again for your help...

Anonymous user · Answer

Quit "Audio and MIDI Setup," and throw this file "com.apple.audio.AudioMIDISetup.plist" in the trash.
This file is located in the Preferences folder of your Library, then restart the Mac while holding down the Command + S keys (starting in "single-user" mode), and run the fsck -fy repair procedure as indicated here
https://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/15279-entretenir-et-reparer-mac-os-x-10-6-et-versions-anterieures#demarrage-en-single-user-mode-et-procedure-fsck-sans-le-disque-d-installation

and test again..

The toothpick story is only useful when a plug has been inserted into the headphone jack, and a mechanical element does not return to its place when the plug is removed. However, if a headset is plugged in, you won't have any external sound.
--
Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac Intel Core 2 Duo + iMac-G5 - Mac OS 10.5.8

valymax · Answer

Thank you, Francis. I followed the repair procedure fsck -fy to the letter.
As soon as the 11th line, I was able to read:
- the volume Macintosh HD appears to be ok.

But after the reboot, nothing has changed.

I had not emptied the trash after throwing away (as advised) the audio and midi preferences.
Could this have caused a problem?

Thank you...

valymax · Answer

No software installed. The speakers were plugged into the USB port and were recognized and used directly.

I tried to connect my iPhone earbuds via the audio jack, but that doesn't work either.
However, I plugged in a headset via the USB port and it works.

As for the toothpick, I tried several times, but I admit I don’t have a real toothpick on hand, just matches that I trimmed to make them pointed. So the fact that my audio jack doesn't emit a red light is not significant. It may still be a mechanical issue.

Should I go buy real toothpicks? :o)

valymax · Answer

No, no software installed. The speakers were plugged into the USB port and were immediately recognized and used.

I tried connecting my iPhone headphones via the audio jack, but that doesn’t work either.
However, I plugged in a headset via the USB port, and that works.

As for the toothpick, I’ve tried several times, but I admit I don’t have a real toothpick on hand, just some matches I’ve cut to make them tapered. So the fact that my audio jack doesn’t emit a red light is not significant. It may still be a mechanical problem.

Should I go buy real toothpicks? :o)

Anonymous user · Answer

Sorry, I had to step out ;-)

Another thing to test, reset the Mac's management unit.
See this page
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

.../....
--
Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac Intel Core 2 Duo + iMac-G5 - Mac OS 10.5.8

MACBOOK PRO SOUND ISSUE... HELP! :o/

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