And, if the sound on your Mac has stopped working, you want to fix it right away.

This article explains the common causes of sound not working on a Mac and how to fix them.

The instructions in this article apply to all Macsdesktop or laptoprunningmacOS 12 (Monterey)and higher.

A man listening to audio on his iMac

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The principles remain the same for earlier versions, but the specific steps might be slightly different.

Check the volume.You might not be hearing sound because your volume is at zero.

It may seem silly, but the first troubleshooting step should always be the simplest.

If the app you’re using has a volume control option, adjust it.

Try a different app.

The bug preventing sound from working might be in the program you’re using.

If it works, then the earlier program is the culprit.

See if there’s an update for the app to install that fixes your problem.

Try unplugging anything you find and, if necessary, cleaning out the ports to remove dust and debris.

The sound might be playing to them now.

ClickControl Centerand then click theBluetoothicon to change to grey/Off.

Force quit the sound controller.The macOS plays sound using software called the sound controller.

it’s possible for you to quit and restart that software without restarting the whole computer.

Install an OS update.Updated versions of the macOS deliver new features and fix old bugs.

Check for an update and, if there is one, install it.

You canget online and phone support from Appleormake an appointment for in-person help at your nearest Apple Store.

In QuickTime, go toFile>New Audio Recording.

For more options, it’s possible for you to download a third-party app like Audacity.

Unfortunately, macOS doesn’t have a built-in way to record the screen and audio output simultaneously.

You’ll need to find areputable third-party appfor that.