# Blog Post Body
There's nothing quite like the moment you realise your MacBook speakers aren't working. You press play on your favourite song, open a video call, and... silence. Before you assume you need an expensive repair, there are several straightforward checks you can run yourself. Most MacBook speaker issues are software-related and easily fixed at home with a few minutes of troubleshooting.
Check Your Volume Settings First
The most obvious culprit is often overlooked. Look at the top-right corner of your menu bar and click the **volume icon**. If you see a speaker with a line through it, your volume is muted. Simply click the icon and drag the slider to increase the volume. You should also check whether the volume is simply turned down very low. While you're there, make sure you haven't accidentally enabled **Do Not Disturb mode**, which silences notifications and can affect system sounds.
Next, open **System Settings** and navigate to **Sound**. Check that **Output volume** is set above zero and that **Mute** is not enabled. Take a moment to look at the list of available output devices. If your MacBook is connected to external speakers or a Bluetooth device, it may be routing audio there instead of the built-in speakers. Select **Internal Speakers** from the dropdown menu to redirect sound.
Restart Core Audio
Sometimes macOS gets confused about audio settings, and the best fix is to restart the audio system itself. You can do this by opening **Activity Monitor**, which lives in your **Applications/Utilities** folder. Search for **coreaudiod** in the search bar. When you find it, click **Force Quit**. The system will automatically restart this process within seconds, and often this clears audio glitches. This is a safe operation that experts recommend regularly for persistent sound issues.
Check Your App Settings
Audio problems aren't always system-wide. Your MacBook speakers might work fine for one app but fail in another. Open **System Settings**, head to **Privacy & Security**, and scroll down to **Microphone and Speaker**. Check whether the specific app causing problems has permission. Some applications also have their own audio settings buried in their preferences, so don't skip checking the app's menu before assuming it's a hardware fault.
If you're experiencing issues during video calls, check **System Settings > Sound > Input** as well. Sometimes microphone and speaker problems come together. The webcam and microphone are separate from speakers, so a speaker problem won't affect calls, but it's worth ruling out related audio issues while you're investigating.
Test Different Audio Sources
Try playing sound from multiple sources to narrow down the problem. Play music from a streaming app, watch a YouTube video, and test your notification sounds. If sound works from some sources but not others, the issue is likely confined to a specific app rather than your hardware. Restarting the problematic app usually solves this.
Connect a pair of wired headphones or external speakers to your MacBook. If audio works through external devices but not the built-in speakers, you're looking at a hardware issue. If nothing produces sound through any device, the problem is almost certainly software, and you've got more troubleshooting options available before considering a repair.
When Hardware Is the Culprit
If you've worked through all these steps and your MacBook speakers still aren't working, you're likely dealing with a **hardware fault**. Liquid damage, a failed speaker component, or a loose internal connection can all prevent sound production. These issues require professional attention.
At **ZA Support in Hyde Park**, we diagnose and repair MacBook audio problems regularly. Our assessment fee starts from **R599**, and we can often identify the exact issue within an hour. If you're across the wider Johannesburg area, we offer a **collection service** for clients in Sandton, Rosebank, Fourways, Bryanston, Midrand, and Randburg, so you don't need to travel with your MacBook.
If you've completed these troubleshooting steps without success, it's time to get professional eyes on your device. **WhatsApp us on 064 529 5863** to book an assessment or arrange a collection. We'll get you back to enjoying your MacBook with sound again.