Why Are My MacBook Speakers So Quiet? [SOLUTION]

The speakers on MacBooks are typically excellent. Considering the excellent quality of the speakers, I was surprised at how quiet they were.

What might be the cause of such a problem?

Could it be a software problem?

How Can My MacBook Speakers Be So Quiet? 

If your MacBook speakers are quiet, it may be because you have changed your volume settings, your MacBook needs a software update, or other sound settings have been altered. Restoring the original settings will usually resolve most issues. 

You can try the following solutions:

Verify the volume first

Firstly, make sure your volume levels are appropriate. It is the volume indicator on the top right corner of your MacBook that indicates how loud it is.

It is not the only indicator, however. 

It is possible to still have low/quiet sound even when the slider is at its highest setting. 

It is also common to find that the slider is not set to low. 

By using this slider alone, you will not be able to adjust the volume.

Make sure the sound works properly

Now, check to see if your speaker is working properly. 

If they’re working, you should hear them when you touch the earphone jack on your MacBook. 

It might be a broken component or a software glitch.

You should check if that’s a software issue if you can’t even hear the sound in your speakers.

Do other applications override the volume settings? 

Use an app such as Spotify to play some music.

Even after setting the slider to the maximum level, the song may sound quiet or be played at a low volume.

You can now open up System Preferences by pressing * + Space Bar.

Select Sound. Use the slider to set the volume to MAX.

Open Spotify again and see if you can hear the music better; this indicates that your volume settings may have been overridden by another app.

Spotify has a setting called “Sharing.” If you don’t want your songs shared, set it to OFF.

Make Sure the Sound Is in Your Mac’s Hardware

It is also possible to check if the sound is not in the hardware of your Mac. 

Connect your MacBook and launch it. Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen and select About This Mac. 

There is a bar at the bottom with white icons that represent the different parts of your computer.

When you click on Hardware, your speakers will appear in a box.

If the speaker is missing, then there is an issue elsewhere.

Try the headphone jack on your Mac, or even a different MacBook, to see if you can hear the sound there.

In this case, your speakers are most likely broken.

Check if Your MacBook’s Hardware Is Up-to-Date

First, make sure your software is current. You can do this by opening the App Store and clicking on the Updates tab.

Do an Internet search to ensure your hardware is up-to-date; it is easy to forget to update it once you are up-to-date.

Updating your software may take some time, so it is recommended that you have a stable internet connection or be connected to Wi-Fi.

Check for problems with the software

What changes have you made to your MacBook? Did you restore it to factory settings if so?

If so, this could be a contributing factor. 

App Store updates can also affect the volume. 

One possible cause of this problem is if you did not restore your Mac and installed software or apps manually.

Restore the factory settings of your MacBook

You may wish to restore your Mac to factory settings in order to check if any software problems exist. 

Within the Recovery Mode of your Mac, you can perform this action by pressing the * + R key combination. 

Follow the on-screen instructions to return your Mac to factory settings.

The Sound Controller needs to be restarted

In the top left corner of your Mac, you will see a circular icon. This means that the sound hardware is being restarted. 

The sound won’t be working after this.

You’ll have to wait until it’s done, and your sound controller will be back up and running. 

You can quit out of the apps that you’re running.

Run Maintenance Scripts

Some applications are inadvertently left behind if a user upgrades their programme or removes files; this also occurs when the user deletes files.

If you are still experiencing issues with the sound, it is possible that you will need to run these.

There is an abundance of maintenance scripts available for your Mac that are compatible with uninstallers.

Naturally, you’ll need to make sure that the one you choose is compatible with the operating system you’re using.

You are required to install the version that comes with the application that you do not wish to use.

To free up space on my MacBook, I deleted a few items that were no longer required and ran a programme called Cleaner.

Make sure that you choose the configuration that is most suitable for your machine.

Delete Unnecessary Files and Apps

When a user deletes certain files or changes its software, there is a small chance that some applications may be left behind.

If you have just updated your operating system, for instance, you will be required to uninstall any unneeded software that was included with the upgrade.

Even if you may delete files and applications using the Uninstaller that comes with your operating system, for example, I find it easier to utilise a simple file management software.

There is a plethora of software available in the App Store that may assist you in erasing data from your device.

You will need to download the version that contains the application that you do not want to keep, and then install that version.

Final Thoughts

We have compiled a list of some of the more frequent fixes that may be able to assist with the problem of the MacBook speakers being so soft.

If you are still experiencing issues with it, the next obvious thing for you to do would be to take your MacBook to Apple and ask them to have a look at it.

In my opinion, resetting the system to its original factory settings is the most convenient and time-saving option.

Manually uninstalling files may be a tiresome process, particularly if you’re looking for a fast remedy.

Because I’ve been there before, I can confidently state that even on my older MacBook Pro, these applications run without a hitch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can cause the speakers on my MacBook to be so quiet? 

I can think of a few typical reasons for the sound on a MacBook going quiet.

Your microphone is not working. 

Even though we hear it being used in videos when we conduct interviews and whatnot, it’s always a fascinating subject to wonder whether or not the microphone is functioning correctly. We can’t determine whether the microphone is functioning without seeing the red light on it.

The volume is too low. 

This is a problem that every Mac user faces, particularly on MacBook computers. We have no idea why this occurs, but it does. There are several solutions, but the greatest thing is that it does not occur often.

The hardware broke down inside your Mac. 

This can be a serious problem and one that you should verify with a repair shop or even Apple itself. It’s good to let them check the hardware before you get it replaced,, because sometimes the speakers may just be broken, and they will work again with appropriate software and hardware updates.