How To Fix external speakers not working Mac

If your external speakers are not working on your Mac, this guide will walk you through a series of straightforward steps to identify and fix the problem, helping you restore audio output quickly and efficiently.

1. Verify Power and Connections

Ensure your external speakers are powered on and plugged in securely. If they have a separate power cable or switch, confirm they are connected and turned on.
Check all cables thoroughly—whether USB or audio jack—and try unplugging and reconnecting them. If possible, test with a different cable or port to exclude faulty wiring or port issues.

2. Inspect Bluetooth Settings (for Wireless Speakers)

If you’re using Bluetooth speakers:

• Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your Mac by going to System Settings > Bluetooth.
• Check if your speakers appear in the device list and are connected. If they are not connected, click Connect.
• If connection problems persist, forget the device by clicking the info (‘i’) button next to the speaker’s name, then select Forget This Device.
• Put the speakers back in pairing mode and reconnect them from scratch.

3. Check Mac’s Sound Output Settings

Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Sound > Output tab, and select your external speakers as the audio output device.

• If your speakers do not appear, unplug and plug them back in.
• For speakers connected via the headphone jack, ensure it’s set to use the audio port for output.

4. Inspect and Clean Audio Ports

Sometimes debris or dust in the headphone or audio port causes your Mac to think headphones are plugged in, disabling the external speakers.

• Use a flashlight to inspect the audio jack for lint or dirt.
• Clean gently with a toothpick or compressed air if needed.
• Try plugging and unplugging headphones a few times to reset any stuck digital switches inside.

5. Check Volume and Mute Settings

• Make sure the volume slider on your Mac and app-specific volumes are turned up.
• In System Settings > Sound, ensure Mute is not selected.
• Also, verify the external speakers themselves are not muted or turned down.

6. Restart Your Mac

A simple restart can resolve many temporary glitches affecting audio. Click the Apple logo and select Restart, then test your speakers again.

7. Reset NVRAM and SMC

If issues persist, try resetting the Mac’s NVRAM and SMC (System Management Controller) as these control hardware settings including sound output. Instructions vary by Mac model but generally involve holding specific key combinations on startup.

8. Test with Different Apps and Software Updates

Try playing audio from different apps to ensure the problem isn’t app-specific.
Also, verify your macOS is up to date: go to Apple menu > About This Mac > Software Update and install available updates, then restart.

If after all these steps your external speakers still don’t work, consider checking the speakers on another device to rule out hardware failure, or contact Apple Support for further diagnostics.

By following these clearly outlined steps, you can systematically isolate and fix the issue of external speakers not working on your Mac, ensuring your audio experience is back to normal in no time.