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Mid 2012 model, A1278 / 2.5 GHz i5 or 2.9 GHz i7 processor.

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OS X does not allow me to adjust the volume.

As happened to Brooke a few years ago, and a number of other people on the web, I can no longer adjust volume on my Macbook. Boo. :(

One day while leaving the office, I unplugged my headphones, unplugged my Thunderbolt display, and put my computer to sleep - not necessarily in that order. When I got back to my house, I was prevented by the OS from adjusting my volume:

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There are two devices available to me when I have the display plugged in:

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It does not matter which I choose. When the display isn't plugged in, the display audio device is not an option.

I could still adjust the volume level through the Sound preferences pane, just not the volume keys.

Suggestions on the previously-linked answer and elsewhere on the web have included poking the headphone jack repeatedly with a toothpick. Unfortunately, after I tried this, I now have no sound at all, except, strangely enough, the volume-changing "plick" when I move the slider in the preferences pane.

I have to say I'm at a bit of a loss. Suggestions?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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So, I'm embarrassed to say this, but, uh... I rebooted the computer and it started working again.

You can now all line up to slap me for neglecting the first rule of repair - turn it off and on again.

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that was hilarious but also very very helpful, because I myself didn't think to try that until I just read it ...lol so thank you for that.

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sorry to say, rebooting didn't work for me. It says that it is connected to my bluetooth headphones but is coming out of the speakers and I can't control the volume in preferences or with the keyboard...

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5 Answers

Chosen Solution

I would first boot the computer from an external source like your installation disk or an external drive and check if the sound works on the external OS.

If the issue is a hardware issue it could also be caused by a faulty keyboard since there's a sound control generated by the keyboard. To test this you have to remove the bottom panel, disconnect the battery then the keyboard from the logic board, connect the AC adapter and start up the machine via the two power pads. If you have sound then the keyboard is bad.

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i have tried with the built in keyboard and a external keyboard. On both the volume pops up but does not effect the actual sound. also the ping sounds come through my bluetooth headphones but not the streaming radio. Go figure...

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Most Helpful Answer

Try putting a pair of headphones in, then removing them. It may help. Otherwise, reinstall OSX.

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9 Comments:

I've inserted and removed headphones a few times, without effect. I'd really rather not reinstall the operating system.

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putting the earphones in and taking them out again worked for me, thanks

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What!? I did it and it worked. Just plugged in and took out one time and the volume magically started working. Easy this time. Thanks.

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headphones plug in out- it worked

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worked like a charm.

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Have you tried resetting your NVRAM settings. Review this Apple TN

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If you have setup an external speaker program, like SoundFlower, then that might be the problem. To fix this, go to System Preferences > Sound> and then select Internal Speaker.

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If you have a Macbook Pro turn your computer off then locate your Control, Option and Shift keys then turn your computer off then hold all three keys then hold down the power button and keep all four button depress for 20 sec after 20sec then turn your computer on normal and that should fix the problem. it worked for me i have a 13" Macbook pro.

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James Pearson Hughes will be eternally grateful.
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