No sound at all, an unpleasant crackle, a speaker that pops or cuts out ? Before concluding it’s a hardware failure, a good share of sound problems can be fixed with a few settings. Here’s how to isolate the cause — from the free adjustment to replacing the speaker.
Many sound problems are not hardware-related : the wrong audio output selected, an app’s volume, a Bluetooth device left connected, or a bug. So you check the settings first. If the sound crackles, distorts or cuts out even though everything is set correctly, it’s often the speaker — especially after a liquid spill. Good news : it’s a part that can be replaced. Always start with what’s free.
Rule out the software before suspecting the speaker : that’s where most cases hide.
The classic one : the sound goes to a Bluetooth headset, an external display or another output. Check in Settings > Sound > Output that “Internal Speakers” is indeed selected. Unplug a jack or disconnect a Bluetooth device left paired.
Test : turn off Bluetooth for a moment to see whether the sound comes back.System volume at minimum, mute switched on, or an app (browser, video call) muted on its side : check the overall volume and the one for the app in question. A simple restart often puts a stuck audio service back on track.
If, once everything is set correctly, the sound is distorted, metallic, saturated or cuts out at high volume, the speaker is probably damaged (damaged diaphragm, often after a liquid spill or prolonged distortion). It’s a part that can be replaced.
Worth reading : find your A#### model number to get the right part.Speakers are among the first to be affected by a liquid. If the sound changed after a spill, you need to clean and often replace the speaker — and have the rest checked (corrosion can affect other components).
These checks fix a good share of sound “failures” :
When the sound is physically distorted, the part gets changed :
Sound damaged after a liquid spill deserves a full check :
“No more sound : my speakers are dead.”
Often, the speakers are fine : the sound is simply going to another output (Bluetooth, external display) or an app is muted. Check the settings first. Only if the sound crackles or distorts once everything is set correctly is the speaker really to blame.
The right audio output, the volume, the mute, a restart : free and often enough. If the sound crackles or distorts once everything is set — especially after a liquid spill — the speaker can be replaced, with a 2-year warranty.
First check the audio output (Settings > Sound > Output: “Internal Speakers”), disconnect headphones and Bluetooth, turn up the volume, switch off mute, then restart. If the sound doesn’t come back, a diagnosis is needed.
Crackling or distortion, once the settings have been checked, often points to a damaged speaker (damaged diaphragm, frequently after a liquid spill or a volume pushed to maximum for a long time). The part can be replaced.
A Bluetooth device already paired can automatically pick up the sound. Disconnect it or turn off Bluetooth, then re-select “Internal Speakers” in the sound settings.
Yes, most often: speakers are among the first to be affected. You need to clean and usually replace the speaker, and have the rest checked to rule out corrosion. Bring the Mac in quickly.
At Place du Mac, compatible speakers are in stock at a price that varies by model, tested and covered by a 2-year warranty. Find your A#### model number for the right reference.
It’s possible on many models with care; access sometimes calls for some disassembly. If you prefer, our workshop handles the diagnosis and fitting — especially useful after a liquid spill.
Place du Mac guide — speakers and parts tested, 2-year warranty, repair workshop at 51 rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, Paris 9th. Apple, Mac and MacBook are trademarks of Apple Inc. ; Place du Mac is an independent repairer, not affiliated with Apple Inc.
