[PLUG] Linux audio on Macbook 12 inch

[Russell Senior]

I'm pretty sure you can reinstall MacOS, to test. I don't recall the
exact procedure, but I am pretty sure I did it, implying it is
possible.

On Tue, Jul 22, 2025 at 12:40 PM VY <vyau5678 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I had no luck with pulseaudio.  I was trying mostly pipewire.
> I have to go back to look for the steps.
> It was mostly google search and chatgpt info.
>
> But you have a good point.  The speakers may be busted.  I already wiped
> out MacOS so I cannot think of a way to confirm that.
> I will try your steps tonight or this week.  Thanks!
>
> -v
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 22, 2025 at 12:06 PM King Beowulf <kingbeowulf at linuxgalaxy.org>
> wrote:
>
> > On 7/21/25 13:52, VY wrote:
> > > Hello all:
> > >
> > > I inherited an Intel based Macbook 12-inch from a friend who is retiring
> > it.
> > >
> > > The CPU is an Intel M3 chip.
> > > I installed Linux Mint and everything is working fine except audio.
> > > During audio playback, I can only hear sound on the 3.5 mm jack.
> > > The on-machine speaker is dead silent.   The sound output on the 3.5mm
> > jack
> > > is working fine.
> > > I tried several tricks and none seem to be working.
> > >
> > > Asking if anyone has such experience?  Any tip/pointer is much
> > appreciated.
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > -Vincent
> > Vincent,
> >
> > What 'tricks' have you tried?  It might be good to list those so we do
> > not duplicate efforts.
> >
> > Since you have audio from the jack, the sound chip driver module is
> > loaded and working.  For ALSA and pulseaudio (or pipewire), check the
> > following:
> >
> > 1.  alsamixer
> > PA is pretty stupid, so always check alsamixer (CLI utility) to
> > determine what is and what is not enabled.  The speaker outputs might be
> > muted.  No, the speaker output is not necessarily "master".   It could
> > be 'PCM', 'front', etc.
> >
> > Check for to see if 'jack sensing' is on.  This does not always work.
> > The names for this can vary a bit.  On some audio drivers is can be
> > 'HP/Speaker'.  Set it to mute.
> >
> > 2. pulseaudio/piperwire audo mixer applet
> > make sure you are selecting the correct device.  The default profile
> > might be wring (Configuration).  Do you see HDMI Audio or a USB web
> > cam?  Disable these for now.
> >
> > For the sound device profile, if you are trying 'Analog Stereo Duplex'
> > try another such as 'Analog Surround 2.1 output [+ Analog Stereo Input]
> >
> > Under Output devices, depending on the profile and driver, check the
> > Port: list. Maybe you have the wrong one selected.
> >
> > 3. ALSA tools
> >
> > in CLI, run 'aplay -L' to list all the channel stuff ALSA sees reported
> > by the driver module. 'aplay -l' (lower case L) shows all the cards. Try
> > this:
> >
> > speaker-test -Dplug:pulse -c2 -twav
> >
> > With your headphones plugged in, can you here the 'front left, front
> > right'?  This will keep repeating until CTRL-C.  Now play with #1 and #2
> > above until the sounds plays from the speakers.
> >
> > 4. Are you sure the speakers work?
> >
> > -Ed
> >
> >
> >