[PLUG] Linux audio on Macbook 12 inch

[Jeffrey Borcean]

Around 2016 MacBooks no longer made the startup chime by default. I
believe your model is a 2017, so I would not expect the chime to be
present.

You should be able to run a basic test by powering the Mac on and
immediately pressing and holding the "D" key. If that does not bring
up the diagnostics; power on the Mac then press and hold Option+D.
That will prompt you to connect to wifi and load the diagnostics via
the internet.

On Tue, Jul 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM VY <vyau5678 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Thank you.  There is always so much wisdom in this channel.  I forgot about
> that "BONG".
> I did not hear that BONG during boot up but I did hear the Linux Mint
> equivalent but only through my 3.5 mm jack (connected to a small speaker).
> The main speakers, when the external speaker is unplugged, did not produce
> any sound.
>
> Does that mean my main speakers are busted?
>
>
> Thanks for the MacOS install link.  I am good with the current config.  It
> would be great if the main speakers are working but I can work around it.
>
> -v
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 22, 2025 at 12:58 PM Russell Senior <russell at personaltelco.net>
> wrote:
>
> > Oh, and you should hear the bong when it boots up. If sound is coming
> > out of the speakers then, your speakers are probably working.
> >
> > On Tue, Jul 22, 2025 at 12:57 PM Russell Senior
> > <russell at personaltelco.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > Here it is:
> > >
> > >   https://support.apple.com/en-us/102655
> > >
> > > On Tue, Jul 22, 2025 at 12:53 PM Russell Senior
> > > <russell at personaltelco.net> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > 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
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> >