[PLUG] Linux audio on Macbook 12 inch

[VY]

Thanks to all the replies.

I searched Linux Mint forum and saw this:

https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=413759

The post confirms my issue.  Unfortunately, there is some bespoke speaker
component within the Macbook model.
The post says that the 3.5 mm jack may work and that's indeed what I am
seeing.

I will work around this issue.  Thanks all!

-v


On Tue, Jul 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM Jeffrey Borcean <jeffrey at borcean.xyz> wrote:

> 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
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > >
>