What Does This Error Mean?

MacBook with no audio is usually caused by the output device set to a disconnected Bluetooth speaker or HDMI display. Go to System Settings > Sound > Output and select MacBook Speakers, then check that volume is not muted.

Affected Models

MacBook Air (all models)
MacBook Pro (all models)
MacBook (2015–2019)

Common Causes

Output device set to a Bluetooth speaker or HDMI display that is no longer connected
Volume at zero or muted via keyboard shortcut
HDMI or Thunderbolt adapter claiming audio output with no speaker attached
CoreAudio daemon crash — audio services need a restart to recover
App-specific audio settings routing sound away from the main output

How to Fix It

Check and set the correct output device.

Go to System Settings > Sound > Output. Confirm the output is set to MacBook Speakers (or the built-in speaker name for your model). If it shows a Bluetooth device or display that is not connected, click MacBook Speakers to switch.
Check volume and mute status.

Press the volume-up key on the keyboard several times. Also click the sound icon in the menu bar and confirm the slider is not at zero and the mute toggle is off. A muted system produces no audio regardless of the volume level.
Restart the MacBook.

The macOS CoreAudio daemon can crash silently and leave the system unable to produce audio. A full restart (Apple Menu > Restart) relaunches all audio services. Do not use sleep/wake — a full restart is required.
Disconnect all HDMI and Thunderbolt accessories.

When an HDMI cable is connected, macOS may route audio to the display. If the display has no speakers, audio disappears silently. Disconnect all external accessories and recheck the Sound output device — it should revert to the internal speaker.
Reset NVRAM.

On Intel MacBooks: restart and immediately hold Option + Command + P + R for about 20 seconds until the startup sound plays twice. NVRAM stores audio output device settings — resetting it clears any corrupted audio configuration. On Apple Silicon Macs, a standard restart achieves the same result.

When to Call a Professional

If the built-in speaker is selected as the output but produces no sound after a full restart, the speaker hardware or internal audio circuitry may be faulty. Contact Apple Support.