Headphone Jack

Refrigerator · Refrigerator #1 (**permalink**)

12-31-2010, 06:41 PM

My headphone jack isn't working, but it's not the normal problem as there is no red light and the sound works fine as long as there are no headphones plugged in. When I plug in headphones, the sound icon at the top of the screen turns grey and in sound settings it says it's in optical mode. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can get it out of optical mode? Thanks!

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

12-31-2010, 10:38 PM

Strange that it's stuck in optical mode but no red light? Anyway, try moving the headphone jack in and out and gently wiggling it a bit to see if you can release it.

Refrigerator · Refrigerator #3 (**permalink**)

01-01-2011, 08:00 PM

I tried that for about an hour straight to no avail. The fact that there's no red light makes me think that it may be a software issue.

chscag · chscag #4 (**permalink**)

01-01-2011, 09:07 PM

I guess a software problem could cause it but that would be rare indeed. The jack switching into optical mode when the headphones are plugged in is almost always a hardware problem. That the red light is not on is unusual but does not necessarily mean it's being caused by software.

You can try reinstalling OS X if you feel strongly enough that there is some software glitch that's causing it. Make sure you have a Time Machine backup first before reinstalling.

Refrigerator · Refrigerator #5 (**permalink**)

01-04-2011, 10:38 PM

I tried reinstalling the OS and it made no difference. So what actually makes the jack go into digital mode?

chscag · chscag #6 (**permalink**)

01-05-2011, 01:06 AM

The jack goes into digital audio mode when a small switch like lever in the jack itself get stuck in that position. However, usually the red light comes on. Sometimes the jack can get unstuck by moving the plug in and out. You might also try using a sturdy but thin toothpick to see if you can trip it.

Refrigerator · Refrigerator #7 (**permalink**)

01-05-2011, 11:11 PM

I tried that for about 2 hours too. I guess I can keep playing with that and see if I manage to trip it.

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,017 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	12-31-2010, 10:38 PM Strange that it's stuck in optical mode but no red light? Anyway, try moving the headphone jack in and out and gently wiggling it a bit to see if you can release it. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,017 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	01-01-2011, 09:07 PM I guess a software problem could cause it but that would be rare indeed. The jack switching into optical mode when the headphones are plugged in is almost always a hardware problem. That the red light is not on is unusual but does not necessarily mean it's being caused by software. You can try reinstalling OS X if you feel strongly enough that there is some software glitch that's causing it. Make sure you have a Time Machine backup first before reinstalling. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,017 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	01-05-2011, 01:06 AM The jack goes into digital audio mode when a small switch like lever in the jack itself get stuck in that position. However, usually the red light comes on. Sometimes the jack can get unstuck by moving the plug in and out. You might also try using a sturdy but thin toothpick to see if you can trip it. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

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Refrigerator #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 31, 2010 Posts: 4	12-31-2010, 06:41 PM My headphone jack isn't working, but it's not the normal problem as there is no red light and the sound works fine as long as there are no headphones plugged in. When I plug in headphones, the sound icon at the top of the screen turns grey and in sound settings it says it's in optical mode. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can get it out of optical mode? Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

Refrigerator #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 31, 2010 Posts: 4	01-04-2011, 10:38 PM I tried reinstalling the OS and it made no difference. So what actually makes the jack go into digital mode?
	QUOTE Thanks

Refrigerator #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 31, 2010 Posts: 4	01-05-2011, 11:11 PM I tried that for about 2 hours too. I guess I can keep playing with that and see if I manage to trip it.
	QUOTE Thanks

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