Need some sound advice

[Andy44]

My wife has a MacBook Pro 13" Mid 2012, 2.5Mhz i5 with 10gb Ram and a 500gb ssd. Just lately the sound volume has been fluctuating i.e. it will be fine for some time and then suddenly drop dramatically and stay at that low volume for a while. This happens with videos over the internet, with CDs (yes, we still use them), video chats etc. which makes me think its hardware. It also happens using the earphone jack or in-built speakers. Any idea what is happening, is it repairable?

 

[RadDave]

My wife has a MacBook Pro 13" Mid 2012, 2.5Mhz i5 with 10gb Ram and a 500gb ssd. Just lately the sound volume has been fluctuating i.e. it will be fine for some time and then suddenly drop dramatically and stay at that low volume for a while. This happens with videos over the internet, with CDs (yes, we still use them), video chats etc. which makes me think its hardware. It also happens using the earphone jack or in-built speakers. Any idea what is happening, is it repairable?

Hi Andy - if not already done, try resetting NVRAM (PRAM) and SMC (directions HERE). BTW, I have 5000+ CDs in the house and am listening to one as I type - Dave

 

[Mitcherooney]

There is also Apples 'helpful' ear protector system that drops the sound level in order to prevent hearing loss.....

 

[MacInWin]

There is also Apples 'helpful' ear protector system that drops the sound level in order to prevent hearing loss.....

Not sure that is in macOS. iOS, yes, but macOS? No reference to it I could find.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

When the volume level seems low, if you were to click on the Sound icon on the top men bar, does the bar indicate what the volume level should always be or has it changed as well? Does manipulating that bar change the sound level when low or otherwise?

 

[Andy44]

Hi Andy - if not already done, try resetting NVRAM (PRAM) and SMC (directions HERE). BTW, I have 5000+ CDs in the house and am listening to one as I type - Dave

Thanks for that advice, I've reset both NVRAM and SMC and will let you know how it goes.

 

[Andy44]

When the volume level seems low, if you were to click on the Sound icon on the top men bar, does the bar indicate what the volume level should always be or has it changed as well? Does manipulating that bar change the sound level when low or otherwise?

No, manipulating the sound bar does nothing. My wife is deaf so the sound is usually turned up close to max, when the level drops I've checked the volume control and it's still on high, fiddling with it doesn't help. It seems to be a matter of waiting until it sorts itself out.