Add the volume control to your Mac's menu bar

Why it happens

Your Mac only puts the volume icon in the menu bar when you ask it to. If Sound is set to show only some of the time, the icon can seem to come and go. Always Show keeps it there for good.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings and click Menu Bar in the sidebar.

2. Under Menu Bar Controls, turn on Sound.

   Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls›Sound

3. Choose Always Show in the pop-up menu next to Sound, so the icon doesn't disappear.

   Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls›Sound

4. Click the speaker icon near the clock to get the volume slider and choose where sound plays. Hold Command and drag the icon if you want it somewhere else.

Still not fixed?

1. Meanwhile, use Control Center, the icon with two switches near the clock. Its Sound slider is always there.

2. The volume keys on your keyboard work whether the icon shows or not.

3. On a MacBook with a notch, icons can hide behind it. Turn off menu bar items you don't use under Menu Bar Controls.

   Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls

4. If the menu bar seems stuck, log out and back in, or restart your Mac.

5. If the icon is there but you hear nothing, check the output in System Settings > Sound. If the built-in speakers stay silent after a restart, contact Apple Support, as that can be hardware.

   Sound›Output