Your Mac is too quiet even with the volume turned all the way up

Why it happens

Your Mac's sound goes through more than one volume control. The Mac's Output volume sets the top limit, but the app or website playing the sound has its own slider too. If Balance is pushed to one side, or the video was recorded quietly, it sounds faint even at full volume.

How to fix it

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

2. Under Output, select the device you're listening on, such as your Mac's built-in speakers or your headphones. Drag Output volume all the way to the right and make sure Mute is off.

   Sound›Output

3. Drag the Balance slider back to the middle. If it's off to one side, one speaker gets much less sound.

4. Now turn up the app's own volume. A YouTube video, Music, a video call app or a game each has its own slider, and it may be low.

5. Play something you know is loud to test it, like a song in Music. If that's fine, the quiet sound is probably the recording itself.

Still not fixed?

1. Using Bluetooth headphones or a speaker? Many have their own volume buttons, so turn those up too, and check the right device is chosen under Output.

2. Sound coming through a monitor or TV? Its volume slider on the Mac is often greyed out. Turn the volume up with the monitor's or TV's own buttons or remote.

3. If a video or call only plays in one ear, the recording may be one-sided. Turn on Play stereo audio as mono in Accessibility to send it to both sides.

   Accessibility›Audio›Play stereo audio as mono

4. Restart your Mac. A stuck sound process can keep the volume low until it starts fresh.

5. If the built-in speakers are still faint, crackle or one side is silent with Balance centred, it's likely a speaker hardware problem. Contact Apple Support or a repair shop to have the speakers checked.