Bluetooth headphones say connected but there's no sound

Why it happens

Connecting a Bluetooth device and sending sound to it are two separate things on a Mac. Sometimes the link is made but the sound stays on the built-in speakers, a monitor or a device you used before. Choosing the output tells the Mac where to play.

How to fix it

1. Check the headphones are on and say Connected under My Devices in Bluetooth settings. If not, connect them there first.

   Bluetooth

2. Click Sound in the System Settings sidebar, then the Output tab. Click your headphones or speaker in the list of devices.

   Sound›Output

3. Below the list, check the Output volume slider isn't all the way left and Mute isn't ticked.

   Sound›Output

4. Play a song or video to test. Next time, you can switch faster from the Sound control in Control Center or the menu bar.

Still not fixed?

1. If only one app is silent, look in that app's own settings. Video call and music apps often pick their own speaker, separate from the Mac.

2. Quit the app with Command-Q and open it again. Some apps only notice a new output when they start.

3. Disconnect and reconnect the headphones. If that doesn't help, Control-click them in Bluetooth, choose Forget and pair them again.

   Bluetooth

4. Restart your Mac to reset its sound system, then pick the headphones in Sound again.

5. Try the headphones with a phone. If they're silent there too, the fault is in the headphones and the maker can repair or replace them. If no Bluetooth device ever plays sound from your Mac, contact Apple Support.