Change your Mac's alert sound to one you like

Why it happens

The alert sound is the short beep your Mac plays when you press a key it can't use, when a dialog needs you, or when something fails. Your Mac comes with one picked for you, but there's a list to choose from. The same sound is used across the whole Mac.

How to fix it

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

2. Find the Sound Effects section on that page.

   Sound›Sound Effects

3. Click the Alert sound pop-up and choose a sound. You hear it right away, so try a few until one feels right.

4. If the new sound is too loud or too soft, drag the Alert volume slider in the same section.

   Sound›Sound Effects

Still not fixed?

1. Hearing nothing when you pick a sound? Check Play sound effects through on the same page. It may be sending alerts to a speaker or headphones that aren't connected.

   Sound›Sound Effects

2. The ding you want to change may be a notification, not the alert sound. Notifications use each app's own sound, so turn Play sound for notification on or off for that app in Notifications settings instead.

   Notifications›your app›Play sound for notification

3. Want quiet clicks too? Turn off Play user interface sound effects in Sound Effects to silence sounds like emptying the Trash.

   Sound›Sound Effects

4. If no sounds play at all, even with the volume up and the right speaker chosen, contact Apple Support. A Mac with silent built-in speakers may need a repair.