Stop your Mac beeping at you

Why it happens

That beep is your Mac's alert sound. It plays when you press something your Mac can't act on, like Delete in an empty text field, or a shortcut that does nothing in that app. It also plays when an app needs your attention. If it keeps going, something is often pressing a key, or an app is waiting for an answer in a window you can't see.

How to fix it

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

2. Under Sound Effects, drag Alert volume all the way to the left. The beep goes quiet, while music and videos keep their normal volume.

   Sound›Sound Effects

3. Prefer a gentler sound to none at all? Choose another one from the Alert sound menu. Your Mac plays each sound as you pick it.

   Sound›Sound Effects›Alert sound

Still not fixed?

1. Hearing other small sounds, like the Trash emptying or a screenshot? Turn off Play user interface sound effects in the same section.

   Sound›Sound Effects›Play user interface sound effects

2. If the beeping repeats on its own, look for something resting on the keyboard or a key that's stuck down. Press the keys around the space bar to free them.

3. An app may beep because it's waiting for you. Look for a message hidden behind other windows, or an app icon bouncing in the Dock.

4. If it's notification sounds that bother you, open Notifications, pick the app and turn off Play sound for notification.

   Notifications

5. If an older Intel Mac beeps several times at startup before anything shows on screen, that's a hardware warning, often about memory. Contact Apple Support or a repair shop.