Mac computers are usually incredibly reliable and built to last because there is very little that you can do to upset its internal processes. This does not mean that you won’t experience issues, and those who have tried watching Netflix on their Mac have encountered a few issues with the sound. To help resolve these issues, I have looked into each problem you might experience on your Mac with the Netflix audio and found a resolution.
Netflix sound will not work on your Mac if you have muted or set the volume too low. This can be adjusted on the keyboard or in System Preferences, or can be separately adjusted in the Netflix video and Safari. The sound can also be affected by Mac errors or by other programs, apps and plugins.
I will explain in more detail how you can fix the sound in Netflix below. One method involves resetting the NVRAM/PRAM and SMC, which is important for any MAC user to know as this can fix a wide variety of system failures.
Mac Netflix Sound/ Not Working
When the sound on your Mac is not working when watching Netflix, you may find that it is too low, out of sync, or that there is no sound at all. Generally, this is a result of the settings on your Mac, other software, or an error in the firmware. Below is an overview of what you can do to fix each of these issues, which I will explain in more detail throughout the article.
The Netflix volume is too low:
- Check your sound settings (volume)
- Reset NVRAM/PRAM
- Reset the SMC
Netflix has no sound:
- Check your sound settings (mute and speaker output)
- Close other tabs and programs
- Update or turn off your security software
Netflix sound is out of sync:
- Restart the Mac
- Update the Mac
- Disable Safari plugins
Mac Netflix Sound/Volume Too Low
Check your Sound Settings
Fixing low volume on your Mac may be as simple as changing a few settings. You can adjust volume on your Mac’s keyboard or through ‘System Preferences’, but you can also adjust the volume of your Netflix video separately. Make sure you have adjusted both volumes so they are not too low.
Reset NVRAM/PRAM
Nonvolatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM) or Parameter RAM (PRAM) help to store settings related to your Mac’s volume, among other things. If there has been a malfunction with the NVRAM or PRAM, this can cause your volume settings to be too low. Follow the steps below to reset the NVRAM/PRAM.
Step 1: Press and hold the ‘Option’, ‘Command’, ‘P’ and ‘R’ keys.
Step 2: Wait for either the startup sound or for the Apple logo to appear/disappear for the second time before releasing the keys (about 20 seconds).
Reset SMC
You can reset the SMC on a desktop computer by performing a hard reset. This can be done by unplugging your Mac from its power source for 15 seconds and then plugin it back in again. However, if you have a Macbook (laptop), you will need to reset the SMC using the steps below.
Step 1: Turn off your Mac.
Step 2: Press and hold down the left ‘Control’, left ‘Option’ and right ‘Shift’ keys together.
Step 3: After seven seconds, and while still holding these three keys, hold down the power button as well.
Step 4: Hold these four keys for another seven seconds, then let go.
Step 5: After a few seconds, press the power button to turn your Mac on again.
Keep in mind that your Mac may turn on and off throughout this process. The SMC (‘System Management Controller’) is involved in the management of various hardware processes within the computer, and therefore may help restore your speaker volume if it has malfunctioned.
Mac Netflix No Sound
Check your Sound Settings
Having no sound coming through your Mac computer can be related to your sound settings. As mentioned earlier, you can adjust the volume settings through ‘System Preferences’, under ‘Sound’ and ‘Output’. You should check in these settings if the sound has been muted or set too low.
You should also check that the correct speaker has been selected. The sound output needs to be the ‘Built-in’ speakers. Sometimes this may change if you have recently connected to a bluetooth speaker, or if you have headphones plugged in.
Lastly, there is a mute option on the Sarafi tab that has Netflix open. You will only be able to see this when a video is playing, but it will look like a little speaker symbol on the Netflix tab in Safari. Clicking this icon will mute and unmute the sound for that tab, which may be causing the loss of sound.
Close Other Tabs and Programs
You may need to close other tabs in Safari that are playing sound. Some websites will have advertisements that automatically play, which can dominate the sound. You should be able to hear the sound from the other tab, but closing all other tabs will prevent this from becoming an issue.
The same can happen with other programs running in the background of your Mac. Some programs may dominate the sound output, disabling the sound coming from Netflix. Make sure you have closed all background programs properly, using ‘Command’ and ‘Q’ to quit.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 1, 2021.
Update or Turn Off your Security Software
Some security software can block the sound from the Netflix website. If this is a known issue, performing an update on your security software may fix the issue because the developers release bug fixes in each new firmware release.
If your software is up to date, try turning off the security temporarily while you test Netflix. If the sound works, you know the security software is disrupting the stream. In this case you will need to contact the relevant support service for that software to resolve the issue.
Mac Netflix Sound Out Of Sync
Restart your Mac
Step 1: Save any unsaved documents or pages.
Step 2: Select the Apple logo from the menu bar.
Step 3: Select ‘Restart’ and then confirm your choice by selecting ‘Restart’ again.
Restarting your Mac will give it the opportunity to reload all connections and programs, hopefully allowing the sound and video from Netflix to play in sync. However, if there have been any underlying errors that have occurred, you may need to try a hard reset. This involves unplugging the computer from it’s power source for at least 15 seconds before plugging it back in, draining any residual power.
The hard reset described above only works for desktop computers because all laptops (Macbooks) come with their own battery. For Mac computers with their own battery, you can try the following method instead.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 1, 2021.
Step 1: Turn off your Mac.
Step 2: Press the power button and hold it for 10 seconds.
Step 3: After you have released the power button, wait another few seconds.
Step 4: Press the power button to turn on your Mac.
Update your Mac
Step 1: Press the Apple Icon from the menu bar.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘System Preferences > Software Update > Update/Upgrade Now’.
Updating your Mac will automatically keep Safari up to date. Sometimes there are bugs in the firmware on the Mac or Safari that do not allow the Netflix website to operate effectively. This can not only cause the issue of the sound being out of sync, but could also cause the no sound or low sound issues mentioned above.
Disable Safari Plugins
Some Safari plugins or apps running on your Mac may not be compatible with the Netflix website. Programs that alter your volume or equalise the sound, such as ‘Boom’, are known to cause issues with sound lag. This is likely due to the extra processing involved in the audio stream, so disabling these plugins/apps will bring the sound back up to speed.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 1, 2021.