Most of the time, these external devices do not let macOS adjust their volume. Changes in how Mac handles audio, especially in newer versions, can also cause this issue. Now that you know the causes, let’s discuss the solutions.
1. Kill the coreaudiod Process
Workaround: Adjust Volume Using Terminal
As an alternative, you can set the volume through Terminal. While this method isn’t as convenient, it can come in handy for troubleshooting. Just enter the following command, changing the number (5) to set the desired volume level:
2. Disconnect and Reconnect Audio Device
If this issue pops up when you don’t have any external audio device connected, a simple trick is to plug in a pair of headphones or speakers and then unplug them. Sometimes, this can reset your Mac’s audio settings.
3. Select the Correct Audio Output
To help explain things, let’s look at a typical situation: let’s say you have a Sharp TV connected to your Mac via HDMI. If you can’t adjust the volume with the keyboard and the speaker icon looks disabled.
4. If Your External Device Does Not Support Volume Control
If your external device doesn’t support volume control, you can use a free tool called SoundFlower. SoundFlower lets audio flow between different applications and devices, so you can adjust volume even when it’s otherwise locked.
