This article describes a situation where no audio is heard from an iMac. Nothing is plugged into the sound out ports.

At startup, no chime is heard, nor are any beep sounds or other audio sources.

Products affected:

iMac

Solution:

• Verify the system volume setting in the Sound portion of the Monitors & Sound control panel is not muted. The start-up chime on the iMac is controlled through software sound controls, allowing the volume of the startup chime to be adjusted.
• Verify the audio cable is properly connected if a RAM upgrade was recently performed. Following the RAM install directions in the Mac OS Info Center, look at Step 10 for a diagram depicting the audio cable.
• If the cable is connected correctly, you may consider having the computer inspected by an Apple-authorized service provider.