Can I fix my Macbook's headphone output?

August 28, 2008 8:25 PM

My Early 2007 Macbook makes a continuous popping sound (through the headphone jack) whenever anything is plugged into the headphone jack. Audio plays normally through the built in speakers, but only the thumping/popping sound through headphones or external speakers.

It seems similar to what's described here, only just the opposite. If I plug headphones in when no music, ect. is playing, nothing happens. However, when any sound tries to play, the thumping sound starts and continues until I unplug the headphones.

It happens exactly the same whether on battery power or AC. It is also not location dependant (probably not interference).

I am pretty sure it's a hardware problem, as it happens exactly the same when running Windows XP as when running OSX 10.4.

I'm not afraid to tear into it if it's something I can fix, (decent soldering skills) but I don't really know my way around the inside of the Macbook (yet).

Google searches turned up a lot of problems with popping through the headphone jack, but they all seemed to be sporadic, with the normal sounds playing fine. They suggested resetting the PMU by removing power cord and battery, and pressing power button for 5 seconds, then starting it back up. Didn't work.

posted by Dorri732 to computers & internet (6 comments total)

Does it vary with the volume level?
posted by kenliu at 8:41 PM on August 28, 2008

I'm not afraid to tear into it if it's something I can fix, (decent soldering skills) but I don't really know my way around the inside of the Macbook (yet).

do you not have applecare?
posted by lia at 8:45 PM on August 28, 2008

Does it vary with the volume level?

The volume level makes no difference, except that if it's quiet and you press the volume keys, the noise that it tries to make will make the thumping start.

do you not have applecare?

Nope. And it's too late for me to get it.
posted by Dorri732 at 9:18 PM on August 28, 2008

One option to work around the problem would be to pick up a USB device like an iMic and use its audio-out port, which will basically let you bypass the built-in audio hardware entirely. A dangly thing like that might not be the best if you're an on-the-go type, but for working on a desk it's fine.
posted by bcwinters at 5:28 AM on August 29, 2008

This sounds like a problem I had with my PowerBook G4 several years ago. I wound up having the system board replaced, so yes it's probably a hardware problem.

I used an iMic for a while, which is a pretty good workaround. It's small enough that you can take it with you anywhere, and is a generally useful gadget. There are also high end USB and ExpressCard audio interfaces available if you happen to be into high-end audio or recording.
posted by kenliu at 4:28 PM on August 30, 2008

Thanks all. I ended up finding a generic USB audio adapter on Ebay for $4.00 shipped (how can they possibly make it that cheap).

Not the greatest quality, but perfectly usable for Netflix movies.
posted by Dorri732 at 10:26 AM on November 6, 2008