How to Get a Volume Mixer on macOS: Per-App Audio Control Like Windows

Why Mac Volume Control Gets Disabled

When you connect external speakers or an HDMI monitor with built-in audio to your Mac, you might notice the volume controls become greyed out or completely unresponsive. This isn't a bug — it's actually macOS handing over audio control to the external device.

The problem is that many external speakers, monitors, and HDMI devices don't properly communicate their volume capabilities back to macOS. Your Mac essentially says "the external device will handle volume control" but the device doesn't actually provide that control.

Method 1: Check Your Audio Output Settings

First, verify which audio output macOS is actually using:

1. Hold Option and click the volume icon in your menu bar
2. Look at the output device list
3. If you see multiple options for your external device, try switching between them
4. Some devices show up as both "HDMI" and "External Speakers" — test both

Many users find that one output option allows volume control while another doesn't.

Method 2: Reset Core Audio

Core Audio sometimes gets confused about device capabilities. Here's how to reset it:

1. Disconnect all external audio devices
2. Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities)
3. Type: sudo killall coreaudiod
4. Enter your admin password
5. Wait 10 seconds, then reconnect your external speakers

This forces macOS to re-detect your audio devices and their capabilities.

Method 3: Use Audio MIDI Setup

Apple's built-in Audio MIDI Setup can sometimes restore volume control:

1. Open Audio MIDI Setup (Applications > Utilities)
2. Select your external audio device
3. Right-click and choose Use This Device For Sound Output
4. In the same menu, try Configure Speakers and run through the setup
5. Check if volume control returns

Method 4: Try a Different Cable or Port

This might sound obvious, but cable and port issues are surprisingly common:

• Try a different HDMI port on your monitor
• Test with a different HDMI or audio cable
• If using USB-C or Thunderbolt, try a different port on your Mac
• For older Macs, try the headphone jack with a 3.5mm cable

Some HDMI ports support different audio standards, and switching ports can resolve volume control issues.

Method 5: Check Your External Device Settings

Many monitors and speakers have their own volume control settings that can interfere with macOS:

1. Check your monitor's on-screen display (OSD) menu
2. Look for audio settings and ensure volume control is enabled
3. Some monitors have a "PC mode" vs "HDMI mode" — try switching
4. For USB speakers, check if they have dedicated software that might be blocking system volume control

Method 6: Use Per-App Volume Control

If system volume control remains disabled, you can still control audio on a per-app basis. This is actually more flexible than system volume in many cases.

Apps like Soundish provide individual volume controls for each application, letting you adjust Chrome, Spotify, or Discord independently — even when system volume is locked. You can set different apps to different volume levels and even route them to different outputs entirely.

This approach is particularly useful if you're using multiple audio devices simultaneously, like speakers for music and headphones for video calls.

When Hardware Volume Control is Your Only Option

Sometimes the external device genuinely doesn't support software volume control, and you'll need to use physical controls:

• Monitor speakers: Use the monitor's volume buttons
• External speakers: Use their physical volume knob or remote
• Soundbars: Use the soundbar's remote control

This isn't ideal, but it's how some devices are designed to work.

Prevention Tips

To avoid volume control issues in the future:

• Research audio compatibility before buying monitors or speakers
• Keep audio drivers updated (for USB devices)
• Consider dedicated audio interfaces if you frequently switch between devices
• Use apps that provide per-app volume control for more flexibility

The Bottom Line

Mac volume control issues with external speakers and HDMI are usually fixable with the right approach. Start with checking your output settings and resetting Core Audio — these solve most cases. If hardware limitations prevent system volume control, per-app volume management can provide even better control over your audio experience.

The key is understanding that this isn't really a Mac problem — it's a communication issue between macOS and external devices that don't properly report their volume capabilities.

---

Originally published at appish.app