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VikingShips!
User level: Level 1 (33 points)

Mac mini HDMI surround sound output is intermittent

Greetings. I am using a 2012 Mac mini i7 server as my video server. I have a large collection of DVDs and Blu-ray's ripped to external storage. I use either Infuse or Blu-ray Player Pro to watch movies. The Mac mini is connected to my Marantz home theater via HDMI cable. The TV is connected to the Marantz. Sometimes I am able to configure full surround sound to the Marantz, and sometimes it is not available. I have checked the Sound setting in System Settings to output sound via the HDMI and the Audio MIDI Setup for possibilities. As mentioned, sometimes surround sound is available, sometimes not. Can anyone help me understand this situation, and possibly help me to set it permanently to the surround sound output?


Thanks in advance for your suggestions.


--Martin

Posted on Oct 1, 2026 5:03 AM

3 replies

OldToad
User level: Level 4 (1,299 points)

Oct 5, 2026 9:38 AM in response to VikingShips!

The cables are securely connected and not loose, right?


Not familiar with surround sound but can it be related to the memory of the Mini. How much do you have?


You might try the following: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


If there's not dropout while in Safe Mode and there is without it you may have some software that's interfering. But often it's one of the cache file that are removed by safe mode that has been corrupted and is replaced when booted normally the next time.


OldToad
User level: Level 4 (1,299 points)

Oct 1, 2026 10:56 AM in response to VikingShips!

What HDMI cable are you using? How is it rated.

When did the spotty surround sound begin?

Was it not spotty in the past at some time?


You might try one of these cables to see if you get any better surround sound:


Cable Matters Ultra High Speed HDMI Certified Braided Cable - $8.49.

Monoprice Ultra 8K HDMI Cable - $8.89


If your HDMI cable is a top rated one ignore this suggestion (or not).


VikingShips! Author
User level: Level 1 (33 points)

Oct 5, 2026 6:47 AM in response to OldToad

Hi. My cable is 8K 60Hz rated, gold plated connections. I don't think it's the cable, since the problem is not intermittent like a bad connection. It's more like the Mac mini is not producing the multi-channel signal for surround sound. A bad connection, it seems to me, would still show the available speaker setup in the Audio MIDI Setup with the correct number of speakers, even if the signal is not there. This is not the case: It only shows two, or two plus one available.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256368424