> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://macfixly.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How to Turn Off Startup Chime on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide - URL: https://macfixly.com/turn-off-startup-chime-mac/ - Published: 2026-10-13T05:13:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-13T05:13:00.000Z - Description: Discover easy, step-by-step methods to turn off the startup chime on your Mac across different models and macOS versions. - Author: Macuser - Tags: Mac Tips, Sound Settings, MacOS, Startup Chime, Tech How-To You power on your Mac, and the familiar startup chime plays—sometimes welcome, sometimes intrusive. Perhaps you’re in a quiet environment or simply prefer a silent boot experience. This article explains how to turn off startup chime on Mac with clear, step-by-step instructions for various Mac models and macOS versions. It also covers managing other related chime sounds, such as notification sounds in Microsoft Teams and Windows, helping you decide the best way to customize or silence these sounds across your devices. ## Key takeaways - Use System Settings > Sound > Play sound on startup toggle for newer Macs to disable the chime. - For older macOS versions, use Terminal commands like **sudo nvram StartupMute=%01** to mute the startup sound. - Adjust notification sounds in Teams via Preferences > Notifications to reduce chime interruptions. - Manage startup programs and their sounds in System Settings > Users & Groups > Login Items. - Some Mac models do not support disabling the startup chime due to hardware design; know your model's capabilities. ## Before you start: What you need to know The Mac startup chime is a diagnostic sound that plays when you power on your Mac. It confirms that key hardware components passed initial checks. On some Mac models, disabling this chime is straightforward via system settings, while others require Terminal commands or more technical approaches. macOS versions also differ in how they handle the startup sound. For example, macOS Big Sur and later introduced options that allow users to toggle the startup chime on or off directly in System Preferences, whereas earlier versions often need command-line intervention. Before making changes, you must have administrator access to your Mac. This permission is necessary to modify system settings or execute Terminal commands related to sound controls. Additionally, backing up your settings or creating a system backup is advisable to prevent unintended issues. | Mac Model | macOS Version | Easy Chime Disable Option | | ---------------------------- | -------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | | MacBook Pro (2016 and later) | macOS Big Sur and later | Available in System Preferences > Sound | | MacBook Air (pre-2018) | macOS Catalina and earlier | Requires Terminal command | | iMac (various) | macOS Catalina and later | Mixed; often Terminal needed | | MacBook (2015) | macOS Mojave and earlier | Terminal command only | Ensure you know your Mac model and macOS version before proceeding. This information helps determine the best method for disabling the startup chime on your device. ## How to turn off startup sound on MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro Disabling the startup chime on MacBook models can be done through System Preferences or System Settings for newer macOS versions, or via Terminal commands for models without a graphical option. 1. Open **System Preferences** (or **System Settings** on newer versions) from the Apple menu. 2. Navigate to **Sound**, then select the **Sound Effects** tab. 3. Look for the option labeled *Play sound on startup* or *Startup sound*. If available, uncheck this box. You should see the change take effect on the next startup. 4. If the checkbox is not present, open **Terminal** from the Utilities folder or via Spotlight. 5. Type the command `sudo nvram StartupMute=%01` and press Enter. You will be prompted for your administrator password. 6. After entering the password, the startup chime will be muted on the next boot. 7. To verify the command, enter `nvram -p | grep StartupMute`. The output should show `StartupMute %01`, confirming the mute status. 8. If you want to restore the startup sound, use the command `sudo nvram -d StartupMute`. This resets the setting to default, and the chime will play again on startup. Note that using Terminal commands requires administrator access and care to avoid unintended changes. The graphical method is simpler but only available on some macOS versions and MacBook models. ## How to turn off startup sound on Mac Catalina and other specific macOS versions macOS Catalina differs from other versions in how it manages the startup chime, as it does not provide a direct toggle in System Preferences. Instead, disabling the startup sound requires using Terminal commands that modify system firmware settings. These commands control whether the chime plays during boot, but changes may not persist after system updates or resets. ![How to turn off startup sound on Mac Catalina and other specific macOS versions – how to turn off startup chime on Mac](https://macfixly.com/content/images/2026/10/turn-off-startup-chime-mac-2.webp) 1. Open the Terminal app from Applications > Utilities. 2. To mute the startup chime, enter **sudo nvram SystemAudioVolume=%80** and press Return. You will be prompted for your administrator password. 3. If successful, the command returns no output, and the startup sound will be silenced on the next reboot. 4. To restore the startup chime, enter **sudo nvram -d SystemAudioVolume** and press Return. 5. Again, the command returns no output if it worked; the chime will play on the next startup. Note that on Catalina, this method affects only the startup chime—not other system sounds. Also, some Macs with the T2 security chip may ignore these settings after certain system updates or resets, requiring the command to be reapplied. There is no graphical user interface option in Catalina’s Sound preferences for controlling the startup chime, so Terminal commands remain the most reliable approach. If you prefer not to use Terminal, muting your Mac's volume before shutdown will also suppress the chime but requires manual adjustment each time. ## How to turn off chimes in Teams and other app notifications on Mac Managing chime sounds in apps like Microsoft Teams and other notifications on your Mac involves adjusting both app-specific settings and system-wide preferences. This lets you control sounds precisely without muting all audio. ### Disable or customize notification sounds in Microsoft Teams 1. Open the Microsoft Teams app on your Mac. 2. Click your profile picture in the top-right corner, then select **Settings** from the dropdown menu. 3. Choose the **Notifications** tab on the left side. 4. Scroll to the **Sound** section. 5. Toggle off **Play sound for incoming calls and notifications** to mute all Teams chimes, or customize specific notification sounds here. 6. Close settings; changes take effect immediately, and Teams will no longer play startup or message sounds if muted. ### Mute chimes in other apps and system notifications 1. Click the Apple menu and select **System Settings** (or **System Preferences**). 2. Go to **Notifications**. 3. Scroll through the list of apps and select the one whose sound you want to mute. 4. Disable **Play sound for notifications** to silence that app's alert tones while keeping visual alerts active. 5. Repeat for other apps as needed to manage their notification sounds individually. System-wide sound controls affect all audio output, including media, alerts, and app sounds, while app-specific settings let you mute only particular notifications without impacting other audio. Adjusting app settings is usually preferable to maintain audio for music or calls while silencing unwanted chimes. ## How to turn off startup programs and related sounds on Mac Startup programs or login items on your Mac can sometimes trigger unexpected sounds during boot or login. Disabling these items not only prevents associated sounds but can also improve your system's startup time and overall performance. To manage these items, you need to access the appropriate settings in System Preferences or System Settings, depending on your macOS version. 1. Open **System Preferences** (or **System Settings** on newer macOS versions) from the Apple menu. You should see a window with system configuration options. 2. Click on **Users & Groups**. Here, you'll find your user accounts and related settings. 3. Select your user account from the left sidebar if not already selected. 4. Choose the **Login Items** tab. This displays a list of apps and services that open automatically when you log in. 5. Review the list for any apps that might be causing sounds, such as messaging apps, music players, or utilities known for notifications. 6. To disable an item, click to select it, then press the **\-** button below the list. The app will no longer start automatically. 7. After making changes, restart your Mac. You should notice a reduction or elimination of unexpected startup sounds and potentially faster login times. Disabling unnecessary startup programs reduces background activity, which often includes sound triggers. However, be cautious not to remove essential services or apps you rely on immediately after login. You can always re-enable them by returning to the same settings. Before and after disabling startup items, you may observe a noticeable difference in system startup time and fewer surprise sounds, creating a quieter, faster startup experience. ## How to turn off startup noise on MacBook and Mac desktops The startup chime is a distinct, short sound signaling your Mac is booting, usually around 50-60 decibels. In contrast, hardware noises like fan whirring or hard drive spinning can be louder and vary in pitch and duration. These noises are not system sounds but physical components operating during startup. To reduce or eliminate hardware startup noise, begin with basic maintenance: 1. Clean the vents and fans: Use compressed air to gently blow dust out of the vents and fan areas. You should notice reduced fan noise over time, especially during startup when the system cools itself. 2. Check for software updates: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update and install any available updates. Updated firmware can sometimes improve hardware management and reduce fan activity. 3. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC): Shut down your Mac, then follow the Apple support instructions for your model to reset the SMC. This can help recalibrate fan control and reduce unnecessary noise. 4. Monitor running processes: Open Activity Monitor and look for processes using excessive CPU, which can cause fans to run louder. Quit or manage resource-heavy apps to lessen startup noise. If fan or hardware noises remain unusually loud, rattling, or intermittent, this may indicate a failing fan, loose components, or other hardware issues. In such cases, contacting Apple Support or an authorized service provider is advisable to avoid damage. ## Troubleshooting common issues when turning off Mac startup chime If Terminal commands to silence the startup chime do not work or reset after macOS updates, it often indicates changes in system firmware protections or unsupported Mac models. Checking your Mac model's compatibility with this feature is essential before proceeding. ![Troubleshooting common issues when turning off Mac startup chime – how to turn off startup chime on Mac](https://macfixly.com/content/images/2026/10/turn-off-startup-chime-mac-3.webp) 1. Verify your Mac model by clicking the Apple menu > About This Mac. Confirm if your model supports disabling the startup chime, as some newer Macs have removed this option entirely. When successful, you will see your Mac model name and year. 2. Run the Terminal command to mute the startup sound. If you receive an error like *“Command not found”* or *“Operation not permitted”*, ensure you have administrator privileges and that System Integrity Protection (SIP) is disabled if required. If the command executes successfully, you will see no error messages. 3. Restart your Mac and listen carefully for the startup chime. If it still plays, the change may not have applied. Recheck the command syntax and confirm you ran it with sudo. 4. If changes revert after software updates, note that macOS updates can reset firmware settings. You may need to reapply Terminal commands after each update. 5. To restore default startup sound settings if something breaks, use the Terminal command `sudo nvram -d SystemAudioVolume`. This removes custom mute settings and restores the original chime behavior. Common pitfalls include missing sudo privileges, incorrect command syntax, and ignoring macOS security restrictions. If you encounter error messages such as *“Operation not permitted”*, check SIP status with `csrutil status` in Recovery Mode and disable it only if you understand the security implications. Users have reported that some Mac models simply do not support disabling the startup chime, so persistence with commands may not yield results. In such cases, muting your Mac's volume before shutdown is a practical workaround. ## More on this topic - [How to Stop Spotify Opening at Startup on Mac: A Clear Step-by-Step Guide](https://macfixly.com/stop-spotify-opening-startup-mac/) - [How to Turn Off Auto Brightness on Mac: A Clear Step-by-Step Guide](https://macfixly.com/turn-off-auto-brightness-mac/) - [How to Change the Login Screen Wallpaper on Your Mac: A Practical Guide](https://macfixly.com/change-login-screen-wallpaper-mac/) - [How to Change the Default App for a File Type on Mac](https://macfixly.com/change-default-app-file-type-mac/) ## Frequently asked questions ### How to turn off start up sound on mac? To turn off the startup sound on a Mac, you can mute your Mac's volume before shutting it down, as the sound respects the mute setting. Alternatively, on newer Macs with macOS Big Sur or later, you can disable the startup chime by opening System Preferences, selecting Sound, and unchecking "Play sound on startup." ### How to turn off start up noise on mac? Turning off startup noise on a Mac typically involves muting the system volume before shutdown or using Terminal commands to disable the chime on older Macs. For newer models, check the Sound settings in System Preferences to toggle the startup sound option off. ### How to turn off start up sound on macbook pro? On MacBook Pro models, you can disable the startup sound by muting the volume before powering down or, if running macOS Big Sur or later, by going to System Preferences > Sound and deselecting "Play sound on startup." Some older MacBook Pro models may require a Terminal command or resetting NVRAM to change the setting. ### How to turn off boot sound on mac? The boot sound on Mac can be turned off by muting the volume before shutdown or, for Macs with supporting macOS versions, by disabling the startup sound in System Preferences under Sound. For older systems, using the Terminal to modify the NVRAM setting "SystemAudioVolume" to zero is an effective method. ### how to turn off chimes in teams To turn off chimes in Microsoft Teams on a Mac, open Teams and click your profile picture, then select Settings > Notifications. From there, adjust or turn off the "Sounds" option to silence message and call alerts without affecting other notifications. ## Limits of Disabling the Startup Chime Disabling the startup chime may prevent you from hearing important diagnostic signals that indicate hardware issues during your Mac’s boot process. If you rely on these audio cues for troubleshooting, consider leaving the chime enabled or using alternative diagnostic tools. Some newer Mac models have firmware restrictions that limit or entirely prevent the ability to disable the startup sound. In these cases, software settings or volume controls may not affect the chime. This guide focuses exclusively on Macs and does not cover detailed steps for disabling chimes on Windows or other non-Mac systems beyond brief contextual mentions. The most useful next step is to explore your Mac’s Sound preferences under System Settings (or System Preferences) to fine-tune alert volumes and notification sounds. Adjusting these controls allows you to manage other system and app chimes without affecting critical startup signals, giving you balanced control over your Mac’s audio environment.