MBPR / OSX Lion system volume doesn't affect output I've got a 2013 MBP-Retina with Cinema and Thunderbolt Displays (1x each).  It used to be that the default audio output was one of the integrated audio devices in a display, and I could control the volume from the keyboard (or the slider) as usual.  However, somehow the system has gotten into a state whereby the audio indicators change with the keyboard, but the actual output volume does not.  I can change the output volume for a specific device from system settings, but the system volume controls seem not to affect it.

What's going on, and how do I get back to normal?
I had the same problem and was able to fix it by running this from the command line, which unloads the audio kernel:

sudo kextunload /System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext


When I load the kernel back up, as indicated in the link below, the problem comes back.

Also see "Restarting sound service?".