macOS 10.15.7 not remembering volume level

[jadraker]

Hello guys,
Since I upgraded to macOS (19H15) every time I disconnect my AirPod Pro the volume of the built in speakers are set to almost maximum volume level. If I set it to a low level and then I close the lid or I connect and disconnect my AirPod the volume is restored to almost maximum again. This behavior didn't happened in early versions.

Do you know if it's a new bug (again...) or if I can fix it someway?

Thanks.

 

[brianmowrey]

Already reset P/NVRAM?

 

[jadraker]

Yes, I did it and the problem persist
Strangely when macOS loaded the volume was ok but when all programs loaded the volume level went up to 7-8 again. AirPod Pro volume is remembered but not built-in speakers.

Is there any way to see if P/NVRAM was resetted?

Thanks.

 

[brianmowrey]

As the article mentions, you need to turn off firmware pw for it to work. Then, if you get the double-restart, it has reset.

If the problem persists, then onward to standard isolation. Back up everything first, then test in a new User, test in Safe Mode (I would leave that out for a sound problem actually), uninstall 3rd party apps and reinstall them in batches, reinstall OS, whatever gets you to isolating the problem.

Alternately you could open syspref > Sound or Audio MIDI Setup after restart, then open your apps both with Airpods disconnected and connected to see if any of the apps seem to be adjusting the output settings.

My preference is not to go down those rabbit holes. I just back up and clean reinstall OS.

 

[jadraker]

Thanks for the help. I restarted without the option to load the applications and it fixed the problem however when I launched all of my apps (Word, Excel, Outlook, Chrome, Safari, Teams, Skype, VMware, Spotify and others) the problem started again. Definitively a software is causing this behavior. Strangely before this cumulative macOS update this bug didn't manifest.