What is systemsoundserverd?

systemsoundserverd (sometimes shown as audio.systemsoundserverd) plays system sound effects on your Mac.

What is systemsoundserverd?

It plays alert sounds and interface sounds. The trash-emptying sound, the screenshot click, the volume-change pop, notification sounds, and other interface audio all go through this daemon.

How is it different from coreaudiod?

coreaudiod is the low-level audio engine that routes and mixes all sound. systemsoundserverd sits on top of it and handles short system sounds only. It loads common sounds in advance so they play straight away with no delay.

What sounds does it handle?

• Alert sounds (Basso, Blow, Bottle, Frog, Funk, Glass, Hero, and others)
• Interface feedback sounds (screenshot, trash, volume change)
• Notification sounds
• System event sounds

Can you change system sounds?

You can pick a different alert sound in System Settings, then Sound, then Sound Effects. You can also mute interface sounds by unticking "Play user interface sound effects" in the same panel.

Does it use many resources?

No. It keeps common sound files in memory for instant playback, but the memory and processor use is tiny.

Should you worry?

No. It is a normal macOS process that plays the sounds you hear during everyday use.

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