Sound Not Coming Through Monitor? 10 Fixes to Solve the Issue
It’s frustrating when you connect your monitor to your computer, but the sound isn’t coming through the monitor even though you expect it to. This can be especially annoying when you’re watching movies, playing games, or working with video content. Whether you’re using an HDMI connection or DisplayPort, sound should come through your monitor if the correct settings are in place. In this article, we will walk you through five easy and reliable fixes to solve the problem of sound not coming through your monitor.
1. Ensure Audio Output Is Set to Your Monitor
One of the most common reasons for sound not coming through the monitor is that the audio output is set to the wrong device. Even if your monitor has built-in speakers, your computer might still be sending the sound to another device, such as your headphones, external speakers, or the computer’s audio output.
How to fix this:
- For Windows:
- Right-click the sound icon in the system tray at the bottom right.
- Click on Playback devices or Sounds.
- In the Playback tab, find your monitor listed as one of the available sound devices (usually under Digital Output or HDMI Audio).
- Set your monitor as the default audio output by right-clicking it and selecting Set as Default Device.
- For macOS:
- Click on the Apple logo in the top left and go to System Preferences.
- Select Sound and go to the Output tab.
- Select your monitor (which should show up as an audio output option if you’re using HDMI or DisplayPort).
- Ensure your monitor is selected as the default audio output.
By ensuring that the correct audio output is selected, you can ensure the sound is routed through your monitor.
2. Check HDMI or DisplayPort Cable for Audio Support
When you connect your computer to your monitor using an HDMI or DisplayPort cable, these connections should transmit both video and audio. However, not all cables are created equally, and some might not support audio transmission properly, especially if they’re older or of lower quality.
How to fix this:
- Make sure you’re using a high-quality HDMI cable or DisplayPort cable that supports both video and audio signals.
- If you’re using an HDMI-to-VGA adapter, keep in mind that VGA cables do not support audio, so you’ll need a separate audio cable for sound.
- Try using a different HDMI cable or DisplayPort cable to ensure the problem is not with the cable itself.
If your cable is outdated or not designed for audio, switching to a new, high-quality HDMI cable should resolve the issue and get the sound coming through your monitor.
3. Update Your Audio Drivers and Monitor Firmware
Outdated or incompatible audio drivers can sometimes prevent sound from coming through the monitor, even if everything else appears to be set up correctly. Graphics card drivers or audio drivers need to be updated for the HDMI audio feature to work properly. Likewise, your monitor’s firmware might need to be updated to fix audio-related bugs.
How to fix this:
- For Windows:
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Under Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your audio device and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
- You should also check for updates to your graphics drivers in Device Manager under Display adapters.
- For macOS:
- Go to System Preferences and select Software Update.
- Install any available updates to ensure both your audio drivers and macOS are up to date.
- For Monitors: Check the monitor’s support website for any available firmware updates for your model. Updating the firmware may improve audio compatibility with your computer.
By updating your audio drivers, graphics drivers, and monitor firmware, you can ensure that audio passes through the monitor speakers as expected.
4. Verify the Monitor’s Built-in Speakers Are Active
Many monitors have built-in speakers, but in some cases, the speakers might be turned off or muted. If you’re not hearing sound through your monitor, it’s worth checking if the monitor’s volume is set correctly.
How to fix this:
- Use the on-screen display (OSD) menu of your monitor to check the volume settings.
- Make sure the volume is turned up and not muted. The OSD settings are typically accessible via buttons on the side or bottom of the monitor.
- Some monitors also have an audio out port, which can be used to connect to external speakers. If you have this option, ensure that the audio out port isn’t being used incorrectly.
By adjusting the volume and confirming the built-in speakers are enabled, you can make sure your monitor is ready to play sound.
5. Ensure Proper Audio Settings for External Audio Devices
If you are using external speakers or a soundbar connected to your monitor, ensure the settings are configured correctly. Sometimes the sound will still route to your computer’s internal speakers, and you might need to adjust your external audio device settings to ensure the sound flows through the monitor.
How to fix this:
- Check if the external speakers or soundbar are connected properly to the monitor’s audio out port.
- If you are using Bluetooth speakers, ensure the monitor’s Bluetooth settings are enabled, and they are correctly paired.
- Check the audio settings on your computer to ensure the external device is selected as the output device, especially if you are using HDMI audio.
By ensuring that the external audio devices are connected properly, you can get sound through the monitor’s speakers or external speakers as needed.
6. Check the Audio Source Settings
If your sound is not coming through the monitor, the issue may lie with the audio source itself. Sometimes, your computer or other devices might not be set to output the sound to the right channel, leading to the monitor not receiving audio.
How to fix this:
- For Windows:
- Right-click the sound icon in the system tray.
- Select Open Sound Settings and then under Output, make sure the monitor is selected as the audio output device.
- For macOS:
- Go to System Preferences > Sound.
- Under Output, make sure your monitor is selected.
- If you’re using HDMI, the system should automatically switch to HDMI audio.
Ensuring the correct audio source is selected can resolve the issue and ensure that the sound comes through your monitor.
7. Disable Audio Enhancements or Effects
Sometimes, audio enhancements or software effects can interfere with the audio output and cause the sound to not come through the monitor. Disabling any audio enhancements can help restore the connection between the sound output and the monitor speakers.
How to fix this:
- For Windows:
- Right-click the sound icon in the system tray and choose Sounds.
- Select your monitor under the Playback tab.
- Click on Properties, go to the Enhancements tab, and check Disable all enhancements.
- Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
- For macOS:
- macOS doesn’t have a dedicated audio enhancement setting like Windows, but make sure no third-party apps are manipulating the sound output.
By disabling audio enhancements, you ensure that no unnecessary effects are blocking the audio signal from reaching your monitor speakers.
8. Use a Different Audio Output Option
If you are using HDMI or DisplayPort and sound still isn’t coming through your monitor, try switching the audio output to a different option. Some monitors may have issues with certain output settings, and switching to another option may solve the problem.
How to fix this:
- Try using a 3.5mm audio jack: If your monitor has a 3.5mm audio output port, you can connect a pair of external speakers or headphones directly to the monitor instead of relying on HDMI or DisplayPort.
- Switch to a different HDMI port: Some HDMI ports may not support audio or could be malfunctioning. Try a different HDMI port on both your computer and monitor.
Changing the audio output option or using a different connection type can help restore the sound output.
9. Check System Volume and Monitor Settings
It might sound basic, but sometimes the volume on your monitor or computer may be too low or muted. Similarly, the monitor’s volume settings may need to be adjusted, especially if you are using an external audio system.
How to fix this:
- On the monitor: Use the monitor’s on-screen display (OSD) to check if the volume is turned up and if mute is disabled.
- On your computer: Ensure that the system volume is turned up and not muted.
- For external speakers: If your monitor is connected to external speakers, verify that they are powered on and the volume is appropriately adjusted.
Making sure the volume settings on both your monitor and computer are correctly configured is a simple but effective way to ensure sound is coming through the monitor.
10. Test with a Different Monitor
If none of the previous steps work, the issue could be with the monitor itself. To rule out any issues with your monitor, you can test it by connecting it to a different device or computer to see if the sound works properly.
How to fix this:
- Connect your monitor to a different laptop or PC via HDMI or DisplayPort.
- Try playing sound from a video, music, or game to see if the audio output works.
- If the monitor works with another device, the problem may lie with your original computer or its settings.
By testing with a different device, you can determine if the problem is specific to the monitor or your computer’s settings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About “Sound Not Coming Through Monitor”
1. Why is the sound not coming through my monitor even though it’s connected via HDMI?
If sound is not coming through your monitor via HDMI, the problem could be with the audio output settings on your computer or the HDMI cable itself. Make sure that your monitor is selected as the default audio output device in your system’s sound settings. Also, check if your HDMI cable supports both video and audio transmission. If the issue persists, try testing a different HDMI cable or port to rule out connection problems.
2. How can I fix the sound issue on my monitor if the audio is not playing through HDMI?
If your monitor is connected via HDMI, but the audio isn’t playing, ensure that you have selected your monitor as the audio output device in your Windows or macOS sound settings. In Windows, right-click the sound icon, go to Playback devices, and set your monitor as the default device. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Sound > Output and choose your HDMI-connected monitor. Also, check that your monitor’s volume is turned up and not muted.
3. Why does my sound not come through my monitor speakers even though it’s connected by HDMI or DisplayPort?
If your sound isn’t coming through monitor speakers when using HDMI or DisplayPort, it could be due to incorrect audio output settings. Check your device manager to ensure that the correct audio driver is installed. Additionally, confirm that your monitor’s audio settings are active. If the issue persists, test the monitor with another device to ensure the problem isn’t related to your computer’s settings or the monitor itself.
4. How do I enable sound on my monitor when it’s connected through DisplayPort?
To enable sound on your monitor connected through DisplayPort, make sure that your monitor’s speakers are turned on and the volume is adjusted correctly. Then, in your computer’s sound settings, ensure that DisplayPort audio output is selected. On Windows, right-click the sound icon, choose Playback devices, and set DisplayPort Audio or your monitor as the default. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Sound and select your DisplayPort-connected monitor as the output device.
5. What should I do if the sound is not coming through my monitor even after I updated the drivers?
If your sound is still not coming through the monitor despite updating your audio drivers, check if the audio output settings are correct on your computer. Sometimes, even with updated drivers, the issue can be with a mismatched audio output device. Ensure that your monitor is set as the default output device in your computer’s sound settings. You can also try restarting your system or using a different HDMI/DisplayPort cable to rule out connection issues.