HDMI Connection No Sound- How To Fix It | Fix Audio Now

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When an HDMI connection has no sound, confirm the right input, choose the HDMI audio device in settings, and test another cable or port.

HDMI makes it easy to send picture and audio through a single cable, so when you get a silent screen it feels baffling and wasteful. The good news is that most HDMI no sound problems come down to a handful of settings, loose plugs, or finicky cables that you can sort out in a few minutes.

This guide walks you through practical checks for TVs, monitors, Windows PCs, Macs, consoles, and streaming devices. Start with the quick fixes, then move into device-specific steps so you can get audio back without tearing your setup apart.

HDMI Connection No Sound Fixes You Should Try First

Before you change deep system settings, run through a short list of physical and basic checks. These solve a large share of HDMI sound issues, especially after a new setup or a recent move.

  • Confirm the HDMI input — Check that the TV or monitor is set to the exact HDMI port your device uses, such as HDMI 1 or HDMI ARC.
  • Turn up TV and device volume — Make sure neither the TV nor the source device is muted and that volume is high enough to hear clearly.
  • Check for a headphones icon — If something is plugged into a headphone jack, sound may route there instead of through HDMI.
  • Push HDMI plugs in firmly — Reseat both ends of the cable until they click into place; a half-inserted plug can send picture but not audio.
  • Power cycle both devices — Turn off the TV and source, unplug them for 30 seconds, then plug them back in and turn them on again.
  • Test another HDMI port — Move the cable to a different HDMI input on the TV or receiver to rule out a bad port.
  • Try a different HDMI cable — Swap in a known-good cable if you have one, especially if the current one is old, bent, or very long.

If sound returns after any of these steps, you have likely found the weak link: a loose cable, a bad port, or a simple setting mismatch. If the HDMI connection still has no audio, move on to device-specific checks.

Common Reasons HDMI Has No Sound

HDMI carries picture and audio together, but several conditions must line up on both ends. Here are the main groups of issues that stop HDMI audio even when the picture looks fine.

  • Wrong audio output device — The computer or console may still send audio to its speakers or headphones while the HDMI display only shows video.
  • Display with no speakers — Many PC monitors receive HDMI video but have no audio hardware, so everything appears normal but stays silent.
  • ARC or eARC misconfigured — If you use a soundbar or AV receiver over HDMI ARC, either the TV or the audio device may have ARC features turned off.
  • Format mismatch — A console or PC may output surround formats the TV does not understand, such as certain Dolby or DTS modes.
  • Driver or firmware problems — Outdated graphics drivers, audio drivers, or TV firmware can break HDMI sound paths after an update or hardware change.

Typical HDMI No Sound Scenarios

These patterns can help you narrow down the cause quickly.

Symptom Likely Cause Fast Check
Picture works, TV shows HDMI label, no sound Wrong TV audio output or muted channel Open TV sound menu and pick TV speakers or receiver
Monitor shows picture, PC sound only from laptop speakers PC still using internal speakers as audio output Change default playback device to the HDMI monitor or TV
Soundbar on HDMI ARC plays TV apps only, not console TV not sending external HDMI input audio through ARC Turn on HDMI-CEC and ARC/eARC in TV settings
Sound cuts in and out when playing certain movies Audio format mismatch or weak cable Set output to PCM and try a shorter, higher-quality cable
No HDMI audio after driver or system update Driver reset default output device or disabled HDMI audio Re-select HDMI in sound settings and update drivers again

Fixing HDMI No Sound On Windows Laptops And PCs

On Windows, HDMI audio passes through the graphics driver and shows up as its own playback device. If Windows keeps sending sound to the wrong place, your TV or monitor stays quiet even though the cable and screen work.

Microsoft outlines this flow clearly in its sound troubleshooting guide, where selecting the correct output device is one of the main steps for HDMI connections.:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Select The HDMI Output Device In Windows

  1. Open sound settings — Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and choose Sound settings or open Settings > System > Sound.
  2. Pick the output device — Under the Output section, choose the entry that matches your TV, receiver, or monitor (for example, the TV brand name or an entry with HDMI in it).
  3. Test system sounds — Use the Test button, or play a short video to confirm sound now comes through the TV or receiver.
  4. Open the classic Sound panel — Scroll down and click More sound settings to open the older dialog if needed.
  5. Set HDMI as default — On the Playback tab, right-click the HDMI device and choose Set as Default Device, then click OK.

Check App And Driver Settings In Windows

  • Check the volume mixer — Right-click the speaker icon, open the volume mixer, and make sure the browser, game, or media app is not muted.
  • Disable unused outputs — In the Playback tab, right-click old or unused devices and choose Disable to reduce confusion, then confirm HDMI stays as default.
  • Switch audio format to stereo — In the HDMI device Properties dialog, open the Advanced tab and pick a standard 16-bit, 48 kHz stereo format, then test again.
  • Update graphics and audio drivers — Use Device Manager or the GPU maker’s tool to install the latest drivers for your graphics card and its HDMI audio device.
  • Reconnect with the TV turned on — Disconnect the HDMI cable, make sure the TV is on and set to the right input, then reconnect so Windows detects the audio channel cleanly.

If the HDMI device never appears in the playback list, the problem often lies with the graphics driver or a faulty adapter. Testing another display or cable helps separate software issues from hardware faults.

Fixing HDMI No Audio On Macs

On Macs, HDMI audio routing depends on the Sound settings and, for some setups, on the Audio MIDI Setup utility. macOS will happily mirror the screen while still sending sound to the Mac’s built-in speakers, so you need to switch it manually.

Apple documents this process in its HDMI help page, which confirms that you must select the HDMI device in the Sound Output pane whenever the display is connected.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Choose The TV Or Receiver As Output On Mac

  1. Connect the HDMI cable — Plug your Mac into the TV or receiver and set the TV to the matching HDMI input.
  2. Open Sound settings — Click the Apple menu, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS), then click Sound.
  3. Pick the HDMI device — Under Output, select the TV or receiver so macOS sends audio through HDMI instead of the built-in speakers.
  4. Use the menu bar shortcut — Hold Option and click the speaker icon in the menu bar to switch between internal speakers and HDMI output quickly.
  5. Unplug other audio devices — Disconnect USB audio adaptors or wired headsets if they keep stealing the default output.

Adjust Audio MIDI Setup On Mac

If HDMI appears in Sound settings but still stays silent, Audio MIDI Setup can reveal muted channels or odd formats.

  • Open Audio MIDI Setup — Go to Applications > Utilities and launch Audio MIDI Setup.
  • Select the HDMI device — Click the HDMI entry on the left and make sure it shows as an Output device.
  • Set format to stereo — Change Format to two-channel, 24-bit, 44.1 or 48 kHz, then test sound again.
  • Check channel mapping — Use the Configure speakers button to confirm front left and right channels map correctly.
  • Log out and back in — Sign out of your macOS account and sign in again to refresh audio routing if changes do not take effect at once.

HDMI No Sound On Consoles, TVs, And Streaming Devices

Consoles, streaming sticks, and Blu-ray players also depend on HDMI audio formats and TV settings. When a TV, soundbar, or receiver does not match the audio format the source is sending, silence or partial sound can follow.

Fix HDMI Audio On Game Consoles

Menus differ between brands, but most consoles offer similar options for output device and audio format.

  • Set audio output to HDMI — In the console’s sound menu, choose HDMI or TV as the output path instead of optical or headset.
  • Switch to PCM or stereo — Change audio format from bitstream, Dolby, or DTS to plain stereo or PCM to test a simpler mode first.
  • Disable extra chat or headset routing — Turn off options that route voice chat or game audio to a controller or USB headset while testing HDMI.
  • Test another HDMI port or TV — Move the console to a different HDMI input or a second TV to see whether the issue follows the console or stays with the display.

Fix HDMI No Sound From Streaming Devices

Streaming sticks and boxes often plug straight into a TV’s HDMI port and depend on TV audio settings.

  • Open the TV sound menu — Pick TV speakers or the correct receiver or soundbar if you use one.
  • Turn off Bluetooth audio sinks — Disconnect wireless headphones or speakers that may be taking audio output away from HDMI.
  • Set streaming device audio to Auto or PCM — In the streaming device settings, choose Auto, Stereo, or PCM before trying more advanced formats.
  • Restart TV and streaming device together — Unplug both devices for 30 seconds, plug them back in, then start the TV first and the streaming device second.

Fix HDMI ARC Or eARC Soundbar Problems

HDMI ARC and eARC are designed to send audio back from the TV to a soundbar or receiver. When sound disappears, the most common reason is a mismatch between TV ARC settings, CEC controls, and the soundbar input.

  • Use the ARC-labeled port — Make sure the HDMI cable runs from the TV’s HDMI ARC or eARC port to the soundbar’s HDMI ARC input.
  • Turn on HDMI-CEC on the TV — Enable the TV’s HDMI-CEC feature (brands often give it their own name) so it can talk to the soundbar over ARC.
  • Choose the correct audio output on the TV — Set sound output to Receiver, HDMI ARC, or similar wording instead of TV speakers.
  • Match eARC settings — If your TV and soundbar both support eARC, turn it on for both or switch both to ARC mode; mixed modes often lead to silence.
  • Check TV firmware updates — Install any available TV updates, as many brands improve ARC behavior through firmware releases.

When HDMI Cables, Adapters, Or Ports Are At Fault

HDMI cables rarely fail outright, but bends, low-quality materials, and very long runs can degrade the signal. Adapters that bridge formats, such as USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort to HDMI, add one more link in the chain that can break audio even when video still works.

  • Prefer shorter, newer cables — Use the shortest HDMI cable that reaches comfortably, and replace old or damaged ones with high-speed or Ultra High Speed rated versions.
  • Avoid daisy-chaining adapters — Use one clean adapter if needed instead of stacking several converters between the device and the TV.
  • Test each device directly — Plug the source straight into the TV with a simple HDMI cable to confirm basic audio works before adding receivers or switch boxes.
  • Inspect ports for damage — Look for loose or wobbly HDMI ports on the TV, monitor, or laptop; if the plug never feels solid, that port may need repair.
  • Try another HDMI input on the receiver — If sound works on one input but not another, the problem may be linked to that particular port’s processing or settings.

Some setups, especially older laptops or desktops, rely on separate audio cables even when they have an HDMI or DisplayPort video output. If your hardware predates HDMI audio support, check its manual to confirm whether HDMI can carry sound at all.

Final Tips To Keep HDMI Sound Working

Once you have HDMI audio working again, a few habits can save you from repeating the same troubleshooting steps every week.

  • Label your HDMI ports — Use small stickers or notes so you always know which port carries which device and whether it uses ARC.
  • Power on devices in a steady order — Turn on the TV or receiver first, then the source device, so HDMI detects audio paths cleanly.
  • Keep drivers and firmware current — Update graphics drivers on PCs and firmware on TVs and receivers when manufacturers release stability fixes.
  • Store cables without sharp bends — Avoid tight loops or crushed spots that can weaken conductors inside HDMI cables.
  • Note the settings that solved the issue — Snap a quick photo of working sound menus on the TV or computer so you can restore them later.

HDMI sound problems often feel mysterious because the picture looks fine while audio vanishes. By checking inputs, outputs, formats, and cables in a calm, methodical order, you can usually track down the missing link and get your movies, games, and presentations talking again through a single reliable connection.