You’ve connected your monitor, turned everything on, but there’s no sound. The audio bars are moving, your computer thinks everything is fine, but you can’t hear sound from monitor speakers.
This frustrating problem happens to many people, but the good news is that most monitor audio issues can be fixed at home. Whether you’re dealing with monitor speakers not showing up in settings or sound that simply won’t play through monitor, this guide will help you solve the problem step by step.
Why Can’t I Hear Sound From My Monitor?
Monitor speakers work differently than regular computer speakers. When you connect your monitor via HDMI or DisplayPort, the audio signal travels through the same cable as the video. This means your monitor acts as both a display and an audio device.
The main reasons you might experience no sound coming from monitor include:
- Incorrect audio output settings on your computer
- Monitor volume muted or too low
- Loose or faulty cables
- Outdated or corrupted audio drivers
- HDMI/DisplayPort compatibility issues
- Hardware problems with the monitor itself
Most of these issues are easy to fix once you know what to look for. Let’s start with the quickest solutions before moving to more detailed troubleshooting.
Quick Fixes to Try First
Before diving into complex solutions, try these simple fixes that solve most monitor audio problems:
Check Your Monitor’s Volume Settings
Many people forget that monitors have their own volume controls, just like TVs. Look for physical buttons on your monitor or access the on-screen display (OSD) menu. Make sure:
- The volume isn’t muted
- The volume level is high enough to hear
- The correct audio source is selected (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.)
Select the Correct Audio Output Device
Your computer might be sending audio to the wrong place. Here’s how to check:
For Windows:
- Right-click the speaker icon in the bottom-right corner
- Select “Open Sound settings”
- Under “Output,” choose your monitor from the list
- If you don’t see your monitor, click “Device properties” and ensure it’s enabled
For Mac:
- Click the Apple menu and select “System Preferences”
- Choose “Sound” and click the “Output” tab
- Select your monitor from the list
- Make sure “Mute” is unchecked
Check Your Cable Connections
Loose cables are a common cause of audio not playing through monitor. Follow these steps:
- Unplug the HDMI or DisplayPort cable from both ends
- Wait 10 seconds
- Plug it back in firmly (you should feel or hear a click)
- Try a different cable if you have one available
Restart Your Devices
Sometimes a simple restart fixes everything:
- Turn off both your computer and monitor
- Unplug the monitor from power for 30 seconds
- Plug everything back in and turn on the devices
These quick fixes solve about 70% of monitor audio issues. If you’re still experiencing problems where my monitor won’t play sound, continue with the detailed troubleshooting below.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
If the quick fixes didn’t work, don’t worry. Follow these detailed steps to identify and solve the problem.
Step 1: Verify Your Monitor Has Built-in Speakers
Not all monitors have built-in speakers. Check:
- Your monitor’s specifications (look in the manual or online)
- Physical speaker grilles on the monitor
- The product box or manufacturer’s website
If your monitor doesn’t have built-in speakers, you’ll need to connect external speakers or use headphones.
Step 2: Check Monitor OSD Settings
Your monitor’s on-screen display (OSD) controls important audio settings:
- Press the menu button on your monitor
- Navigate to the “Sound” or “Audio” section
- Check these settings:
- Volume level (should be 50% or higher)
- Mute status (should be off)
- Audio source (should match your connection type)
- Speaker select (choose “Internal” or “Built-in” if available)
Some monitors have different audio modes. Make sure you’re not in “Headphone” mode if you want to use built-in speakers.
Step 3: Update Your Audio Drivers
Outdated drivers often cause built speakers monitor not working issues. Here’s how to update them:
For Windows:
- Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager”
- Expand “Sound, video and game controllers”
- Look for your monitor’s audio device (might be called “HDMI Audio” or similar)
- Right-click it and select “Update driver”
- Choose “Search automatically for drivers”
For NVIDIA Graphics Cards:
- Download the latest NVIDIA drivers from their website
- During installation, select “Custom” and check “Perform a clean installation”
- This ensures all audio components are properly installed
Step 4: Check HDMI/DisplayPort Compatibility
Some older devices don’t work well with newer HDMI standards. If sound wont work on monitor:
- Access your monitor’s OSD menu
- Look for “Input Port Version” or similar
- Try changing from HDMI 2.0 to HDMI 1.4
- Test if audio starts working
This is especially common when connecting newer monitors to older computers or vice versa.
Step 5: Test with Different Devices and Ports
Isolate the problem by testing different combinations:
- Connect your monitor to a different device (game console, another computer)
- If audio works, the problem is with your original computer
- If audio doesn’t work, the problem might be with the monitor
- Try different ports on your computer if available
- Test with different cables to rule out cable issues
This systematic approach helps identify whether you’re dealing with a computer problem, monitor problem, or cable issue.
Advanced Solutions for Persistent Issues
If you’ve tried everything above and still can’t hear sound from monitor, these advanced solutions might help.
Uninstall and Reinstall Audio Drivers
Sometimes drivers become corrupted. A clean installation often fixes the issue:
- Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager”
- Click “View” and check “Show hidden devices”
- Expand “Sound, video and game controllers”
- Right-click your monitor’s audio device and select “Uninstall device”
- Check “Delete the driver software for this device” if available
- Unplug your HDMI cable
- Restart your computer
- Plug the HDMI cable back in
- Windows should reinstall the drivers automatically
Check for Monitor Firmware Updates
Some monitors need firmware updates to work properly:
- Visit your monitor manufacturer’s support website
- Search for your monitor model
- Look for firmware or driver updates
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install updates
Be careful with firmware updates – follow the instructions exactly to avoid damaging your monitor.
Reset Monitor to Factory Settings
If your monitor has custom settings that might be causing issues:
- Access the OSD menu
- Look for “Reset,” “Factory Reset,” or “Default Settings”
- Select this option and confirm
- Set up your audio settings again from scratch
This will erase all your custom settings, so you’ll need to readjust brightness, contrast, and other preferences.
Try Alternative Audio Connections
If HDMI audio isn’t working, consider these alternatives:
- 3.5mm Audio Cable: Connect your computer’s headphone jack to the monitor’s audio-in port (usually green)
- USB Audio: Some monitors support USB audio connections
- Bluetooth: If your monitor has Bluetooth capabilities
- External Speakers: Connect speakers directly to your computer instead of using monitor speakers
Prevention Tips for Future Issues
Once you fix the current problem, follow these tips to avoid future audio issues:
Keep Your Drivers Updated
Set up automatic driver updates or check monthly for new driver versions. This prevents compatibility issues with new software and hardware.
Use Quality Cables
Cheap HDMI cables can cause audio problems. Invest in good quality cables that support the audio and video standards you need.
Proper Shutdown Procedures
Always shut down your computer properly instead of just turning off the power. This prevents driver corruption and settings issues.
Regular Maintenance Checks
Every few months:
- Check cable connections
- Verify audio output settings
- Run audio troubleshooters
- Update drivers if needed
When to Seek Professional Help?
Sometimes, the problem requires professional assistance. Seek help if:
Signs of Hardware Failure
- No audio from any device connected to the monitor
- Physical damage to the monitor or ports
- Burning smells or unusual sounds from the monitor
- The monitor doesn’t power on at all
Manufacturer Warranty Information
Check if your monitor is still under warranty. Most manufacturers cover:
- Internal speaker failures
- Port malfunctions
- Circuit board issues
Contact the manufacturer before attempting any internal repairs to avoid voiding your warranty.
Finding Authorized Service Centers
For hardware issues, use authorized service centers:
- Check the manufacturer’s website for locations
- Get a repair estimate before proceeding
- Ask about turnaround times
- Back up your data before sending devices for repair
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my monitor speakers show sound is playing but I can’t hear anything?
This common issue usually means your computer is sending audio to the monitor, but something is blocking the sound. Check your monitor’s physical volume controls and mute settings first. Many monitors have their own volume buttons that work separately from your computer’s volume. Also, verify that the correct audio source is selected in your monitor’s on-screen menu. If everything looks correct but you still can’t hear sound from monitor, try unplugging and reconnecting the HDMI cable, as this often resets the audio connection.
My monitor speakers aren’t showing up in sound settings – what should I do?
When monitor speakers not showing up in your sound settings, start by checking if your monitor actually has built-in speakers. If it does, the issue might be with driver recognition. Go to Device Manager, click “View” and select “Show hidden devices,” then look under “Sound, video and game controllers.” If you see your monitor there but it’s disabled, right-click and enable it. If it’s not there at all, try uninstalling your graphics drivers completely and reinstalling them, as HDMI audio is handled by graphics drivers, not regular audio drivers.
I just bought a new monitor but can’t get sound through the built-in speakers – is this normal?
No, this isn’t normal if your monitor has built-in speakers. First, confirm your monitor actually has speakers by checking the specifications. If it does, the most common issue is that your computer isn’t recognizing the monitor as an audio device. Try these steps: ensure the HDMI cable is firmly connected, check that you’ve selected the correct input source on your monitor, and verify that the monitor is set as the default audio output device in your computer’s sound settings. If my monitor won’t play sound after trying these steps, you may need to update your graphics drivers.
Why did my monitor audio stop working suddenly when it was fine yesterday?
Sudden audio loss usually points to a software or driver issue rather than hardware failure. The most common causes are recent Windows updates that changed audio settings, driver updates that didn’t install correctly, or changes to your audio output settings. Start by checking if Windows recently installed updates. If so, try rolling back the graphics driver to the previous version. Also, check if any new software was installed that might have changed audio settings. Sometimes, simply unplugging the monitor and computer for a few minutes can reset whatever caused the sudden change.
Can I use external speakers with my monitor if the built-in ones don’t work?
Yes, you have several options for external audio. You can connect speakers directly to your computer’s audio output (usually a green 3.5mm jack), use USB speakers, or connect Bluetooth speakers if your computer supports them. Some monitors also have an audio output jack where you can plug in external speakers while still using the monitor as a display. This way, even if you’re experiencing no sound coming from monitor, you can still have audio through external speakers while you troubleshoot the built-in speaker issue.
Why does my monitor audio only work after I restart my computer?
This issue typically indicates a driver or software problem rather than a hardware fault. When you restart your computer, it reloads all drivers and resets connections, temporarily fixing the issue. The underlying problem might be that the HDMI audio driver isn’t loading properly when your computer wakes from sleep or when you first turn it on. Try updating your graphics drivers to the latest version, as this often resolves driver loading issues. You can also try disabling power saving features for your graphics card in Device Manager, as sometimes these features interfere with proper driver initialization.
How do I know if my monitor actually has built-in speakers?
To determine if your monitor has built-in speakers, check several indicators. Look for speaker grille openings on the front or bottom of the monitor. Check the monitor’s specifications in the manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Look for audio-related buttons on the monitor’s control panel, such as volume up/down or mute buttons. In your computer’s sound settings, see if the monitor appears as an audio output device. If you’re still unsure, search for your monitor model online along with “specifications” or “manual” to get definitive information about whether sound wont work on monitor because it lacks speakers or because of another issue.
Conclusion
Dealing with audio not playing through monitor can be frustrating, but most issues are fixable with the right approach. Start with the simple checks like volume settings and cable connections, then work through the more advanced solutions if needed. Remember that monitor audio issues are usually caused by settings, drivers, or cables rather than hardware failure.
By following this guide, you should be able to resolve most cases where you can’t hear sound from monitor. Keep your drivers updated, use quality cables, and perform regular maintenance to prevent future issues. If you’ve tried everything and still have problems, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer or seek professional help – sometimes the issue requires expert attention.
Try these solutions in order, and you’ll likely have your monitor audio working again in no time!
