HDMI Audio Not Working on Windows 11: Restore Sound

HDMI audio not working on Windows 11 — the monitor or TV is connected via HDMI and the video works fine but no sound comes through — is usually a configuration issue rather than a hardware problem. The key is understanding that HDMI audio is treated as a completely separate device from your regular speakers, and Windows needs to know to route audio there. If you want the full context, see our Complete Guide to Fixing Windows, Browser, and Software Errors.

The most common fix: set HDMI as the default audio device

When you connect a monitor or TV via HDMI, Windows creates a new audio device for it. But it doesn’t automatically switch your default audio output to use that device — your previous speakers or headphones remain the default. Audio continues playing through the old device while the HDMI display silently waits.

Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar → Sound settings → Output → look for your HDMI device in the dropdown. It usually appears as the monitor model name, “Digital Audio (HDMI),” or similar. Select it and test.

If you don’t see any HDMI audio device in the list at all, continue to Fix 3.

Fix 2: The device is there but disabled

HDMI audio devices are sometimes automatically disabled when no device was connected at Windows startup, or after being disconnected and reconnected. Right-click the speaker icon → Sound settings → More sound settings → Playback tab. Right-click in an empty area of the Playback window → “Show Disabled Devices.” If an HDMI device appears with a down-arrow icon: right-click it → Enable → then set as default.

Fix 3: Update the GPU driver

HDMI audio doesn’t use a separate sound card — it travels through the GPU and is controlled by the GPU’s audio component. This is why HDMI audio problems are almost always GPU driver problems, not audio driver problems.

The GPU driver package includes an HDMI audio driver. When the GPU driver is outdated or was incorrectly installed, the HDMI audio component doesn’t initialise properly. Update the GPU driver from:

• NVIDIA: nvidia.com/drivers (use the “GeForce” category for gaming cards)
• AMD: amd.com/support (Radeon Software includes the audio component)
• Intel: Intel’s website for desktop GPUs; laptop manufacturer’s page for Intel integrated graphics

After installing the updated GPU driver and restarting: check Sound settings again for the HDMI audio device. It should appear if the driver installed correctly.

Fix 4: Check Device Manager for the HDMI audio device

Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers → look for an entry like “NVIDIA High Definition Audio,” “AMD High Definition Audio,” or “Intel Display Audio.” These are the HDMI audio components provided by your GPU. If they appear with a yellow triangle: right-click → Update driver. If they’re missing entirely: the GPU driver installation didn’t complete the audio component — reinstall the GPU driver.

Also check: Device Manager → View → Show hidden devices → look for grayed-out HDMI audio entries. A hidden device that was connected before and is now disconnected appears this way — it’ll reactivate when the HDMI device is connected.

Fix 5: HDMI cable and connection quality

Not all HDMI cables carry audio equally reliably. Older HDMI 1.0/1.1 cables may not support all audio formats. Very long HDMI cables (over 10 metres) can have signal degradation that affects audio before it affects video.

Try a different HDMI cable, particularly if the current one is old or very long. Also try a different HDMI port on the GPU if multiple are available — some GPU ports have different audio capabilities (DisplayPort converted to HDMI via adapter, for example, may not carry audio).

Fix 6: Monitor or TV input and audio settings

The monitor or TV may need to be configured to use HDMI audio rather than its own speakers or an external audio device:

• On TVs: remote → Settings → Sound → Output → HDMI (or “external audio” depending on the TV menu)
• On monitors with built-in speakers: the speaker volume may be on the monitor itself (physical buttons) in addition to the Windows volume level
• If the display has multiple inputs: ensure the HDMI input connected to the PC is selected — audio typically follows the active video input

Fix 7: Sample rate mismatch

Some TVs and monitors only accept specific audio sample rates. If Windows is sending 96kHz but the display only accepts 48kHz, audio fails silently. Right-click speaker icon → Sound settings → More sound settings → Playback → right-click the HDMI device → Properties → Advanced → change the format to “24 bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality)” or “16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality)” → click Test.

48000 Hz is the most universally supported sample rate for HDMI audio. If no other sample rate works, try 44100 Hz.

DisplayPort to HDMI adapters

Passive DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapters do not carry audio in most configurations — they convert the video signal only. If you’re connecting through an adapter, this is likely why audio doesn’t work: the adapter physically doesn’t support audio passthrough.

Active DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapters (which contain a signal converter chip) do carry audio. Check whether your adapter is passive or active — passive adapters are usually lightweight and cheap, active adapters are heavier and typically more expensive. If you need audio through this connection, replace the adapter with an active one, or connect the display directly via HDMI from the GPU.

Our guide on Windows 11 audio issues covers the sound settings and driver approach for built-in speaker problems alongside HDMI audio. For second monitor setup issues that often accompany HDMI audio configuration, our monitor detection guide covers the GPU output and connection setup. Microsoft’s audio troubleshooting documentation covers the HDMI audio device management through the Sound control panel and the per-device format settings.

Multiple monitors and HDMI audio routing

On multi-monitor setups with mixed connections (one HDMI, one DisplayPort, one integrated display), Windows shows separate audio devices for each display-capable connection. This can get confusing when you want audio from a specific display. The Sound control panel (right-click speaker → More sound settings → Playback) shows all available devices — HDMI, DisplayPort, and regular audio outputs — and lets you set which is default.

If you regularly switch which display you want audio from: right-click each device in the Playback tab and set it as default when you need it. There’s no automatic switching based on which display is active (unless the monitor supports CEC for TVs). Third-party apps like “SoundSwitch” (free) add a quick-switch hotkey for default audio device — handy if you regularly switch between TV HDMI and speakers.

HDMI audio with ARC/eARC (TV-specific)

Audio Return Channel (ARC) and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) are HDMI features that allow a TV to send audio back to a connected soundbar or AV receiver through the same HDMI cable. When using a PC connected to a TV with ARC:

• The ARC port is a specific HDMI port on the TV (usually labeled “HDMI ARC” or “HDMI eARC”)
• ARC must be enabled in the TV’s settings (usually under HDMI settings or sound output)
• The connected soundbar or AV receiver must also have ARC enabled
• For PC audio output specifically: Windows sees the TV as the audio device; the TV then passes audio to the soundbar via ARC — Windows doesn’t directly control the ARC pathway

If the TV shows Windows video but sound goes to the TV’s built-in speakers instead of the soundbar: the ARC connection between TV and soundbar is the issue, not Windows or the GPU.

HDCP and audio protection issues

HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) affects both video and audio over HDMI. When a playback application (media player, streaming app) detects that the HDMI chain doesn’t support HDCP, it may mute audio or refuse to play. This typically affects DRM-protected content (streaming services, Blu-ray) rather than regular audio.

Signs of HDCP audio issues: video plays but audio is silent specifically in streaming apps (Netflix, Amazon Prime) while system audio (YouTube, music apps) works fine through HDMI. Solution: ensure all components in the HDMI chain support HDCP 2.2 for 4K content, or HDCP 1.4 for 1080p — including any HDMI switches or repeaters in the connection.

Spatial sound and HDMI compatibility

Windows Sonic for Headphones or Dolby Atmos spatial sound applied to an HDMI audio output can cause audio issues when the connected display doesn’t support the spatial audio format. Right-click the HDMI audio device in the Playback tab → Spatial sound → Off. Setting it to “Off” ensures Windows sends standard stereo or surround audio formats that virtually all HDMI displays support.

GPU audio service in Windows

HDMI audio from NVIDIA or AMD GPUs uses a specific Windows audio endpoint. When the service managing this endpoint crashes, HDMI audio stops without any obvious error. Open services.msc → look for “Windows Audio Endpoint Builder” → right-click → Restart. Also restart the “Windows Audio” service. After restarting both: check whether the HDMI audio device reappears in Sound settings.

Testing with another device

Connect the same HDMI cable from the same GPU port to a different display (another TV, a projector, or a monitor with known-working HDMI audio). If audio works on the second display: the original display’s HDMI audio input is faulty, or its settings need adjustment. If audio still doesn’t work: the GPU’s HDMI audio output is the problem — GPU driver reinstall or hardware issue.

This cross-device test is the fastest way to separate “the display doesn’t accept audio from this source” from “the GPU or Windows isn’t sending audio.”

Quick reference: HDMI audio not working

In most cases, HDMI audio not working comes down to three things: the HDMI device not being set as default, the GPU driver needing an update, or a passive adapter that can’t carry audio. These three fixes resolve the vast majority of HDMI audio problems on Windows 11.

One more scenario that catches people off guard: when connecting a PC to a receiver or soundbar with HDMI first (rather than to the TV), Windows may not detect the audio device correctly because receivers sometimes don’t properly pass EDID (display identification) data that includes audio capability information back to the GPU. If you’re using a receiver: try connecting the PC directly to the TV first, confirming HDMI audio works, then routing through the receiver. If direct to TV works but through the receiver doesn’t: the receiver’s HDMI audio pass-through or EDID settings need adjustment in the receiver’s menu — this varies by model but is usually under HDMI settings or audio passthrough settings.

PowerShell command to list HDMI audio devices

To see all audio devices Windows recognises, including HDMI devices that may not appear in the GUI:

Get-PnpDevice -Class AudioEndpoint | Select-Object FriendlyName, Status

Run in PowerShell. This lists all audio endpoint devices with their status. Look for entries containing “HDMI” or your GPU manufacturer name — if they show “Error” status, the device is present but has a driver problem. If they don’t appear at all: the GPU driver hasn’t registered the HDMI audio endpoint.

For re-enabling a disabled HDMI audio device from PowerShell:

Enable-PnpDevice -InstanceId "HDMI_DEVICE_INSTANCE_ID" -Confirm:$false

Get the instance ID from the full Get-PnpDevice output. This is useful when the Sound control panel shows the device as disabled but you can’t right-click to enable it due to the interface state.

HDMI audio in gaming contexts

Gaming on a TV via HDMI adds a specific complication: TVs often have “Game Mode” settings that change how HDMI signals are processed. Some TV Game Mode implementations disable HDMI audio processing or change the expected audio format. If HDMI audio works in normal TV mode but not when Game Mode is enabled: the TV’s Game Mode is interfering with audio. Disable Game Mode, or check whether the TV’s Game Mode has separate audio settings. You might also run into HDMI Not Working on Windows 11.

Also: high-refresh-rate HDMI connections (120Hz, 144Hz) sometimes require specific HDMI 2.1 cables and ports. Connecting a 120Hz signal over an HDMI 1.4 cable that’s at its bandwidth limit may cause audio dropouts because all available bandwidth is consumed by the video signal. Using a proper HDMI 2.1 cable restores audio at high refresh rates. Related: Windows 11 HDMI No Sound.