How to Get Sound When Using a Monitor

Monitors display your image — but sound is a separate story. Whether you've just connected a new display and heard nothing, or you're troubleshooting a setup that used to work, getting audio from a monitor involves a short chain of decisions that aren't always obvious. Here's how that chain works, and what controls each link.

Why Monitors Don't Always Have Sound

Most monitors are display-only devices. They receive a video signal and show it — full stop. Audio requires either a dedicated speaker system connected to your PC or laptop, or a monitor that includes built-in speakers and supports an audio-carrying connection.

The confusion usually comes from assuming that any cable or port will carry both video and audio automatically. That's not always true, and which signals travel depends on the connection type, the monitor's hardware, and your operating system's audio routing.

Step 1: Check Whether Your Monitor Has Built-In Speakers

This is the most common point of failure. Monitors with built-in speakers are common in the mid-range and above, but many budget monitors and older displays are video-only.

Check your monitor's spec sheet, the product label on the back, or the on-screen display (OSD) menu. Look for a listed speaker wattage (e.g., "2 × 2W speakers") or a 3.5mm audio output jack on the side or rear — even if your monitor has that jack, it doesn't always mean it has speakers. Some monitors include an audio pass-through jack for connecting external speakers while receiving audio from the cable input.

If your monitor has no speakers at all, you'll need external speakers or headphones plugged into your computer directly.

Step 2: Use a Cable That Carries Audio 🔊

Not every video cable carries audio. Here's how the most common connection types behave:

If you're using DVI or VGA, no audio will pass through the cable regardless of your monitor or PC settings. In those cases, sound must come from a separate audio connection — typically a 3.5mm audio cable from the PC's headphone jack to the monitor's audio-in port (if the monitor has one), or directly to external speakers.

HDMI is the most straightforward path for audio + video in a single cable, which is why it's the default recommendation for most desktop setups.

Step 3: Set the Correct Audio Output in Your OS

Even with the right cable and a speaker-equipped monitor, you may hear nothing if your operating system is sending audio to the wrong device. This is a very common issue after connecting a new display.

On Windows

Go to Settings → System → Sound. Under "Output," you'll see a dropdown or list of playback devices. If your monitor is connected via HDMI or DisplayPort, it may appear as a named device (often listed as the monitor's model name or as "HDMI Output"). Select it as the output device.

You can also right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar → Open Sound settings or Sounds → navigate to the Playback tab, right-click your monitor's audio device, and set it as the Default Device.

On macOS

Go to System Settings → Sound → Output and select the connected display from the list. It should appear by name if it's connected via HDMI or a supported USB-C/Thunderbolt cable.

On Linux

Audio routing depends on the desktop environment and audio server (PulseAudio, PipeWire). Most distributions include a sound settings panel where you can select the HDMI/DisplayPort output as the active sink.

Step 4: Adjust Monitor Volume and Check the OSD

Monitors with built-in speakers often have their own independent volume control, separate from your computer. This is controlled through the monitor's physical buttons or OSD menu. A monitor set to 0% volume will produce no sound even if everything else is configured correctly.

Find the volume or audio section in your monitor's menu and confirm it isn't muted or set to minimum. Some monitors also let you select the audio source input (e.g., HDMI 1 vs. DisplayPort) — make sure this matches your active cable.

When Built-In Monitor Speakers Aren't Enough

Built-in monitor speakers are functional but typically limited in audio quality. They're designed for space efficiency, not sound fidelity — driver size, enclosure depth, and wattage are all constrained by the monitor's chassis.

For casual system sounds and video calls, they're usually adequate. For music, gaming audio, or any situation where sound quality matters, external speakers or a headset connected to the PC will almost always deliver a meaningfully better experience. 🎧

The Variables That Determine Your Setup

Getting audio from a monitor isn't a single answer — it depends on:

• Whether your monitor has speakers (many don't)
• Which cable you're using (HDMI/DP carry audio; DVI/VGA don't)
• Your OS audio output settings (must be pointed at the right device)
• Monitor volume settings (separate from system volume)
• Whether you're using adapters (some introduce signal conversion issues)
• Your audio quality expectations (built-in speakers vs. external audio)

A laptop user connecting to a monitor via HDMI for the first time has a very different path than a desktop user on a DVI connection trying to use monitor speakers. Which combination applies to your situation shapes exactly what needs to change — and that part only you can see from where you're sitting.