Yes, HDMI sends both video and audio through the same cable

A single HDMI cable carries video, audio, and control signals all at once. When you plug an HDMI cable into your TV, soundbar, receiver, or monitor, the audio travels through the same wire as the picture — you do not need a separate audio cable. This works because HDMI was designed to handle multiple types of data simultaneously.

However, not every HDMI port on every device sends audio. Some ports receive video only, and some devices need you to turn on audio output in settings before sound will play. Understanding which ports work and how to enable audio prevents the frustration of plugging in a cable and getting a picture with no sound.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI cables carry audio and video together, so you do not need separate audio wires for most home theater setups.
  • Some HDMI ports on TVs and monitors are video-only and will not send sound, even though they look identical to audio-capable ports.
  • Your device may have audio output disabled in settings, which blocks sound from traveling through HDMI even when the port supports it.
  • Older devices and some computer monitors may not support HDMI audio at all, regardless of the port type.

Which HDMI ports actually send audio

On most TVs, the HDMI ports labeled HDMI 3 and HDMI 4 (or sometimes marked with an ARC or eARC symbol) are the ones that send audio back out of the TV. These ports let you connect a soundbar or receiver and have the TV send its audio to that device. The other HDMI ports on your TV receive video and audio from external devices like a streaming box or game console, but they do not send audio out.

Computer monitors often have HDMI ports that receive video only. Even if your monitor has built-in speakers, the HDMI port may not be wired to use them. Check your monitor's manual or look for a port specifically labeled as supporting audio — many newer monitors do, but older ones do not.

Soundbars, receivers, and projectors typically support audio on all their HDMI ports because their job is to handle both incoming and outgoing audio. If you are connecting a device to one of these, audio should work without extra steps.

How to turn on HDMI audio in your device settings

If you have plugged in an HDMI cable and see video but no sound, the first thing to check is whether audio output is enabled. On most TVs, go to Settings, then Audio or Sound, and look for an option called HDMI Audio or Digital Audio Output. Make sure it is turned on and set to HDMI rather than Internal Speaker or Optical.

On Windows computers, right-click the speaker icon in the system tray, select Open Sound Settings, and check that your HDMI device is listed under Output devices. Click on it and select Set as Default Device. On Mac, go to System Preferences, then Sound, and choose your HDMI device from the Output tab.

Gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox have audio settings in their system menus. PlayStation users should go to Settings, Audio Output, and select HDMI as the output device. Xbox users can find this in Settings, General, Volume and Audio Output.

HDMI audio formats and what your devices support

HDMI can carry different types of audio — stereo sound, surround sound like Dolby Digital 5.1, and newer formats like Dolby Atmos. Not every device supports every format. A basic TV might only handle stereo and basic surround sound, while a receiver can handle almost any format that HDMI sends.

When a device receives an audio format it does not understand, it usually falls back to stereo or produces no sound at all. This is why connecting a device to a receiver instead of directly to a TV often solves audio problems — receivers are built to handle a wider range of formats and can convert them if needed.

If you are getting video but no audio, and your settings are on, try connecting to a different HDMI port or to a receiver instead of the TV. This tells you whether the problem is the port, the device, or a format mismatch.

When HDMI does not send audio

Some older devices, particularly monitors and projectors made before 2010, do not support HDMI audio at all. They have HDMI ports for video only. If you own an older monitor or projector and need audio, you will need to run a separate audio cable from your device to a speaker or receiver.

Certain professional and commercial displays also disable HDMI audio intentionally. These devices are designed for video-only applications like digital signage or medical imaging, and their HDMI ports are not wired for sound.

If your device manual does not mention HDMI audio support, assume it does not have it. Trying to force audio through an unsupported port will not damage anything, but you will not hear sound either.

HDMI ARC and eARC — sending audio back to your TV

ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. It lets a TV send audio back through HDMI to a soundbar or receiver, instead of only receiving audio from external devices. This is useful when you want the TV's built-in apps (like Netflix or a streaming service) to play sound through your soundbar instead of the TV's speakers.

eARC is the newer version and supports more audio formats and higher quality sound. Most TVs made in the last five years have eARC on at least one HDMI port, usually labeled as such. If your TV and soundbar both support eARC, use that port for the best results.

To use ARC or eARC, connect your soundbar or receiver to the ARC or eARC port on your TV, then go into the TV's audio settings and enable ARC or eARC output. Your TV will then send its audio to the soundbar instead of playing it through its own speakers.

Troubleshooting HDMI audio problems

If you have checked your settings and audio is still not working, try these steps in order. First, unplug the HDMI cable from both devices, wait ten seconds, and plug it back in. Sometimes the connection needs to be reset.

Second, try a different HDMI port on your TV or receiver. If sound works on one port but not another, you know that port is the problem and you can use a different one going forward.

Third, check whether the audio is muted on your TV or receiver. Look for a mute button on the remote or in the volume settings. Some devices mute HDMI audio separately from the main volume.

Fourth, if you are using a receiver, make sure the input is set to the correct HDMI port. Receivers often have multiple HDMI inputs, and you need to select the one your device is plugged into.

If none of these steps work, your HDMI cable may be damaged or your device may not support HDMI audio. Try borrowing a different HDMI cable to rule that out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable to send audio?

No. Any HDMI cable, including basic ones, can carry audio. There is no such thing as an audio-only HDMI cable or a video-only HDMI cable. The difference is in the ports and devices, not the cable itself.

Why does my monitor have HDMI but no sound?

Many monitors have HDMI ports wired for video only, even if the monitor has built-in speakers. Check your monitor manual to see if it supports HDMI audio. If it does not, connect an audio cable from your computer to external speakers or headphones instead.

Can I use HDMI for audio only, without video?

Technically yes, but it is not practical. HDMI is designed to send both together. If you only need audio, a regular audio cable or optical cable is simpler and cheaper. HDMI will work, but you are paying for video capability you do not need.

What is the difference between HDMI and optical audio cables?

Optical cables carry audio only, while HDMI carries audio and video together. Optical is simpler if you only need sound, but HDMI is more convenient for home theater because one cable does everything. Optical supports surround sound but not the newest formats like Dolby Atmos.

Does HDMI 2.1 send audio differently than older HDMI?

HDMI 2.1 sends audio the same way as older versions. The main difference is that HDMI 2.1 supports higher video resolutions and refresh rates. Audio handling is backward compatible across all HDMI versions.