Connected monitor via hdmi cable, sound is lost

When installing video card drivers, many users tend to deselect the optional components, only to later realize that HDMI is not transmitting sound to their TV.

For instance, Nvidia, a popular manufacturer, offers an additional software called "HDMI Audio Driver (HD Audio Driver)".

To resolve this issue, it is not necessary to reinstall the entire software package – simply download the required component separately from the manufacturer’s website. AMD provides similar solutions for their ATI Radeon cards.

Alternatively,

users can utilize third-party software such as Driver Booster, Driver Pack Solution, or similar programs. These applications scan the system, identify connected devices, and provide the option to automatically download drivers that are compatible with the computer hardware.

If you have an interest in properly configuring drivers, then this article called "A Guide to Installing Drivers on a Windows 10 Computer" will be quite beneficial for you.

Setting up and checking sound in Windows

In order to enable sound playback through HDMI (or any sound in general), you need to install specialized software on your system.

Typically, modern versions of Windows will install the necessary drivers automatically, but for more customization options, you may need to install "native drivers" specifically for your sound card.

Usually, if your sound card is integrated, you can find a suitable version of the driver on the motherboard disk. Alternatively, you can download the latest installer from the manufacturer’s website.

Once the driver is installed, we recommend restarting your system.

After installation, you can test the driver by playing a movie or music track, ensuring that the signal quality is good and that sound is being delivered to all speakers of the connected device.

To achieve a comfortable level of sound transmission, adjust the audio system settings in the driver settings (you can usually find the manager shortcut in the taskbar, near the clock) and experiment with the equalizer sliders.

When you connect any external device to your laptop, the Windows operating system (OS) automatically detects that the sound is coming from the connected source. However, there may be cases where the OS fails to do so, and you may need to manually assign your TV as the playback device to send the audio series to it.

Please note that before proceeding to the settings, it is important to double-check if the Mute function is disabled on your TV. Follow these instructions to tune your laptop to the desired source:

How to configure your laptop for the correct source:

• Click on the speaker icon in the taskbar and select the section shown in the photo;
• In the settings window, open the list of connected devices and choose our TV. Then, move the cursor and right-click, and select the default option.
• Save your actions by clicking "apply" and then "ok".

If your TV is not listed, right-click in an empty area, select "Show disconnected devices" option, and look for your TV in the list that appears.

Related questions

I need to establish a connection between my laptop and my home theater system. However, I’m encountering an issue where the screen goes blank. Is there anything I can do to resolve this problem? Firstly, ensure that your laptop (or desktop computer) has HDMI assigned as the default output connection. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, you can attempt the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Start your computer with an HDMI cable attached and have a TV that is already powered on.
2. Turn on the TV after the connected computer has finished booting up.
3. Start the computer and TV separately, and then establish the connection using an HDMI cable. However, please keep in mind that in certain cases, a VGA cable may be required.

What actions can I take to address issues with wireless HDMI? Wireless HDMI, also referred to as WHDI and/or WiHD (depending on the format), are relatively new technologies. They provide a convenient solution for reducing the amount of cables required in home theater setups, especially for users with devices situated far apart.

Despite their benefits, wireless HDMI systems can encounter their own set of challenges. In the event that you are experiencing problems with your HDMI wireless interface, consider adjusting the placement of your equipment to minimize potential interference. Interference is often caused by factors such as line of sight and distance. If relocating the devices does not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to contact technical support for assistance with your specific device.

Source: thehometheaterdiy.com

5.1 HDMI SPDIF audio from a computer/laptop via HDMI to a home theater.

We have previously discussed in our article on the HDMI RCA Converter how to convert a digital HDMI output into analog video and audio signals.

today we will be addressing another topic, which is how to extract digital multichannel 5.1 audio from HDMI and connect it to a home theater system or an active speaker system equipped with a DolbyDigital processor via an SPDIF optical interface.

Therefore, with the utilization of this HDMI to SPDIF converter, it is possible to attain audio through HDMI from a laptop or computer and transmit it to an AV receiver or active speaker system equipped with a Dolby Digital decoder. This enables the user to experience high-quality multichannel sound when watching movies and video clips.

The device comes with indicators that show the connected inputs. It is powered by a microUSB – USB cable with a voltage of 5V and a maximum current consumption of 190mA. If the HDMI cable is short, the converter can also be powered through it. However, for stable and proper operation, it is recommended to use an external power supply. The package includes an adapter cable that converts minijack 3.5 to 2 RCA connectors. The HDMI SPDIF converter is compatible with video signals up to 4K resolution, and the optical output supports audio formats such as PCM, AC3, DTS, and 5.1 Dolby Digital.

Below is a diagram illustrating the possible connections using the HDMI SPDIF converter:

For just $17, this straightforward device offers a solution to significant issues. Many customers found it invaluable for resolving sound output difficulties with the PlayStation 4 Slim, as the manufacturer neglected to include optical audio outputs.

Having fewer cables is always better, and it’s hard to dispute that fact. HDMI is a versatile interface that can transmit high-quality images and sound. This means you can reduce the number of wires needed, as one universal HDMI cable can replace multiple cables for video and audio. Additionally, there are plenty of pre-made HDMI cables available for purchase that are several meters long, saving you time compared to having to solder your own cable with two audio jacks.

While outputting sound through HDMI may seem like a simple task, there are some nuances to consider. It’s not always guaranteed that the sound will start playing after connecting the cable. In some cases, it may require additional effort to get both the picture and sound to work properly.

Still no sound

If the sound does not play on the TV when connected from the computer, there is an alternative solution you can try:

If the sound was working before but then stopped, there is another troubleshooting step you can take. Think back if you have recently installed any new programs. Some programs may conflict with the internal video card and audio drivers. Access the "Programs and Features" section and uninstall any suspicious software.

Additionally, scan your computer with an antivirus program as viruses can sometimes cause sound malfunctions. Follow these steps:

1. Press "Ctrl+Shift+Esc" to open the Windows Task Manager.

2. Navigate to the "Startup" tab and disable anything that appears suspicious or unnecessary. If you are unsure, it is recommended to disable everything except for the antivirus program and the "Audio" sound driver.

If the system is broken, an alternative solution could be to attempt a system restore, although it will require reinstalling the drivers. However, this may be the only viable option in such cases. This is particularly applicable when there was sound previously, but it suddenly vanished.

No sound because of drivers

Even if everything is functioning properly and the components are in good working condition, it does not necessarily imply that the issue does not lie in the drivers.

It is possible that an incorrect driver was initially installed. For instance, a universal package that does not consider individual hardware parameters. Alternatively, the drivers may have become corrupted. This can also lead to the absence of sound when connecting HDMI. In such cases, it is necessary to perform a fresh installation of the drivers.

• Go to the "Video Adapters" section in "Device Manager" and access the properties of the graphics card that is listed.
• On the "Information" tab, you will find the complete name of the graphics card.

Check volume levels on both devices

To expand the panel with the volume level on "Windows", simply click on the loudspeaker icon located to the left of the date and time on the "Taskbar" in the right corner. In case the sound is currently at its minimum, you can easily raise the volume by adjusting the slider and setting it to the maximum level possible.

Adjust the volume to the highest level.

Additionally, you can right-click on the sound icon and choose "Volume Mixer". In the new window, ensure that both the TV and the active video player (or any other program you’re currently using to play audio) are set to an appropriate volume.

Check the mixer settings – it’s possible that the volume for the long speakers on the TV has been reduced there.

To increase the volume on Windows, you can use the function keys. Press the Fn key along with one of the F keys at the top of the keyboard that has a loudspeaker icon (usually F12). A window with the volume level will appear in the upper left corner of the screen, on top of all other windows. Increase the volume by simultaneously pressing the two specified keys multiple times.

Increasing the volume can be easily done by using the function keys.

To check the sound on the TV, follow these steps: turn on a channel and press the volume up key on the remote control. Ensure that the silent mode is not activated on the TV. If you can hear an audio stream, then the speakers are functioning properly. However, if there is no sound coming out, it may be necessary to take the TV for repair.

To raise the volume of the television speakers, utilize the remote control.

In the event that you don’t possess a remote control, you can still increase the volume by using the volume up button (which has a + symbol and a springboard) located on either the back or front of the TV.

You have the option to raise the volume by utilizing the tactile buttons on the television set

TV settings: whether the HDMI connector is set as a valid audio output

To enable audio transmission from your computer to your TV through an HDMI cable, you need to designate the HDMI connector as the primary audio output in your TV’s settings. If a different audio output is selected, the sound from your computer will not be playback on the TV, as it will not be recognized by the TV.

Choose HDMI as the input source.

In the TV menu, ensure that "TV Speakers" is selected as the primary audio output. Additionally, consider deactivating the Smart mode to prevent the TV from automatically adjusting the volume.

Choose the "TV Speakers" option to output the audio signal from the HDMI cable.

Driver problems

One reason why there may be no sound on your computer is because of a lack of drivers. This issue usually arises when the user disables the installation of components for the HDMI interface while installing drivers for the video card. As a result, sound cannot be transferred from the computer to the TV.

To resolve this problem, you need to ensure that all the necessary software components for sound output are installed. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions:

1. On your PC or laptop keyboard, press the Win+R key combination.
2. In the dialog box that appears, type the command "devmgmt.msc".
3. The Device Manager will open. In the menu at the top of the screen, select the "View" subsection and check the "Show hidden devices" box.
4. Click on the "Sound, Game and Video Devices" option. A list of available drivers will be shown. If you see only the audio card listed, it means that there is no sound on your TV because the necessary software components are missing.

If you find that only the audio card is listed in the audio devices, you will need to download drivers for your video card. These drivers will provide the necessary components for sound transmission when synchronizing devices via an HDMI interface.

Visit the official website of your video card manufacturer (such as Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD) to download the latest version of the driver. Once downloaded, follow the software installation process. During the driver installation, select the manual mode and make sure to check the box for "HD Audio Driver".

If you don’t have the correct driver, you now have the knowledge of how to configure audio through HDMI. It is essential to regularly update software components. Thus, if the operating system prompts you to install updated drivers, make sure to accept the offer.

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Once the device search is finished, the connected television should show (potentially with a triangle initially, and after the automatic installation of the driver and without it, indicating that the device is fully prepared for use).

If the triangle does not disappear on its own, then right-click directly on the device itself and choose to update the configuration once again (you may need to manually locate and install the driver).

Afterwards, the audio should automatically switch to the television. If not, you can do it manually in the audio settings.

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Hello, please ensure that the lack of audio on your TV when connecting a computer via HDMI is not due to the TV’s settings. Some TVs are unable to automatically detect the signal source, especially if another device was previously connected via HDMI. In such cases, you may need to reconfigure the settings. Instructions for this can be found online, specific to your TV model.

Another possible reason for the lack of sound when using an HDMI connection is if the device (computer or laptop) is not properly configured for multiple screens. This can occur if the PC or laptop is connected to another monitor or device using HDMI, VGA, or DVI connectors, but no external displays are connected except for the TV.

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If your TV does not produce sound when you connect an HDMI cable, it is likely due to hardware issues.

Common hardware problems that can cause this issue include:

• A damaged or defective cable.
• Using a low-quality adapter that lacks the necessary pins.
• Oxidation of the connector material, usually caused by improper storage of the equipment.

Many households use Chinese wires, which generally meet certain quality standards. However, there are cases where the product may be completely unusable, so it’s important to be cautious when purchasing.

Problems and their solution

What is the issue and how can it be resolved? We’ll provide you with an overview of all the methods in the following article!

Many times, we overlook basic things when we connect and set up our television. It’s important to check if anyone has played with the remote and turned the volume down to zero. Occasionally, users forget that they have pressed the Mute button and end up turning off the TV. Thankfully, this setting is saved and will stay the same when you turn it on again.

#2 Audio device settings on the PC

When establishing communication between various devices, it is important to ensure proper connectivity. Therefore, if the sound is not being transmitted to the TV through HDMI, you need to troubleshoot the issue in Windows 7:

To access the Control Panel, navigate through the Start menu and click on "Sound". Alternatively, you can right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar and select "Playback Devices" to open the settings window.

Click "OK" to save the settings.

If you have followed all the steps mentioned above and there is still no sound when you connect an HDMI cable from your computer (PC) to your TV, let’s try to identify the cause of this issue. One possible reason could be the manual installation of video card drivers, where the controller did not start automatically. To resolve this, you can open the Device Manager in the control panel and locate the "High Definition Audio (Microsoft) controller" in the list of system devices. Right-click on it to enable it.

Make sure to also check the "Sound, Game, and Video Devices" category, as well as the section for audio inputs and outputs. If the device that controls the TV is disabled, you will not hear any sound through the HDMI cable on both the TV and Windows 7. The steps to enable it have been mentioned above.

#4 Update drivers

If you are still unable to hear any sound on your TV when connected via HDMI, you may want to consider updating the full configuration. Windows will automatically search for new hardware and attempt to configure it.

Occasionally, the reason for the lack of sound when connecting a PC to a TV via HDMI may be due to an improperly installed video card driver. This could be caused by corruption or outdated software, and updating the driver may resolve the issue.

• Visit the manufacturer’s website using any browser.
• In the downloads section, provide the complete details (type, series, family, operating system) for NVIDIA, or choose the model for Radeon. Both websites offer an automatic search feature, but we recommend conducting it manually. You can locate the video card specifications on the packaging or in the Device Manager under the "Video Adapters" section.
• Get the software and execute the installation process.
• If there is a manual installation option available, opt for it. Examine the parameters list to ensure audio components are included.

Owners of AMD cards frequently encounter the error message "The device is currently being utilized by another application" and experience a lack of HDMI audio when checking their devices. This issue arises due to a conflict between the card drivers and the Windows operating system. Fortunately, one can resolve this problem by installing the "native drivers" for Microsoft sound cards that have been specifically adapted for use with AMD cards. To do this, one must download and install the Realtek ATI/AMD HDMI Audio Driver version 2.70.

Occasionally, this same solution may be effective for resolving similar issues with other types of sound cards. Try uninstalling the sound card through the Device Manager and then installing the latest package of Realtek High Definition Audio Drivers.



Basic connectors



Each household appliance is equipped with connectors for linking, and among them the following are the most important and commonly used:

1. The High-Definition Multimedia Interface, commonly known as HDMI, is designed to transmit both digital video and audio data. Nowadays, it has become trendy to utilize this port and cable for connecting to the World Wide Web.
2. Digital Visual Interface, or DVI, serves the purpose of transmitting video signals to modern monitors and LCD TVs.
3. A video adapter with a VGA subminiature connector containing 15 pins allows for audio signal transmission, line by line. It is universally used in modern televisions and audio equipment.
4. Wireless communication, commonly referred to as Wi-Fi, is a technology that has firmly established itself in the lives of today’s youth. It enables seamless data transmission without the need for cables.
5. The RCA composite jack, which was patented in the early 1940s to transfer audio from a phonograph to an amplifier, is still in active use today.
6. All contemporary devices are equipped with various types of connectors to simplify the process of connecting different devices. By using these connectors, a DVD player, laptop, or any other digital media device can seamlessly communicate with a TV and exchange information.

Troubleshooting



A step-by-step solution for synchronizing the television set with the computer independently is described as follows:

1. Select compatible connectors for the existing HDMI cable. Since there are multiple generations of this interface, each with unique bandwidth characteristics, the user should exercise caution when choosing an input port on the television device. The properties of the connectors located on the monitor can be learned from the instruction manual provided with the device.
2. Disconnect the television set from the power source and switch the laptop to battery mode. These actions will safeguard the cable against internal damage.
3. Establish a connection between the laptop and an external monitor.
4. Power on the computer. Once the signal passes through, the TV screen should show the boot icon of the operating system and a unique sound indicating a successful connection. If there are any issues with data transmission, it’s important to disconnect any additional peripherals from the laptop and attempt to update the image streaming settings. If no positive results are achieved, proceed to the next step of this process.
5. Connect devices using a VGA or DVI cable, or wirelessly through WiFi. When connecting, make sure to utilize HDMI adapters from the designated connectors on the TV.

The malfunction may stem from a potential incompatibility between the TB device and the version of the HDMI interface present on the laptop.

Trying to fix the connectors on your device yourself will only worsen the situation and potentially cause additional malfunctions.

Now the user understands the reasons why their TV may not detect a laptop connected via HDMI. It is important to note that sometimes simply rebooting the computer can resolve the issue.

Here are a few steps you can take to resolve any HDMI connection problems and get back to your gaming or watching.

1. Verify the HDMI cable connection: ensure that the cable is securely connected at both ends. HDMI connections may not fit as tightly as component or composite connections and can sometimes become loose. If this occurs frequently, you might consider using locks for your HDMI cables or a self-locking cable.
2. Repeat the power-on sequence for your devices: if you typically turn on your TV first and then other devices, try turning on the additional devices first and then the TV. If you have multiple HDMI components, experiment with different combinations. Ensure that you select the correct input for the device you’re attempting to use, whether it be a game console or Blu-ray player. Some devices are designed for specific inputs and necessitate switching to that input using the remote control.
3. Ensure that the resolution setting on your source device is correct: if your HDMI device has a menu options for controlling video resolution, double check to see if it is currently set to AUTO. If it is, make sure to reset it to match the original resolution of your TV or video projector, such as 720p, 1080p, or 4K if you have a 4K-capable TV or video projector.
4. Make sure to look for firmware updates: search the internet to see if there are any firmware updates available for your TV, HDMI device, or audio receiver. Additionally, take a look at user comments and complaints about HDMI handshake problems and actively participate in the discussions and follow any suggested solutions provided.



To determine the cause of the sound issue, it is necessary to perform diagnostics on the TV, cable, and computer.

The HDMI cable is responsible for transmitting both sound and picture to the TV. It contains 19 contacts that handle different audio channels. The quality of the sound not only depends on the cable, but also on the TV settings and the condition of its ports.

There are several sound problems that may occur:

• Low volume;
• Hearing extraneous noises and sound effects;
• No sound at all.

In any case, a thorough diagnosis of the connected devices (TV, cable, and computer) is necessary. Before panicking, it’s worth checking the sound level on the TV first, as it could simply be set to 0 and forgotten about.

When the audio is not working on your television, there are several common causes that could be to blame:

• There may be damage to the wiring, such as bending or if heavy furniture was accidentally placed on it.
• The sound settings on your television or computer may be incorrect.
• The TV speakers themselves could be faulty, resulting in a signal with interference.
• There could be software glitches that are affecting the sound.