Quick fix: Right-click speaker icon → Sound settings → under Output, find HDMI device. Set as default by clicking its row. If HDMI device isn’t listed: Sound → Playback tab → right-click empty space → tick Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices. Enable HDMI output.

You connect a TV or monitor via HDMI. Video works perfectly but no sound. Speakers in the TV/monitor stay silent. The cause: Windows didn’t auto-select HDMI as audio output, or the HDMI audio device is disabled/hidden.

Symptom: HDMI-connected display shows video but no audio plays through it on Windows 11.
Affects: Windows 11 (and Windows 10) with HDMI output.
Fix time: ~10 minutes.

What causes this

HDMI carries video and audio. Windows treats them separately: video routes via display adapter, audio via audio adapter. HDMI audio shows as a separate device in Sound settings (typically named “NVIDIA High Definition Audio,” “AMD HDMI Audio,” or “Intel Display Audio”). If this device isn’t set as default, audio plays through built-in speakers instead.

Method 1: Set HDMI as default playback device

The standard route.

Right-click speaker icon → Sound settings.
Under Output, look for your HDMI device. Common names:
- NVIDIA High Definition Audio
- AMD High Definition Audio
- Intel Display Audio
- (Display name) on the device, e.g., LG TV
Click the radio button next to HDMI device. Now active.
Play test audio. Should come from HDMI display.
If HDMI device isn’t listed: right-click speaker → Sounds → Playback tab.
Right-click empty space → tick Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices.
HDMI device appears (greyed out if disconnected). Right-click → Enable. Then Set as Default Device.

This handles the common case.

Method 2: Update graphics driver for HDMI audio

For when HDMI device is missing entirely.

Open Device Manager. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
Look for HDMI/Display Audio entry. If missing: graphics driver lacks audio component.
Update graphics driver. For Nvidia: GeForce Experience → check for updates. Or manual download from nvidia.com. For AMD: AMD Software → Updates. For Intel: Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
During Nvidia driver install: pick Custom install. Tick HD Audio Driver to ensure audio component installed.
For Intel Display Audio: ensure Intel Chipset Drivers are installed. intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center.
Reboot. Verify HDMI device appears in Sound settings.
For laptops with both integrated + discrete GPU: HDMI audio may come from either. Check both Nvidia and Intel devices in Device Manager.

This handles missing-driver issues.

Method 3: Cable, connection, and TV settings

For when software is correct but HDMI audio still silent.

Try a different HDMI cable. Some old cables lack audio support (HDMI 1.0 spec; rare but possible).
Try a different HDMI port on the TV. Some TV ports support audio return channel (ARC) differently — switch to non-ARC port for PC audio out.
On the TV: check audio input source. Some TVs default to TV-internal audio for HDMI; switch to HDMI audio source.
For TV with HDMI-CEC: disable temporarily. CEC can cause audio routing confusion.
For AV receivers between PC and TV: ensure receiver is set to pass HDMI audio. Check receiver input source.
For DisplayPort to HDMI adapters: adapter must support HDMI audio passthrough. Cheap adapters often don’t. Active DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapters with audio pass support exist.
For USB-C to HDMI adapters: same as above. Look for adapters with audio passthrough.

This handles hardware-side issues.

How to verify the fix worked

Sound settings → HDMI device shows as active output.
Play YouTube video. Audio comes from TV/monitor speakers.
Adjust volume via Windows. Volume changes on TV speakers.

If none of these work

If HDMI audio still silent: Windows volume mixer per-app: open Sound settings → Volume mixer. Verify the app isn’t muted on HDMI device. For multi-monitor setups: each monitor may show as separate HDMI device. Pick the right one. For TVs with HDMI audio limitations: some TVs accept 2.0 stereo audio only; if Windows tries 5.1 or 7.1, no sound. Right-click HDMI device → Properties → Advanced → pick 16 bit 48000 Hz Stereo. For PCs with motherboard HDMI: some motherboard HDMI ports lack audio support — only DisplayPort or rear HDMI carries audio. Check motherboard manual. For PCs with discrete GPU: HDMI port on discrete GPU (Nvidia/AMD card) typically supports audio. Use that port, not motherboard’s HDMI.

Bottom line: Set HDMI device as default in Sound → Output. If missing: show Disabled/Disconnected, enable. If still missing: update graphics driver and ensure HD Audio component installed.