Why is there no sound on the TV when you connect the PC via HDMI

There are different types of connecting a desktop computer or a laptop to a TV. The most progressive and easy one is to connect an HDMI cable to the products. But some users complain that this connection of home appliances often does not produce sound on the TV, although the cable was connected according to the instructions and all the rules. Why there is no sound on the TV, despite the reliability of HDMI – let's discover.

Sometimes, despite following the correct procedures, users may still encounter issues with sound when connecting a PC to a TV via HDMI. This can be due to various factors, including settings, hardware malfunctions, outdated drivers, or even a faulty cable. In this article, we will explore additional troubleshooting steps and solutions to help you resolve the issue and enjoy sound on your TV when connecting your PC through HDMI.

Adjusting the sound output

Using the remote control, we check if the sound is really not output from the laptop: we press the TV volume up button, but nothing happens. It is necessary to check the contact in the connectors – if everything is okay there, then the sound setting on each product is repeated.

The Windows operating system (OS) automatically detects the sound coming through the connected source. But when the system doesn’t do it, you can assign the TV as the playback device through which to send sound.

Warning! Before proceeding with the settings – check if the TV has the Mute function disabled.

Setup Instructions:

• Click on the speaker icon in the taskbar.
• In the settings window that opens with a list of all connected devices, select the TV included in the list, move the cursor, and click PCM.
• Mark the default use case.
• Save your actions -> Apply -> Ok.

Sometimes there is no connected TV in the playback devices. In this situation, you should activate the item "show devices." This lets you see the previously connected equipment, which means that if the TV is connected but turned off by the software method, it will be displayed, and you can turn it on.

In many cases, the TV speakers will steadily play the transmitted audio after the manipulation is performed.

In some instances, even after selecting the TV as the playback device, you may still encounter no sound. To troubleshoot this further, ensure that the HDMI cable is securely connected to both the PC and the TV. Additionally, check if the TV is set to the correct HDMI input source. Some TVs may have multiple HDMI ports, so make sure you have selected the one connected to your PC.

The laptop does not see the TV

There are variants when the TV does not appear in the list of connected devices for sound transmission. It turns out that the laptop does not see its speakers, and, accordingly, there is no sound on the TV. It is necessary to restart the product without disconnecting the cable. Once the process is complete, the TV speakers should appear on the list, but they may be inactive. We have already described how to activate your TV above – repeat the settings, and the TV speakers will sound high quality.

When the laptop has difficulty selecting a priority connection, also often does not work sound through HDMI. Try to disconnect all devices from the PC except the TV – the situation should be fixed.

If your laptop is unable to detect the TV as a connected device, try restarting both the laptop and the TV without disconnecting the HDMI cable. After the restart, check the sound settings on your laptop and ensure that the TV speakers are activated. If the laptop has multiple display outputs (such as HDMI and VGA), disconnecting other devices and leaving only the TV connected can help establish the HDMI connection more effectively.

Hardware malfunctions

This problem is the second most common case.

1. Faulty wire for a variety of reasons, including mechanical. There may be a partial tear or other defects inside, preventing audio signal transmission.
2. The adapter was used, which does not transmit a stable sound signal due to poor workmanship – cheap analogs sometimes do not have the necessary contacts to transmit sound.

A cable made in China does not inspire much confidence, although all products from the Celestial Empire, made at the official level, are of average quality, and artisanal fakes are not excluded. Sometimes even a new cable may have a factory defect. This could also be the reason why there is no sound on your TV when you connect HDMI. To get the whole system fixed, you must address a specialist and replace the faulty product with a serviceable product.

The HDMI connector is the best option for connecting your TV to your PC. The reason is that it transmits lossless audio and video signals, but like any other interface, it has different generations that characterize its capabilities. Not everyone knows that only HDMI 1.4 introduced support for audio transmission, which means that if one of your devices has HDMI 1.3, the lack of sound can be caused by that.

In some cases, the absence of sound when connecting a PC to a TV via HDMI can be attributed to hardware malfunctions. The HDMI cable itself may be the culprit if it has a partial tear or other defects that hinder audio signal transmission. It's important to ensure that you are using a high-quality HDMI cable, preferably one that supports the required HDMI generation for audio transmission, such as HDMI 1.4 or higher. If you suspect a faulty cable, it is recommended to consult a specialist and replace it with a reliable, functioning cable.

Updating drivers

Outdated "drivers" can be another reason for no sound through HDMI on your TV. You can find out if drivers have been installed or updated on your laptop through a special system installed on any computer:

1. Press Windows + R simultaneously on the "Keyboard" in the "Open" line and write devmgmt.msc -> OK.
2. The Manager opens. Find "View," and the top -> check the box next to "Show hidden devices".
3. Open the item "Sound, video and gaming devices" when this list contains the audio card of the computer, it means that the drivers for HDMI are not enabled.

If there is one sound card in the registry, then download drivers for the video card, considering that you need the option to transmit sound to the connected TV. Go to the official sites of Intel or NVIDIA, download the latest version of drivers for the video card, then install them on the laptop and activate them. Make sure to include the manual mode, and among all the versions listed, note the HD audio driver.

Important: The HDMI sound driver has this name only on the video card from NVIDIA, other manufacturers will have a different name.

After installation, restart the laptop to activate the changes and reconnect the computer to the TV.

Outdated or missing drivers can also cause issues with HDMI sound transmission. To check if the necessary drivers are installed or updated on your laptop, you can follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R simultaneously on the keyboard.
2. In the "Open" line, type "devmgmt.msc" and press Enter.
3. The Device Manager will open. Click on "View" at the top and check the box next to "Show hidden devices."
4. Expand the category "Sound, video, and game controllers." If you see the audio card for your computer listed, it means that the HDMI drivers are not enabled.
5. If there is only one sound card listed, download the appropriate drivers for your video card, considering the need for sound transmission to the connected TV. Visit the official websites of Intel or NVIDIA to download the latest version of the video card drivers. During the installation, make sure to select the manual mode and choose the HD audio driver among the listed options.
6. After the installation, restart your laptop to activate the changes, and then reconnect your computer to the TV via HDMI.

Checking the high definition audio controller

If there is no sound with an HDMI connection and the PC does not show the TV in the "playback devices" section, you should ensure it is not disabled. To do this, you need to find a subsection with system devices in Device Manager and click on "High Definition Audio Controller" in it. Click on the "Enable". If the node is enabled, you can try to disable it, restart the PC, and try to enable it again. It is also not a waste to update the software of this equipment.

If the node is on, you can try to turn it off, reboot the PC and try to turn it back on

In the open Device Manager, you should also enter "Audio, gaming, and video devices." There may be a similar controller from AMD or NVIDIA. If it is there, repeat the above steps.
The last item that won't be superfluous to check is "Audio and video outputs". The TV may be displayed here, so try to turn it on or disconnect/reboot the PC/enable it.

If you are unable to see the TV in the "playback devices" section or experience no sound through HDMI, it is important to check the status of the High Definition Audio Controller. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Device Manager and locate the subsection with system devices.
2. Look for "High Definition Audio Controller" and click on it.
3. Click on "Enable." If the node is already enabled, you can try disabling it, then restart the PC and enable it again. Updating the software for this equipment might also be beneficial.
4. Additionally, in the Device Manager, navigate to "Audio, gaming, and video devices." You may find a similar controller from AMD or NVIDIA. If present, repeat the steps mentioned above.
5. Lastly, check the "Audio and video outputs" section in the Device Manager. The TV may be displayed there, so you can try turning it on or disconnecting/rebooting the PC and enabling it.

Removing the sound card

The lack of audio may be caused by a sound card failure. Open the Device Manager and select "Sound, video, and gaming devices." One by one, remove the equipment that is there. Then find the "update configurations" button or just reboot the device. The deleted nodes will be automatically restored, and the sound will appear.

If none of the previous solutions have resolved the issue, it's possible that a sound card failure is causing the lack of audio. To troubleshoot this, you can remove the sound card from the Device Manager and allow it to be automatically restored. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Device Manager and select "Sound, video, and game controllers."
2. Remove each equipment listed under this category one by one.
3. After removing the devices, find the "update configurations" button or simply reboot your device.
4. The deleted nodes will be automatically restored during the system boot, and the sound should reappear.

Windows Troubleshooting utility

If none of the above helped, you should find the "Troubleshooting" tab in the Control Panel. This is Microsoft's proprietary utility that will help you eliminate the glitches. A dialog box will appear where the system will clarify the problem and suggest solutions.

It should be noted that the HDMI cable is the most common and progressive method of switching devices. In addition to your laptop and computer, you can use it to connect other devices.

If none of the previous methods have resolved the issue, you can try using the Windows Troubleshooting utility. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel on your PC.
2. Find the "Troubleshooting" tab or search for "Troubleshooting" in the Control Panel search bar.
3. Click on the Troubleshooting tab to access Microsoft's proprietary utility.
4. A dialog box will appear, guiding you through the troubleshooting process, identifying the problem, and suggesting potential solutions.