HDMI audio issues are usually fixable — most of the time the problem is simply that Windows isn’t using the HDMI device as the default audio output or the GPU/TV/driver settings are mismatched. This article shows exactly why HDMI sound doesn’t work in Windows 10 and how to fix it with clear, step‑by‑step instructions so you can restore audio quickly.
You’ll learn 12 common reasons HDMI audio fails, concise quick fixes, and detailed steps (menus, commands, and tips) for resolving each cause.
Key Takeaway
Most HDMI sound problems in Windows 10 are caused by the wrong playback device or driver issues; check Sound settings → Playback devices, set the HDMI device as the default, and update or reinstall the GPU/HDMI audio driver to resolve the majority of cases.
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| Wrong playback device selected | Set the HDMI output as the Default Device in Sound settings → Sound Control Panel → Playback. |
| Faulty HDMI cable or port | Try a different HDMI cable and use the GPU HDMI port (not onboard) or a different TV port. |
| TV/monitor input or audio setting | Ensure the TV input is correct and TV audio for that HDMI input is enabled/unmuted. |
| Missing or disabled HDMI audio device | Enable the device in Sound Control Panel (Show Disabled Devices) or in Device Manager. |
| Outdated or corrupt drivers | Update or reinstall the GPU/HDMI audio driver via Device Manager or the GPU vendor app. |
| Windows Audio service stopped | Restart Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder in services.msc. |
| Audio enhancements or format mismatch | Disable enhancements and set a compatible sample rate in device Properties → Advanced. |
| GPU/HDMI audio disabled in BIOS or hardware | Ensure HDMI is connected to the discrete GPU and onboard audio is enabled if needed. |
| Multiple displays / projection mode confusion | Use Windows Key + P and ensure the correct display is active for audio. |
| Application-specific mute or settings | Check the app’s audio output and Windows Volume Mixer for per-app output. |
| DRM/HDCP or protected content issues | Try different media or change the output format; update monitor/TV firmware. |
| Power management or third‑party conflicts | Disable power saving for audio adapters and remove conflicting audio apps (or use DDU for drivers). |
Detailed Fixes for “HDMI sound doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1. Wrong playback device selected
Why it causes the problem
Windows can have multiple audio outputs (speakers, headphones, HDMI). If the HDMI device is not set as the default, sound will go through another device.
Step‑by‑step solution
- Right‑click the speaker icon on the taskbar and choose Open Sound settings.
- Under Output, click Sound Control Panel (right side).
- In Playback tab, right‑click the HDMI device (it may be labeled by TV brand or Digital Output (HDMI)).
- Click Set as Default Device and Set as Default Communication Device (if you use HDMI for calls).
- Click OK. If the HDMI device is not visible, right‑click in the list and enable Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices, then enable it.
Tips: If there are multiple HDMI entries, test each by setting as default and playing audio.
2. Faulty HDMI cable or port
Why it causes the problem
Damaged cables or ports can carry video but fail on audio lines or handshake, causing no sound.
Step‑by‑step solution
- Power off both PC and display.
- Unplug and inspect the HDMI cable for bent pins or damage.
- Try a different, high‑quality HDMI cable (preferably HDMI 2.0 or better for modern setups).
- Plug into a different HDMI port on the TV/monitor. If your PC has both motherboard and GPU HDMI ports, use the GPU port for HDMI audio.
- Power on and retest audio.
Tip: If video appears but no sound, test the same cable + TV with another device (laptop/console) to confirm the cable and TV input work.
3. TV/monitor input or audio setting
Why it causes the problem
Some TVs have per‑input audio settings, or the input may be set to a mode that disables HDMI audio.
Step‑by‑step solution
- On the TV/monitor, select the correct HDMI input.
- Open the TV’s audio settings and ensure Audio Out, HDMI audio, or Input Audio is enabled (varies by brand).
- Ensure the TV volume is not muted and is raised.
- If the TV has a separate audio mode (e.g., PCM vs Bitstream, External Speakers), try switching modes.
Tip: On some TVs the PC input is labeled “PC” and may treat audio differently — try using a generic HDMI input.
4. Missing or disabled HDMI audio device in Windows
Why it causes the problem
Windows may disable devices automatically or drivers may hide them.
Step‑by‑step solution
- Right‑click the speaker icon → Open Sound settings → Sound Control Panel.
- In Playback, right‑click and choose Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices.
- If the HDMI device appears as disabled, right‑click it and choose Enable.
- Set it as the default as described in section 1.
Note: Sometimes a device is named manufacturer‑specific (e.g., NVIDIA High Definition Audio).
5. Outdated, incorrect, or corrupt drivers
Why it causes the problem
HDMI audio is often provided by the GPU driver (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel); corrupt or wrong drivers break audio.
Step‑by‑step solution
- Open Device Manager (Right‑click Start → Device Manager).
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers and look for NVIDIA High Definition Audio, AMD High Definition Audio Device, or Intel Display Audio.
- Right‑click the HDMI audio device → Update driver → Search automatically for updated driver.
- If that fails, go to your GPU vendor site (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel), download the latest drivers for your GPU and OS, and install them.
- If audio worked previously and broke after an update, right‑click the device → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver (if available).
- As a last resort, uninstall the audio driver and reboot; Windows will reinstall drivers automatically. For thorough cleanup use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode before reinstalling.
Tip: Use the GPU vendor’s full driver package — it includes correct HDMI audio drivers.
6. Windows Audio service stopped or unstable
Why it causes the problem
If the Windows Audio service isn’t running, no sound will play.
Step‑by‑step solution
- Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Find Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
- Right‑click each and choose Restart (or Start if stopped).
- If they fail to start, right‑click → Properties and ensure Startup type is Automatic.
Tip: After restarting services, reselect the HDMI device in Sound settings.
7. Audio enhancements or format mismatch
Why it causes the problem
Incorrect sample rates or audio enhancements can make the device unable to process audio from certain sources.
Step‑by‑step solution
- Open Sound Control Panel → Playback → select HDMI device → Properties.
- In Advanced tab, set Default Format to 16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality) or a compatible lower rate. Click Test.
- In Enhancements tab, check Disable all enhancements (or uncheck enhancements). Click Apply and test.
Note: Some home theater receivers require specific bitrates/sample rates for passthrough.
8. GPU/HDMI audio disabled in BIOS or wrong physical port
Why it causes the problem
If you plug HDMI into the motherboard but the discrete GPU is used for display, audio may not route properly.
Step‑by‑step solution
- Ensure your HDMI cable is connected to the GPU (the card in the PCIe slot) if you have a discrete GPU.
- If using integrated graphics, ensure Onboard/HD Audio is enabled in BIOS: reboot, enter BIOS/UEFI (usually Del, F2) → look for Onboard Devices or Integrated Peripherals → enable HD Audio.
- Save and exit.
Tip: If using multiple GPUs/adapters, try each HDMI output to see which provides audio.
9. Multiple displays and projection mode confusion
Why it causes the problem
Windows may send audio to a different display when multiple monitors are attached or the projection mode is wrong.
Step‑by‑step solution
- Press Windows Key + P and choose Duplicate, Extend, or Second screen only depending on your setup.
- Open Sound Control Panel → Playback, and ensure the HDMI device corresponding to the active display is selected as default.
- In Settings → System → Display, identify displays and make sure the display you expect audio from is the one receiving output.
Tip: Some monitors with speakers may appear twice—match screen numbers to device names.
10. Application-specific mute or wrong output selection
Why it causes the problem
Some apps allow choosing an output device or are muted in the Windows Volume Mixer.
Step‑by‑step solution
- Right‑click the speaker icon → Open Volume mixer.
- Ensure the app you’re using is not muted and its volume slider is up.
- In Settings → System → Sound → Advanced sound options (App volume and device preferences), set the app’s Output to your HDMI device.
Tip: Web browsers sometimes choose the default system device at launch—restart the browser after changing default device.
11. DRM/HDCP or protected content issues
Why it causes the problem
Protected content (some streaming services, Blu‑Ray formats) may fail if HDCP negotiation fails between PC and display.
Step‑by‑step solution
- Make sure all devices (PC, receiver, TV) support the required HDCP version for the content.
- Update TV/receiver firmware (check manufacturer site).
- Try playing unprotected content or local test audio; if that works, the issue is likely HDCP — use direct connection (PC → TV) or update hardware.
Tip: Some AV receivers can block HDCP — bypass the receiver temporarily to test.
12. Power management or third‑party audio conflicts
Why it causes the problem
Power saving can disable devices; third‑party audio software (realtek, virtual drivers) can interfere.
Step‑by‑step solution
- Open Device Manager → expand Sound, video and game controllers → right‑click the audio adapter → Properties → Power Management (if present) and uncheck any power saving options.
- Uninstall unnecessary third‑party audio apps that might hijack audio devices.
- If conflicts persist, disable the non‑working audio device in the Device Manager and leave only the HDMI device enabled, then reboot.
Advanced tip: Use msconfig to perform a clean boot and test whether third‑party software is causing the problem.
When to use advanced diagnostics or get help
If none of the above fixes work, consider:
- Using dxdiag (Press Windows Key + R, type dxdiag, Save All Information) to inspect detected audio devices and drivers.
- Running sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth from an elevated Command Prompt to fix system file corruption.
- Booting a Linux live USB to test whether HDMI audio works outside Windows (this isolates hardware vs Windows issues).
- Contacting GPU or PC manufacturer’s support if HDMI audio fails across operating systems — the hardware may be faulty.
FAQ
Q: Can a Windows update break HDMI sound and how can I roll it back?
Yes — a driver or system update can change audio behavior. Roll back drivers in Device Manager → Sound device → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver. For Windows updates, go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → View update history → Uninstall updates.
Q: How do I test whether the HDMI device is sending audio from the PC or the TV?
Play a test tone: Sound Control Panel → Playback → HDMI device → Properties → Advanced → Test. Also test the same HDMI and TV with another source (phone/console) to confirm the TV’s speakers work.
Q: Can I have HDMI audio and separate speakers at the same time?
Windows typically outputs to one default device at a time. Use third‑party software (like Voicemeeter) for advanced multi‑output routing, or use apps that support selecting different outputs per app in Advanced sound options.
Q: How do I get surround sound (5.1) over HDMI?
Set HDMI device Properties → Supported Formats and Advanced default format to the correct bit depth/sample rate and enable 5.1 channels if supported. Also ensure the source (player/stream) and receiver support passthrough. Use a media player that supports multi‑channel output (e.g., Kodi, VLC with passthrough).
Q: What if HDMI works for video but not audio only on certain apps (e.g., Netflix app)?
Check app-specific settings and DRM/HDCP compatibility. The Windows Store Netflix app may require secure audio path. Test with a browser or desktop player — if only certain apps fail, reinstall the app or check its audio output settings.
Conclusion
Most HDMI audio problems in Windows 10 are fixable by selecting the correct playback device, verifying cables/ports, and updating or reinstalling the GPU/HDMI audio driver. Follow the step‑by‑step fixes above to diagnose and resolve why HDMI sound doesn’t work in Windows 10, and use the advanced diagnostics section if hardware faults are suspected.
