Check if your monitor has a 3.5mm audio-out or headphone jack. If it does, plug in headphones or external speakers. If not, you must connect your audio device directly to the audio port on your computer, console, or other video source.
The box was open, the sleek new monitor gleaming on my desk. It promised a world of vibrant color and crisp detail. I had spent the evening carefully managing the cables, connecting it to my computer, and preparing for a late-night movie.
The picture was perfect, a stunning cityscape filling the screen. But when the opening scene began, it was met with an unnerving, absolute silence.
I clicked, I checked, I restarted. Nothing. The beautiful display was a silent window.
That familiar wave of frustration washed over me, the kind that only modern technology can inspire. I found myself searching for an answer to a question that feels both simple and complex: how to get sound from a monitor without speakers?
It turns out that many of us have faced this silent dilemma. The solution is often hidden in plain sight, tucked away in a port you never noticed or a setting you never thought to check. This is not just a technical guide.
It’s a map to reclaim the sound your monitor is holding hostage, turning a moment of quiet frustration into a sigh of relief. We will explore the hidden audio capabilities of your screen and find a clear path to a full sensory experience.
The First Question: Does Your Monitor Even Have Speakers?
Before we venture into the world of cables and settings, we must start with the most fundamental question. It might sound obvious, but it’s the bedrock of our investigation: Does your monitor have built-in speakers? In the race for thinner bezels and minimalist designs, many manufacturers choose to leave speakers out.
Assuming they are there is a common misstep.
So, how can you be sure? Put on your detective hat and look for small grilles or perforated patterns along the bottom edge, sides, or back of the monitor. These are often indicators of integrated speakers.
I once spent a good ten minutes convinced a set of ventilation slots were speakers, a testament to how subtle the design can be.
If a physical inspection leaves you uncertain, your next step is to consult the user manual. If you’ve misplaced the paper copy, a quick search online with your monitor’s model number will almost always bring up a digital PDF. The product specification sheet is your best friend here.
It will state clearly whether “integrated speakers” are part of the package. This simple check can save you hours of needless troubleshooting and point you directly toward the right solution.
Unlocking Audio Through Your Video Cable
If you’ve confirmed your monitor has speakers but you still hear nothing, the culprit often lies in the connection itself. Modern video cables are marvels of engineering, carrying vast amounts of data every second. For many, they are also the invisible bridge for sound.
The Magic of HDMI and DisplayPort
Think back to the days of older connections like VGA or DVI. These were purely for video, requiring a separate, green-tipped audio cable to carry sound. Today, cables like HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) and DisplayPort have streamlined everything.
They are designed to carry both high-definition video and uncompressed digital audio through a single, convenient connection.
When you plug an HDMI or DisplayPort cable from your computer to your monitor, a digital “handshake” occurs. Your computer recognizes the monitor and sees it as a potential audio output device. This is how a single cable can deliver both the brilliant visuals of a video game and the rich soundtrack that accompanies it.
If your monitor has speakers, this connection is the most direct way to get sound. It’s elegant, simple, and the standard for nearly all modern devices.
Checking Your Computer’s Sound Settings
Just because the cable can carry sound doesn’t mean your computer has been told to send it there. Often, the computer defaults to another audio source, like its own internal speakers or a previously connected headset. You need to manually direct the audio traffic to the right destination.
On a Windows PC, right-click the speaker icon in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar and select “Sound settings.” In the “Output” section, you’ll see a dropdown menu. Click it and look for the name of your monitor. It might appear as its model number (e.g., “Dell U2721Q”) or a generic display audio device.
Select it, and you should hear sound.
On a Mac, go to the Apple menu, open “System Settings,” and click on “Sound.” Under the “Output” tab, you will see a list of available devices. Your monitor should be listed there. Simply click on its name to make it the active audio output.
Think of it as telling your computer which doorway the sound should walk through.
The Monitor’s Secret Weapon: The Audio Out Port
What if your monitor doesn’t have built-in speakers? This is where many people get stuck, believing they are out of options. But many monitors have a secret weapon: a small, unassuming port on the back labeled “Audio Out” or with a headphone icon.
This 3.5mm jack is a gateway to sound.
This port works by intercepting the audio signal sent through your HDMI or DisplayPort cable. Even without its own speakers, the monitor can process that digital audio, convert it, and pass it through this analog jack. It effectively turns your monitor into an audio hub, a central point for both your picture and your sound, simplifying your desk setup.
This is arguably the most useful and overlooked feature on a modern display.
Connecting Headphones for a Personal Experience
The most direct and personal way to use the audio out port is with a standard pair of headphones. Simply plug them into the 3.5mm jack on your monitor. The monitor will channel all the audio from your computer directly to your ears.
This is a fantastic solution for many situations. If you work in an open office or a shared living space, it provides privacy and focus. For gamers, it offers an immersive experience, allowing you to hear every footstep and environmental cue without disturbing anyone.
It’s also perfect for late-night movie watching. The convenience of having the headphone jack right on your display, rather than snaking a long cable back to a computer tower, is a small but significant quality-of-life improvement.
Using Simple External Speakers
If you want sound that fills the room, the audio out port is your best friend. You can connect a pair of basic, powered desktop speakers using a standard 3.5mm audio cable. One end plugs into your monitor’s audio out jack, and the other plugs into the input on your speakers.
This setup gives you the best of both worlds. You get the superior sound quality of dedicated speakers without the hassle of running an extra cable from your computer. Your monitor and speakers become a single, cohesive unit.
This approach is clean, efficient, and provides a much richer audio experience than most built-in monitor speakers could ever offer. You get full, satisfying sound with a beautifully simple connection. For more information on how different audio signals work, resources from trusted tech sites like Sound & Vision can offer a deeper dive into the technology behind these connections.
When All Else Fails: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, even after following all the right steps, silence persists. This is the time for a bit of patient troubleshooting. The problem could be a simple software setting or a hardware hiccup.
First, check your monitor’s own menu, known as the On-Screen Display (OSD). Use the buttons on the monitor to navigate to the audio or sound settings. Look for a volume control or a mute option.
It’s possible the monitor’s volume is simply turned all the way down or muted by default.
If the monitor settings are correct, turn your attention back to the computer. Outdated audio drivers can cause communication errors between your computer and your monitor. Visit the website for your computer manufacturer (like Dell, HP, or Lenovo) or the maker of your graphics card (like NVIDIA or AMD) to download and install the latest drivers.
These updates often contain bug fixes that can resolve audio playback issues. Finally, don’t overlook the cable itself. A faulty or damaged HDMI or DisplayPort cable can fail to transmit the audio signal correctly.
If you have a spare one, try swapping it out to see if that solves the problem.
FAQ
Can I get sound from a monitor with only a VGA or DVI cable?
Generally, no. VGA and DVI are video-only standards and do not carry an audio signal. If you are using one of these older connections, you must run a separate audio cable (usually a 3.5mm male-to-male cable) from your computer’s headphone or line-out jack directly to your speakers or to an audio-in port on your monitor, if it has one.
Without this second cable, your setup will remain silent, as there is no pathway for the sound to travel.
Why is my HDMI audio not working even if my monitor has speakers?
There are a few common reasons for this. First, ensure you have selected your monitor as the primary audio output device in your computer’s sound settings. Second, check the monitor’s own menu to make sure the volume is up and it is not muted.
Finally, the issue could be with your drivers. Go to your graphics card manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and install the latest driver package, as these include the necessary HDMI audio drivers required for proper function.
Does every monitor have an audio out jack?
No, this feature is common but not universal. While many modern monitors include a 3.5mm audio out port as a convenient way to pass through sound, it is often omitted on budget models or older screens. The only way to be certain is to physically inspect the ports on the back or side of your monitor or to consult its official specification sheet online.
Always check the specs before assuming the feature is present, especially if you plan to rely on it for your audio setup.
Can I connect a soundbar to my monitor’s audio port?
Yes, absolutely. This is an excellent way to significantly upgrade your audio experience. If your soundbar has a 3.5mm auxiliary (AUX) input, you can connect it directly to your monitor’s audio out port with a standard audio cable.
This setup keeps your desk tidy by routing the sound through the monitor, giving you powerful, room-filling audio for movies, music, and games without running extra wires back to your computer. It combines convenience with high-quality sound.
Does the quality of the HDMI cable affect sound?
For the vast majority of users, no. Digital audio signals are robust. As long as you are using a certified High-Speed HDMI cable, it will transmit the audio signal from your computer to your monitor without any loss of quality.
Sound issues are far more likely to stem from software settings, drivers, or a physically damaged cable rather than the inherent quality of a functioning one. You do not need to buy expensive, gold-plated cables to get perfect sound from your monitor.
Conclusion
The silence from a new screen can feel like a stubborn, unyielding wall. Yet, the solutions are often surprisingly straightforward. Whether it’s confirming the existence of built-in speakers, directing your computer’s audio to the correct output, or discovering the utility of a hidden audio-out port, you hold the power to bring sound back to your display.
Your monitor is more than just a window to a visual world; it can be a complete portal for your entertainment and work.
The journey from a silent screen to a full-bodied sound experience is one of simple, deliberate steps. By understanding how your devices communicate, you can easily troubleshoot and solve one of technology’s most common frustrations. The silence is not a dead end.
It is simply a puzzle waiting for the right piece.
Now that your monitor is ready to make some noise, what is the first thing you will listen to?
