You’ve spent hours perfecting your sound, tracking the perfect take, and getting it all just right. Yet, no matter how hard you try, your monitor speakers are stubbornly refusing to show up.
We’ve all been there. And if you’re like me, you know that trying to troubleshoot tech issues can be frustrating, confusing, and downright time-consuming. No worries, we’ve got you covered.
Here we will discuss every potential cause of your monitor speakers not working as well as a solution.
5 Common Reasons for Monitor Speakers Not Showing Up and their Solutions
1. Connection Problems
First, if the monitor is not connected to the audio source or if the wrong port is selected, the monitor speakers may not appear. Make sure the audio source is connected to the correct port on the monitor and that the monitor is selected as the sound output device.
By using the incorrect audio cable, a second issue might develop. For example, if the audio source has a 3.5mm audio jack but the monitor only has a digital audio port, the speakers will not show up. Use the correct cable for the monitor and audio source.
If the audio source has multiple audio outputs, manual configuration may also be required. Ensure the audio source settings are configured to output to the monitor.
2. Wrong settings configuration
Different settings and configurations can result in monitor speakers not showing up.
The audio output from the computer and the input from the monitor might not match, which would be the first issue. A computer’s audio output settings must match the monitor’s audio input settings to hear audio. The audio output settings can be checked by opening the Control Panel and choosing the Sound option.
Select the monitor’s speakers under the Playback tab and make sure they are the default device. Verify that the monitor’s audio input settings are set to accept the correct type of sound signal.
It is also possible that there is a problem with the connection between the computer and the monitor. Ensure the audio cable is securely connected to the monitor’s audio input port and the computer’s audio output port. Monitor speakers may not work if the connection is loose.
A third problem could be an outdated driver. Incompatible drivers can cause the monitor speakers not to work, resulting in the computer’s speakers not working. Open Device Manager and select the audio device to check the driver version. Update the audio device’s drivers if the version is outdated by downloading the latest version from the manufacturer’s website.
3. Driver Problems
Incorrect or outdated drivers can prevent monitor speakers from showing up. In some cases, this is caused by incompatible drivers, corrupted drivers, or drivers that have not been updated.
The installed driver may not recognize the connected hardware if it is not compatible with the installed hardware, so the speakers will not be detected by the system. Outdated drivers can also cause this problem. The driver may not be able to detect the hardware properly if it’s out of date and does not have the latest compatibility updates.
Speakers can also be unresponsive due to corrupt drivers. A corrupt driver can result in a variety of issues, such as hardware not being detected or hardware being detected but not functioning. From virus or malware infections to physical damage to the driver files, corrupt drivers can occur for a variety of reasons.
The driver may need to be updated. To ensure that a driver is compatible with the latest hardware, has the latest security updates, and works correctly, it should be regularly updated. Drivers that have not been updated properly may not display the speaker in some cases.
4. Defective sound card
The monitor speakers could not appear in the sound options of the device or physically due to a defective sound card. There are a variety of reasons for this, including faulty hardware or outdated drivers.
When the hardware is defective, the sound card itself might be the problem. There can be a hardware failure causing the sound card to not output sound. Components such as capacitors, resistors, transistors, or even circuit boards can fail. To check for hardware problems, one should first check the physical components of the sound card, such as the amplifier, to see if they are loose or damaged. It is recommended to contact a technician if the sound card is still not working.
It is also possible for the monitor speakers not to show up due to software issues. There is a possibility that the sound card may not be compatible with the current version of the operating system, or that the current drivers are outdated. One should ensure that their operating system and sound card drivers are the latest versions. Sound output from the speakers may also be affected by incorrect sound settings in the operating system.
The sound card may need to be replaced if none of these solutions work. Check compatibility with the operating system and other components of the device before purchasing a new sound card.
5. Outdated Windows build
Monitor speakers may not function in multiple ways due to an outdated Windows build.
The monitor’s audio drivers may not be able to be installed or recognized if the outdated Windows build does not support the monitor’s graphics drivers. Thus, the monitor speakers won’t be listed as output devices.
Outdated Windows may not display the monitor’s speakers as an output device. Monitors that use newer or different audio technologies (such as HDMI) would not be compatible with outdated Windows.
Older versions of Windows may lack the most recent updates installed. A monitor’s speakers could not be visible as output devices as a result of bug fixes, security patches, and new features. These updates might be required for operating systems to recognize the monitor’s speakers.
Outdated Windows might not have the necessary audio settings configured, or the audio settings may be incorrect. Windows builds without the correct audio settings may fail to display the monitor’s speakers as output devices. Speakers on the monitor may not sound as well if the audio settings are incorrect.
Troubleshooting
Check the audio settings
1. Navigate to the “Start” menu and select “Control Panel.”
2. In the Hardware and Sound section, click on “Sound.”
3. View the list of sound devices installed on your computer by selecting the “Playback” tab.
4. Select the device you wish to change the settings for, and then click “Properties.”
5. View the audio device’s enhancements by clicking the “Enhancements” tab.
6. Click “OK” to save the changes after checking any enhancements you wish to enable.
7. For audio device testing, click “Test”.
8. Save the settings by clicking “OK”.
Setting the speakers as the default
1. On your computer’s taskbar, right-click the sound icon.
2. From the list of options, select “Playback devices.”.
3. On the “Playback” tab, click the down arrow next to the current default device and select the monitor speaker.
4. Then click “Set Default”.
5. Save the changes by clicking “Apply” and then “OK”.
6. Make sure the changes take effect by restarting your computer.
Update drivers
1. Open Device Manager. On the taskbar, type Device Manager in the search box and select Device Manager.
2. Select Update Driver from the right-click menu.
3. Update driver software automatically by selecting this option.
4. If Windows does not find a compatible driver, you can look for one on the device manufacturer’s website.
5. The driver will be reinstalled when you restart your device.
Update Windows
1. Go to Windows Update Settings. Type “Windows Update” into the search bar and choose “Check for Updates” from the results.
2. Update any available software. Updates will be downloaded by Windows.
3. Make sure you have the latest optional updates. Language packs and drivers may not be necessary, but Windows Update will prompt you to install them.
4. Your computer needs to be restarted. You will need to restart your computer after installing all the updates.
5. Install the updates. You can check the status of installed updates in Windows Update Settings.
Run the Audio Troubleshooter
1. Select Troubleshoot sound problems from the context menu when you right-click the sound icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner).
2. You will see the Audio Troubleshooter window. Proceed to the next step.
3. Troubleshooters scan for issues and present a list of potential problems. Please select the issue that most accurately describes your problem (e.g. Monitor speakers not working).
4. Audio Troubleshooter will detect and fix any problems with the sound drivers. Please click the next button.
5. A troubleshooter will then suggest a series of steps to resolve the issue. Follow the instructions on the screen.
6. After completing the steps, the Audio Troubleshooter will show you the results. Click Finish if the issue has been resolved. If not, click Next to try another solution.
Check the audio settings in the BIOS
1. Disconnect the power cable and power off the computer.
2. Enter BIOS by finding the correct key. A function key (F1, F2, F3, etc.) or the DEL key is usually used for this purpose.
3. Press the BIOS key repeatedly after starting the computer.
4. You can navigate to the Audio or Audio Setup menus.
5. Make sure the onboard audio settings are correct. Options may include Enable/Disable, Volume, Balance, and Input/Output.
6. Save the settings and exit the BIOS.
7. Connect the power cable and turn on the computer. The audio settings should now be set to the desired configuration.
Restart Your Computer
1. Connect the monitor speakers to the computer first. Plug in all the necessary cables and make sure the speaker connection is secure.
2. Make sure the software settings are correct. To set the speakers as the default playback device, open the Control Panel and go to Sound settings.
3. Restart the computer if the above steps do not resolve the issue. The computer will be reset and the problem may be resolved.
4. Check the audio drivers if restarting the computer does not work. Make sure the audio drivers are up-to-date in Device Manager. Reinstall the drivers if necessary.
Replacing the speakers
If all other troubleshooting steps have failed, this is usually the last resort. It may be possible to replace the speakers with a compatible model from the same manufacturer or a different manufacturer, depending on the model. New speakers might also be needed.
FAQs
The compatibility of monitors and speakers is not known to be an issue. Most monitors include built-in speakers that are compatible with the monitor. Even so, it is imperative to check the specifications of the monitor and speakers to ensure they are compatible.
You will need to open your computer’s system settings and make sure that HDMI audio output is enabled in the sound settings. Furthermore, you may need to select the correct HDMI audio device as the default device.
The HDMI external monitor you plug into your laptop might not play audio due to a possible compatibility issue. The monitor and laptop may not be in sync, and audio may not be transmitted properly. Make sure the laptop and monitor are compatible with each other by checking their specifications. You may need to purchase a different external monitor if they are not the same.
Karan is a professional computer writer who has worked in the technology industry for over 10 years. I have a degree in computer science from the University of California, Berkeley, and have written several articles on technology products. Meet our team