8 Best Ways to Fix HDMI Audio Not Working in Windows 11

We have prepared everything for a cozy movie night, including selecting a film and setting up the display on our Windows PC or TV through HDMI. We even have our popcorn ready for snacking. Unfortunately, our excitement is short-lived when we discover an issue with the sound. Upon investigation, we realize that the problem is related to HDMI, causing the audio to be inaudible.

However, there’s no need to panic as you’re not alone in facing this issue. Several reasons may cause this problem, such as bugs, outdated drivers, faulty ports, and more. In this case, you may wonder what to do next and how to fix the problem. Fear not! Here’s a guide on how to fix the HDMI audio not working on Windows.

How to Fix HDMI Audio Not Working on Windows 11

Windows 11 is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate. Troubleshooting any issues becomes a breeze with this new interface. To help you resolve the problem of HDMI audio not working on Windows 11, we’ve compiled some proven solutions that you can try out on your own.

1. Check the Cable and Port

First, you must check your HDMI cable and the port. But how do you check if it is workable or not?

To check its ability to input and output, you can unplug the cable from the system and the external device you have plugged in. Then plug in again to check if it is still working or not. Don’t forget to observe the condition of the cable.

Now use another port dock instead of using the same port if your device has more. If you get the sound, you don’t need to perform any below-mentioned processes. Otherwise, go through this process to make HDMI audible.

2. Perform Windows Sound Troubleshoot

Second, we can use the inbuilt troubleshooter tool in Windows 11 to detect the problem and act on it. This is what you need to follow.

1. Press Windows Start > Settings > Troubleshoot. 
2. Then click on Other troubleshooting.
3. Click Run on Playing Audio to perform the troubleshooting.
4. Now troubleshoot any from the detected list to solve your problem accordingly.

3. Update Sound Drivers

Updating the sounder driver can solve the problem. After the update, tries to connect the HDMI once again. Let’s see how to update the sound driver in Windows 11.

1. Click on the Windows button, and search for Device Manager. For shortcuts, press  Windows + X altogether. Then click Device Manager from the list of all functions.
2. Now click on the Sound, video, and game controller.
3. You will get all the audio drivers. Choose your audio driver and right click on it and click on Update driver.
4. Now click on search automatically for drivers to get the update.

4. Set HDMI as Default Playback

Generally, Windows automatically select the available playback as the default playback. If it is not working for you. Then why not try to set the particular HDMI as a default playback?

1. Press Windows start + R. Run will open next to you. Type mmsys.cpl sounds, and hit the enter button.
2. The sound configuration tool will open. Now select the sound system, and click on the Set default. Make sure you have connected your HDMI cable to the get default option.

5. Restart Audio Service

Considering the restart audio service is another best way to fix the issue. To restart the audio service, follow this.

1. Press Windows start + R. Run will open next to you.
2. Type services.msc, and hit the enter button.
3. Windows service app will open, now double-click on Windows audio.
4. Now select the automatic option, click on the start button, and then the Ok button.
5. Go back to the service page, and click on the restart button to perform this audio service.

6. Reinstall Sound Drivers

1. Open Device Manager, and click on Sound, video, and audio controllers.
2. Now select the sound driver and right-click on it.
3. Then click on the uninstall button.
4. Close the app and type alt + F4 to restart the driver again.

7. Windows Update

It’s always advisable to use the latest version of Windows, as older versions may contain bugs and glitches that can cause various issues. I’ve personally experienced problems when I’ve delayed updates, such as slower boot times, lagging, and the system not performing at its usual pace.

Updating Windows can help address these issues by eliminating bugs and improving system performance. Additionally, updating the operating system may indirectly resolve the problem of HDMI audio not working.

1. Press Windows start > Windows update.
2. Now click check for updates.
3. Then download and install the update if you have any.

8. Reset Windows

Reset Windows takes you to all the default settings and helps to troubleshoot all internal issues. Consequently, it reinstalls all drivers automatically. Let’s see the process of reset Windows.

1. Press Windows > System > Recovery.
2. Now click on Reset PC.
3. Then choose the type of reset you want to do.
4. The recommendation will choose the Keep my files reset. If you back up data, then you can reset the system fully. Otherwise, you will lose all your saved data.

Conclusion

These are some simple methods you can use to resolve the issue of HDMI not working on Windows 11. If you require any assistance, don’t hesitate to ask questions in the comment box.