HP Monitor Speakers Not Working (No Sound) SOLVED!

I know how insanely frustrating it can be when your HP monitor sound randomly stops. Or when you just get a new monitor and you can’t get the sound to play through it!

Of course, even though HP is a highly credible brand that produces high-quality goods, its merchandise (like any other) can have issues. 

I say this to say, you aren’t alone, and believe it or not, that is a good thing, because that means many people before you have done all the troubleshooting work!

In other words, we’ve got you covered!

Before we get into this, these steps will be quite generic to HP monitors, but of course, HP makes many different monitor models, each with its own features and functions. 

These models do, however, usually have the same fixes due to their similar designs. 

Let’s run through the most popular troubleshooting steps for any HP monitor with sound issues…

HP Monitor Speaker Not Working: Likely Reasons

1. Absence of pre-installed speakers.
2. Monitor audio not set as the default audio source
3. Monitor speaker volume muted or too low
4. Improper PC volume settings
5. Improper connectivity or faulty audio cables
6. Corrupted or outdated audio driver
7. Disabled BIOS audio settings
8. Corrupted operating system

No Pre-Installed Speakers

Before getting into other, more complicated reasons, start with the most obvious ones. You may have just bought a new monitor and don't know that not all HP monitors have speakers built in. And this may be the reason why your monitor has no audio. 

How to Fix:

Check whether your machine actually supports speakers by reviewing the product specification manual. The simplest way is to 

1. Check your device's model number on the sticker, usually at the back of the monitor. 
2. Enter this number into the HP Monitor Manual Lookup. 
3. Click on the download icon to get the Specification Summary Document. 
4. Check the product specifications section to determine whether your device has built-in speakers. 

If your monitor doesn't have them, you'll need to connect them with external speakers. If it does, then there may be a totally different issue. 

But before we look into the next possible cause, it's worth noting that if the manual states that the monitor supports audio output, it may mean something other than integrated speaker functionalities. Supporting audio output means that you can connect headphones or external speakers directly to your monitor. 

Monitor Audio Not Set as the Default Audio Source

Once you've found out that your monitor has a built-in speaker, you should check the PC's settings for the audio source. Sometimes the monitor's audio doesn't come with the default installation. Therefore, it's vital to change the audio settings on your PC. 

How to Fix:

The particular settings may vary a little depending on the type of operating system. For most Windows operating systems, however, here's how to change the audio source settings.

1. Click on the Speaker/Sound icon located on the toolbar. 
2. Click on the arrow symbol beside the Speaker option to display the audio output option.
3. Select the monitor as your preferred playback gear.

Note that if you are alternating between the monitor and external speakers, you'll have to change the settings every time you use any of them.

Monitor Volume Muted or Too Low

Checking your hardware's volume level is another quick and easy diagnosis procedure to get out of the way early. Maybe the speaker isn’t working because the monitor has been muted or the volume has been adjusted too low. 

How to Fix:

Most HP monitors with integrated speakers have a touch panel or physical buttons installed at the bottom, which you can use to adjust the volume. 

Move the joystick button left or right (depending on your monitor's model) to display the monitor volume indicator. Adjust the indicator to ensure the volume is on and set it loud enough to hear. Ensure to avoid pushing the joystick in, as this will turn on the main Menu.

If your device doesn't have a physical button but supports On Screen Control, access the audio settings on the screen menu and set the volume high. 

Go to Menu> Settings > Audio Settings > Volume.

And if you'll still encounter problems accessing the volume controls, refer to the HP Monitor Manual Lookup for assistance. 

Wrong PC Volume Settings

Still, on volume matters, the problem may be with your primary operating device. When the volume of your PC isn't set right, it may result in your HP Monitor not having any sound.

This is usually the case when you use more than one audio source and need to change the settings every now and then.

You may need to adjust your monitor's volume as an output audio unit. 

How to Fix:

1. Click on the Sound/Speaker icon on the taskbar. The icon is usually located at the bottom-right of the screen.
2. Select Open Sound Settings. 
3. Adjust the Master Volume to a reasonably high level.
4. Click on the volume icon once more and select Open Volume Mixer.
5. Set the volume of your monitor on the mixer to your taste.

You should also ensure that the application you are using isn't on mute but rather set to a reasonable volume level.

So you know, applications such as Google Chrome come with their specific volume settings. 

It is also essential to enable loudness equalization if you are using a machine with Windows 10 or higher.

This feature automatically adjusts the volume of your PC, and if you turn it off, your speakers may not sound right. 

To activate Loudness Equalization, go to Control Panel > Sounds > Enhancements, then check the box next to ‘Loudness Equalization.'

Wrong Connection or Faulty Audio Cables

If all the above fixes backfire, then you should check the connectivity. Loose connectivity, damaged ports or cables, and plugging audio cables into incorrect ports can also cause the speakers not to function. 

How to Fix:

Most HP monitors with pre-installed speakers use HDMI/DP cables to carry audio signals directly, whereas others need a different audio jack cable.

Whichever the connection, remove the cables and check for any signs of damage – loose ends or breakage along the wires. Also, check the ports for any visible damage.

Reconnect the cables to their correct ports on your monitor and PC, and ensure they're firmly plugged in.

If that doesn't solve the issue, try swapping your cable with a different one. If that resolves the problem, then you had a faulty audio cable and should consider getting a new one. 

Corrupted or Outdated Audio Driver

Take a look at the sound driver of your device. Is it outdated or corrupted? If so, it could be causing some issues with the audio output. So keep an eye on this and get your driver up-to-date.

How to Fix:

Before you update or install a new audio driver, you'll need to check to see if the one that's already running is working well. Consider the following steps.

1. Enter the word ‘Device Manager‘ into the Windows search box.
2. Select Sound, Videos, and Game Controllers on the pop-up Menu and double-click to confirm the status.
3. If the driver is operating smoothly, you'll want to update it. Select Update Driver.
4. Click on Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software and wait for the sound driver to be updated.
5. Let your PC restart automatically and proceed to use monitor speakers.

If this procedure fails, try uninstalling and reinstalling the audio driver. It should reinstall automatically as soon as you restart your computer. But if it doesn't, you'll be required to download it.  

Disabled BIOS Audio Settings

If all other measures fail, check the PC's BIOS settings. It is possible that the monitor audio might have been disabled here.

This is common, especially when you get a brand-new PC and fail to set up a few things.

You can also get a second-hand PC whose BIOS sound settings have been tampered with.

How to Fix:

You'll need to open the BIOS. This occurs when you restart your computer and quickly press the ESC key. In the BIOS, navigate to Onboard Devices and ensure your monitor audio is enabled. 

Corrupted Operating System

In other instances, you can encounter problems with your monitor sound due to issues triggered by a glitch in the operating system. Therefore, updating the system software as a last resort is essential. 

How to Fix:

1. Go to Window Settings by clicking the Windows+I keys.
2. Select Windows Updates on the left tray.
3. Click on the Check for Updates icon on the top right side of your screen. The system will automatically check and notify you about any updates required. 
4. Select Download and Install for the system to update. 
5. Allow the system to complete updating and installing, then restart your PC.

If the system notifies you of any optional updates, check them by following this process.

1. Navigate to Window Settings.
2. Click on the Window Updates on the left tray of the screen.
3. Click on Advanced Options, then scroll down and select Additional Options.
4. Check for any updates available in the Optional Updates section and set it to be updated.
5. Click on Download and Install, wait for the process to complete, then restart your PC.

Last Ditch Fixing Efforts

If you are still faced with the issue of your HP monitor speaker not working, it may be time to check the HP Monitor Support Page and see if you are still eligible to return it for a replacement or refund!

Alternatively, you can reach out to HP customer support at [email protected]. You can also consider taking your monitor to a technician for repair. 

But I hope you are no longer reading, and didn’t get this far because something on the list worked!! 😉 

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