If there is no sound when using HDMI through a USB-C hub, the issue is usually related to audio output settings, the monitor or TV’s speaker support, the HDMI cable, the USB-C port, or the app you are using. In most cases, the video signal works, but the computer is still sending audio to the laptop speakers instead of the HDMI display.
HDMI can carry both video and audio through one cable, but your laptop, operating system, USB-C hub, HDMI cable, and display all need to work together correctly. If any part of that chain is not set up properly, you may see the screen but hear no sound.
This guide will help you fix HDMI audio problems on MacBook, Windows laptops, TVs, monitors, and USB-C devices.
Quick Answer: Why HDMI Has Picture But No Sound
Your HDMI connection through a USB-C hub may have no sound because:
- Your laptop is still using its built-in speakers.
- The HDMI display is not selected as the audio output device.
- The monitor does not have built-in speakers.
- The TV or monitor volume is muted.
- The HDMI cable is loose or faulty.
- The app or browser is using another audio output.
- The USB-C port does not fully support video/audio output.
- The USB-C hub or adapter does not support HDMI audio properly.
- The audio driver on Windows is missing, outdated, or disabled.
Start with the simplest fix: open your sound settings and choose the HDMI-connected TV or monitor as the output device.
1. Check Whether Your Monitor or TV Has Speakers
Before changing settings, confirm that your HDMI display can actually play sound.
Many TVs have built-in speakers, but many computer monitors do not. Some monitors support HDMI video but have no internal speakers. Others may have a 3.5mm audio output jack, which means they can pass audio to external speakers or headphones but cannot play sound by themselves.
Try this first:
- Check whether the monitor has built-in speakers.
- Make sure the monitor or TV volume is not muted.
- Test another HDMI source, such as a game console or streaming device.
- Check the monitor’s audio menu and choose HDMI as the input source if needed.
If your display has no speakers, your USB-C hub is not necessarily broken. You may need to use laptop speakers, Bluetooth speakers, external speakers, or a hub/docking station with a separate audio output.
For desk setups where you use a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers together, a USB-C docking station with HDMI and audio output can be more practical than a basic HDMI-only adapter.
2. Select HDMI as the Sound Output on Mac
If you are using a MacBook, macOS may keep playing sound through the built-in speakers even after the HDMI display is connected.
To change the sound output on Mac:
- Click the Apple menu.
- Open System Settings.
- Go to Sound.
- Click Output.
- Select your HDMI monitor, TV, or connected display.
Apple’s official sound output guide explains that Mac users can choose an output device in System Settings > Sound > Output, including connected displays or audio devices.
If the HDMI device does not appear in the output list, unplug the USB-C hub, reconnect it directly to your MacBook, and restart the app you are using.
This is one of the most common fixes for HDMI no sound on MacBook.
3. Select HDMI as the Sound Output on Windows
On Windows, the HDMI display may appear as a separate audio output device. If Windows is still using laptop speakers or Bluetooth headphones, you may get video through HDMI but no sound.
To change the sound output on Windows:
- Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
- Open Sound settings.
- Under Output, select your TV, monitor, or HDMI audio device.
- Play a video or audio file to test the sound.
If the HDMI audio device does not appear, restart the laptop with the hub connected. You can also check Device Manager and Windows Update for audio or display driver updates.
Microsoft notes that Windows may fail to detect an audio output device if the required audio driver is missing, outdated, disabled, or not loading correctly.
This is especially important when troubleshooting HDMI no sound on Windows or USB-C to HDMI no audio issues.
4. Check the HDMI Cable and Connection
A loose or damaged HDMI cable can cause audio problems even when the picture still appears.
Try these steps:
- Unplug and reconnect the HDMI cable.
- Try another HDMI port on the TV or monitor.
- Test another HDMI cable.
- Avoid using very long or damaged cables.
- Connect the USB-C hub directly to your laptop, not through another adapter.
HDMI is designed as a digital interface for transmitting high-quality video and audio signals between devices, but cable quality and connection stability still matter. HDMI Licensing Administrator is the official licensing agent for HDMI specifications and technology education.
If your setup is mainly for presentations, video streaming, or external displays, a reliable USB-C to HDMI adapter for audio and video is usually enough. But if you also need USB ports, charging, and other accessories, a multiport hub may be a better choice.
5. Check Whether the USB-C Port Supports Video Output
Not every USB-C port supports the same functions. Some USB-C ports only support charging or data transfer, while others support video output through DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt.
If your HDMI connection shows no display at all, your USB-C port may not support video output. But if the display works and only audio is missing, the issue is more likely related to sound settings, the monitor, the HDMI cable, or the hub.
To check compatibility:
- Look at your laptop’s USB-C port specifications.
- Check whether it supports video output, DisplayPort Alt Mode, USB4, or Thunderbolt.
- Try another USB-C port if your laptop has more than one.
- Avoid low-quality extension cables or unsupported adapters.
For users who connect a monitor and several accessories at the same time, a USB-C hub with HDMI and 100W PD is often more useful than a single-purpose adapter because it can handle display output, charging, and USB accessories together.
For example, LENTION’s CB-CE19 is positioned as an 8-in-1 USB-C hub with 4K HDMI, 100W Power Delivery, USB-A ports, USB-C data ports, and SD / microSD readers, making it more suitable for full laptop setups rather than HDMI-only use.
6. Restart the App, Browser, or Streaming Platform
Sometimes the HDMI audio setting is correct, but the app you are using does not switch audio output automatically.
This can happen with:
- YouTube
- Netflix
- Zoom
- Teams
- VLC
- QuickTime
- Chrome
- Safari
- Presentation software
Try closing and reopening the app after selecting the HDMI display as the audio output. If you are using a browser, refresh the page or restart the browser.
For video calls, check the app’s own audio settings. Zoom, Teams, and other meeting apps may have a separate speaker setting that does not always follow your system output.
7. When a Different Hub or Adapter May Help
If you have checked the sound settings, display speakers, HDMI cable, and USB-C port, but HDMI audio still does not work, the adapter or hub may not be the best fit for your setup.
For simple TV or monitor connection, a USB-C to HDMI adapter with audio support is usually enough. LENTION’s USB-C to HDMI & VGA adapter page, for example, states that its HDMI connection supports both video and audio transfer, making it suitable for users who mainly need display output.
If you need a full desk setup with a monitor, charging, USB devices, and a more stable workstation layout, a USB-C docking station with HDMI and 3.5mm audio can be a better fit. LENTION’s CB-D53s docking station includes 4K 60Hz HDMI, 100W power pass-through, Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, USB 3.0, and USB 2.0 ports.
The key is to match the device to your real use case. If you only need to mirror a laptop to a TV, choose a simple HDMI adapter. If you work with a monitor, keyboard, mouse, external storage, Ethernet, and speakers, choose a hub or docking station designed for multi-device use.
FAQ
Why does HDMI show video but no sound?
Your computer may be sending audio to the built-in speakers instead of the HDMI display. Open your sound settings and choose the TV or monitor as the audio output device.
Does HDMI carry audio through a USB-C hub?
Yes, HDMI can carry both video and audio, but the USB-C port, hub, HDMI cable, display, and system audio settings must all support and select the correct output.
Why is there no HDMI sound on my MacBook?
macOS may still be using MacBook speakers. Go to System Settings > Sound > Output and select the HDMI-connected display.
Why is there no HDMI sound on Windows?
Windows may not be using the HDMI display as the output device, or the audio driver may be missing or outdated. Open Sound settings and select the HDMI display under Output.
What if my monitor has no speakers?
If your monitor has no built-in speakers, HDMI audio cannot be heard from the monitor itself. Use laptop speakers, Bluetooth speakers, external speakers, or a hub/dock with audio output.
Final Thoughts
When there is no sound while using HDMI through a USB-C hub, the problem is usually not complicated. Start by checking whether your monitor has speakers, then select the HDMI display as the sound output on Mac or Windows. After that, test the HDMI cable, restart the app, and confirm that your USB-C port supports video output.
If HDMI audio issues happen often, match your adapter to your setup. A USB-C to HDMI adapter for audio and video works well for simple display connections, while a USB-C hub with HDMI and 100W PD or USB-C docking station with HDMI and audio output is better for a full desk setup.
