Intel HD Audio HDMI Not Working on Windows 10? Fix

If you have no sound through HDMI on Windows 10 with Intel High Definition Audio, the fix usually involves updating or reinstalling the Intel display audio driver, changing the default playback device, or adjusting the audio format settings. Below are the step-by-step solutions that resolve the issue in most cases, plus background on why it happens.

Why Intel HD Audio HDMI Fails

Intel High Definition Audio is the built-in audio controller that carries sound over an HDMI or DisplayPort connection from Intel integrated graphics (e.g., HD Graphics, UHD Graphics, Iris). It is not a separate sound card; it works with the GPU to send audio and video through the same cable. On Windows 10, the driver for this controller is installed as part of the Intel Graphics driver package, not as a standalone audio driver. When the graphics driver updates, gets corrupted, or conflicts with the display driver, the HDMI audio device disappears from the Sound settings, shows as “Not plugged in,” or produces no sound even though the device is listed.

Check the Basics First

Before diving into driver reinstalls, confirm the obvious: the HDMI cable is firmly connected, the TV or monitor is set to the correct input, and the volume is not muted on both Windows and the display. Also verify that the display’s built-in speakers are not disabled. If you are using a receiver or soundbar, test with a different HDMI port or cable. These simple checks resolve a surprising number of cases.

Set the Correct Default Playback Device

Windows 10 sometimes keeps the default audio device set to speakers or headphones, so even when the HDMI audio is active, sound goes nowhere. To change it:

Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select Open Sound settings.
Under Output, choose the device that says “Intel(R) Display Audio” or the name of your TV/monitor (e.g., “Samsung” or “LG”).
If you don’t see it, click Sound Control Panel on the right, go to the Playback tab, right-click the Intel Display Audio device, and select Set as Default Device.
If the device is disabled, right-click it and choose Enable.

If the device is missing entirely, proceed to the driver steps below.

Update or Reinstall the Intel Graphics Driver

Since the HDMI audio driver is bundled with the graphics driver, updating the graphics driver is often the fix. Use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant (Intel DSA) to automatically detect and install the latest driver for your specific Intel processor and graphics. Alternatively, manually download the driver from Intel’s download center or from your PC manufacturer’s support page (for laptops, the manufacturer’s version is sometimes required). After updating, restart your computer and check if the audio device appears.

If updating does not help, uninstall the driver completely and reinstall it. In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click Intel(R) Display Audio and select Uninstall device. Check the box “Delete the driver software for this device” if offered. Then restart your PC—Windows will reinstall a generic driver automatically, or you can run the Intel installer again.

Adjust Audio Format and Sample Rate

Sometimes the HDMI audio fails because the audio format is set too high for the display to handle. Right-click the speaker icon, choose Open Sound settings, then Sound Control Panel. On the Playback tab, select the Intel Display Audio device, click Properties, go to the Advanced tab, and change the default format from “24 bit, 192000 Hz” to “16 bit, 48000 Hz” (DVD quality) or “16 bit, 44100 Hz” (CD quality). Click Test to see if sound plays. If it does, the display or cable cannot handle the higher bandwidth. Also try disabling “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” in the same tab—some apps cause conflicts that mute the output.

Restart the Windows Audio Service

If the HDMI audio device is present but silent, the Windows Audio service might have stalled. Open Run (Win+R), type services.msc, and press Enter. Find Windows Audio, right-click it, and select Restart. Also restart Windows Audio Endpoint Builder in the same way. This restarts the audio stack without a full reboot and often clears temporary glitches.

Check for BIOS/UEFI Settings or Hardware Conflicts

On some motherboards, the integrated graphics and its audio can be disabled in the BIOS. Restart your PC, enter the BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing Del, F2, or F10 during boot), and look for settings like Integrated Graphics, iGPU Multi-Monitor, or Onboard Audio. Ensure that the integrated graphics are enabled (not set to “Disabled” or “Auto” if you have a discrete GPU). If you have a discrete graphics card, the HDMI port on the motherboard may not work at all unless the iGPU is enabled. Also check if the motherboard has a separate audio device that conflicts—temporarily disable it in Device Manager if the Intel Display Audio is not showing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Intel HDMI audio show “Not plugged in”?

This message means Windows sees the audio device but detects no active connection. It usually happens when the display is off, the cable is disconnected, or the display is not sending the correct EDID (Extended Display Identification Data). Turn the display on, reconnect the cable, or try a different HDMI port. If the issue persists, update the graphics driver as described above.

Can I use the HDMI audio if I have a discrete GPU?

Yes, but the HDMI port must be on the discrete GPU, not the motherboard. If you plug the HDMI cable into the motherboard’s port while a discrete GPU is installed, the integrated graphics (and its audio) are often disabled. Connect the cable to the GPU’s HDMI port and install the GPU’s audio driver (e.g., NVIDIA or AMD).

Why does the HDMI audio work after a reboot but then stops?

This can be caused by a driver that loads incompletely after a sleep/wake cycle or a conflict with the display’s power-saving mode. Try updating the graphics driver, disabling fast startup (Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable > uncheck “Turn on fast startup”), and set the display to never sleep in Power Options.

What if the Intel Display Audio device is not listed in Device Manager at all?

If the device is completely absent, the driver is not installed. Run the Intel Driver & Support Assistant to install the latest graphics driver, which includes the audio driver. If that fails, check the BIOS to ensure integrated graphics are enabled, and verify that the HDMI port is physically connected to the integrated graphics output (not the discrete GPU).

Is it safe to uninstall the Intel audio driver?

Yes, uninstalling the Intel Display Audio driver is safe—it will be reinstalled automatically or you can reinstall it manually. It does not affect your regular speakers or headphones, which use a separate audio controller (e.g., Realtek).

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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