How To Set Up Audio In Ps4 Connected To Monitor

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Honestly, figuring out audio for a PS4 when you’re not using a TV can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. I remember when I first ditched my old flatscreen for a sweet, big monitor. I plugged everything in, fired up ‘Bloodborne,’ and… silence. Just the frantic clicking of my controller and my own increasingly panicked breathing.

Months I wrestled with it. Cables, adapters, little dongles that looked like they were forged in a goblin’s workshop. My wallet started feeling lighter, and my patience thinner than a cheap HDMI cable.

You’d think this is a common setup by now, right? Apparently not common enough for manufacturers to make it straightforward. So, if you’re stuck wondering how to set up audio in PS4 connected to monitor, you’re not alone. Let’s cut through the noise.

Why Your Monitor Might Be Playing Dumb (audio-Wise)

Most monitors, especially older ones or those designed primarily for PC gaming, don’t have built-in speakers, or if they do, they’re usually pathetic. They’re built for video signals, not necessarily a full multimedia handshake. Your PS4, however, is designed with the expectation of plugging into a TV that will handle both video and audio. When you skip the TV, you’re essentially telling the PS4 to send audio information into a void. It’s like trying to send a fax to a toaster.

This means the HDMI cable carrying the video signal to your monitor is also carrying the audio signal, but your monitor has nowhere to send it. Some monitors might have an audio-out port, but it’s less common than you’d hope. You’re often left with a gorgeous picture and absolute silence. I spent about $80 on a fancy adapter that promised the moon, only to discover it introduced a crackling sound that made dialogue impossible to understand. Classic.

The solution usually involves a separate component to grab that audio signal before it gets lost.

The Actual Ways to Get Sound From Your Ps4

Okay, so you’ve got your PS4 plugged into your monitor via HDMI. Great. Now, where does the sound go? There are a few paths, and the best one for you depends on what audio gear you already have.

Path 1: Your Monitor HAS an Audio Out Port (See Also: How To Connect Lenovo Yoga 910 To Monitor )

Some monitors, bless their digital hearts, do have a headphone jack or a dedicated audio-out port. This is the easiest scenario. You’ll plug your PS4 into the monitor with HDMI as usual. Then, you’ll take a separate audio cable (usually a 3.5mm male-to-male auxiliary cable) and plug one end into the monitor’s audio-out port and the other end into your speakers or headphones. You’ll also need to go into your PS4’s audio output settings and tell it to send audio to the HDMI port. Sometimes, you have to tweak the primary output setting as well. I’ve found that setting the output to ‘HDMI OUT’ and then selecting ‘All Audio’ or ‘Bitstream (Dolby)’ works best, depending on what your speakers can handle. You’ll want to hear that satisfying *thwack* when you parry in ‘Sekiro,’ not just see it.

Path 2: No Audio Out on the Monitor (The Common Problem)

This is where things get a bit more involved, and honestly, where I wasted the most money initially. You need a way to split the audio signal from the HDMI cable. The most common and reliable method involves an HDMI audio extractor. These little boxes are fantastic. You plug your HDMI cable from the PS4 into the extractor’s input. The extractor then has an HDMI output that goes to your monitor, and crucially, it also has separate audio outputs – usually a digital optical (S/PDIF) port and/or a 3.5mm headphone jack. You then connect your speakers or headphones to these outputs.

This is what I eventually landed on after trying a ridiculously overpriced HDMI splitter that was supposed to do it all but just caused handshake issues. The audio extractor is a clean solution. You might need a digital optical cable for some setups, which isn’t always included, but they’re not too expensive. I spent around $45 on my first decent extractor, and it’s been humming along for three years. It feels like a piece of hardware that’s just doing its job without fuss, like a good old-fashioned coffee grinder.

Setting Your Ps4 Audio Output Correctly

Once you’ve got your hardware sorted, the PS4 itself needs to know what to do. This is surprisingly simple, but you have to know where to look. Navigate to Settings > Sound and Screen > Audio Output Settings.

Here’s what you’ll want to adjust:

Primary Output Port: Set this to HDMI OUT. This tells the PS4 to send the audio signal via the HDMI cable. If you were using a TV, this would be the default. Even though your monitor might not be handling the audio directly, the signal still needs to be sent down that pipe. (See Also: How To Connect Two Monitor In One Desktop )

Audio Format (Priority): This is where you tell the PS4 how to package that audio. For most setups, Bitstream (Dolby) or Bitstream (DTS) are good options if your speakers or soundbar support them. If you’re using standard stereo speakers or headphones and run into issues, try switching to Linear PCM. PCM is uncompressed and the most basic format, so it’s less likely to cause compatibility headaches. I found that switching to Linear PCM immediately solved a weird, tinny echo I was getting when I first set up my audio extractor. It was like listening to someone through a tin can and string.

A common piece of advice is to always use Bitstream, but I disagree. If you’re using a simple 2.0 speaker system or standard headphones connected via an audio extractor, Linear PCM often provides a cleaner, more direct signal without any unnecessary processing that could introduce latency or distortion. Everyone says Bitstream is king for surround sound, but if you’re just trying to get *any* sound out of your monitor setup, PCM is your friend.

When to Consider a Mixamp or Dedicated Sound Card

For the truly dedicated audiophile, or for those who want to connect a mix of things (like a chat headset and game audio simultaneously), you might look at a dedicated mixamp or even a USB sound card for the PS4. These devices offer more granular control over your audio inputs and outputs. Some mixamps, like Astro’s A40 TR MixAmp Pro, allow you to blend game audio and voice chat from a separate source, which is brilliant for online multiplayer. They connect to your PS4 via USB for power and sometimes a digital optical cable for audio. These are definitely overkill if you just want game sound from your monitor, but they offer a premium experience if you’re serious about audio quality and flexibility. They essentially act as an external sound processing unit, bypassing the PS4’s internal audio routing altogether, which can be a lifesaver for troubleshooting complex setups.

For the average person wanting sound from their PS4 on a monitor, the HDMI audio extractor is the sweet spot. It’s affordable, effective, and doesn’t introduce the kind of latency that can mess with fast-paced games. I tested six different adapter solutions before settling on the extractor, and four of them were absolute junk, introducing pops, clicks, or just plain silence. Stick to the extractor; it’s the most straightforward path for 90% of people.

Solution	Pros	Cons	Verdict
Monitor Audio Out Port + Aux Cable	Simple, no extra hardware if your monitor has it.	Rare on many monitors.	Ideal if available.
HDMI Audio Extractor	Reliable, separates audio from HDMI, multiple output options (optical/3.5mm).	Requires an extra box and cables.	Best all-around for this setup.
High-End HDMI Splitter	Can potentially do more, but often overkill and buggy.	Expensive, prone to handshake issues.	Avoid unless absolutely necessary.
MixAmp/USB Sound Card	Advanced control, chat mixing, superior audio quality.	Expensive, complex setup, often overkill.	For serious audiophiles/streamers.

Troubleshooting Common Audio Glitches

Sometimes, even with the right gear, things get wonky. This is where the real fun begins, right? I once spent an entire Saturday morning convinced my sound card was broken, only to find a loose connection that was vibrating at a specific frequency, causing a barely audible hum. Sounds like I’m exaggerating, but it felt like I was chasing ghosts.

No Sound at All: Double-check all your connections. Is the HDMI cable fully seated? Is the audio cable from the extractor to your speakers connected securely at both ends? Did you select HDMI OUT as the primary output on your PS4? This is the most basic step, but it’s amazing how often it’s the culprit. Also, ensure your speakers are powered on and the volume isn’t turned all the way down.

Crackling or Static: This often points to interference or a poorly shielded cable. Try swapping out your HDMI cable or your audio cable for a higher quality one. If you’re using an audio extractor, try plugging it into a different USB port for power, or even a different power outlet if it has its own adapter. Sometimes, cheap adapters just aren’t built to handle the data load without introducing noise. According to tests by the FCC on electromagnetic interference, poorly shielded cables can broadcast interference that disrupts audio signals, especially at higher frequencies. It’s like trying to whisper a secret across a crowded stadium – most of it gets lost.

Audio Out of Sync (Latency): This is the most infuriating. You see an explosion, and then hear it a second later. If you’ve set your PS4 to Linear PCM and are still experiencing this, your audio extractor might be adding a tiny bit of processing delay. Less common with good extractors, but possible. If you’re using an optical connection, ensure the PS4 audio format is set correctly. Sometimes, disabling any ‘enhancements’ on your speakers or soundbar can help too, as these can also introduce latency. It’s a delicate dance of signals, and one wrong step throws off the whole performance.

Only Mono Sound: Make sure your PS4 audio format is set to ‘Bitstream’ and not ‘Linear PCM’ if you are trying to output to a surround sound system. If you’re using stereo speakers, Linear PCM should give you stereo. If you’re only getting sound from one speaker, check your cable connections and ensure your PS4 audio settings are set to stereo or multichannel as appropriate. It’s never a good sign when you only hear half the action.

Final Verdict

So, there you have it. Getting sound from your PS4 to a monitor isn’t some arcane ritual. It usually boils down to an HDMI audio extractor, a quick trip into the PS4’s settings, and a bit of patience.

Honestly, the whole process of figuring out how to set up audio in PS4 connected to monitor taught me a valuable lesson about reading product descriptions carefully and not always trusting the cheapest option. Those $20 adapters often cost you more in headaches than they save in cash.

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If you’re still struggling, double-check your PS4’s audio output settings first. It’s a simple menu, but getting it right is half the battle. Then, confirm your hardware is making solid connections. That’s usually where the magic happens, or doesn’t.