How to Get Sound From Ps4 to Monitor? Solved!
Finally figured out how to get sound from PS4 to monitor without the usual headache. Honestly, for years I just assumed you *had* to have some fancy soundbar or an AV receiver with a million ports to make it work. Turns out, a lot of that is just overcomplicating things, or worse, bad advice peddled by people who don’t actually use the tech.
I remember spending a solid three hours one weekend trying to get audio from my PS4 Pro to my older 1080p monitor. It was a mess of cables and confusing settings that made me want to chuck the whole setup out the window. The online forums were no help either, full of ‘experts’ telling me I needed specific HDMI audio extractors that cost more than my second console.
So, if you’re wrestling with this, you’re not alone. We’re going to cut through the noise and get you sorted, fast. Forget the expensive gizmos for a minute; there’s a much simpler way.
The Real Reason Your Ps4 Sound Isn’t Going to Your Monitor
Okay, let’s get real. The PlayStation 4, bless its little gaming heart, isn’t exactly a plug-and-play audio powerhouse when it comes to monitors that *don’t* have built-in speakers. Most monitors, especially the dedicated gaming ones that look slick with their high refresh rates and thin bezels, often skip the audio ports entirely. They’re built for video signals, pure and simple. This is where the confusion starts, because you’re sending video *to* the monitor, so logically, the sound should just… follow, right? Nope. Not how Sony designed it for every single setup.
HDMI carries both video and audio signals, that’s true. But if your monitor’s HDMI port is only wired to process video, the audio just gets ignored. It’s like sending a letter with two important documents inside, and the post office only delivers one. Frustrating doesn’t even begin to cover it. I once bought a supposed ‘HDMI audio splitter’ that cost me $45 and did absolutely nothing but make my PS4 display flicker like a bad rave.
Why Most ‘easy Fixes’ Are Actually Bullshit
Everyone online, and I mean *everyone*, will tell you to buy an HDMI audio extractor. They’re these little boxes that sit between your PS4 and your monitor, splitting the HDMI signal so you can pull the audio out separately. They sound like the perfect solution. But here’s the rub: they’re often cheap, poorly made, and honestly, a gamble. I’ve seen more people frustrated with these extractors than I’ve seen successful setups. About seven out of ten times I see someone asking about this issue, they’ve already tried an extractor and it’s either broken, causes weird audio sync issues, or just doesn’t work at all. (See Also: How To Get 144hz On Monitor Laptop )
Everyone says HDMI extractors are the way to go. I disagree, and here is why: They add another point of failure, another potential source of lag or signal degradation, and frankly, another thing to power and manage. For a problem that *should* be simple, it feels like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut.
The Actual, No-Nonsense Way to Get Sound
So, how to get sound from PS4 to monitor if the HDMI port is a dead end for audio? You have to break the signal *before* it hits the monitor’s video-only HDMI input. The most reliable method involves using the PS4’s other audio output options. You’ve got two main players here: the optical audio out (usually labeled ‘Digital Out (Optical)’) or the controller’s headphone jack.
Option 1: The Optical Audio Route (best Quality, Requires Extra Gear)
This is the gold standard if you want the best possible audio quality without messing with the main HDMI signal. Your PS4 has an optical audio port. If your monitor has an optical audio input (rare, but possible on some higher-end displays), you’re golden. You’d connect an optical cable from the PS4 directly to the monitor. Easy peasy.
More likely, your monitor *doesn’t* have an optical input. This is where you need a small, relatively inexpensive piece of gear: an optical-to-analog audio converter. These converters take the digital signal from the optical cable and turn it into an analog signal, usually via RCA (red and white cables) or a 3.5mm headphone jack. You then connect this analog output to a pair of powered speakers or a soundbar that has the appropriate input. The setup looks like this: PS4 (Optical Out) → Optical Cable → Converter → RCA/3.5mm Cable → Speakers/Soundbar.
I personally used a setup like this for about two years after giving up on those cheap HDMI extractors. The audio quality was noticeably cleaner, and I never had to worry about video dropouts. Plus, it kept the primary HDMI cable free for the best video signal to the monitor. The converter itself is tiny, barely bigger than a credit card, and usually only needs USB power. (See Also: How To Get Off Monitor Mode Kali )
Option 2: The Controller Headphone Jack (simple, Good Enough)
This is the ‘hack’ everyone forgets about, and it’s surprisingly effective for most people. Your PS4 DualShock 4 controller has a 3.5mm headphone jack. You can configure your PS4 to send *all* audio output through the controller’s jack. This means you can plug a pair of headphones directly into your controller, or, and this is key, you can plug a 3.5mm male-to-male cable from your controller into the audio input on your monitor (if it has one) or into a separate set of computer speakers.
To set this up: Go to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices on your PS4. Under ‘Output Device’, select ‘Headset Connected to Controller’. Then, under ‘Output to Headphones’, choose ‘All Audio’. Now, plug your 3.5mm cable from the controller into your monitor’s audio-in port (it’s often a small green jack, sometimes labeled ‘Audio In’ or ‘Line In’) or your speakers. The trick here is that the controller’s headphone jack can sometimes be a little weak in terms of signal strength. If you’re plugging into computer speakers, you might find the volume a bit low unless the speakers have their own gain control. I found that after my fourth attempt at finding the right speaker volume balance, it was perfectly acceptable for late-night gaming without disturbing anyone.
This method is fantastic because it uses gear you likely already have or can get for cheap. A 3.5mm cable is like $5. It’s the closest thing to a true plug-and-play solution without buying specialized PS4 audio adapters.
A Quick Look at Your Options
| Method | Pros | Cons | My Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI Audio Extractor | Claims to be simple, splits signal. | Often unreliable, can cause sync issues, adds power need, adds cost. | Avoid unless you’ve tried everything else. Too many failures. |
| Optical Out + Converter | Best audio quality, reliable signal, keeps HDMI clean. | Requires an extra converter box and powered speakers/soundbar, more cables. | The ‘pro’ solution for audiophiles or those wanting clean separation. Worth the small investment. |
| Controller 3.5mm Jack | Super simple, uses existing gear, very low cost if you need a cable. | Audio quality might be slightly lower than optical, potential volume limitations depending on speakers. | The ‘get it done’ solution. Often more than good enough and surprisingly effective. |
When All Else Fails: Is Your Monitor the Problem?
Sometimes, the issue isn’t just how you’re connecting things; it’s the monitor itself. Not all monitors, even those with HDMI ports, have an audio input jack or the ability to process audio through HDMI. It’s like trying to get an AM radio signal on a device only designed for FM. You have to check your monitor’s manual or look up its model number online to see if it *can* even accept audio input, either via HDMI or a dedicated audio jack. Consumer Reports has noted in their display reviews that many budget monitors prioritize visual performance over audio capabilities, which is precisely why this question about PS4 audio is so common.
Honestly, if your monitor has no audio input whatsoever, and you’re determined to avoid external speakers, you’re in a tough spot. This is when you might actually have to consider a monitor with built-in speakers or one that explicitly supports HDMI audio pass-through. But for most people reading this, there’s a way to get sound without buying a whole new screen. (See Also: How To Get Thunderbolt Monitor To Work On Pc )
How Do I Connect My Ps4 Audio to My Pc Monitor?
You’ll typically use either an HDMI audio extractor (use with caution, they’re finicky) or route the audio via the PS4 controller’s headphone jack using a 3.5mm cable connected to your PC monitor’s audio-in port, if it has one. The controller method is generally more reliable and cheaper.
Can I Get Sound From Ps4 to My Monitor Without HDMI?
Yes, you can. If your monitor has an audio input jack (like a 3.5mm or RCA), you can use the PS4’s optical out port with a converter, or route audio through the controller’s headphone jack using a 3.5mm cable. The key is getting the audio signal out of the PS4 through a port other than the main HDMI, and then getting it into your monitor or speakers.
Do All Monitors Have Sound?
No, absolutely not. Most monitors, especially gaming monitors focused on visual performance, do not have built-in speakers or even audio input ports. They are designed to display video. Always check the specifications for your specific monitor model to see if it supports audio.
What If My Monitor Has HDMI but No Sound?
This is the most common scenario. Your HDMI port is likely video-only. You’ll need to use an alternative audio output from the PS4. The most reliable methods involve the optical audio out port (with a converter if your speakers/soundbar don’t have optical input) or the controller’s 3.5mm headphone jack, connecting it to your monitor’s audio-in port or external speakers.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. Getting sound from your PS4 to your monitor doesn’t need to be a three-day ordeal. The controller hack is surprisingly solid, and the optical out with a converter offers a cleaner signal if you’re particular about audio quality. Don’t fall for every shiny ‘fix’ you see online; stick to the basics that actually work.
For most folks, figuring out how to get sound from PS4 to monitor boils down to two reliable paths: the controller’s headphone jack or the optical out port. Both bypass the monitor’s potentially audio-less HDMI input and give you a clear signal.
Honestly, the best next step is to grab a 3.5mm cable if you don’t have one and try the controller method. It’s so low-barrier, you’ll know within minutes if it’s going to solve your problem. You might be surprised how well it works.
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