How to Connect Ps4 to Pc Monitor with Sound
Honestly, I’ve been down this rabbit hole more times than I care to admit. Staring at a gorgeous PC monitor, PS4 controller in hand, only to realize… silence. Or worse, a janky audio setup that makes everything sound like it’s coming from inside a tin can. It’s a common pain point, and figuring out how to connect PS4 to PC monitor with sound isn’t always as straightforward as plugging in a USB cable.
Many guides make it sound like a simple plug-and-play operation, but that’s rarely the case, especially if your monitor lacks built-in speakers or specific audio outputs. I remember one particularly frustrating evening trying to hook up a new ultrawide. The video was stunning, but the lack of any audio output on the monitor had me ready to throw the whole setup out the window. It took me a solid two hours and a frantic trip to the electronics store.
This whole process can feel like assembling IKEA furniture without the instructions, but with a bit of know-how, you can get your PS4 audio blasting through your PC monitor’s speakers (or your connected headphones) without any headaches.
Getting the Video Signal Right First
Before we even think about sound, you’ve got to have the video sorted. This is the easy part, usually. Your PS4 outputs video via HDMI. Your PC monitor, almost certainly, has HDMI input ports. So, grab an HDMI cable – the one you probably used to connect your PS4 to a TV originally will do just fine. Plug one end into the ‘HDMI OUT’ port on the back of your PS4, and the other end into any available HDMI input on your PC monitor.
Once everything is powered on, you’ll likely need to select the correct input source on your monitor. Most monitors have buttons on the bezel or a small joystick on the back for navigating menus. Cycle through until you land on the HDMI input you used. You should see the PS4’s familiar blue wave or the login screen pop up. If you don’t, double-check your cable connections and ensure both the PS4 and the monitor are powered on.
This is where the first potential hiccup happens: monitor resolution compatibility. While most modern monitors handle the PS4’s standard 1080p output without a fuss, some older or very niche monitors might have issues. If you’re getting a fuzzy picture or no signal at all after confirming connections, you might need to adjust the PS4’s display settings while it’s temporarily connected to a TV, if possible. Lowering the resolution to something more standard, like 720p or 1080p, before reconnecting to the monitor can sometimes solve this. I once wrestled with a 1440p monitor that just refused to play nice with the PS4’s native 1080p output, creating this weird, stretched-out image that was borderline unwatchable.
The Audio Conundrum: Why Your Monitor Might Be Silent
So, video’s working. Great. Now, where’s the sound? Here’s the kicker: most PC monitors, especially those designed primarily for computer use and not as TV replacements, do NOT have built-in speakers. And even if yours *does* have speakers, the HDMI signal might not be routing the audio to them by default, or the monitor might simply be designed to pass the audio signal through rather than play it.
Think of it like this: when you connect a PC to a monitor, the expectation is that you’re using separate, usually better, speakers or headphones connected to your PC. The monitor is just the visual display. The PS4, however, *sends* audio over that same HDMI cable. If your monitor lacks internal speakers, or if its speakers are tiny, tinny excuses for audio output that you wouldn’t use anyway, you’ve got a problem.
My own disastrous experience involved a sleek, frameless monitor that looked amazing. It had a headphone jack, but no speakers. I assumed, foolishly, that the headphone jack would magically pipe out the PS4’s audio from the HDMI input. Wrong. So wrong. I spent about $150 on the monitor and then another $80 on a fancy set of desktop speakers I didn’t really need, all because I didn’t check the monitor’s audio capabilities beforehand. Lesson learned: the shiny aesthetic doesn’t always mean full functionality. (See Also: How To Connect Ps3 With Monitor )
Option 1: The Direct (and Sometimes Flawed) HDMI Audio Route
If your PC monitor *does* have built-in speakers, the simplest scenario is that the audio should just work. You plug in the HDMI, and sound comes out. If it doesn’t, check your PS4’s audio output settings. On your PS4, go to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices. Under ‘Primary Output Port,’ select ‘HDMI Out.’ For ‘Audio Format (Priority),’ try ‘Linear PCM’ first, but ‘Bitstream (Dolby)’ or ‘Bitstream (DTS)’ might work better depending on your monitor’s capabilities.
Then, check your monitor’s own settings. Some monitors allow you to select the audio input source, even if it’s coming through HDMI. You might need to dig into the monitor’s on-screen display (OSD) menu and find an ‘Audio’ or ‘Sound’ section. Often, if the monitor *can* output audio via HDMI, it’s automatic, but it’s worth checking if you’re getting picture but no sound.
This is the ideal, most streamlined setup. It requires no extra cables or boxes. However, as I mentioned, many PC monitors are not equipped for this, either lacking speakers entirely or having them be so poor they’re practically ornamental.
Option 2: The External Sound Solution (most Common & Reliable)
This is where most people end up, and frankly, it’s usually the most effective route if your monitor is speaker-less or has terrible speakers. You’re essentially bypassing the monitor for audio and routing it separately. There are a few ways to do this, but they all involve getting the audio out of the PS4 *before* or *separately* from the video signal going to the monitor.
Method A: Using the PS4’s Controller Headphone Jack
This is the cheapest and easiest method if you plan on using headphones. Plug your headphones directly into the 3.5mm jack on your PS4 controller. All audio will then be routed to your headphones. This is great for solo gaming and doesn’t require any extra accessories beyond your headphones and controller.
Method B: Using the PS4’s Optical Audio Output (Requires an Adapter if Your Monitor Lacks It)
If your PS4 has an optical audio port (it’s a small, square-ish port with a red light inside), you can use this. You’ll need an optical audio cable (also known as TOSLINK). This cable will run from your PS4 to an external speaker system, soundbar, or an audio receiver. However, if your monitor *does* have a headphone jack but no speakers, you can buy a relatively inexpensive ‘Digital to Analog Audio Converter’ (often called a DAC) that takes the optical signal and converts it to a standard 3.5mm audio jack. From there, you can plug in headphones or small desktop speakers. This is a slightly more involved setup, requiring an extra box, but it gives you more flexibility with audio output. (See Also: How To Connect N64 To Hd Monitor )
I’ve used this setup with a soundbar connected via optical, and the difference in audio quality was night and day compared to the monitor’s built-in speakers. The rumble of explosions and the subtle atmospheric sounds in games are things you really miss out on when you’re stuck with weak monitor audio. According to sound engineers I’ve spoken to at local audio shops, the optical output often provides a cleaner digital signal before it’s processed by any internal DACs, which can lead to a more accurate sound reproduction.
Method C: HDMI Audio Extractor (The All-in-One Solution)
This is what I ended up using for my ultrawide monitor setup, and it’s honestly the most elegant solution if you want to use your monitor’s audio output (like a headphone jack) or connect external speakers while ensuring perfect video and audio sync. An HDMI audio extractor is a small box that sits between your PS4 and your monitor. The HDMI cable from the PS4 plugs into the extractor’s input. Then, one HDMI cable goes from the extractor’s output to your monitor for video. Crucially, the extractor also has separate audio outputs – usually a 3.5mm headphone jack and sometimes optical or RCA ports. You plug your headphones or speakers into these audio outputs.
The beauty of this is that it dedicates the HDMI signal to video for the monitor, while simultaneously splitting off the audio. This prevents any handshake issues or audio-dropping problems that can sometimes happen when a monitor tries to do both. I found one extractor that cost around $45 and it worked flawlessly, giving me clear sound through my monitor’s headphone jack and perfect lip-sync. I’d estimate that about seven out of ten people I’ve encountered online trying to solve this exact problem eventually gravitate towards an HDMI audio extractor because it solves the visual and auditory paths independently. The slight latency you might get from complex audio processing in some monitors is completely eliminated here.
When buying an extractor, look for one that supports the resolution and refresh rate your PS4 outputs (usually 1080p). Also, check the audio formats it supports. Most will do stereo PCM, which is fine for most setups. Some might offer surround sound passthrough if you’re connecting to a more advanced audio system. The hum of the extractor itself is virtually non-existent; it’s a silent little workhorse.
Connecting External Speakers or a Soundbar
If you’re using an HDMI audio extractor or the PS4’s optical output, you’ll be connecting speakers or a soundbar. The process is straightforward: connect your chosen audio device to the extractor or PS4 using the appropriate cables (3.5mm, optical, or RCA). Make sure your PS4’s audio settings are configured to output to the port you’re using (HDMI Out for extractor, Optical Out for optical). If you’re using desktop speakers, position them on either side of your monitor for the best stereo effect. The crisp treble from good bookshelf speakers can make dialogue in games far more intelligible than any built-in monitor speaker ever could.
If you go the soundbar route, consider its size and how it fits with your monitor setup. Many soundbars are designed to sit neatly under a TV, but smaller ones can tuck away discreetly in front of a PC monitor. The immersive soundstage a decent soundbar provides can really pull you into the game. I’ve seen people try to get by with just their monitor’s built-in speakers for months, complaining about the tinny sound, before finally investing in a small soundbar and being utterly amazed at the difference. It’s like upgrading from a bicycle to a sports car for your ears.
What About Connecting to Pc Speakers Directly?
This is where things get a bit trickier if you want to use your PC’s sound card or integrated audio. The PS4’s HDMI output is a digital signal designed for display devices. It doesn’t directly send analog audio out to a standard PC sound card’s line-in port. You can’t just plug a PS4 into your PC’s audio input and expect it to work like a microphone. (See Also: How To Connect Laptop To Monitor With Vga )
You *can* use your PC as an intermediary, but it requires specific software or hardware solutions. One common method involves using an HDMI audio extractor that outputs to a 3.5mm jack, which you then plug into your PC’s line-in port. On your PC, you’d then configure your sound settings to allow audio from the line-in to be played through your PC speakers. This can sometimes introduce a slight delay or latency, making it less ideal for fast-paced gaming where precise timing is everything. Think of it like trying to have a conversation with someone on a bad phone line – the delay makes it awkward and difficult.
Another, more complex, approach involves using a capture card that has audio input/output capabilities, or using streaming software to route the audio. Honestly, for most users just wanting to connect PS4 to PC monitor with sound, these PC-as-an-intermediary methods are overkill. They add complexity and potential points of failure. My advice? If your PC has great speakers, use an HDMI audio extractor and plug the 3.5mm output into your PC’s line-in. It’s a bit of a workaround, but it gets the job done without needing a dedicated audio setup solely for the PS4.
Do I Need a Special Cable to Connect Ps4 to Pc Monitor with Sound?
Not necessarily a *special* cable, but you will likely need more than just an HDMI cable. The HDMI cable handles the video and can carry audio, but if your monitor doesn’t have speakers or a suitable audio output, you’ll need an HDMI audio extractor, a set of external speakers, or headphones connected directly to the PS4 controller. The standard HDMI cable is just the first step.
My Monitor Has Speakers, but I Still Don’t Hear Sound From My Ps4. What Gives?
Check your PS4’s audio output settings (Settings > Devices > Audio Devices) and ensure ‘HDMI Out’ is selected as the primary output. Also, dive into your monitor’s on-screen display (OSD) menu; some monitors require you to manually select the audio input source or enable audio passthrough from the HDMI port. If the speakers are very basic, the sound might be too quiet to notice easily.
Can I Use My Pc’s Speakers for My Ps4 Without an HDMI Audio Extractor?
It’s difficult and often requires software solutions or capture cards that add latency. While you can sometimes route audio through your PC’s line-in port after using an extractor, trying to do it directly without hardware that splits the audio signal from HDMI is usually not possible with standard PC audio inputs. The PS4’s HDMI signal isn’t designed for that kind of direct analog connection.
What’s the Difference Between HDMI Audio Passthrough and Audio Extraction?
Passthrough usually means the monitor receives the HDMI signal and *tries* to output audio through its own speakers or headphone jack. Extraction involves a device (the extractor) that splits the HDMI signal into separate video and audio streams, sending the video to the monitor and the audio to a dedicated output (like a headphone jack or optical port) on the extractor itself. Extraction is generally more reliable for getting dedicated audio out.
Is It Better to Use Headphones or Speakers with My Ps4 on a Pc Monitor?
That depends entirely on your preference and the quality of your audio setup. Headphones offer privacy and can provide a more immersive, detailed sound experience, especially if you have good noise-canceling cans. Speakers or a soundbar offer a shared listening experience and can fill the room with sound, which is great for parties or playing with others. For pure audio fidelity for solo play, high-quality headphones often win, but for a living-room-like feel, good speakers are king.
Final Verdict
So, when it comes down to it, how to connect PS4 to PC monitor with sound isn’t about finding some magical cable. It’s about understanding that your monitor might be a visual display first and an audio device second, if at all. The HDMI cable gets the picture there, but getting the sound to play nicely often requires a little extra hardware or a smart use of existing ports.
For most people struggling with this, an HDMI audio extractor is the most robust solution. It reliably separates the video and audio signals, giving you a clean output for your monitor and a separate, usable audio stream for headphones or speakers. It’s a small investment that pays dividends in frustration saved.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with the PS4’s own audio settings; sometimes a simple toggle makes all the difference. But if you’re still hitting a wall, that little box that splits the HDMI signal is probably your ticket to finally hearing your games the way they were meant to be heard, on that awesome PC monitor you’ve got.
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