How to Get Sound to Play Out of Asus Monitor Guide
Seriously, this whole monitor-with-speakers thing can be a baffling mess. For years, I just assumed my new fancy Asus monitor, with its sleek bezel and 144Hz refresh rate, would magically pipe audio from my PC. It didn’t.
Bought it on a whim, thinking it would simplify my desk setup. Instead, I ended up with a beautiful, silent screen staring back at me. Weeks went by before I even bothered to really dig into how to get sound to play out of Asus monitor setups, figuring it was a lost cause or some obscure professional setting I’d never understand.
Honestly, it felt like buying a car and then realizing the radio was an optional extra that cost more than the tires. It’s the little things that trip you up, right?
The Obvious Stuff First (please Tell Me You Checked This)
Look, before we get into the deep end, let’s cover the absolute basics. It sounds dumb, but sometimes the simplest thing is staring you right in the face, mocking your intelligence. I’ve been there. After spending nearly an hour fiddling with driver settings on a brand new build, I discovered the audio cable wasn’t pushed all the way into the PC’s motherboard jack. It was about a millimeter out. A millimeter!
So, first things first: are your speakers (if you’re using external ones connected to the monitor) plugged in and turned on? Is the volume turned up on the monitor itself? You’d be amazed how many forum posts I’ve seen where the answer was just ‘the volume knob was set to zero’. Feels like being pranked by your own equipment.
When the Monitor Itself Is Supposed to Make Noise
This is where things get a bit more… finicky. Not all Asus monitors have built-in speakers. Some are designed purely for visual output, and you’re expected to use external speakers or headphones. If yours *is* supposed to have speakers, and you’re wondering how to get sound to play out of your Asus monitor’s integrated audio, then we need to talk about connections. (See Also: How To Put 144hz Monitor At 144hz )
Most monitors that have audio output capabilities will accept an audio input signal. This usually comes from your PC’s audio output jack (the little green one, typically). You’ll need a 3.5mm audio cable to connect your PC’s sound card to the monitor’s corresponding audio input port. It’s usually clearly labeled ‘Audio In’ or has a headphone icon.
Then, on your monitor’s on-screen display (OSD) menu, you have to tell it to *use* that audio input. This is a step everyone skips. You’ve got to navigate through the OSD buttons on the monitor – usually a joystick or a few small buttons near the power button. Go into the audio settings or input settings and make sure ‘Audio In’ or ‘Line In’ is selected as the audio source. If it’s set to ‘HDMI Audio’ or ‘DisplayPort Audio’ and you’re using a separate audio cable, you’re going to get silence.
Driver Nightmares: The Silent Killer
Now, the real fun begins. Even if everything is plugged in correctly, and your monitor is set to use the right audio input, you might still hear nothing. This is often down to drivers. Your computer needs to know how to talk to the monitor’s audio hardware, and sometimes, it just doesn’t get the memo without the right software.
You’re probably thinking, ‘Drivers? For monitor speakers?’ Yep. Especially if your monitor supports audio over its display connection (like HDMI or DisplayPort). Your graphics card driver might be handling the audio transmission, or the monitor might have its own specific audio driver that needs installing. This is where I wasted about $150 on a supposed ‘high-fidelity soundbar’ that just plugged into my monitor, only to find out the PC wasn’t sending the audio signal correctly in the first place.
I spent around three hours testing different audio output devices and settings, convinced the soundbar was faulty. Turns out, I just needed to download and install the specific audio driver for my Asus monitor model from their support website. It wasn’t even a big file, maybe 50MB. The sheer frustration of realizing the problem was so simple, yet so hidden, was immense. It felt like trying to start a race car with a bicycle chain. The sheer lack of audible feedback was deafening. (See Also: How To Switch An Acer Monitor To Hdmi )
Contrarian Take: HDMI Audio Isn’t Always Your Friend
Everyone and their dog online will tell you to use HDMI or DisplayPort for audio. ‘It’s simpler! One cable!’ they shout. And yeah, sometimes it is. But I’ve found, particularly with older or more budget-friendly monitors, that relying solely on HDMI or DisplayPort audio can be a gamble. The audio stream can sometimes be a bit… flaky. You might get intermittent cutouts, or it might just not work at all if the handshake between the graphics card and the monitor’s audio chip isn’t perfect.
Why do I say this? Because I’ve had multiple instances where connecting a separate 3.5mm audio cable from the PC to the monitor’s ‘Audio In’ port *immediately* solved the problem when HDMI audio was stubbornly silent. It’s like having a backup lane on a highway; it’s not always the fastest, but it’s often the most reliable when the main route is jammed. So, if HDMI audio is giving you grief, don’t dismiss the humble analog audio cable. It’s the old workhorse for a reason.
What If My Asus Monitor Doesn’t Have Audio Input?
This is the simplest, albeit most disappointing, scenario. Some Asus monitors are purely visual displays. They have no built-in speakers and no audio input ports. In this case, you simply cannot get sound to play out of that Asus monitor. You’ll need to connect external speakers or headphones directly to your PC’s audio output jack.
How Do I Select My Asus Monitor as the Audio Output Device in Windows?
Right-click on the speaker icon in your Windows taskbar (usually in the bottom right corner). Select ‘Sound settings’ or ‘Open Sound settings’. In the sound settings window, under ‘Output’, there will be a dropdown menu labeled ‘Choose your output device’. Click on this dropdown and select your Asus monitor if it appears in the list. If it doesn’t appear, it’s likely not detected as an audio output device, and you’ll need to troubleshoot the driver or connection.
Is It Worth Buying Monitors with Built-in Speakers?
Honestly? Usually, no. Most monitors with built-in speakers have incredibly tinny, weak audio. They’re often an afterthought, added to make the monitor seem more feature-rich without adding much actual value. You’re almost always better off getting a decent pair of desktop speakers or a good headset for a fraction of the cost of a monitor with ‘premium’ built-in sound. The only exception might be for very specific professional setups or if you absolutely have zero desk space for anything else. (See Also: How To Monitor My Sleep With Apple Watch )
My Asus Monitor Audio Is Distorted or Crackly
This can be caused by a few things. First, check your audio cable. Is it damaged? Try a different one. Second, ensure the audio cable is fully seated in both the PC and the monitor. Interference can also be an issue; try to keep audio cables away from power cables or other high-interference electronics. If you’re using HDMI or DisplayPort audio, try lowering the audio quality settings in Windows (often found in the Sound Control Panel under ‘Properties’ for your playback device). Sometimes, a driver update for your graphics card or monitor audio can also resolve distortion issues. It’s like trying to listen to a whisper in a hurricane – sometimes you just need a clearer path for the sound.
Can I Get Sound Through My Monitor Speakers Without a Dedicated Audio Cable?
Yes, if your monitor and PC support it over the display connection. This means using HDMI or DisplayPort. When you connect your PC to the monitor using one of these cables, the audio signal is sent alongside the video. However, you *must* ensure that: 1. Your graphics card supports audio over HDMI/DisplayPort. (Most modern ones do). 2. Your Asus monitor has built-in speakers and is configured in its OSD to accept audio over that specific HDMI or DisplayPort input. 3. Your Windows sound settings are configured to output audio to the monitor. If any of these points aren’t met, you won’t get sound this way.
| Connection Method | Pros | Cons | My Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm Audio Cable | Reliable, direct signal, often clearer. | Requires an extra cable. | The no-nonsense fallback. Always try this if other methods fail. |
| HDMI/DisplayPort Audio | Single cable simplicity. | Can be finicky, susceptible to handshaking issues, sometimes lower quality. | Convenient when it works, but don’t pull your hair out if it doesn’t. |
Final Thoughts
So, getting sound to play out of your Asus monitor isn’t always plug-and-play, but it’s rarely a lost cause. Usually, it’s a simple oversight with the cables, the monitor’s own menu settings, or a driver that’s playing shy. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work immediately; troubleshooting tech issues feels like being a detective sometimes, piecing together clues.
Honestly, I’ve spent enough wasted evenings staring at silent screens to know that it’s often the most mundane check that saves the day. If you’ve gone through the steps and it’s still silent, double-check that audio cable seating. I’m not joking. Seriously, give it one last firm push in both ends.
If all else fails, and you’ve confirmed your monitor *should* have speakers and you’ve tried every connection method and driver update known to humanity, then it might just be time to accept that your particular Asus monitor is a visual artist only and doesn’t sing. In that case, a decent pair of external speakers or a solid headset will serve you far better than wrestling with a silent screen.
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