Your sound switches to HDMI automatically because when you connect an HDMI monitor or TV that carries audio, Windows or Mac treats it as a new default playback device and routes sound to it. Graphics driver updates and sleep or wake events can trigger the same switch. You can fix it by setting your preferred device as default or disabling the HDMI audio output.
Why this happens
- Automatic default selection: Operating systems often make a freshly connected audio-capable device the default, and many HDMI displays report an audio output even if you never use their speakers.
- Graphics driver behavior: HDMI audio is handled by your GPU driver. Driver updates or re-detection can reset the default to the HDMI output.
- Wake from sleep: When the display re-handshakes after sleep, the system may re-detect it and switch again.
- Multiple monitors: Connecting or disconnecting a second screen can shuffle the default device.
Is this normal?
Yes, this default-switching behavior is normal and by design. It is only a nuisance when the HDMI device has no speakers or you prefer another output.
Does it cause any problems?
It causes no harm, but you may hear no sound (or sound coming from the wrong device) until you switch back. It does not affect your speakers or hardware.
How to fix or check it
- Windows: Click the speaker icon in the taskbar and pick your preferred output. To make it stick, open Settings, System, Sound and set your speakers or headphones as the output.
- Windows: To stop HDMI audio entirely, open More sound settings, right click the HDMI or display audio device on the Playback tab, and choose Disable. Re-enable it later if you want TV sound.
- Windows: Keep your graphics driver updated, but be aware a fresh install can reset defaults, so recheck your output after updating.
- Mac: Open System Settings, Sound, Output and select your preferred speakers or headphones. Mac generally remembers this per device, so reselect it if it changes after connecting HDMI.
- If it only switches after sleep, disconnecting the HDMI cable when not in use, or disabling the HDMI audio device, prevents the repeat switch.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my monitor have audio when it has no speakers?
HDMI carries audio by specification, so the display reports an audio output to the system even if it lacks physical speakers. That is why sound can vanish when it is selected.
Will disabling HDMI audio break my display?
No. Disabling the HDMI audio device only stops sound from routing there. Video over the same cable continues to work normally.
Why does it switch back to HDMI after every restart?
The GPU driver re-detects the HDMI audio device on boot and may reclaim default status. Disabling that device or setting your output explicitly each session prevents it.