How to switch sound from Windows PC to TV via HDMI cable
There are many cases when you want to stream your computer media contents (video and sound) to a TV. For example, your PC is connected to the Internet and you want to redirect a YouTube video from PC to TV in order to watch it on a big screen with a whole room sound.
When you connect your Windows PC to a TV via HDMI cable, you need to select proper Input Source for TV HDMI cable. However, in most cases, this is not enough as it will only result in duplicating your computer screen on the TV screen, but the sound still come through the PC.
In order to switch sound from PC to TV as well you would need to do some simple configuration. Note that the following 7-step instruction is written for Windows 10 PC; however, it should be very similar for any Windows version.
Right click on the Start icon in the lower left corner of the desktop and select Control Panel:
In the Control Panel window, click on Hardware and Sound:
Then click on Sound:
You will see that your PC Speakers are selected (green check mark sign):
Click on TV (Samsung in this example) and click on Set Default button:
At this point, your sound will be coming from TV (now your default playback device is TV - shown with the green check mark sign):
- Enjoy your show.
By the way, as long as you disconnect your HDMI cable from your PC, sound will automatically return to your PC’s speakers.
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Excellent Guide. Thank you so much for sharing this useful information.
You are welcome!
I tried this but my samsung tv isn't an option
Well, you need to connect your TV to the PC via HDMI cable in order for it to become an option.
Thanks for the info
I have the same issue but my HDMI cable is plugged in and its not listing the TV as an option. Also my other computer works fine when plugged in with the same wire. Now haven't tried it with this TV B4, but I have my firestick connected to it wit sound, as well as, using the same port to make sure that sound was capable of playing from HDMI port since this TV is old and not the best anymore. I have had sound issues with switching sound from using a USB 3.0 to HDMI adapter for a 2nd monitor a year ago. switching between the analog sound from desk speakers to the 2nd monitor with speakers using the HDMI adapter. I haven't used it ever trying to hook it up to my TV, but there audio issues in the past. I think its possible that some bug or glitch happened because of it, or while using it last year or the year B4. Thanks MJB
Hi Mike, it is possible you have an outdated HDMI driver. Try updating your HDMI driver as described in this article How To Download HDMI Driver on Windows 11,10 or try following these recommendations HDMI driver windows 10 issue (Solved).
The guide was delightfully easy to follow and allowed me to get the TV lack of sound issue resolved quickly.
Brilliant help, thank you very much.
Seems it can be a bit fiddly. Lenovo laptop and LG TV - plugging in the HDMI cable sends the screen output to the TV as the only display, but LG not available as a sound device. Use the function keys (FN+F7) to switch to display on both - sound option became available. Function keys again to display only on TV - sound keeps working fine through TV. Along the lines of turn it off and on again ...
My TV doesn't show up in my sound area. How do I get it to show up?