HDMI or DisplayPort monitor audio disappears after display sleep
The monitor's built-in speakers vanish from the Windows audio device list whenever the monitor enters power-saving sleep mode.
Internal desktop parts run on harmless 12V DC voltage and cannot shock you. Simply unplug the wall power cable first, then touch the unpainted metal case frame to ground static electricity.
Common Symptoms & Tells
- Audio plays through monitor speakers fine until PC locks or monitor sleeps, then sound switches to laptop speakers or vanishes
- Windows reports monitor audio as 'Not plugged in' in Sound Control Panel
- Power cycling the monitor brings audio back temporarily
Interactive Fix Checklist
0 of 4 steps completedUpdate GPU HD Audio Driver
Monitor sound travels over / through the graphics card. Reinstall latest Nvidia HD Audio or AMD High Definition Audio Device driver.
Disable Deep Sleep on monitor OSD menu
Use monitor hardware buttons to open the On-Screen Display (OSD). Look under System / Power and disable 'Auto Source Detection' or ' / Deep Sleep'.
Show Disabled and Disconnected devices in Sound Control Panel
Press Win+R, type 'mmsys.cpl'. Right-click inside the device list and check both 'Show Disabled Devices' and 'Show Disconnected Devices'. Right-click your monitor and choose 'Enable'.
Disable PCIe Link State Power Management
In Control Panel Power Options → Change advanced power settings → PCI Express → Link State Power Management → set to 'Off'.
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