My monitor is not detected as an AUDIO output device, even though it has built-in speakers. Please help.

Troubleshooting Guide: Resolving HDMI Monitor Not Detected as Audio Output Device

Introduction
Many users rely on their monitor’s built-in speakers for an immersive audio experience. However, it’s not uncommon to encounter issues where the monitor is recognized visually but not as an audio output device. If you’re facing this challenge with your Dell S2715H monitor and NVIDIA GPU setup, this comprehensive guide will walk you through systematic troubleshooting steps to restore your audio output.

Understanding the Issue
Your Dell S2715H monitor, equipped with built-in speakers, initially worked as an audio output. Post-optimization, the monitor ceased to be detected as an audio device. Common causes include driver conflicts, incorrect settings, or hardware recognition issues.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Verify Physical Connections
2. Ensure that your HDMI cable is securely connected to both the monitor and the PC.
3. Use a high-quality HDMI cable compatible with audio transmission.

4. Test the HDMI port on both your PC and monitor for any damage.

5. Set HDMI as Default Playback Device

6. Right-click the sound icon in the taskbar and select “Open Sound settings”.
7. Under “Output”, check if your monitor appears as an output device.

8. If it appears but isn’t set as default, select it and click “Set Default”.

9. Check Device Manager

10. Open Device Manager (Press Win + X and select Device Manager).
11. Expand “Sound, video and game controllers”.
12. Look for your audio device and ensure there are no warning symbols.
13. Also, expand “Monitors” and verify your Dell S2715H is listed.

14. If issues are present, right-click and select “Update driver” or “Uninstall device” then restart your PC.

15. Reinstall or Update Drivers

16. NVIDIA Graphics Drivers:
17. Download the latest drivers from the NVIDIA website.
18. Install and reboot your system.
19. Monitor Drivers:
20. Visit Dell’s official website.
21. Download and install the latest monitor driver for S2715H.

22. Restart your PC after installation.

23. Set Up Sound Playback Devices

24. Right-click the sound icon and select “Sounds”.
25. Navigate to the “Playback” tab.
26. If your monitor is listed but disabled, right-click and choose “Enable”.

27. Set your monitor as the default device.

28. Check Audio Output Settings in Windows

29. Go to Settings > System > Sound.
30. Under “Choose your output device”, select your monitor