Speakers Plugging into Monitor Not Recognized by PC

Title: Troubleshooting Audio Recognition Issues with External Speakers and Monitors on Windows PCs

Are you experiencing trouble with your external speakers not being recognized by your PC, even though your setup was previously working fine? Many users encounter similar issues when connecting multiple devices through HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB, leading to confusion about audio output options. This step-by-step guide aims to help you diagnose and resolve such problems effectively.

Understanding Your Setup

In most modern configurations, external monitors and speakers can be connected to a computer via various ports such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB. For audio output, some monitors and external speakers require proper recognition by the operating system to function correctly.

Scenario Overview

Suppose you have a dual monitor setup with two LG 24ML44B monitors connected via HDMI to DisplayPort cables, with external powered speakers plugged into the monitor’s audio jack and USB port. This setup has functioned seamlessly; however, recently, the speakers stopped producing audio, despite the system still displaying “LG Audio” as a sound output option. After troubleshooting efforts—including reconnecting devices, restarting the computer, and updating drivers—the audio option disappeared altogether.

Common Causes and Troubleshooting Steps

1. Check Physical Connections

2. Ensure that the speakers are properly plugged into the monitor’s audio output jack and powered on.

3. Verify that the monitor’s audio port is functional by testing with different audio cables or devices.

4. Confirm that the monitor’s volume is not muted or set to a low level.

5. Confirm Monitor Capabilities and Settings

6. Some monitors have internal settings related to audio output. While many display menus lack explicit audio options, consult the user manual to confirm if any adjustments are necessary.

7. Ensure that the monitor is set to the correct input source that supports audio transmission.

8. Verify Windows Sound Settings

9. Right-click on the sound icon in the system tray and select Sound Settings.

10. Under Output, check if “LG Audio” or the monitor’s audio device appears as an active option.
11. If the device shows up but is not active, set it as the default device.

12. If it’s missing, proceed with further steps.

13. Reinstall and Update Audio Drivers

14. Use Device Manager to locate your audio devices.

15. Right-click on your audio device and choose Update Driver.
16. Consider uninstalling the audio driver and then rebooting Windows to allow automatic re