Fix: VLC Not Playing Audio Through HDMI

There are a variety of audio and video file formats that can be played by VLC, which is a popular media player. Open-source and free, this player can be...

Subrato Chatterjee

Last updated on May 24, 2023

Subrato Chatterjee

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Subrato Chatterjee is an Engineer who has always searched for something new. He found peace in technology, smartphones, and gaming. What do you need more? He is an expert in every sphere of life.

Why is VLC not playing audio through HDMI?

VLC may not playing audio through HDMI for several reasons. Thus, here are a few of the most common causes:

Incorrect audio output settings: Unconfigured audio output settings in VLC may prevent the player from playing audio through HDMI.

Corrupt audio drivers: VLC may not be able to play audio through HDMI if the audio drivers on your system are corrupt or outdated.

Incompatible audio codecs: If your system doesn’t support the audio codecs used in the media file, VLC may not be able to play audio through HDMI.

Hardware issues: VLC may not play audio through HDMI if the HDMI cable or port is faulty.

How to Fix VLC Not Playing Audio Through HDMI

Now that we know the reasons why VLC may not be playing audio through HDMI, let’s look at the solutions to fix this problem.

Solution 1: Check the Audio Output Settings in VLC

When you encounter this problem, the first thing you should do is check the audio output settings in VLC. Here’s how to do it:

Open VLC and select Tools.

Choose Preferences.

Click on the Audio tab in Preferences.

Select Direct X Audio output under the Output module.

Choose your HDMI output device from the Device section.

Now, to save your changes, click the Save button.

It may be necessary to restart VLC in order to play the media file again.

Next, try the next solution if this doesn’t work.

Solution 2: Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers

When audio is played through HDMI, VLC may not work properly if the audio driver is outdated or corrupt. Your audio drivers need to be updated or reinstalled in order to fix this problem. Here’s how to do it:

Select Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + X.
Thereafter, expand the Sound, video, and game controllers section.
To update the driver for the audio device, right-click on it and select Update Driver.
Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
To update the driver, follow the instructions.
Try playing the media file again after restarting your computer.

You may have to reinstall the audio drivers if updating them does not work. You can do it by following these steps:

To access Device Manager, press Windows + X.
Thereafter, expand the Sound, video and game controllers section.
Simply right-click on the audio device and select Uninstall.
Make sure the box next to Delete the driver software is checked.
Then click Uninstall.
Make sure your computer is restarted.
You will automatically be updated with the latest audio drivers by Windows.
If this doesn’t work, try again.

Solution 3: Install the Required Audio Codecs

Sometimes, VLC may not be able to play audio through HDMI because your system does not support the audio codecs used in the media file. In order to fix this issue, you must install the required audio codecs. Here’s how to do it:

Install the VLC codec pack by visiting the VLC website.
You will need to install the codec pack on your computer.
If the media file won’t play, restart VLC and try again.

Solution 4: Check the Hardware

There is a possibility that your hardware may be the cause of the problem if none of the solutions above work. Here are some things you can try:

Check the HDMI cable: Make sure your computer and display device are connected properly with the HDMI cable. A damaged or loose cable can cause audio problems. See if you can resolve the issue by using a different HDMI cable.
Check the HDMI port: Faulty HDMI ports can cause audio issues on computers and displays. If the problem still persists, try connecting the HDMI cable to a different port.
Update the firmware: Check for firmware updates for external display devices like TVs and projectors. It may be possible to resolve any audio issues caused by compatibility issues by updating the firmware.
Contact technical support: If the problem persists after you have tried all the above solutions, contact your computer manufacturer’s technical support. You may find that they can provide you with more advanced solutions to your problem.

Solution 5: Disable Exclusive Mode

In Windows, a “Exclusive Mode” feature allows applications to control the audio device exclusively. There can be conflicts with other applications that also use the audio device as a result. Here are the steps you need to follow in order to disable Exclusive Mode:

In the taskbar, select Sounds by right-clicking on the speaker icon.
Go to the Playback tab in the Sound window.
Make right-click on the HDMI output device and select Properties.
Select the Advanced tab.
Afterward, ensure that “Allow applications to take exclusive control” is unchecked.
Click on the Apply button and then the OK button.
It may be necessary to restart VLC in order to play the media file again.

Solution 6: Reset VLC Preferences

It is possible to have multiple issues with video playback when VLC preferences are corrupted, including not being able to play audio through HDMI. Follow these steps to reset VLC preferences:

Launch VLC.
In the Tools menu, select Preferences.
Then click the “Reset Preferences” button.
To save the changes, click the “Save” button.
Restart VLC and try playing the media file again.

Solution 7: Use a Different Media Player

It is also possible to use a different media player to play your files if none of the above solutions work. Several media players are available that have the ability to play different audio and video formats. There are many media players on the market today. Some of the most popular are Windows Media Player, PotPlayer, and Media Player Classic.

Also Read: Fix: VLC Not Playing AVI, MP4, HEVC, H264, MKV Format Video File

Conclusion

It is a versatile media player that plays most audio and video file formats. However, it may have trouble playing audio through HDMI for a variety of reasons. By following these solutions, you should be able to fix the VLC not playing audio through HDMI problem and enjoy your media files without any issues.