The three ways to connect speakers to a monitor

Most PC monitors have built-in speakers, but they are usually small and tinny. If you want better sound, you can connect external speakers in three ways: through the monitor's audio jack, through your PC directly, or through an HDMI cable. The best route depends on what ports your monitor and speakers have, and whether you want the monitor to control the volume.

The audio jack method is simplest if your monitor has a 3.5mm headphone jack on the back. You plug the speaker cable into that jack, and the monitor routes sound from your PC through its own audio input. The HDMI method works if your monitor accepts HDMI input — the cable carries both video and audio, so you only need one cable from your PC to the monitor. The direct PC method bypasses the monitor entirely and plugs speakers into the back of your computer tower or into a USB port.

Each method has a trade-off. The monitor jack method keeps everything tidy but limits you to the monitor's audio quality. The HDMI method is the cleanest setup but only works if your monitor has HDMI input. The direct PC method gives you the best sound quality but means more cables behind your desk.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the back of your monitor for a 3.5mm audio jack or HDMI input before you buy speakers or cables.
  • If your monitor has a 3.5mm jack, plug the speaker cable directly into it — this is the simplest setup for most people.
  • If your monitor uses HDMI input, connect speakers to the monitor's audio output jack or use an HDMI audio extractor to split the signal.
  • For the best sound, connect speakers directly to your PC's audio output on the back of the tower or to a USB port if the speakers are USB-powered.
  • Most modern speakers come with a 3.5mm cable, but you may need an adapter if your monitor or PC uses different ports.

Connecting speakers through your monitor's audio jack

This is the easiest method if your monitor has a 3.5mm headphone jack. Look at the back of the monitor for a small round port labeled "audio in" or "line in." Plug one end of a 3.5mm audio cable into that jack and the other end into the speaker cable or amplifier. The monitor will automatically route sound from your PC through its own audio input.

The catch is that your PC must send audio to the monitor in the first place. If you are using an HDMI cable from your PC to the monitor, this usually happens automatically — Windows detects the monitor as an audio device and routes sound through it. If you are using DisplayPort or a DVI cable, you may need to plug a separate 3.5mm cable from your PC's audio output into the monitor's audio input jack. Check your monitor's manual to see which input method it supports.

Once the cable is plugged in, right-click the volume icon in the bottom right corner of your Windows taskbar, select "Open Volume mixer," and make sure the monitor is listed as the active audio device. If it is not, click on it to switch. You can now control the volume using your monitor's buttons or your PC's volume slider.

Using HDMI to connect speakers to your monitor

If your monitor has HDMI input, you can send both video and audio through a single HDMI cable from your PC. This is the cleanest setup because you only need one cable. Plug the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on the back of your monitor and into the HDMI port on your PC or graphics card. Windows will automatically detect the monitor as an audio device.

The problem is that most monitors do not have a speaker output jack — they only have an audio input. If your monitor has speakers built in, the sound will play through those small speakers. If you want to connect external speakers, you need to check whether your monitor has an audio output jack on the back. Some higher-end monitors do; most budget monitors do not.

If your monitor has no audio output jack, you can use an HDMI audio extractor. This small device sits between your PC and monitor, splits the audio signal from the HDMI cable, and sends it to a 3.5mm jack where you can plug in speakers. These cost between $15 and $40 and are available from electronics retailers. Plug the HDMI cable from your PC into the extractor, plug the extractor's HDMI output into the monitor, and plug your speakers into the extractor's 3.5mm audio jack.

Connecting speakers directly to your PC

For the best sound quality, connect speakers directly to your PC instead of routing them through the monitor. On a desktop tower, look for the audio output jack on the back — it is usually a green 3.5mm port. Plug your speaker cable into that jack. If your PC is a laptop, the audio jack is usually on the side or front edge.

If your speakers are powered (they have their own amplifier and power cord), plug the speaker cable into the audio output jack and then plug the speakers into a wall outlet. If your speakers are passive (no power cord), they need an amplifier between the PC and the speakers — most powered speakers include this built in. USB speakers are another option: they plug directly into a USB port on your PC and draw power from the USB connection, so you do not need a wall outlet.

Once the speakers are plugged in, right-click the volume icon in your taskbar, select "Open Volume mixer," and make sure your speakers are listed as the active audio device. If Windows does not recognize them, you may need to install a driver. Check the speaker manufacturer's website for driver downloads, or search for the speaker model name plus "driver" in your web browser.

What cables and adapters you might need

Most speakers come with a 3.5mm audio cable, which is the standard connector for consumer audio. If your monitor or PC uses a different port, you will need an adapter. The most common adapters are 3.5mm to RCA (the red and white connectors on older audio equipment), 3.5mm to USB-C, and 3.5mm to USB-A.

If your monitor has no audio jack at all, an HDMI audio extractor is your best option. If your PC has no audio output jack (some ultrabooks and gaming laptops omit it), a USB audio adapter lets you plug speakers into a USB port instead. These adapters cost $10 to $30 and work with any speakers that have a 3.5mm input.

Before you buy an adapter, check the exact ports on your monitor and PC. Take a photo of the back of each device and compare it to the speaker cable you have. Most electronics retailers have return policies, so if an adapter does not fit, you can exchange it.

Troubleshooting when speakers do not produce sound

If you have plugged in the speakers but hear no sound, start by checking the volume. Make sure the speaker power switch is on (if the speakers are powered), the volume dial on the speakers is turned up, and the volume slider in Windows is not muted. Right-click the volume icon in your taskbar and make sure the correct audio device is selected as the default.

If the correct device is selected but you still hear nothing, check that the cable is fully plugged in on both ends. Wiggle the connector gently to make sure it has made contact. If the cable is old or damaged, try a different cable to rule out a bad connection.

If the speakers work when plugged into your phone but not your PC, the issue is likely with your PC's audio settings. Open the Windows Settings app, go to System, then Sound, and scroll down to "Advanced." Make sure the correct audio device is listed as the default playback device. If it is not there, click "See your devices and apps" and look for your speakers in the list. If your speakers still do not appear, you may need to install a driver from the manufacturer's website.

When to use monitor speakers versus external speakers

Monitor speakers are convenient because they are already built in and take up no extra space. They work well for video calls, web browsing, and casual listening. However, they are usually small and tinny, with weak bass and limited volume. If you spend hours at your PC watching videos, playing games, or listening to music, external speakers will give you noticeably better sound.

External speakers range from $30 budget models to several hundred dollars for high-end audio. A $50 to $100 pair of powered speakers will sound dramatically better than monitor speakers and take up minimal desk space. If you want even better sound, look for speakers with a subwoofer, which adds bass. Subwoofer systems cost more but are worth it if sound quality matters to you.

If you use headphones most of the time, you may not need external speakers at all. But if you share your desk with others or prefer not to wear headphones, external speakers are a worthwhile upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Bluetooth speakers with my PC monitor?

Most monitors do not have Bluetooth built in, so you cannot connect Bluetooth speakers directly to the monitor. However, you can connect Bluetooth speakers to your PC if it has Bluetooth (most modern laptops do). Go to Windows Settings, select Devices, then Bluetooth, and pair your speakers. This works just as well as a wired connection and eliminates cable clutter.

Do I need to install drivers for my speakers?

Most speakers work without drivers — Windows recognizes them automatically when you plug them in. However, some gaming speakers or high-end audio systems come with driver software that adds extra features like surround sound or custom EQ settings. Check the speaker manual or manufacturer's website to see if drivers are included. If Windows does not recognize your speakers after plugging them in, installing the driver usually fixes the problem.

What if my monitor has no audio input or output jack?

If your monitor has no audio jacks at all, connect speakers directly to your PC instead. This is actually the better option anyway because it gives you better sound quality and more control over volume. If your PC also has no audio jack, use a USB audio adapter or USB speakers.

Can I connect multiple speakers to one monitor?

You can connect multiple speakers to a monitor if they are daisy-chained (one speaker plugs into the monitor, and the second speaker plugs into the first). However, most people use a single pair of stereo speakers or a 2.1 system (two speakers plus a subwoofer). If you want surround sound, connect the speakers directly to your PC instead, which gives you more control over the audio setup.

Is it better to connect speakers to the monitor or directly to the PC?

Connecting directly to the PC usually gives better sound quality because the audio signal does not pass through the monitor's circuitry. It also gives you more control — you can adjust volume and audio settings on your PC without touching the monitor. The only advantage of connecting through the monitor is that it looks neater and uses fewer cables. For most people, the sound quality difference is worth the extra cable.