MacBook connected to the TV with HDMI but no sound? How to fix it

Updated 5 October 2026 · CrackMac guides

Open System Settings, Sound, and under Output choose your TV. The Mac often keeps playing through its own speakers after you connect HDMI. If the TV is already selected, turn the volume up with the TV's remote. macOS usually can't control HDMI volume, so the Mac's volume keys appear to do nothing.

Fixes in order

Choose the TV as the output. System Settings, Sound, Output, then select the TV. Or open Control Center, click the arrow next to Sound and pick it there.
Use the TV's volume. Check the TV isn't muted and its volume is up.
Check the TV's audio settings. Set the audio output to the TV speakers, and the HDMI audio format to PCM or Auto.
Set the sample rate. Open Audio MIDI Setup from Applications, Utilities. Select the TV in the list and set Format to 48,000 Hz. This fixes a lot of silent HDMI connections.
Replug and restart. Unplug the adapter, plug it back in, then restart the Mac with the TV connected.

Still no sound

Try another HDMI port on the TV. Some ports pass audio to a soundbar differently.
Try another adapter. Some cheap USB-C to HDMI adapters don't carry audio reliably.
If the picture is also unreliable, start with HDMI not working.

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Quick answers

Why is there no sound on my TV from my MacBook over HDMI?

The Mac is probably still sending sound to its own speakers. Choose the TV in System Settings, Sound, Output. If the TV is selected and there's still nothing, turn the volume up on the TV itself.

Why can't I change the volume on my Mac with HDMI?

macOS usually can't control the volume of an HDMI device, so the volume keys do nothing. Use the TV's remote instead.

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