Forum Discussion
WIndows 11 stops recognizing monitors as audio output devices when idle
For some reason, Windows 11 stops recognizing my two external monitors as audio output devices when I leave my desktop idle. I also have headphones plugged in and they will become the only output audio option even if the audio was set to one of the monitors before.
My power options have my desktop set to never sleep but it will turn the display off after 15 minutes. Half of the time I start using my computer after the monitors turn off this issue happens. To fix this I have to start troubleshooting output devices and then windows will suddenly recognize them again and everything goes back to normal. It's been getting annoying to have to go into settings every time I want to hear audio after leaving my computer.
21 Replies
- Same issue on 22621.819.
Using Roku TV as monitor. When the computer idles, it loses the option to output audio to either TV I have connected (the other being a sony bravia). Putting the computer to sleep, then waking it up, seems to resolve.
Nothing better than getting excited to sit down and watch a video or listen to a new song, and your audio doesn't work. A sleep and a reset later, you can listen. Really breaks the flow, and is a statement to microsoft products as a whole. Bug after bug after bug - I have the same issue with an Alienware and Dell U3818DW, and it started after upgrading to Windows 11.
sanjunipero's solution is working for me so far. - 1. Check if the cable has any problem. Use another cable to and see if the problem resolves.
2. Check if the output port works fine. If your PC has multiple HDMI output ports, try different ports and see if the problem resolves.
3. Check if the monitor works properly. Make sure the monitor’s speaker volume is not turned down or muted. Then try connecting the monitor to another PC.
Hope this helps,
J Wick- I tried using different cables and changing the ports, but it didn't fix it. Also, I think you misunderstand the problem. The monitors work perfectly and as expected from when I turn on the computer and continue to do so as long as I actively use them.
The issue starts after my computer goes idle and turns the monitors off automatically. Half the time I start using my computer the monitors turn on but they aren't recognized as output audio devices in windows until I start the troubleshooter. Once I start troubleshooting windows immediately recognizes them and then I can continue to use them as normal. The monitors are different brands and one uses HDMI and the other DisplayPort so It seems most likely that this is a software issue in Windows rather than a hardware one on my end.
Thank you though!- I have this same problem, initially thought it was my BenQ monitor issue. Bought a Lenovo with integrated speakers recently, behaves the same. I also used the new cables that come with the new monitor, different HDMI port. Very weird issue. For now I got a small bat script I run when this happens:
net stop audiosrv
net stop AudioEndpointBuilder
net start audiosrv
net start AudioEndpointBuilder
Might put these 4 lines in a hook when screen wakes up.
