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Article Number: 000132810

No Audio When Connecting Your Windows 8.x Computer to a Dock

Summary: Audio stops when a dock combined with a monitor is connected to windows 8 computer.

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Article Content

Symptoms

This article provides information about an abrupt no audio issue that is caused after connecting a docking station. When you connect the dock to a display with an audio output, you may get no audio or default audio output that may change on your Windows 8.x computer.

Default Audio Output changes when docked

When not docked, the default audio output for a Dell portable system is the internal speaker.

If the system is docked in a docking station with an HDMI or DisplayPort connected display with headphone jack (U2713H for example), the default audio output changes automatically to the HDMI or DisplayPort connected device, regardless of any speaker configuration on the display device.

If the display has no internal speakers or has no speaker bar attached, then a no audio condition may be encountered until the default output is changed back to the internal speakers of the system.

Cause

System is Operating as Designed

The audio device drivers check for HDMI or DisplayPort audio devices that are installed in Windows 8.x. If detected, Windows 8.x automatically switches to the HDMI or DisplayPort audio device.

If the displays have no speakers but have a headphone output, then the switch results in a no audio state. In such instances, the default audio device needs to be manually changed back to the internal speakers.

Right-click on the Start button, then left-click on Control Panel.
Click hardware and sound, then Manage Audio devices in the Sound section, The sound window opens.
Click Speakers, then click Set Default, then OK, and close the control panel window.

Resolution

NOTE: This is a normal function of Windows 8.x and the audio driver, and is working as designed.

NOTE: Connecting headphones to the headphone jack engages a switch that disables audio output to the dock speaker output.

Article Properties

Affected Product

Dell U2713H, Dell U2713HM, Latitude 3330 (End of Life), Latitude 3340 (End of Life), Latitude 3440 (End of Life), Latitude 3540 (End of Life), Latitude 6430u, Latitude E5440, Latitude E5530, Latitude E5540, Latitude E6330, Latitude E6430 , Latitude E6430 ATG, Latitude E6430s, Latitude E6440, Latitude E6530, Latitude E6540, Latitude E7240 Ultrabook, Latitude E7440, Precision M2800, Precision M3800, Precision M4700, Precision M4800, Precision M6700, Precision M6800 ...