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Troubleshooting / Pi 4 Audio

No Sound Output with My Raspberry Pi 4

Fix Raspberry Pi 4 sound output issues. Check mute status, reconnect speakers, and toggle between HDMI and analog audio output modes.

Raspberry Pi 4AudioBy Vilros

Overview

No sound from your Raspberry Pi 4? Audio output problems are usually quick to fix by checking the volume icon, reconnecting speakers, or toggling between HDMI and analog audio modes.

This guide works for Raspberry Pi 4 with external speakers or HDMI audio through either micro HDMI port.

Quick fixes

Start with these simple checks on the Raspberry Pi desktop:

  1. Check the speaker icon: Look in the upper right corner of the desktop for the speaker icon
  2. Make sure sound is not muted: Verify there is NOT a line through the speaker icon (a line indicates muted)
  3. Increase volume: Right-click the speaker icon and drag the volume slider up
  4. Reconnect external speakers: If using external speakers, unplug them and plug them back into the 3.5mm audio jack
  5. Reconnect HDMI: If using HDMI audio, unplug and replug the micro HDMI cable

Select the correct audio output

Toggle between HDMI and analog audio:

  1. Find the speaker icon in the upper right corner of your desktop
  2. Right-click on the speaker icon
  3. You'll see audio output options:
    • HDMI: For audio through your HDMI monitor or TV (Pi 4 has 2 HDMI ports - you may see "HDMI 1" and "HDMI 2" options)
    • Analog (Headphones): For audio through the 3.5mm jack to external speakers or headphones
  4. Select the correct output:
    • If using external speakers connected to the 3.5mm jack, select "Analog"
    • If using monitor speakers or TV through HDMI, select the appropriate HDMI output
  5. Toggle a few times: Try switching between options a few times, then leave it on your desired output

Raspberry Pi 4 dual HDMI audio:

The Pi 4 has two micro HDMI ports. If you have displays connected to both, you can choose which one outputs audio by selecting "HDMI 1" or "HDMI 2" from the audio menu.

Reboot the Pi

After changing audio settings:

  1. Click the Raspberry icon (top left)
  2. Select Shutdown → Reboot
  3. Wait for reboot
  4. Test audio again after the desktop appears

A reboot often finalizes audio configuration changes and refreshes the audio system.

Further help

If none of these steps fix the sound issue:

  • Test with different speakers: Try a different set of speakers or headphones to rule out speaker failure
  • Check volume mixer: Some applications have their own volume controls - check in-app audio settings
  • Update your system: Run sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade in Terminal to get audio driver updates
  • Test with audio file: Play a known-working audio file (like a YouTube video or local MP3) to verify output
  • Check config.txt: Advanced users can edit /boot/config.txt to force audio output modes

Contact Vilros support:

If you've tried these steps and still have no audio, contact Vilros support at support@vilros.com or call 855-207-9254 with your order number.