M3 Pro MacBook Pro not sending audio via HDMI

My M3 Pro, Macbook Pro will not send Audio thru HDMI to any TV, regardless of cable or TV.


Yes, I have switched the audio output in preferences. Yes, I have restarted both devices. Yes, I am sure the HDMI cable supports audio.


The volume is up and ready on all TVs I have tried this on.


Please advise, thank you.

MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 2023)

Posted on May 10, 2026 6:19 PM

Reply
3 replies

May 10, 2026 6:57 PM in response to Apex Rising

The Mac does not rely on Windows-like side-loaded "Drivers" which are actually packages of resolutions and settings for a specific display. Instead, it goes straight to the immutable source -- it asks the display itself.


To get a Mac display to become active, you need the Mac to query the display, and the display to answer with its name and capabilities. Otherwise, the display will not be shown as present, and no data will be sent to the display. "No signal detected" is generated by the DISPLAY, not by the Mac.

 

This query is only sent at certain times:

• at startup

• at wake from sleep — so momentarily sleeping and waking your Mac may work

• at insertion of the Mac-end of the display-cable, provided everything on that cable is ready-to-go

• hold the Option key while you click on the (Detect Display) button that will appear in Displays preferences (from another display)


so try doing some of those things and see if the display comes alive.


Modern Displays with multiple ports are sometimes busy scanning the other ports, looking for an input, and miss the query from the Mac. They need to pay attention to the port you are actually using, or they will miss the query.


--------

Some displays have On-Screen Display settings that can be used to tell the display a computer is attached on a certain port, or a certain port should be highest priority. Changing those may make your display more responsive.


M3 Pro MacBook Pro not sending audio via HDMI

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.