How to Connect Speakers to Your PC Monitor

The two ways to connect speakers to a monitor

Your monitor can send sound to speakers in two ways: through a cable plugged into the monitor's audio jack, or wirelessly via Bluetooth. Which one works depends on what your monitor has built in and what your speakers support. Most monitors have a 3.5mm audio jack (the small round port) on the back, but not all of them. Bluetooth speakers work only if your monitor has Bluetooth hardware inside — many do not.

The cable method is simpler and more reliable. The wireless method is cleaner because you have no cables to manage, but it requires both your monitor and speakers to have Bluetooth. Before you start, check the back of your monitor for ports and look at your speaker manual or the speaker itself to see what connection types it supports.

Key Takeaways

Most monitors have a 3.5mm audio jack on the back where you can plug in speakers with a matching cable.
The audio jack on your monitor receives sound from your PC through a separate cable that runs from your computer to the monitor.
Bluetooth speakers connect wirelessly only if your monitor has built-in Bluetooth, which you can check in your monitor's manual or settings.
If your monitor has no audio jack and no Bluetooth, you can connect speakers directly to your PC instead of the monitor.

Connecting speakers with a 3.5mm cable

Find the 3.5mm audio jack on the back of your monitor. It is a small round port, usually labeled with a speaker icon or the word "Audio Out" or "Line Out". On some monitors it is green. Plug one end of a 3.5mm audio cable into this jack. Plug the other end into the matching jack on your speakers — this is usually on the back or side of the speaker unit.

Now your monitor is ready to receive sound from your PC. But the sound has to travel from your computer to the monitor first. Check the cable that connects your monitor to your PC. If it is HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C, it may already carry audio automatically — your PC sends both picture and sound through the same cable. If your monitor cable is DVI or VGA (older cables), it carries only picture, so you will need a separate audio cable from your PC to the monitor.

To add that separate audio cable: find the audio output jack on the back of your PC (usually a green jack or labeled "Line Out" or "Headphone Out"). Plug a 3.5mm cable from that jack into the audio input jack on your monitor (the one you just plugged your speakers into). Now sound travels from your PC to your monitor through this cable, and then from your monitor to your speakers through the first cable you connected.

Connecting Bluetooth speakers to your monitor

Check your monitor's manual or the settings menu to confirm it has Bluetooth. Many monitors do not, so this step matters. If your monitor manual does not mention Bluetooth, it probably does not have it. If it does, look for a Bluetooth button or menu option on the monitor itself — usually on the back panel or in the on-screen menu you access with the monitor's buttons.

Put your speakers into pairing mode. This usually means holding a button on the speaker for three to five seconds until a light blinks or you hear a tone. Consult your speaker manual for the exact method, because it varies by brand. Once the speakers are in pairing mode, go to your monitor's Bluetooth settings and select "Pair New Device" or similar. Your monitor will search for nearby Bluetooth devices. When your speakers appear in the list, select them.

After pairing, your speakers should stay connected to your monitor whenever both are powered on and in range. If they disconnect, put the speakers back into pairing mode and reconnect them through the monitor's Bluetooth menu. Some monitors require you to re-pair if the monitor restarts or loses power.

What to do if your monitor has no audio jack or Bluetooth

Many monitors, especially budget models and older ones, have neither a 3.5mm jack nor Bluetooth. If yours is one of them, you have two options: connect your speakers directly to your PC instead, or buy a small USB audio adapter.

The direct-to-PC route is simpler. Find the audio output jack on the back of your computer (usually green and labeled "Line Out" or "Headphone Out"). Plug your speakers' cable into that jack. Your PC will send sound directly to the speakers, and you bypass the monitor entirely. This works just as well as connecting through the monitor.

If you prefer to keep speakers connected to the monitor for a cleaner setup, buy a USB audio adapter — a small device that plugs into a USB port on your monitor (if it has one) or on your PC. The adapter has a 3.5mm jack where you plug in your speakers. This is less common and adds an extra device, so most people straightforward connect speakers to the PC instead.

Checking your PC's audio output settings

After you connect your speakers, your PC may not automatically send sound to them. Open your PC's sound settings to choose where the audio goes. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the bottom right corner of your screen and select "Open Sound Settings". On Mac, go to System Preferences, then Sound, then Output.

You will see a list of audio devices — your monitor, your speakers, your headphones, or built-in speakers. Select the device you want to use. If your speakers do not appear in the list, unplug them, wait ten seconds, and plug them back in. If they still do not appear, check that the cable is fully inserted or that Bluetooth pairing was successful.

If sound still does not come out, check the volume on your speakers themselves — many speakers have a physical volume knob or button that can be turned all the way down. Also check that your PC's volume is not muted or set to zero in the sound settings.

Troubleshooting when speakers do not produce sound

If you have connected everything but hear nothing, work through these steps in order. First, check the volume. Turn up the volume knob on your speakers. Open your PC's sound settings and make sure the volume slider is not at zero and the output is not muted. If your monitor has a volume control, turn that up too.

Second, confirm the right device is selected. In your PC's sound settings, make sure the output is set to your speakers or monitor, not to a different device like built-in speakers or headphones. If you connected via Bluetooth, check that your speakers are still paired and powered on.

Third, try unplugging and replugging the cable. A loose connection is the most common cause of no sound. If you are using Bluetooth, turn both the speakers and monitor off, wait ten seconds, and turn them back on. Sometimes Bluetooth connections drop and need to be reset.

If you still hear nothing after these steps, test your speakers on another device — plug them into your phone or a different computer. If they work elsewhere, the problem is with your PC or monitor connection, not the speakers. If they do not work anywhere, the speakers may be broken.

When to connect speakers to your PC instead of your monitor

You do not have to connect speakers through your monitor. You can plug them directly into your PC's audio jack, and many people do. This is actually simpler if your monitor has no audio jack or Bluetooth. Your PC will send sound directly to the speakers without the monitor in the middle.

The only reason to connect through the monitor is if you want a single cable running from your PC to your monitor, with speakers connected to the monitor. This looks neater on a desk. But if your monitor does not support it, connecting speakers to your PC works just as well and is often easier to set up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special cable to connect speakers to my monitor?

No. A standard 3.5mm audio cable works with any monitor that has a 3.5mm jack. These cables are inexpensive and available at any electronics store. Make sure both ends of the cable are 3.5mm — some cables have different connectors on each end.

Can I use Bluetooth speakers if my monitor does not have Bluetooth?

Not through the monitor. You can connect Bluetooth speakers directly to your PC if your computer has Bluetooth, which most modern laptops and desktops do. Check your PC's settings to see if Bluetooth is available. If your PC has no Bluetooth, you would need to buy a USB Bluetooth adapter.

Will connecting speakers to my monitor affect the picture quality?

No. Audio and video are separate. Connecting speakers to your monitor's audio jack does not change how your monitor displays images. The only thing that affects picture quality is the video cable — HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C.

What if my monitor has a headphone jack instead of an audio output jack?

A headphone jack and an audio output jack are the same thing — both are 3.5mm jacks. You can plug speakers into a headphone jack. The name difference is just marketing. Plug your speakers in the same way you would plug in headphones.

Can I connect multiple speakers to my monitor at once?

One speaker or speaker set can plug into the 3.5mm jack. If you want multiple speakers, you would need a powered speaker system with multiple inputs, or you would need to connect each speaker to your PC separately using different audio outputs or USB connections. Most people use one speaker set connected to either the monitor or the PC.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.