Many iPad users complained about not getting any audio output when connecting their devices to an external monitor. HDMI video output usually works fine, but there’s no audio even when using an original Apple HDMI adapter.
The weirdest part is that audio from native iOS apps works fine. But there’s no audio output coming from third-party apps such as YouTube, Zoom, or Teams. Let’s see how you can solve this problem.
What to Do if You Can’t Get iPad Audio to Play Out via HDMI
Play Audio on iPad First, Then Connect the HDMI Cable
First things first, check your HDMI cable and adaptor and make sure they’re not faulty. Use a different cable and adaptor and check if you notice any improvements.
If you go to your Control Center, you may notice the soundbar indicates you’re using your headphones. This means your iPad mistakenly thinks you’re using your headphones. That’s why there’s no sound coming to your TV or monitor.
Launch the problematic app or start streaming on your iPad first and then connect the HDMI cable to your TV port. Your iPad should quickly recognize your TV and send sound output to it. Go to your Control Center and check if the soundbar detects the device your iPad is connected to.
If this is not the case, go to the music/sound box with the iPad connected to your external device. Open the Control Center and press the Airplay button. Switch to the device you want to use.
Establish a Bluetooth Connection First
Try connecting your iPad to your external device via Bluetooth first, and then switch to HDMI. Wait until your iPad recognizes your device and connects to it. Then use an HDMI cable and adaptor to connect the two devices. You can now swipe up from the bottom of your iPad and switch Airplay on.
Restart Your iPad With the HDMI Cable Connected
Restart your iPad while connected to your external device via an HDMI cable. Launch the problematic app or start streaming video content. Wait for a few seconds until your iPad puts sound through to your TV or monitor.
Check Your iPad Settings
As a quick reminder, USB-Restricted Mode settings can affect your iPad’s connection to external devices. USB Restricted Mode disables access to the Lightning port to protect your data in case your iPad falls into the wrong hands.
Go to Settings, and tap Face ID & Passcode. Go to Allow Access When Locked, and toggle off USB Accessories. Then go to Audio settings, and manually select the device where you want to output audio from your iPad.
Conclusion
If there’s no sound output from your iPad to an external device via HDMI, first start streaming content on your iPad and then plug in the HDMI cable. Make sure to disable USB Restricted Mode on your iPad. Try connecting your iPad to your external device via Bluetooth first, and then switch to HDMI. If the issue persists, restart your iPad with the HDMI cable plugged in.
We hope this guide helped you solve the problem. If you found other ways to troubleshoot HDMI issues on iPad, feel free to share your ideas in the comments below.
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies — AI and DNA computing in particular.
Nice article but as Laura below said, nothing worked although everything is brand new!
Thanks for the effort, but nothing helped 🙁