Does DisplayPort Carry Audio?

Yes, DisplayPort can carry audio when paired with a compatible device and a properly configured system. Since version 1.1, DisplayPort has supported the transmission of both high-definition video and digital audio through a single cable. This includes support for multichannel formats like 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound, making it suitable for a range of home and professional setups. Whether you're connecting a monitor with built-in speakers, routing sound through a USB-C dock with DP Alt Mode, or using a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, audio over DisplayPort is often fully supported—if the hardware and settings are correctly aligned.

While the ability to carry audio is built into most modern DisplayPort outputs, it's important to understand that support can vary based on the version of the DP port, the cable used, and the capabilities of the connected display or adapter. Knowing which DisplayPort versions support audio, and how to properly enable it, can help you avoid compatibility issues and get the most from your system. In the sections below, we’ll break down audio support by version, setup tips, and how DisplayPort compares to HDMI in real-world audio performance.

In this article:

Part 1: Which DisplayPort Versions Support Audio?
Part 2: How to Get Audio Through DisplayPor?
Part 3: Why Is There No Sound with DisplayPort?
Part 4: DisplayPort vs HDMI: Audio Support and Quality Compared

Part 1: Which DisplayPort Versions Support Audio?

All DisplayPort versions from 1.1 and above support audio—and that covers the majority of devices in use today.

DisplayPort 1.1 introduced audio transmission alongside video, making it possible to deliver both through a single cable. If you're using DisplayPort 1.2, 1.4, or 2.1, full support for high-definition multichannel audio is built in. These versions handle formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD, and standard stereo output with no issue.

So if you're wondering “can DisplayPort carry audio”, the short answer is yes—as long as your cable, GPU, and output device all meet the standard.

That said, DisplayPort 1.0—found in some early graphics cards—does not support audio. If you're using legacy hardware, you might get video only. Mini DisplayPort, commonly found on older Macs and laptops, can also carry audio, but only if supported by the system's GPU and drivers.

Today, most PCs, docks, and monitors ship with at least DisplayPort 1.2 or higher, meaning audio over DisplayPort is fully expected in standard use cases.

Part 2: How to Get Audio Through DisplayPort?

DisplayPort can carry audio, but getting it to work sometimes requires a quick check of your device settings, your adapter type, and whether the audio output is actually being received.

To enable audio over DisplayPort, you need to make sure that three things are working together: the output device (like a PC or laptop), the DisplayPort cable itself, and the display (monitor, TV, or docking station). All must support audio passthrough.

Start by checking your system's audio output settings. On Windows, right-click the Speaker icon, go to Sound settingsb> or Playback devices, and select the DisplayPort audio device as the default output. On macOS, go to System Settings > Sound and choose the connected display if it supports sound.

If you're using a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, make sure it’s an active or certified adapter that supports both video and audio transfer. Some cheaper adapters only carry video.

Also, not all DP cables are created equal. A damaged or extremely low-quality cable may not reliably transmit sound, even if the hardware supports it.

Lastly, ensure that your monitor or external device is capable of receiving audio. Many monitors with DisplayPort inputs don't include built-in speakers—so while the signal is there, you won’t hear anything unless you use an external audio output like a soundbar or headphones.

Part 3: Why Is There No Sound with DisplayPort?

If you're not getting sound through DisplayPort, don’t worry—most of the time, it's a simple fix. The port can carry audio, but audio output depends on how your system, cable, and display are configured.

1. The wrong audio device is selected:

One of the most common issues is your system still using the internal speakers or another default output.

On Windows, go to Sound settings > Playback tab > make sure DisplayPort audio is selected and marked as default.

On macOS, go to System Settings > Sound > choose the external display if it supports audio.

2. Your monitor doesn’t have speakers:

Just because you selected the DisplayPort output doesn’t mean your monitor can actually play sound. Many DP-compatible monitors don’t include built-in speakers.

Try connecting a pair of headphones or external speakers to the monitor (if it has an audio-out jack), or route sound through another device.

3. The cable or adapter doesn’t support audio:

If you're using a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, check whether it supports audio passthrough. Some passive adapters or older cables might not transmit sound—even if your system and display do.

Always go for certified adapters and quality DP cables to avoid unnecessary issues.

4. Outdated drivers or GPU Limitations:

Some older graphics cards—even with DisplayPort 1.1 or above—require updated drivers to enable audio output. If your device is stuck on outdated firmware, it may block sound over DisplayPort, even though the port technically supports it.

Visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (like NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest audio and graphics drivers.

5. Conflicting Software or OS Bugs:

In rare cases, system updates, third-party sound software, or OS-level bugs may interfere with DisplayPort’s audio routing.

Try restarting your system, disabling sound enhancements, or rolling back recent updates if the issue appeared after a change.

So… Why Is There No Sound? It’s rarely a hardware failure. In most cases, DisplayPort not playing sound comes down to a small misconfiguration or compatibility detail. Once you verify your cable, adapter, device settings, and drivers, audio over DisplayPort should work without extra effort

Part 4: DisplayPort vs HDMI - Audio Support and Quality Compared

While both DisplayPort and HDMI carry audio, their roles in the industry, technical architectures, and long-term capabilities reveal key differences in how they handle sound.

1. Protocol Design & Audio Transmission

HDMI was designed from the ground up as a unified audio-video interface for home entertainment systems. It natively integrates CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) and ARC/eARC protocols, making it optimized for TVs, receivers, and audio passthrough. From version 1.0 onward, HDMI supports multichannel LPCM, Dolby Digital, and later Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio.

DisplayPort, on the other hand, was built by VESA with a focus on high-bandwidth display performance—targeting PC monitors, GPUs, and docking stations. Audio over DisplayPort is optional in the spec but supported from version 1.1 onward, transmitting audio as embedded auxiliary data packets within the main video stream.

Though the final output quality is similar, DisplayPort requires tighter hardware-software coordination for audio to function—particularly with adapters, docks, or when converting to HDMI.

2. Use Cases & Industry Adoption

HDMI dominates consumer electronics: TVs, gaming consoles, soundbars, AV receivers. This ubiquity also makes HDMI audio behavior more predictable across devices. Any compliant cable will typically "just work" with audio.

DisplayPort, while common in desktops and laptops, is more fragmented. Some professional displays do not support speakers at all, and many users report issues like DisplayPort not playing sound due to mismatched drivers or default output settings. These inconsistencies reflect the broader flexibility—but also the complexity—of DisplayPort's role in computing.

3. Technical Scalability & Future Trends

In terms of audio scalability, HDMI has introduced enhanced features like eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), which supports uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound and advanced object-based formats. It's specifically designed for integration with multi-device AV chains in home theaters.

DisplayPort, by contrast, is evolving toward data-oriented convergence. DisplayPort 2.0 and 2.1 support much higher bandwidth (up to 80 Gbps) than HDMI 2.1, enabling audio-video over USB-C, Thunderbolt integration, and virtual/mixed reality (VR/AR) workflows. Audio remains secondary, but still fully supported for high-fidelity, low-latency use in productivity and creative applications.

In enterprise and workstation environments—especially where external audio systems are independently managed—DisplayPort audio is sufficient, reliable, and increasingly integrated into unified ports like USB4.

Conclusion

So, as mentioned above, DisplayPort does carry audio, and it has for many versions starting from DP 1.1. Whether you're connecting to a monitor, docking station, or adapter, DisplayPort supports high-quality sound when both your source and output devices are configured correctly. While audio support depends on proper system settings and hardware compatibility, understanding how DisplayPort handles audio helps ensure you get both great visuals and sound from a single cable. If you're still wondering "does DisplayPort carry audio?" — the answer is a confident yes, with the right setup.