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No. VGA does not carry sound. The Video Graphics Array connection transports analog picture signals only. A computer using VGA therefore needs a separate audio path: connect its audio output to the display’s audio input, use speakers connected to the computer, or use an active VGA-to-HDMI converter that accepts separate audio. A passive VGA cable cannot add sound, convert analog VGA to digital HDMI, or recover audio that was never present on the VGA connection.
What VGA carries—and what it cannot carry
VGA is an analog video interface. Its cable carries red, green and blue picture information plus separate horizontal- and vertical-synchronization signals. There is no audio channel in the VGA connector or in the VGA signal. MSI’s support documentation states that VGA and DVI do not support audio and advises using a separate connection for sound: MSI monitor audio guidance.
HDMI works differently. It is a digital interface designed to transport video, audio and control data together. Analog Devices explains that HDMI-to-VGA and VGA-to-HDMI products must process the two signal types differently; a converter may decode digital HDMI audio and send it to an analog output, but a VGA connector itself still has no audio path. See Analog Devices’ HDMI converter explanation.
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- COMPACT DESIGN - The compact-designed portable Benfei HDMI to VGA adapter connects a computer, desktop, laptop, or other devices with HDMI port to a monitor, projector, HDTV, or other devices with VGA port; Tuck this lightweight gadget into your bag or pocket to do a business presentation with your laptop and projector, or extend your desktop screen to a monitor or TV; A VGA cable is required.
- SUPERIOR STABILITY - Built-in advanced IC chip converts HDMI digital signal to VGA analog signal; It is NOT a bi-directional converter and cannot transmit signals from VGA to HDMI
- INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE - The HDMI male to VGA female converter supports resolutions up to 1920x1080@60Hz (1080p Full HD) including 720p, 1600x1200, 1280x1024 for high definition monitors or projectors; Gold plated HDMI connector resists corrosion and abrasion and improve the signal transmission performance; Molded strain relief increases cable durability
- BROAD COMPATIBILITY - The HDMI-VGA adapter is compatible with computer, pc, desktop, laptop, ultrabook, notebook, Chromebook, Raspberry Pi, Intel Nuc, Roku, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, Set Top Box, TV BOX, or other devices with HDMI port; NOT compatible with Blu-ray player and devices with low-power HDMI ports such as SONY PS4, Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display, Mac mini, and Apple TV
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What happens in the setups people commonly use
| Source and display | Picture result | Sound path | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| VGA computer → VGA monitor | Analog video over VGA | Separate analog audio | 3.5 mm cable to a monitor audio input, or external speakers |
| VGA computer → HDMI television or monitor | Requires analog-to-digital conversion | Separate audio fed into the converter | Active VGA-to-HDMI converter with an audio input and required power |
| HDMI computer → VGA monitor | Requires digital-to-analog conversion | VGA leg carries no sound | Computer speakers, a separate audio connection, or a converter that exposes audio separately |
| iPhone or iPad → VGA display | Video through Apple’s VGA adapter | Audio travels separately | Audio/headset connection to the display or stereo system |
ASUS describes the HDMI-to-VGA case plainly: audio in the incoming HDMI signal is discarded when it reaches the VGA connection. Its support article is at ASUS NUC monitor audio FAQ. Philips likewise explains that VGA is analog, HDMI is digital, and a simple cable is not enough for a VGA-output computer and HDMI-input TV: Philips VGA-to-HDMI connection guidance.
Connecting a VGA computer to a VGA monitor
1. Check whether the monitor can play audio
Look at the monitor’s specifications or manual for built-in speakers. A monitor may have a 3.5 mm socket that is only a headphone output, not an audio input. MSI specifically recommends checking the monitor specification and distinguishing an audio input from a headphone output before troubleshooting: MSI’s audio troubleshooting guide.
2. Connect the computer’s audio output
Use a 3.5 mm stereo cable from the computer’s headphone or line-out jack to the monitor’s audio-in jack. Keep the VGA cable connected for the picture; the audio cable is an independent connection. Select the monitor as the playback device on the computer when the operating system offers that choice. The monitor must have both a genuine audio input and speakers for sound to come from its own enclosure.
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- COMPACT DESIGN - The compact-designed portable Benfei HDMI to VGA adapter connects a computer, desktop, laptop, or other devices with HDMI port to a monitor, projector, HDTV, or other devices with VGA port; Tuck this lightweight gadget into your bag to do a business presentation with your laptop and projector, or extend your desktop screen to a monitor or TV;
- INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE - The HDMI male to VGA Male cable supports resolutions up to 1920x1080@60Hz (1080p Full HD) including 720p, 1600x1200, 1280x1024 for high definition monitors or projectors; Gold plated HDMI connector resists corrosion and abrasion and improve the signal transmission performance; Molded strain relief increases cable durability
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3. Use external speakers when the monitor cannot play sound
If the monitor has no speakers or no audio input, connect powered speakers or headphones directly to the computer. This is often the simplest arrangement because it avoids relying on the monitor’s audio circuitry. A VGA cable will continue to provide the image, while the computer’s audio output feeds the speakers.
Sending a VGA computer’s picture and sound to an HDMI TV
This setup needs active electronics. The computer produces analog VGA video; the television expects digital HDMI. A passive lead cannot perform that conversion. Choose a VGA-to-HDMI converter with a separate 3.5 mm audio input, then make both connections.
- Verify the direction: the converter must accept VGA input and produce HDMI output. An HDMI-to-VGA adapter is the opposite direction and will not work for this arrangement.
- Connect the computer’s VGA output to the converter’s VGA input.
- Connect the computer’s 3.5 mm audio output to the converter’s audio input.
- Connect an HDMI cable from the converter’s HDMI output to an HDMI input on the TV or monitor.
- Provide the converter’s required power, commonly through USB, and select the matching HDMI input on the display.
- Set the computer to a resolution and refresh rate supported by the converter and display.
Converter specifications are product-specific. For example, the Adafruit VGA to HDMI Audio and Video Adapter lists USB power and VGA input support up to 1920×1080 at 60 Hz; those figures describe that listed unit, not every converter: Adafruit VGA to HDMI Audio and Video Adapter specifications. Philips’ guidance also describes combining VGA with a separate audio connection before conversion: Philips support.
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- COMPACT DESIGN - The BENFEI compact-designed portable VGA to HDMI adapter connects a computer, desktop, laptop, or other devices with VGA port to a monitor, projector, HDTV, or other devices with HDMI port; Tuck this lightweight gadget into your bag or pocket to do a business presentation with your laptop and projector, or extend your desktop screen to a monitor or TV; A HDMI cable is required.
- SUPERIOR STABILITY - Built-in advanced IC chip converts VGA analog signal to HDMI digital signal; It is NOT a bi-directional converter and cannot transmit signals from HDMI source to VGA monitor.
- USB AUDIO SUPPORT - with an integrated USB cable that embeds the audio along with the video over HDMI; Digital USB audio can be configured from the Sound menu in Windows to output the audio to the connected display
- BROAD COMPATIBILITY - The VGA-HDMI adapter is compatible with computer, pc, desktop, laptop or other device with VGA output, the monitor with HDMI input, it's plug in and play.
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Using an HDMI computer with a VGA monitor
An HDMI-to-VGA adapter can produce a picture on an older VGA monitor, but the VGA output still contains video only. The monitor will not receive the HDMI soundtrack through its VGA socket. Keep sound at the computer with headphones or speakers, or choose a converter designed to provide a separate audio output before the signal reaches the monitor.
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Why an HDMI-to-VGA adapter often produces no sound
HDMI can carry audio, but the adapter’s VGA side cannot. During conversion, the picture is translated from digital to analog and the audio channel has nowhere to go unless the adapter includes a dedicated audio extraction circuit and output. A plain HDMI-to-VGA cable therefore gives you a picture without sound. The same principle applies to docking stations and graphics adapters that expose only VGA or DVI video outputs; a digital audio-capable output such as HDMI or DisplayPort is needed when one connection must carry both signals.
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- SUPERIOR STABILITY: Built-in advanced IC chip converts HDMI digital signal to VGA analog signal; It is NOT a bi-directional converter and cannot transmit signals from VGA to HDMI
- INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE: The HDMI male to VGA female converter supports resolutions up to 1920x1080@60Hz (1080p Full HD) including 720p, 1600x1200, 1280x1024 for high definition monitors or projectors; Gold plated HDMI connector resists corrosion and abrasion and improves the signal transmission performance; Molded strain relief increases cable durability
- BROAD COMPATIBILITY: The HDMI-VGA adapter is compatible with computer, pc, desktop, laptop, ultrabook, notebook, Chromebook, Raspberry Pi, Intel Nuc, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, Set Top Box, TV BOX, or other devices with HDMI port; *NOT COMPATIBLE* with Roku, Blu-ray player and devices with low-power HDMI ports such as SONY PS4, Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display, Mac mini, and Apple TV
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Apple iPhone or iPad VGA adapters
Apple states directly in its support article, published November 5, 2024: “If you’re using a VGA adapter, it doesn’t carry audio signals.” Connect the device’s audio separately to the display’s audio/headset input or to a stereo system. Apple’s full instructions are at Get Help with Apple Digital AV Adapters for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
There is also a content-protection caveat. Apple notes that some protected video requires an HDCP-compatible digital connection, which a VGA adapter does not provide. If ordinary device video appears but a protected streaming title does not play, the limitation may be HDCP rather than the audio wiring. Use a compatible digital connection when the source, display and content require it.
Troubleshooting a silent VGA setup
Confirm the physical audio path
- Identify the computer’s actual audio output: headphone, line-out or a dock output.
- Identify the display socket correctly. A headphone jack is normally an output; it cannot receive sound from the computer.
- Check that the monitor or TV has built-in speakers. An audio input alone does not create sound.
- Push the 3.5 mm plugs fully into both ends and test the cable with another audio device if possible.
Check the converter’s direction and power
For a VGA computer and HDMI display, the product must be labeled VGA input and HDMI output. It must be powered as specified; an unpowered converter may show no picture or fail to process audio. For an HDMI computer and VGA display, use the reverse direction and plan a separate audio route.
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Check playback selection and volume
When the monitor has speakers and an audio input, select the monitor or its associated output as the computer’s playback device, then verify system and application volume. If the monitor is silent but headphones connected to the computer work, recheck whether the monitor socket is an input and whether its speakers are enabled in the display controls.
Check resolution and refresh rate
Active converters accept only particular timings. If the converter’s documented limit is 1920×1080 at 60 Hz, do not assume it accepts every higher resolution or refresh rate. Temporarily choose a supported mode from the converter’s specification, then test audio again. Resolution problems can prevent a stable HDMI link even when the audio wiring is correct.
Separate video, audio and content-protection faults
A working VGA picture proves only that the video path is operating. It does not prove that an audio cable is connected, that the display has speakers, or that protected content is allowed. Test with an ordinary local video or system sound first. If that works but protected streaming video fails on an Apple VGA adapter, investigate the HDCP requirement described in Apple’s support article.
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Choosing the right solution
- Both devices have VGA: add a 3.5 mm stereo cable if the display has speakers and an audio input; otherwise use powered speakers.
- VGA source and HDMI display: buy an active VGA-to-HDMI converter with a separate 3.5 mm audio input. Verify power, supported resolution and refresh rate.
- HDMI source and VGA display: use an HDMI-to-VGA converter for the picture and keep audio at the source or use a converter with a separate audio output.
- Apple mobile device and VGA display: route audio separately and remember that some protected video needs an HDCP-compatible digital path.
- You need one cable for modern digital audio and video: use a native HDMI or DisplayPort output and a display with the matching digital input whenever the equipment permits.
The practical verdict
VGA has no sound capability. It is a video-only analog connection, so every working setup must provide audio somewhere else. The correct fix depends on the signal direction: a separate audio cable or speakers for VGA displays, an active VGA-to-HDMI converter with audio input for HDMI displays, and a separate audio route whenever HDMI is converted down to VGA. Once those paths and the display’s speaker capability are checked, a silent VGA connection is usually an expected limitation rather than a mysterious fault.
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