Using HDMI Audio with the Lid Closed

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 9 views

Introduction

Are you tired of having to keep your laptop lid open just to hear the audio coming from your internal speakers while using an external monitor connected via HDMI? This can be frustrating, especially when you're working on a project that requires you to have your laptop closed for better focus. In this article, we'll explore how to keep your laptop speakers working even when the lid is closed while using an external monitor via HDMI on Arch Linux.

Understanding the Issue

When you close the lid of your laptop, the internal speakers are automatically muted by the operating system to prevent any potential damage to the speakers or the laptop's internal components. This is a safety feature designed to protect your laptop from any potential harm. However, this also means that you won't be able to hear any audio coming from the internal speakers when the lid is closed.

Using HDMI Audio with the Lid Closed

To keep your laptop speakers working while using an external monitor via HDMI, you'll need to configure your system to use the HDMI audio output even when the lid is closed. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Identify Your HDMI Audio Device

First, you'll need to identify the HDMI audio device on your system. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:

pacmd list-sinks

This will list all the available audio sinks on your system, including the HDMI audio device. Look for the sink that corresponds to your external monitor's HDMI port.

Step 2: Set the HDMI Audio Device as the Default

Once you've identified the HDMI audio device, you'll need to set it as the default audio device. You can do this by running the following command:

pacmd set-default-sink <HDMI_audio_device_name>

Replace <HDMI_audio_device_name> with the name of the HDMI audio device you identified in the previous step.

Step 3: Configure PulseAudio to Use the HDMI Audio Device

PulseAudio is the default audio system on Arch Linux. To configure PulseAudio to use the HDMI audio device, you'll need to edit the /etc/pulse/default.pa file. Open the file in your favorite text editor and add the following line at the end of the file:

load-module module-alsa-sink device=<HDMI_audio_device_name>

Replace <HDMI_audio_device_name> with the name of the HDMI audio device you identified in the previous step.

Step 4: Restart PulseAudio

After making the changes to the /etc/pulse/default.pa file, you'll need to restart PulseAudio to apply the changes. You can do this by running the following command:

pulseaudio --kill

This will kill the PulseAudio process, and it will automatically restart when you try to play any audio.

Step 5: Test Your Configuration

Once you've completed the previous steps, you can test your configuration by playing any audio file or video. If everything is set up correctly, you should be able to hear the audio coming from the internal speakers even when the lid is closed.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you're experiencing any issues with your configuration, here are some common problems and their solutions:

Issue 1: No Audio Coming from the Internal Speakers

If you're not hearing any audio coming from the internal speakers, it's likely because the HDMI audio device is not set as the default audio device. Try running the following command to set the HDMI audio device as the default:

pacmd set-default-sink <HDMI_audio_device_name>

Issue 2: Audio Not Working with the Lid Closed

If you're not hearing any audio coming from the internal speakers when the lid is closed, it's likely because the internal speakers are not configured to work with the HDMI audio device. Try running the following command to configure the internal speakers to work with the HDMI audio device:

pacmd load-module module-alsa-sink device=<HDMI_audio_device_name>

Issue 3: PulseAudio Not Restarting

If PulseAudio is not restarting after you've made changes to the /etc/pulse/default.pa file, try running the following command to kill the PulseAudio process and restart it:

pulseaudio --kill

Conclusion

Keeping your laptop speakers working while using an external monitor via HDMI can be a bit tricky, but it's definitely possible. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to configure your system to use the HDMI audio output even when the lid is closed. If you're experiencing any issues with your configuration, be sure to check out the troubleshooting section for common problems and their solutions.

Q: Why do my laptop speakers stop working when I close the lid?

A: Your laptop speakers stop working when you close the lid because the operating system automatically mutes the internal speakers to prevent any potential damage to the speakers or the laptop's internal components.

Q: Can I keep my laptop speakers working while using an external monitor via HDMI?

A: Yes, you can keep your laptop speakers working while using an external monitor via HDMI. You'll need to configure your system to use the HDMI audio output even when the lid is closed.

Q: How do I configure my system to use the HDMI audio output?

A: To configure your system to use the HDMI audio output, you'll need to identify the HDMI audio device on your system, set it as the default audio device, and configure PulseAudio to use the HDMI audio device.

Q: What is PulseAudio, and why do I need to configure it?

A: PulseAudio is the default audio system on Arch Linux. You need to configure PulseAudio to use the HDMI audio device because it's responsible for managing audio output on your system.

Q: How do I identify the HDMI audio device on my system?

A: You can identify the HDMI audio device on your system by running the following command in your terminal:

pacmd list-sinks

This will list all the available audio sinks on your system, including the HDMI audio device.

Q: How do I set the HDMI audio device as the default audio device?

A: You can set the HDMI audio device as the default audio device by running the following command:

pacmd set-default-sink <HDMI_audio_device_name>

Replace <HDMI_audio_device_name> with the name of the HDMI audio device you identified in the previous step.

Q: How do I configure PulseAudio to use the HDMI audio device?

A: To configure PulseAudio to use the HDMI audio device, you'll need to edit the /etc/pulse/default.pa file and add the following line at the end of the file:

load-module module-alsa-sink device=<HDMI_audio_device_name>

Replace <HDMI_audio_device_name> with the name of the HDMI audio device you identified in the previous step.

Q: Why do I need to restart PulseAudio after making changes to the `/etc/pulse/default.pa` file?

A: You need to restart PulseAudio after making changes to the /etc/pulse/default.pa file because PulseAudio needs to reload its configuration to apply the changes.

Q: How do I restart PulseAudio?

A: You can restart PulseAudio by running the following command:

pulseaudio --kill

This will kill the PulseAudio process, and it will automatically restart when you try to play any audio.

Q: What if I'm still experiencing issues with my configuration?

A: If you're still experiencing issues with your configuration, try checking the PulseAudio logs for any errors. You can do this by running the following command:

journalctl -u pulseaudio

This will show you any errors that PulseAudio has encountered while trying to play audio.

Q: Can I use this configuration with other audio devices?

A: Yes, you can use this configuration with other audio devices, such as USB speakers or headphones. Simply replace the HDMI audio device with the name of the other audio device you want to use.

Q: Is this configuration specific to Arch Linux?

A: No, this configuration is not specific to Arch Linux. You can use this configuration on any Linux distribution that uses PulseAudio as its default audio system.

Q: Can I use this configuration with other operating systems?

A: No, this configuration is specific to Linux and will not work on other operating systems, such as Windows or macOS.