Mac Volume Control Not Working with HDMI? 5 Solutions That Actually Work

Why Mac Volume Control Stops Working with HDMI When you connect your Mac to an external monitor via HDMI, you've probably noticed something frustrating: the volume keys stop working, or the volume slider becomes greyed out. This isn't a bug—it's how macOS handles audio routing. When you use HDMI, your Mac treats the external monitor as both a display and an audio device. Some monitors and TVs take full control of the audio signal, bypassing macOS's built-in volume controls entirely. The result? You're stuck adjusting volume on your monitor's remote or built-in controls instead of your familiar Mac interface. 5 Ways to Fix Mac Volume Control with HDMI 1. Check Your Audio Output Settings First, verify where your Mac thinks it's sending audio: Hold Option and click the volume icon in your menu bar Look at the current output device If it shows your monitor's name or "HDMI", that's why volume control isn't working Try selecting "Internal Speakers" or "MacBook Speakers" to regain control Thi