In this guide
No. DVI does not carry audio. All DVI variants — DVI-D, DVI-I, and DVI-A — transmit video only. You need a separate audio cable or a different connection to get sound.
- You use a DVI-to-HDMI adapter and your graphics card supports HDMI audio output via DVI
- You run a separate 3.5mm or optical audio cable alongside your DVI video cable
- You are connecting DVI source to a DVI display — no audio path exists
- Your graphics card is older and does not support HDMI audio return over the DVI port
Why DVI Has No Audio
DVI was designed in 1999 purely as a video standard. Its connector pinout includes no audio channels — there are simply no pins assigned to carry sound. This applies to every DVI type: DVI-D (digital only), DVI-I (digital and analog), and DVI-A (analog only). The VESA DVI specification never included audio as part of the standard, and no revision has added it since.
Your Options for Getting Audio Alongside DVI
You have two practical routes depending on your hardware.
Option 1 — Separate audio cable: The simplest fix. Run a 3.5mm aux cable or optical/TOSLINK cable from your PC or device audio output to your monitor or speakers. Your DVI cable handles video; the audio cable handles sound independently.
Option 2 — DVI-to-HDMI adapter: Many modern graphics cards can output HDMI audio through their DVI port when you use a DVI-to-HDMI cable or adapter. If your GPU and its drivers support this, the HDMI display receives both video and audio in one cable. Check your graphics card specs before relying on this method — older cards do not support it.
If you are already exploring adapter-based solutions, you may also want to read about whether USB-C can connect to HDMI as a more modern alternative that carries audio natively.
Quick Setup Comparison
| Setup | Works? | Need | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DVI to DVI display | Video only | Separate audio cable | No audio path possible |
| DVI to HDMI (modern GPU) | Yes | DVI-to-HDMI adapter | GPU must support HDMI audio via DVI |
| DVI to HDMI (older GPU) | Video only | Separate audio cable | Card lacks audio return support |
| DVI + 3.5mm audio cable | Yes | 3.5mm cable | Works with any DVI setup |
Should You Upgrade the Cable Entirely?
If your display supports HDMI or DisplayPort, switching away from DVI is often the cleaner long-term solution. Both carry audio natively, removing the need for workarounds. For USB-C equipped devices, you can also check whether USB-C supports video — it carries audio too, making it a capable all-in-one option on compatible hardware.
Bottom line: DVI never carries audio, regardless of cable type or adapter brand. Your fastest fix is a separate 3.5mm audio cable. If you want a single-cable solution, use a DVI-to-HDMI adapter with a modern GPU, or replace the DVI connection with HDMI or DisplayPort altogether.