220-1101 Question 206
Single answerHigh-definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)A technician connects a user's laptop to a conference room projector using an HDMI cable. The projector displays the video correctly, but audio continues to play through the laptop's built-in speakers instead of the projector's speakers. The HDMI cable and projector are known to work with other devices. Which action should the technician take FIRST to resolve the issue?
- A
Replace the HDMI cable with a DVI cable and use a separate 3.5 mm audio cable
- B
Set the HDMI-connected projector as the default playback device in the operating system's sound settings
- C
Install a higher-resolution display driver so the laptop can transmit audio over HDMI
- D
Disable the laptop's internal speakers in BIOS/UEFI
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
This question tests practical HDMI troubleshooting. HDMI supports both audio and video, but many laptops and operating systems will continue using the internal speakers unless the HDMI audio device is selected as the active playback device. In a real support scenario, when HDMI video works but audio does not switch, the first step is to check Sound settings in the operating system and choose the HDMI output or connected display/projector as the default playback device. This aligns with standard vendor guidance from Microsoft and device manufacturers, which typically recommends verifying playback device selection before moving to driver updates or hardware replacement. DVI is not a good substitute here because standard DVI connections generally do not carry audio, making it a poor first troubleshooting choice.
- A. Incorrect.
Incorrect. DVI commonly carries video only and does not normally carry audio in standard PC implementations, so switching to DVI would not be an appropriate first step when HDMI is already providing video. This distractor reflects the misconception that any digital display connection will handle audio the same way HDMI does.
- B. Correct.
Correct. HDMI can carry both digital video and digital audio, but the operating system must often be configured to use the HDMI output device for sound. If video is already working and the cable/projector function with other devices, the most likely first fix is to select the projector or HDMI audio device as the default playback output in the OS.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Display driver updates can sometimes resolve detection issues, but video is already functioning, which indicates the HDMI display path is active. The immediate and most appropriate first troubleshooting step is to verify the selected audio output device rather than assuming a resolution or graphics driver problem.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. BIOS/UEFI settings are not the normal first place to troubleshoot HDMI audio routing in this scenario. Disabling internal speakers could remove local audio output, but it would not necessarily cause audio to route properly over HDMI. This option reflects an unnecessarily invasive step before checking standard OS audio settings.