If you’re figuring out how to connect a soundbar to a TV, the answer for most people is one HDMI cable between the TV’s ARC (or eARC) port and the soundbar’s HDMI ARC port. Turn on a setting called HDMI-CEC, switch the TV’s audio output to the soundbar, and you’re done. Your normal TV remote will even control the volume.
If your TV doesn’t have ARC, an optical cable is the next best thing, and Bluetooth works in a pinch. Below we go through each option, which settings to change on the TV, and what to do when it doesn’t just work, because sometimes it doesn’t.
Our verdict
Quick answer: use HDMI ARC/eARC if both the TV and soundbar have it (best sound, one remote). No ARC? Use an optical cable. Use Bluetooth only if there’s no other choice, since it adds delay and can’t carry surround sound.
Which connection should you use?
| Connection | Sound quality | Dolby Atmos | TV remote controls volume | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI eARC | Best, including lossless formats | Yes, full quality | Yes (via CEC) | Newer TVs and Atmos soundbars |
| HDMI ARC | Very good | Yes, compressed (Dolby Digital Plus) | Yes (via CEC) | Most TVs from the last 10 years |
| Optical | Good, up to 5.1 | No | Usually not, unless you program it | TVs without ARC |
| Bluetooth | OK, stereo only | No | Sometimes | When nothing else is possible |
| Wi-Fi (same brand) | Very good | Depends on model | Yes | Matching TV and soundbar brands |
If you want the deeper version of how ARC and eARC differ, our HDMI ARC and eARC guide covers it. For setup, all you really need to know is that eARC is the newer, faster version, and if only one of your devices has it, everything falls back to regular ARC and still works.
How to connect a soundbar to a TV with HDMI ARC or eARC
- Find the right ports. On the TV, look for the HDMI input labeled ARC or eARC (often HDMI 1, sometimes HDMI 3). On the soundbar, it’s usually called HDMI OUT (TV-ARC).
- Plug in one HDMI cable. Any High Speed HDMI cable works for ARC. For eARC and lossless Atmos, use a High Speed HDMI cable with Ethernet or an Ultra High Speed cable.
- Turn on HDMI-CEC on the TV. Every brand calls it something different: Samsung calls it Anynet+, LG calls it SIMPLINK, Sony calls it BRAVIA Sync, and Roku TVs list it under Control other devices (CEC).
- Set the TV’s audio output to the soundbar. In the sound menu, pick HDMI ARC, eARC, Receiver or the soundbar’s name instead of TV Speakers.
- Set digital audio out to Auto, Bitstream or Pass-through. This sends Dolby audio to the soundbar untouched. If it’s set to PCM, you’ll usually lose surround and Atmos.
- Switch the soundbar to its TV or ARC input if it doesn’t change automatically.
Play something and turn the volume up and down with the TV remote. If the soundbar’s volume moves, you’re all set.
How to connect a soundbar to a TV with an optical cable
Optical is the fallback when your TV doesn’t have an ARC port, or when HDMI just refuses to cooperate. It’s a thin cable with a square-ish plug, and you’ll find the port labeled Optical or Digital Audio Out on the TV.
- Take the little plastic caps off both ends of the optical cable. People miss this more than you’d think.
- Plug one end into the TV’s optical out and the other into the soundbar’s optical in. It only fits one way, so don’t force it.
- In the TV’s sound menu, set the audio output to Optical (or External Speaker / Audio System).
- Set the digital audio format to Bitstream or Dolby Digital for 5.1 sound, or PCM if you hear nothing.
- Switch the soundbar’s input to Optical (sometimes labeled D.IN).
The catch with optical is the remote. Since there’s no CEC, your TV remote usually won’t change the soundbar volume. Some soundbars can learn your TV remote’s volume buttons, and some TVs and streaming sticks can control a soundbar over infrared. On a Fire TV, for example, go to Settings, Equipment Control, Manage Equipment and add the soundbar.
How to connect a soundbar to a TV with Bluetooth
Bluetooth is easy but it’s the weakest option. Put the soundbar in pairing mode (usually a button marked with the Bluetooth symbol), then go to the TV’s Bluetooth or sound output menu and pick the soundbar from the list.
Two things to know before you settle on it: Bluetooth is stereo only, so no surround sound or Atmos, and it adds a small delay that can make voices drift out of sync with lips. Most TVs have an AV sync or audio delay setting that helps with that.
Same-brand TV and soundbar: Wi-Fi and extra features
If your TV and soundbar are the same brand, you may get some bonus features. Samsung’s Q-Symphony, LG’s WOW Orchestra and Sony’s Acoustic Center Sync let the TV speakers and the soundbar play together, and some models can connect over Wi-Fi instead of a cable. These are nice extras, but HDMI ARC is still the most reliable way to connect, even when the brands match.
TV doesn’t have ARC? You still have options
- Use optical, as above. It’s the simplest fix.
- Plug your devices into the soundbar instead. Some soundbars have an HDMI input. Connect your streaming stick or console to the soundbar, and the soundbar’s HDMI out to the TV. The soundbar passes the video through and keeps the audio.
- Use an HDMI audio extractor. It sits between your source and the TV and pulls the audio out to an optical or HDMI connection for the soundbar.
Soundbar connected but not working? Quick fixes
No sound at all
Check that the cable is in the TV’s ARC/eARC port specifically, that the TV’s audio output is set to the soundbar, and that the soundbar is on the right input. Then unplug both the TV and the soundbar from the wall for about a minute and power them back on, soundbar first. This clears a lot of HDMI handshake problems.
TV remote doesn’t control the soundbar volume
That’s almost always HDMI-CEC being off, either on the TV or on the soundbar. Turn it on in both places, then power cycle. If you’re on optical, set up your TV or streaming device to control the soundbar over infrared instead.
Audio is out of sync with the picture
Look for AV sync, Audio delay or Lip sync in the TV or soundbar settings and adjust it a little at a time. Switching from Bluetooth to HDMI or optical usually fixes it for good.
Dolby Atmos isn’t showing up
Make sure you’re on HDMI ARC or eARC (not optical or Bluetooth), the TV’s digital audio out is set to Auto or Bitstream, and the app you’re watching actually streams in Atmos. For lossless Atmos from Blu-ray or some apps you need eARC on both ends.
Sound cuts out every few minutes
Try a different HDMI cable first, then turn off any eco or auto-standby setting on the soundbar. A firmware update on the TV or soundbar fixes this more often than you’d expect.
Dialogue is hard to hear
Once it’s connected, turn on the soundbar’s dialogue or voice mode. Our guide on what to do when you can’t hear dialogue on TV has more settings worth trying.
FAQ
What is the best way to connect a soundbar to a TV?
HDMI ARC or eARC. It gives you the best sound quality, supports Dolby Atmos, and lets you control the soundbar with your regular TV remote.
Can I connect a soundbar to a TV without HDMI?
Yes. Use an optical cable if the TV has an optical output, or Bluetooth if both support it. Optical sounds better and doesn’t have the delay Bluetooth can add.
Do I need a special HDMI cable for a soundbar?
For regular ARC, any High Speed HDMI cable is fine. For eARC and lossless Dolby Atmos, use a High Speed HDMI cable with Ethernet or an Ultra High Speed cable.
Which HDMI port do I use on the TV?
The one labeled ARC or eARC. It’s usually HDMI 1 or HDMI 3. The other HDMI ports won’t send audio out to the soundbar.
Why is my TV still playing sound through its own speakers?
The TV’s audio output is probably still set to TV Speakers. Change it to HDMI ARC, Optical or the soundbar in the sound settings. Some TVs also have a setting that plays both at once, so make sure that’s off.
Does the soundbar have to be the same brand as the TV?
No. Any soundbar works with any TV over HDMI ARC, optical or Bluetooth. Matching brands just adds a few extras, like using the TV speakers together with the soundbar.
Related guides
- HDMI ARC vs eARC explained
- Best soundbars for small rooms
- Best soundbars under $300
- Soundbar vs surround sound
Sources we checked: CHOICE: How to connect your soundbar to a TV · Sony support: Connecting a soundbar to a TV · HDMI.org: HDMI cables
