Yes, your Roku remote can control many soundbars, but not all of them

A Roku remote will control a soundbar if the soundbar supports HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) or if it is made by Roku itself. HDMI-CEC is a feature that lets devices connected by HDMI cable talk to each other and respond to the same remote. When HDMI-CEC is turned on, your Roku remote's volume buttons will adjust the soundbar's volume instead of the TV's volume.

Not every soundbar has HDMI-CEC built in. Soundbars that connect only by optical cable, USB, or Bluetooth usually cannot be controlled by a Roku remote unless you set up a workaround. The method that works depends on how your soundbar connects to your TV and whether HDMI-CEC is available on both devices.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI-CEC must be turned on in both your Roku device and your soundbar for the remote to control volume.
  • Check your soundbar's manual or settings menu to see if HDMI-CEC is supported and how to enable it.
  • If your soundbar connects by optical or Bluetooth cable only, your Roku remote will not control it without a separate control device.
  • Some Roku soundbars are designed to work with Roku remotes and require no setup beyond plugging them in.
  • If HDMI-CEC does not work, you may need to use the soundbar's own remote or a universal remote programmed for your soundbar model.

Check if your soundbar supports HDMI-CEC

The first step is to find out whether your soundbar has HDMI-CEC. Look at the back of the soundbar and see what cables it uses. If it has an HDMI input port (not just output), it likely supports HDMI-CEC. If it only has an optical port, USB port, or Bluetooth, HDMI-CEC is not available.

Next, check your soundbar's manual or the manufacturer's website. Search for "HDMI-CEC" or "CEC" in the manual's settings section. If the manual mentions HDMI-CEC, ARC (Audio Return Channel), or eARC, your soundbar can use it. Some soundbars call this feature by different names—Samsung calls it "Anynet+", LG calls it "SimpLink", and Vizio calls it "CEC".

If you cannot find the manual online, look at the soundbar's physical buttons or on-screen menu. Many soundbars have a settings option where you can turn HDMI-CEC on or off. If you see that option, the feature is supported.

Turn on HDMI-CEC on your Roku device

Once you confirm your soundbar supports HDMI-CEC, enable it on your Roku. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have a Roku TV or a Roku streaming device connected to a regular TV.

For a Roku TV: Press the Home button on your remote. Go to Settings, then System, then Control Other Devices, then HDMI-CEC. Turn on HDMI-CEC. Some Roku TVs call this "CEC" or "Roku CEC" instead. If you do not see this option, your Roku TV may not support HDMI-CEC.

For a Roku streaming device (like Roku Stick or Roku Box): Press the Home button. Go to Settings, then System, then Control Other Devices, then HDMI-CEC. Turn it on. Your Roku device will need to be connected to your TV by HDMI cable for this to work.

Turn on HDMI-CEC on your soundbar

After enabling HDMI-CEC on your Roku, do the same on the soundbar. The location of this setting varies by brand. Check your soundbar's manual for the exact path, but it is usually in a Settings or System menu.

Some soundbars have a physical button or switch on the back labeled CEC or HDMI-CEC. If yours does, make sure it is in the On position. Others require you to use the soundbar's remote to navigate to the setting in a menu.

Once both devices have HDMI-CEC turned on, test the connection. Press the volume up or down button on your Roku remote. If the soundbar's volume changes, HDMI-CEC is working. If the TV's volume changes instead, go back and check that HDMI-CEC is actually enabled on both devices.

What to do if HDMI-CEC is not working

If you turned on HDMI-CEC on both devices and the Roku remote still does not control the soundbar, the problem is usually one of three things: the HDMI cable is not plugged into the correct port, the soundbar is not connected to the TV by HDMI-ARC, or HDMI-CEC is not actually enabled despite what the menu shows.

First, check the HDMI cable. The soundbar must be connected to the TV's HDMI-ARC or eARC port, not just any HDMI port. Most TVs have only one ARC port—check your TV's manual to find which one it is. Unplug the cable and plug it back in firmly to make sure the connection is solid.

Second, restart both devices. Unplug your Roku device or TV from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Do the same with the soundbar. Sometimes HDMI-CEC does not set up until both devices have restarted after the setting is turned on.

If the soundbar still does not respond, HDMI-CEC may not be working on your specific hardware combination. This is not uncommon—some older soundbars and Roku devices have compatibility issues. In that case, you will need to use the soundbar's own remote or a universal remote to control volume.

Roku soundbars and native remote control

If you own a soundbar made by Roku, the Roku remote will control it without any setup. Roku makes a few soundbar models designed to work seamlessly with Roku devices. These soundbars do not require HDMI-CEC to be turned on—the remote communicates with them directly.

To learn about your soundbar is a Roku brand, check the box it came in or look at the back of the device. If it says "Roku" on the front or back, it is a Roku soundbar. If it is made by another brand like Samsung, LG, Vizio, Bose, or Sonos, it is not a Roku soundbar and will need HDMI-CEC to work with your Roku remote.

Alternatives if your soundbar cannot be controlled by Roku remote

If your soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC and is not a Roku brand, you have a few options. The simplest is to keep using the soundbar's original remote alongside your Roku remote—one controls the TV and streaming, the other controls the soundbar.

You can also buy a universal remote that is programmed to work with both your Roku device and your soundbar. Universal remotes like the Logitech Harmony can learn commands from both remotes and combine them into one device. This requires some setup but gives you full control from a single remote.

Another option is to check if your soundbar connects by Bluetooth. If it does, you may be able to pair it directly with your Roku device through the Roku's Bluetooth settings, though this does not always give you volume control—it depends on the soundbar model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Roku remote control the TV volume instead of the soundbar?

HDMI-CEC is either not turned on, not supported by your soundbar, or not working due to a cable or compatibility issue. Check that HDMI-CEC is enabled in both devices' settings menus and that the soundbar is plugged into your TV's HDMI-ARC port, not a regular HDMI port.

Do I need a special Roku remote to control a soundbar?

No. Any Roku remote will work with any HDMI-CEC soundbar as long as HDMI-CEC is turned on. The standard Roku remote that comes with Roku devices and Roku TVs will control the soundbar's volume if the connection is set up correctly.

Can I control a Bluetooth soundbar with my Roku remote?

Not directly. Bluetooth soundbars do not support HDMI-CEC, so your Roku remote will not control them. You will need to use the soundbar's own remote or pair the soundbar with your Roku device through Bluetooth settings, though this usually does not give you remote volume control.

What is the difference between HDMI-CEC and HDMI-ARC?

HDMI-ARC (Audio Return Channel) is the cable feature that sends sound from the TV back to the soundbar. HDMI-CEC is the control feature that lets remotes talk to devices. You need both working for your Roku remote to control the soundbar—ARC for the sound to reach the soundbar, CEC for the remote to control it.

Will a Roku remote work with a soundbar connected by optical cable?

No. Optical cables only carry audio, not control signals. Your Roku remote will not be able to control a soundbar that is connected only by optical cable. You must use the soundbar's own remote or switch to an HDMI connection if your soundbar supports it.