The fastest way: HDMI with ARC or eARC
Most modern soundbars connect to your TV using a single HDMI cable plugged into the HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC on the back of your TV. This is the simplest route because one cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV remote often controls the soundbar volume automatically.
Look at the back of your TV for ports labeled HDMI 3, HDMI 4, or specifically marked ARC/eARC — not every HDMI port supports this feature. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into that port and the other end into the HDMI input on your soundbar. Turn on both devices. Your TV should detect the soundbar within seconds, and you may see a prompt asking you to confirm the connection.
If your TV is older and has no ARC port, you can still use HDMI, but you will also need an optical cable running from your TV's optical audio output to the soundbar's optical input. This carries sound separately from the picture.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI ARC or eARC is the single-cable solution and works with most soundbars made in the last five years.
- Optical cable is a backup option if your TV lacks ARC, or if HDMI is not working after you have checked the correct port.
- Bluetooth is wireless but adds a half-second delay to sound, so it is best for casual listening, not movies or gaming.
- After connecting, go into your TV's audio settings and set the output to the soundbar, not the TV speakers.
- If sound still comes from the TV speakers, disable them in settings or turn off the TV's internal speakers in the audio menu.
Checking that ARC is actually enabled on your TV
Having an ARC port is not enough — you must turn the feature on in your TV's settings. The exact path varies by brand, but it is usually under Settings > Sound > Audio Output or Settings > Sound > HDMI ARC. Look for a toggle labeled HDMI ARC, eARC, or Digital Audio Out, and switch it to On.
Some TVs ship with ARC turned off by default. If you plugged in the cable and the soundbar is not responding, this is the first place to check. Once you enable it, unplug the soundbar, wait ten seconds, and plug it back in so it can detect the TV fresh.
Using optical cable if HDMI ARC is not an option
Optical cable (also called TOSLINK or S/PDIF) is thinner than HDMI and carries only sound, not picture. If your TV has no ARC port, or if ARC is not working after you have enabled it, optical is a reliable second choice that works with nearly every soundbar.
Find the optical audio output on your TV — it is usually a small square port on the back labeled Optical Out or Audio Out. Plug one end of an optical cable into that port and the other into the optical input on your soundbar. Then go into your TV's audio settings and set the output to Optical or Digital Audio Out. The soundbar should begin receiving sound within a few seconds.
Optical does not carry the newest surround sound formats, so if your soundbar supports Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, you will not get those features over optical. HDMI ARC or eARC is required for those.
Connecting by Bluetooth if you have no cables
Bluetooth is wireless and requires no cables, but it introduces a slight delay — usually a quarter to half second — between what you see on screen and what you hear. This is noticeable during movies and games but acceptable for music or casual TV watching.
To pair by Bluetooth, put your soundbar in pairing mode (usually by holding a button on the remote or the soundbar itself for three seconds until a light blinks). Then go to your TV's Bluetooth settings, search for devices, and select your soundbar from the list. Once paired, your TV will reconnect automatically each time you turn both devices on.
Bluetooth pairs one TV to one soundbar at a time. If you want to use the same soundbar with a phone or tablet, you will need to unpair it from the TV first, pair it with the other device, then pair it back to the TV when you are done.
Turning off the TV speakers so you only hear the soundbar
After the soundbar is connected, sound may still come from both the TV and the soundbar, which sounds hollow and out of sync. You must tell the TV to send all sound to the soundbar and disable its own speakers.
Go to Settings > Sound or Settings > Audio on your TV. Look for an option called Speaker Output, Audio Output, or Sound Output. Change it from TV Speaker or Internal Speaker to External Speaker, Soundbar, or HDMI ARC — the exact wording depends on your TV brand. Some TVs also have a separate toggle for TV Speaker that you can turn Off.
If you still hear sound from the TV after changing this setting, check that you selected the right output option. Some TVs require you to confirm the change by pressing Enter or OK.
Troubleshooting when the soundbar does not receive sound
If you have connected the cable but the soundbar is silent, start with the simplest checks. Make sure the soundbar is powered on — look for a light on the front. Check that the volume on the soundbar itself is not set to zero (use the remote or the buttons on the back). Confirm that the TV's audio output is set to the soundbar, not the TV speakers.
If the cable is plugged in and the settings are correct but still no sound, try unplugging the soundbar for ten seconds and plugging it back in. This forces it to re-detect the TV. If you are using HDMI ARC, also check that ARC is enabled in your TV's settings — it sometimes resets after a software update.
For HDMI connections, try a different HDMI cable if you have one available. Some cables are defective or too old to carry the ARC signal reliably. If switching cables fixes the problem, the original cable is the issue. For optical connections, make sure the cable is fully inserted into both ports — optical connections are straightforward to seat halfway by accident.
Understanding the difference between ARC and eARC
ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) do the same job — they let sound travel from your TV back to the soundbar over HDMI — but eARC is faster and supports more surround sound formats. If your TV and soundbar both have eARC, use that. If only one has eARC, they will fall back to regular ARC and still work fine.
The port looks identical on both. The only way to know which one you have is to check your TV's manual or look up the model number on the manufacturer's website. In practice, this distinction matters only if you own a high-end soundbar with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X support — budget soundbars do not use those formats, so ARC and eARC perform identically for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?
No. Any standard HDMI cable works with ARC. You do not need to buy a cable labeled "ARC" or "eARC" — those are marketing terms. A regular HDMI cable from any electronics store will carry the ARC signal just fine. If a cable is defective, replacing it with another standard cable usually solves the problem.
Can I use both HDMI and optical at the same time?
You can plug both cables in, but your TV will only send sound through one at a time. Set the audio output to whichever cable you want to use, and the TV will ignore the other. Using both simultaneously does not improve sound quality — pick one and stick with it.
Why does my soundbar have a delay when I use Bluetooth?
Bluetooth has inherent latency — a built-in delay of about 100 to 200 milliseconds. This is noticeable during movies and games because your eyes see the action before your ears hear it. HDMI and optical have almost no delay. If the delay bothers you, switch to a wired connection.
What if my TV does not have any audio output ports?
Some newer TVs have removed optical ports entirely and rely only on HDMI ARC. If your TV has no optical and no ARC, your only option is Bluetooth. Check your TV's manual to confirm which ports are available before buying a soundbar.
Can I control the soundbar volume with my TV remote?
Yes, if you use HDMI ARC or eARC. Your TV remote should control the soundbar volume automatically once it detects the connection. If it does not, go to your TV's settings and look for an option called HDMI Device Control, CEC, or Anynet+ — enabling this feature usually fixes the problem.