Connect via HDMI or optical cable first

The fastest way to connect a Vizio soundbar to your TV is through HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) or a digital optical cable. HDMI ARC is simpler because it uses one cable for both picture and sound, and it lets your TV remote control the soundbar volume. If your TV and soundbar both have HDMI ARC ports, use that first.

If HDMI ARC is not available, a digital optical cable (also called TOSLINK) works on almost any TV made in the last 15 years. Plug one end into your TV's optical audio output and the other into the soundbar's optical input. This cable carries sound only, not video, but it is reliable and costs under $10.

Check the back or side of your TV for the port labels. HDMI ports are usually marked "HDMI" or "HDMI ARC/eARC". Optical ports are small square openings, often labeled "optical out" or "TOSLINK". Your Vizio soundbar manual will show you which ports it has on the back.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI ARC is the easiest connection method if both your TV and soundbar support it, because one cable handles both video and audio.
  • Digital optical cable is the second choice and works with nearly all TVs; plug it into your TV's optical output and the soundbar's optical input.
  • After connecting the cable, turn on both devices and check your TV's audio settings to route sound to the soundbar instead of the TV speakers.
  • Bluetooth pairing is an option for some Vizio soundbars but should be a backup method because it can drop connection or cause audio delay.
  • If you have a Vizio TV and soundbar, SmartCast pairing may be available and requires no cable, but check your model year first.

Turn on the soundbar and switch your TV audio output

Once the cable is plugged in, power on both the soundbar and the TV. The soundbar should show a light or display indicating it is on. Then go into your TV's settings menu and find the audio or sound output section. This location varies by TV brand, but it is usually under Settings > Sound or Settings > Audio.

Look for an option called "Audio Output", "Speaker Output", or "Sound Output". Change it from "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker" to "HDMI ARC", "Optical", or the name of your soundbar if it appears as an option. Save the change. From now on, all sound from your TV will go through the soundbar instead of the TV's built-in speakers.

Test it by turning up the volume on your TV remote. You should hear sound from the soundbar, not the TV. If you hear nothing, go back to the audio output menu and confirm the setting stuck. Some TVs require you to unplug the soundbar and plug it back in before they recognize it.

Use Bluetooth if you do not have HDMI ARC or optical

If your TV has neither HDMI ARC nor an optical port, Bluetooth is an option on many Vizio soundbars. Press and hold the Bluetooth button on the soundbar remote or the soundbar itself until the light blinks blue. This puts the soundbar in pairing mode.

On your TV, go to Settings > Bluetooth and look for your soundbar model in the list of available devices. Select it and confirm the pairing. Once paired, the soundbar will connect automatically when you turn it on.

Bluetooth works, but it is not ideal. The connection can drop if the soundbar is far from the TV or if other Bluetooth devices are nearby. Audio can also lag slightly behind the picture, which is noticeable during movies. Use this method only if a wired connection is not possible.

SmartCast pairing for Vizio TV and soundbar combinations

If you own both a Vizio TV and a Vizio soundbar, check whether your models support SmartCast pairing. This is a wireless connection that does not require Bluetooth or cables. SmartCast is available on newer Vizio TVs and soundbars, typically from 2016 onward, but not all models have it.

To check, look in your TV's settings for "SmartCast" or "Vizio SmartCast". If the option exists, turn it on and the TV will search for nearby Vizio soundbars. Select your soundbar from the list. Once paired, the soundbar will connect whenever both devices are powered on and on the same home network.

SmartCast is convenient because it requires no cables and works reliably over your home WiFi. However, it only works between Vizio devices. If you have a different TV brand, this option is not available.

Adjust soundbar settings and volume control

After connection, you may want to adjust the soundbar's settings. Most Vizio soundbars have a remote with buttons for volume, bass, treble, and sound modes. Some modes are labeled "Movie", "Music", or "News" — experiment to find what sounds best for what you watch.

If your TV remote does not control the soundbar volume after you connect via HDMI ARC, go back to your TV's audio settings and look for an option like "Control External Speaker" or "HDMI Device Control". Turn this on so your TV remote can adjust the soundbar volume.

If the soundbar is too quiet even at full volume, check that your TV's volume is also turned up. Some TVs mute their internal speakers when a soundbar is connected, which can make it seem like the soundbar is not working. Raise the TV volume to at least 50 percent and adjust the soundbar volume from there.

Troubleshoot if you hear no sound from the soundbar

If you plugged everything in but hear nothing, start with the basics. Make sure the soundbar is powered on — look for a light on the front. Check that the cable is fully inserted into both the TV and the soundbar. A loose connection is the most common reason sound does not come through.

Next, go back to your TV's audio output settings and confirm the soundbar is still selected. Some TVs reset this setting if you unplug the soundbar or restart the TV. If the setting is correct but you still hear nothing, try unplugging the soundbar for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This resets the connection.

If you are using an optical cable, make sure the small plastic cap is removed from both ends of the cable. These caps are straightforward to miss and will block the signal. Also check that you plugged the cable into the correct ports — optical out on the TV, optical in on the soundbar, not the other way around.

If you have tried all of this and still have no sound, the cable itself may be faulty. Borrow an optical or HDMI cable from another device and test it. If sound works with a different cable, replace the original one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both HDMI ARC and optical cable at the same time?

You can plug both cables in, but your TV will only send sound through one of them. Choose the one that works best and leave the other unplugged to avoid confusion. HDMI ARC is usually the better choice because it also lets your TV remote control the soundbar volume.

Why does my soundbar have a delay when I use Bluetooth?

Bluetooth introduces a slight lag between the picture and sound, which is normal. This is most noticeable during movies or shows with dialogue. If the delay bothers you, switch to HDMI ARC or optical cable instead — both have no delay.

Do I need to turn on the soundbar every time I watch TV?

Most Vizio soundbars turn on automatically when they detect a signal from the TV through HDMI ARC or optical. If you use Bluetooth, you may need to turn on the soundbar manually. Check your soundbar's manual to see if it has an auto-on feature.

What if my TV does not have HDMI ARC or optical output?

Very old TVs without these ports are rare, but if yours is one, Bluetooth is your only wired-free option. You can also use a 3.5mm audio cable from your TV's headphone jack to the soundbar's auxiliary input, though this is less common on newer soundbars.

Can I connect my soundbar to a different TV later?

Yes. Unplug the cable from your old TV and plug it into the new one, then change the new TV's audio output settings to route sound to the soundbar. If you used Bluetooth or SmartCast, you may need to unpair the soundbar from the old TV first before pairing it with the new one.