How to Connect Your Samsung Soundbar to Your TV

The fastest way: HDMI with eARC

Most Samsung soundbars connect to your TV using a single HDMI cable plugged into the eARC port on your TV. eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) lets the TV send sound back to the soundbar through that one cable, so you do not need a separate audio cable. This is the simplest setup and works with almost all Samsung soundbars made in the last five years.

First, find the eARC port on your TV. On Samsung TVs, it is usually HDMI 3 or HDMI 4, and the manual or the back panel will label it. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into that port and the other end into the HDMI IN port on the back of your soundbar. Turn on both devices. The soundbar should light up and show that it is connected—most models display a blue light or a brief confirmation on the front panel.

If your TV does not have eARC, or if you are not sure, check your TV's manual or look at the HDMI ports themselves—eARC ports are sometimes marked with a label. If your TV is older than 2016, it likely does not have eARC, and you will need to use one of the other methods below.

Key Takeaways

HDMI eARC is the simplest connection method and requires only one cable between your TV and soundbar.
If your TV does not have eARC, you can use an optical audio cable or Bluetooth, though these have some limitations.
After connecting, you may need to turn on eARC in your TV settings and set the soundbar as the default audio output.
If sound does not come through the soundbar, check that the input source is set correctly on both devices.
Samsung soundbars connected via HDMI eARC will automatically mute the TV speakers when the soundbar is powered on.

Using an optical audio cable if your TV has no eARC

If your TV does not have an eARC port, an optical audio cable (also called a Toslink cable) is the next best option. This cable carries digital sound from your TV to the soundbar and works with almost all TVs made after 2005. Look for a small square port on the back of your TV labeled "Optical Out" or "Digital Audio Out."

Plug the optical cable into that port on the TV and into the optical input on the back of your soundbar. Then go into your TV's settings menu, find the audio or sound settings, and change the audio output to "Optical" or "Digital Out." Your soundbar should now receive sound from the TV. You may also need to press the input button on the soundbar remote to switch it to "Optical" mode.

Optical cables work well for regular TV watching and streaming, but they do not carry the newest surround sound formats. If you watch movies with advanced audio, eARC or HDMI is better. Optical is also a one-way connection, so the soundbar cannot send information back to the TV.

Connecting via Bluetooth for wireless setup

Most Samsung soundbars support Bluetooth, which means you can pair them with your TV without any cables. This works best if your TV has Bluetooth built in—most Samsung, LG, and Sony TVs made after 2015 do. Bluetooth is convenient for setup, but it can sometimes drop the connection or have slight audio delay, so it is not the best choice if you watch a lot of movies or play video games.

To pair via Bluetooth, press the Bluetooth button on your soundbar remote or look for a Bluetooth input option in the soundbar's menu. The soundbar will enter pairing mode—usually shown by a blinking light on the front. Then go into your TV's Bluetooth settings, search for available devices, and select your soundbar by name. Once paired, the soundbar will remember your TV and connect automatically when both are turned on.

If the connection keeps dropping, move the soundbar closer to the TV or remove any large metal objects between them. Bluetooth works best within about 30 feet, but obstacles like metal cabinets or thick walls can weaken the signal.

Turning on eARC in your TV settings

Even if you have plugged in an eARC cable, your TV may not send sound through it unless eARC is turned on in the settings. On Samsung TVs, go to Settings, then Sound, then Sound Output. Look for an option called "HDMI eARC" or "Digital Output" and make sure it is set to "On" or "Auto." Some older Samsung models call this "Anynet+" or "HDMI-CEC."

After you turn on eARC, the TV will automatically send all sound to the soundbar when it is powered on. If you turn off the soundbar, the TV speakers will turn back on. This automatic switching is one of the big advantages of eARC—you do not have to manually change the audio output every time.

If you have a non-Samsung TV, the process is similar but the menu names vary. Look in your TV's settings for "Sound," "Audio," or "HDMI" options, and search for anything labeled "eARC," "ARC," or "Digital Output." Your TV's manual will have the exact steps.

What to do if you hear no sound from the soundbar

If you have connected the cable but hear nothing, start by checking the soundbar's input source. Press the input or source button on the soundbar remote and cycle through the options until you see the one you connected—usually labeled "HDMI," "Optical," or "Bluetooth." The soundbar may be set to the wrong input.

Next, check your TV's audio output settings. Go into Sound settings and make sure the audio is not set to "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker." It should be set to "HDMI," "Optical," or whatever method you used. Also check that the soundbar is turned on and that the volume is not muted or set very low.

If you are using eARC, restart both devices by unplugging them for 30 seconds, then plugging them back in. Sometimes the connection needs to be reset. If you are using an optical cable, make sure the cable is pushed all the way into both ports—a loose connection is a common reason for no sound.

Controlling volume and settings with your TV remote

Once your soundbar is connected via HDMI eARC, your TV remote should control the soundbar's volume automatically. You do not need two remotes. If the TV remote does not control the soundbar, go into your TV's settings and look for "Anynet+" or "HDMI-CEC" and turn it on. This feature lets your TV remote communicate with the soundbar.

If you want to adjust other soundbar settings—like bass, treble, or surround sound modes—you will still need the soundbar remote. Some Samsung soundbars also have a companion app you can read on your phone, which gives you another way to control settings without the physical remote.

Connecting multiple devices to your soundbar

Your soundbar can receive sound from your TV, but you might also want to connect a gaming console, streaming device, or Blu-ray player directly to it. Most Samsung soundbars have multiple HDMI inputs on the back, so you can plug these devices in and switch between them using the input button on the remote.

If your soundbar does not have enough HDMI ports, you can use an HDMI switch box (a small device that lets you plug multiple cables into one port). Alternatively, you can plug your other devices into your TV and let the TV send all the sound to the soundbar through eARC. This is simpler because you only have one cable running from the TV to the soundbar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable for eARC?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works with eARC. You do not need to buy an expensive "eARC cable"—the feature is built into the port itself, not the cable. A cable you already have will work fine.

Can I use both the soundbar and my TV speakers at the same time?

When your soundbar is connected via eARC and powered on, the TV speakers automatically mute. If you want to use both, you would need to manually turn off the soundbar or change the TV's audio output back to the internal speakers. Most people do not need both running together.

Why does my soundbar keep losing its Bluetooth connection?

Bluetooth can be interrupted by other wireless devices, distance, or obstacles. Try moving the soundbar closer to the TV, turning off other Bluetooth devices nearby, and keeping the soundbar in the same room. If it keeps dropping, switch to a wired connection like HDMI eARC or optical instead.

What if my TV does not recognize the soundbar when I plug in the HDMI cable?

First, make sure you plugged into the eARC port, not a regular HDMI port. Then restart both devices by unplugging them for 30 seconds. If the TV still does not see the soundbar, try a different HDMI cable—the original one may be faulty. If nothing works, contact Samsung support with your TV and soundbar model numbers.

Can I connect my soundbar to my TV and my phone at the same time?

Most soundbars can only play audio from one source at a time. If your TV is connected via HDMI eARC, the soundbar will prioritize that connection. You can still pair your phone via Bluetooth, but the soundbar will switch to the TV whenever the TV sends sound. You would need to manually switch back to Bluetooth if you want to play music from your phone.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.