The fastest way: HDMI with ARC or eARC

Most modern soundbars connect to your TV through 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 sends audio to the soundbar automatically once you turn on HDMI-CEC (a setting that lets devices talk to each other). You do not need a separate audio cable.

Check the back of your TV for a port marked ARC or eARC — most TVs made after 2015 have one. If your TV has eARC, use that port instead of ARC; eARC is newer and handles more audio formats. Plug one end of the HDMI cable into that port and the other end into the HDMI input on your soundbar. Then go into your TV's settings, find the sound or audio menu, and turn on HDMI-CEC (sometimes called Anynet+, Bravia Sync, or Simplink depending on the brand). Your soundbar should power on when you turn on the TV and play whatever audio the TV receives.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI ARC or eARC is the easiest method because one cable carries both video and audio, and your TV handles the rest automatically.
  • If your TV has no ARC port, use an optical audio cable from the TV's digital audio output to the soundbar's optical input.
  • Bluetooth works for streaming from phones and tablets but not for TV audio unless you pair the soundbar to a streaming device instead of the TV.
  • After connecting, check your TV's audio output settings to make sure sound is routed to the soundbar and not the TV speakers.
  • If you have a cable box or streaming device, connecting it directly to the soundbar often gives better results than running audio through the TV.

Using optical audio if your TV has no HDMI ARC

Older TVs and some budget models do not have HDMI ARC. In that case, use a digital optical audio cable (also called TOSLINK). Locate the digital audio output port on the back of your TV — it is usually a small square port with a red or black cover. Plug one end of the optical cable into that port and the other end into the optical input on your soundbar.

Optical audio works well and is reliable, but it carries less information than HDMI ARC, so some newer audio formats will not pass through. For most TV watching, this does not matter. Go into your TV's sound settings and set the audio output to optical or external speaker. The soundbar should begin playing TV audio when ready.

Connecting through a cable box or streaming device instead

If you have a cable box, satellite receiver, or streaming device (like a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick), you can connect the soundbar directly to that device instead of to the TV. This often gives better results because the device sends audio to the soundbar without the TV in the middle. Use HDMI ARC if the device has it, or optical audio if it does not.

To do this, plug the soundbar into the device using HDMI or optical, then plug the device into the TV as usual. Go into the device's audio settings and choose the soundbar as the output. This way, all audio from that device goes straight to the soundbar. If you have multiple devices, you can connect each one to the soundbar using a different HDMI input, or use an optical splitter to run audio from multiple sources through one optical port.

Bluetooth pairing for phones and tablets

Most soundbars have Bluetooth, which lets you stream music and podcasts from your phone or tablet without any cable. Press the Bluetooth button on the soundbar or its remote, then go to your phone's Bluetooth settings and select the soundbar from the list. Once paired, audio from that phone will play through the soundbar.

Bluetooth is convenient for personal devices but does not work for TV audio — your TV and soundbar will not automatically pair over Bluetooth. If you want to use Bluetooth for TV audio, you would need to pair the soundbar to a Bluetooth transmitter connected to the TV's audio output, which adds complexity. For TV watching, stick with HDMI ARC or optical audio.

Checking your TV's audio output settings

After you plug in the cable, your TV may still be set to play sound through its own speakers. Go into your TV's settings menu, find the sound or audio section, and look for an option called audio output, speaker output, or sound output. Change it from internal speakers or TV speakers to HDMI, optical, or external speaker (the exact wording depends on your TV brand).

Some TVs have a separate setting for which HDMI port to use for audio — make sure it is set to the ARC or eARC port you plugged the soundbar into. If you do not see sound coming from the soundbar after making these changes, restart both the TV and the soundbar by unplugging them for 10 seconds, then plugging them back in.

Troubleshooting when sound does not come through

If you plugged everything in but hear nothing from the soundbar, first check that the soundbar is powered on — look for a light on the front panel. Then check that the volume on the soundbar itself is not turned all the way down; use the remote or the buttons on the back to raise it. If the soundbar has an input selector (a button that lets you choose between HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth), make sure it is set to the input you plugged the cable into.

Next, go back into your TV's audio settings and confirm that the output is set to the correct port. If you are using HDMI ARC, make sure HDMI-CEC is turned on in your TV's settings — without it, the TV will not know to send audio to the soundbar. If you are using optical audio, try unplugging the optical cable and plugging it back in firmly; a loose connection is the most common reason optical audio stops working. If none of these steps work, check the soundbar's manual or the manufacturer's website for model-specific troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works with ARC and eARC. You do not need to buy an expensive cable labeled "ARC compatible" — a regular HDMI cable from any electronics store will work fine. The difference between ARC and eARC is in the TV and soundbar hardware, not the cable.

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

Most TVs will not let you do this — once you route audio to the soundbar, the TV speakers turn off. If you want sound from both, you would need to use a splitter or a receiver that can send audio to multiple outputs, which adds cost and complexity. For most setups, using just the soundbar is the better choice.

What if my soundbar has no HDMI input, only optical?

Use an optical audio cable from your TV's digital audio output to the soundbar's optical input. This works just as well as HDMI for TV audio. The only limitation is that optical does not carry newer audio formats like Dolby Atmos, but standard TV audio and movies will play without any problem.

Does the soundbar need to be centered under the TV?

No. The soundbar can sit on a shelf, on a stand, or even mounted on the wall — placement does not affect the connection. For the best sound, place it at ear level or slightly below when you are sitting down, but this is about audio quality, not about making the connection work.

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

Most soundbars can remember multiple Bluetooth devices, but they can only play from one source at a time. If your soundbar is connected to the TV via HDMI or optical and also paired to your phone via Bluetooth, you can switch between them using the soundbar's input selector or remote. When you want TV audio, select HDMI or optical; when you want phone audio, select Bluetooth.