The fastest way to connect your Samsung soundbar
Most Samsung soundbars connect to your TV using a single HDMI cable plugged into the HDMI ARC (or eARC) port on both devices. This is the simplest method because one cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV remote will control the soundbar's volume. If your TV doesn't have HDMI ARC, you can use an optical cable instead, which also sends sound from the TV to the soundbar with no extra setup.
Before you start, locate the HDMI ARC port on your TV — it's usually labeled "HDMI ARC" or "HDMI eARC" and is often (but not always) the last HDMI port on the back. Check your TV's manual if you're unsure which port it is. On the soundbar, the HDMI input port is on the back panel. Once you plug in the cable, turn on both devices and your TV should automatically detect the soundbar.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI ARC is the easiest connection method because one cable carries both video and audio, and your TV remote controls the volume.
- If your TV has no HDMI ARC port, an optical cable is the next best option and requires no batteries or wireless setup.
- Bluetooth works for playing music from your phone or tablet, but not for TV sound unless you first connect the TV to the soundbar using HDMI or optical.
- After connecting, check your TV's sound settings to make sure the audio output is set to the soundbar, not the TV speakers.
- If sound doesn't come through, restart both devices and verify the cable is fully inserted into the correct port.
Connecting with HDMI ARC step by step
Start by turning off both your TV and soundbar. Take an HDMI cable and plug one end into the HDMI ARC port on your TV — this port is usually on the back panel and labeled clearly. Plug the other end into the HDMI input on the back of the soundbar. The HDMI port on the soundbar is typically located next to other input ports like optical or USB.
Turn on the TV first, then the soundbar. Your TV should recognize the soundbar automatically within a few seconds. The soundbar's display or light will show it's connected. Now go to your TV's settings menu, find the sound or audio output section, and confirm that the audio is set to output through HDMI ARC, not the TV's built-in speakers. This step is crucial — if you skip it, sound will still come from your TV instead of the soundbar.
Test the connection by turning up the volume on your TV remote. If the soundbar's volume changes, the connection is working. If not, power off both devices, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on. Sometimes a restart fixes detection issues.
Using an optical cable if HDMI ARC isn't available
If your TV doesn't have an HDMI ARC port, an optical cable is the most reliable alternative. Optical cables carry digital audio from your TV to the soundbar and require no wireless setup or batteries. The optical port on your TV looks like a small square opening, usually labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK," and is typically found on the back panel near other audio ports.
Turn off both devices. Plug one end of the optical cable into the optical out port on your TV and the other end into the optical in port on the soundbar. Turn on the TV first, then the soundbar. Go into your TV's audio settings and set the sound output to optical. Unlike HDMI ARC, your TV remote won't control the soundbar's volume when using optical — you'll need to use the soundbar's remote or the Samsung SmartThings app to adjust volume.
Optical cables are durable and less prone to interference than wireless connections. If you have the choice between optical and Bluetooth, optical is the better option for TV sound because it's more stable and has lower latency, meaning sound stays in sync with what you see on screen.
Connecting via Bluetooth for music and mobile devices
Bluetooth is useful for playing music from your phone, tablet, or laptop through the soundbar, but it won't work for TV sound unless you first connect the TV to the soundbar using HDMI or optical. If you want to use Bluetooth, make sure your soundbar is powered on and in Bluetooth pairing mode. Most Samsung soundbars enter pairing mode automatically when first turned on, or you can press the Bluetooth button on the soundbar's remote.
On your phone or tablet, go to Bluetooth settings and look for your soundbar's model name in the list of available devices. Tap it to pair. Once paired, audio from your device will play through the soundbar. The pairing usually happens once — after that, your phone will reconnect automatically when the soundbar is on and nearby.
Keep in mind that Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet and can be affected by walls or other wireless devices. If you experience dropouts or lag, move closer to the soundbar or switch to a wired connection like HDMI or optical for more reliable performance.
Adjusting TV settings after connection
After you've plugged in your cable and turned on both devices, your TV needs to know to send sound to the soundbar instead of its own speakers. Go to your TV's settings menu — usually found by pressing the menu button on your remote — and look for audio, sound, or speaker settings. The exact menu name varies by TV brand and model.
In the audio settings, look for an option called "Sound Output," "Audio Output," or "Speaker Selection." Change this from "TV Speaker" to "HDMI ARC," "Optical," or "External Speaker," depending on which cable you used. Save the changes and exit the menu. Now when you adjust volume on your TV remote, the soundbar should respond.
If you don't see these options in the main settings menu, check under "Advanced Audio" or "Sound Settings." Some TVs also have a separate "Anynet+" or "HDMI-CEC" setting that needs to be turned on for the TV remote to control the soundbar — check your TV's manual if you're having trouble finding it.
Troubleshooting when sound doesn't come through
If you've connected everything but hear no sound from the soundbar, start by checking the cable. Make sure both ends are fully inserted into their ports — a loose connection is the most common cause of no audio. Look at the ports themselves to confirm the cable is going into the right one. HDMI ARC ports are sometimes straightforward to confuse with regular HDMI ports, so double-check your TV's manual if you're unsure.
Next, restart both devices. Turn off the TV and soundbar, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on in that order (TV first, then soundbar). This clears any temporary connection issues. While they're restarting, check your TV's audio settings again to confirm the sound output is set to the external speaker or HDMI ARC, not the TV's built-in speakers.
If you're using HDMI ARC, try switching to optical if your TV has an optical port. Sometimes one connection method works better than another depending on your TV model. If you're using optical, make sure the cable isn't bent or kinked — optical cables are more fragile than HDMI cables and can be damaged easily. If the cable looks damaged, try a new one.
As a last resort, unplug the soundbar for two minutes, then plug it back in. This performs a full reset and often fixes connection problems that a straightforward restart doesn't solve. If sound still doesn't come through after these steps, the issue may be with your TV's audio output or the soundbar itself — consult your device manuals or contact Samsung support for further help.
Using the Samsung SmartThings app for wireless setup
If you have a newer Samsung soundbar and a Samsung TV, you can also set up the connection using the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone. read the app from your phone's app store and sign in with your Samsung account. Open the app and tap the plus icon to add a new device. The app will search for nearby Samsung devices, including your soundbar and TV.
Select your soundbar from the list and follow the on-screen prompts to connect it. The app will guide you through any additional settings and let you control volume, bass, and other audio settings from your phone. This method is optional — the wired HDMI or optical connection is still the primary way the soundbar receives TV sound. The SmartThings app is mainly useful for adjusting settings and playing music from streaming services.
The SmartThings app also shows you the soundbar's current connection status and battery level (if applicable). If you ever need to troubleshoot, the app can help you check whether the soundbar is properly connected to your network and TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both HDMI ARC and optical at the same time?
No, your soundbar will only use one input at a time. If both cables are plugged in, the soundbar will prioritize HDMI ARC. If you want to switch between them, unplug one cable and plug in the other, or use the soundbar's input button on the remote to manually select which input to use.
Why does my TV remote not control the soundbar volume?
This usually happens when you're using an optical cable instead of HDMI ARC, because optical only carries audio and doesn't support remote control signals. If you're using HDMI ARC, check your TV's settings for a "HDMI-CEC" or "Anynet+" option and turn it on. This allows the TV remote to communicate with the soundbar.
Do I need to update my soundbar after connecting it?
Samsung soundbars sometimes have firmware updates available. You can check for updates in the SmartThings app or in the soundbar's settings menu. Updates are optional but can improve performance and add new features. If your soundbar is working fine, you don't need to update when ready.
What if my soundbar keeps disconnecting from the TV?
Loose cables are the most common cause. Check that both ends of your HDMI or optical cable are fully inserted and haven't shifted. If the cable is find, try a different cable to rule out a defective one. If you're using HDMI, make sure you're plugged into the HDMI ARC port, not a regular HDMI port.
Can I connect the soundbar to my TV and my phone at the same time?
Yes, but not simultaneously. Your soundbar will play sound from whichever device is currently active. If your TV is on and connected via HDMI, TV sound takes priority. To play music from your phone, you'd need to pause the TV or switch the soundbar's input to Bluetooth. Once you're done with your phone, switch back to HDMI or optical for TV sound.