The fastest way: HDMI eARC or optical cable

Most LG TVs connect to a soundbar through one of two cables: HDMI eARC (the newer, simpler method) or a digital optical cable (the older standard that still works reliably). HDMI eARC is faster to set up because one cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV will usually recognize the soundbar automatically. If your LG TV has an HDMI port labeled eARC or ARC, use that port. If not, or if you prefer the optical route, a digital optical cable (also called TOSLINK) plugs into the optical audio output on the back of your TV.

Before you plug anything in, check the back of your LG TV for the ports you need. HDMI eARC ports are standard on most LG models made after 2016, but the label is small. Optical ports are round and about the size of a headphone jack. Your soundbar manual will tell you which input it expects—most modern soundbars accept both, so you have a choice.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI eARC is the simplest connection method if your LG TV has an eARC port, because one cable carries both video and audio and setup is usually automatic.
  • A digital optical cable is a reliable backup if your TV does not have eARC, or if you prefer a dedicated audio connection separate from HDMI.
  • After plugging in the cable, go to your TV's sound settings and select the soundbar as the audio output device.
  • Bluetooth is an option for some LG and soundbar models, but it introduces slight delay and is best used only if cables are not practical.
  • If you hear no sound after connecting, check that the soundbar is powered on, the cable is fully inserted, and the TV's audio output is not muted or set to internal speakers.

Setting up HDMI eARC step by step

Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the eARC port on your LG TV—this is usually HDMI 3 or HDMI 4, but check your TV's manual or the label on the back. Plug the other end into the HDMI input on your soundbar. Power on both devices and wait 10 to 15 seconds for them to recognize each other.

On your LG TV remote, press the Settings button (or Menu), then navigate to Sound or Audio. Look for an option called "Sound Out" or "Audio Output" and select it. You should see your soundbar listed as an option—select it. If the soundbar does not appear, go back and make sure the HDMI cable is pushed all the way in on both ends, then wait another 10 seconds and check again.

Once the soundbar is selected, test it by turning up the TV volume. You should hear sound from the soundbar, not from the TV's built-in speakers. If you still hear the TV speakers, go back to Sound settings and make sure the soundbar is selected and the TV's internal speakers are turned off (usually an option called "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker").

Using a digital optical cable instead

If your LG TV does not have eARC, or if you prefer a dedicated audio cable, a digital optical connection works just as well. Plug one end of the optical cable into the optical audio output on the back of your TV—it is a small round port, often labeled "Optical Out" or "Digital Audio Out." Plug the other end into the optical input on your soundbar.

Go to your TV's Sound or Audio settings the same way as above. Select "Sound Out" or "Audio Output," then choose the soundbar from the list. The soundbar should appear as "Optical" or "Digital Audio" in the menu. If it does not show up, power off both devices, wait 30 seconds, power them back on, and check the settings again.

Optical cables are durable and less prone to interference than wireless connections, so this method is reliable even in older homes or setups where HDMI cables run long distances. The only downside is that you cannot use the same cable for video, so you will need a separate HDMI cable if you want to connect a streaming device or cable box to the soundbar.

Bluetooth as a last resort

Some LG TVs and soundbars support Bluetooth pairing, which means you do not need any cable at all. This is convenient if running a cable is difficult, but Bluetooth introduces a slight delay between the picture and sound—usually a fraction of a second, but noticeable during movies or sports. Use Bluetooth only if cables are truly not practical.

To pair via Bluetooth, put your soundbar in pairing mode (usually by holding a button on the soundbar or its remote for three seconds until a light blinks). On your LG TV, go to Settings, then Sound, then look for "Bluetooth" or "Wireless Speaker." Select your soundbar from the list. Once paired, the soundbar will connect automatically when you turn it on.

Troubleshooting when there is no sound

If you have connected the cable but hear nothing from the soundbar, work through these checks in order. First, make sure the soundbar is powered on—look for a light on the front. Second, check that the cable is fully inserted into both the TV and the soundbar; a loose connection is the most common cause of silence. Third, go back to your TV's Sound settings and confirm the soundbar is selected as the audio output.

If the soundbar still does not work, check whether the TV's volume is muted. On most LG remotes, the Mute button is near the volume buttons; press it once to unmute. If you hear sound from the TV's internal speakers instead of the soundbar, go back to Sound settings and turn off the TV Speaker option. Some LG models have a setting called "Dual Audio" that plays sound from both the TV and the soundbar at once—turn this off if you want sound only from the soundbar.

As a final step, power off both the TV and soundbar completely, wait 30 seconds, and power them back on. This resets the connection and often fixes temporary glitches. If you still have no sound after these steps, check your soundbar's manual to see whether it has a separate input selector—some soundbars require you to press a button to switch between HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth inputs.

When to call for help

If you have tried all the steps above and the soundbar still will not produce sound, the issue is likely a hardware problem rather than a setup problem. A faulty HDMI port, a damaged optical cable, or a soundbar that is not receiving power are all things you cannot fix yourself. At this point, contact the soundbar manufacturer's support line or your TV's support team—they can walk you through model-specific troubleshooting or arrange a replacement if the equipment is still under warranty.

If the cable connection works but the sound quality is poor—crackling, cutting out, or very quiet—try a different cable first. Optical cables can degrade if bent sharply, and HDMI cables can pick up interference if they run near power cords. If a new cable does not help, the soundbar's input may be faulty, and you should contact the manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your LG TV will only send audio through one output at a time. Choose one cable and use that. If you switch cables later, go back to Sound settings and select the new input method so the TV knows where to send the audio.

Do I need a special HDMI cable for eARC?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works with eARC. You do not need to buy a cable labeled "eARC" or "high-speed"—a regular HDMI cable is fine. The eARC feature is built into the TV and soundbar ports, not the cable itself.

Why does my soundbar work with Bluetooth but not with the cable?

The cable is probably not fully inserted, or the TV's audio output is set to the wrong device. Power off both the TV and soundbar, wait 30 seconds, power them back on, and check the Sound settings again. If the cable is visibly damaged or bent, try a new one.

Will connecting a soundbar disable my TV's remote volume control?

Not usually. Most LG remotes will control the soundbar volume once it is connected and selected as the audio output. If your remote does not control the soundbar, check the soundbar's manual to see whether it has a separate remote or a pairing process for the TV remote.

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

Use the digital optical cable instead. Older soundbars often have only optical input, and it works just as well as HDMI eARC. The setup process is the same—plug in the cable and select the optical output in your TV's Sound settings.