The fastest way: HDMI with ARC or eARC
Most modern soundbars connect to your TV using a single HDMI cable plugged into the HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC on the back of your TV. This is the simplest method because one cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV controls the soundbar's volume using your remote.
Look at the back of your TV for ports labeled HDMI 3, HDMI 4, or a port marked ARC or eARC — these are usually grouped together. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into that port and the other end into the HDMI input on your soundbar. Then go into your TV's settings menu, find the sound or audio section, and turn on HDMI ARC or eARC. Your TV will now send sound through the HDMI cable instead of its built-in speakers.
If your TV has eARC (the newer standard), use that port instead of ARC — eARC handles higher-quality sound formats and works the same way. Both work with the same cable; the difference is what sound quality they can carry.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI ARC or eARC is the easiest connection method because one cable carries both video and audio, and your TV remote controls the volume.
- Optical (TOSLINK) is a second option if your TV has no ARC port, though it carries lower sound quality than HDMI.
- Bluetooth works for wireless connection but requires manual pairing and may drop the signal if you move the remote far from the soundbar.
- After connecting, you must turn on ARC or eARC in your TV's audio settings for the soundbar to receive sound from all sources.
- If sound does not come through, check that your TV's audio output is set to HDMI and not the TV speakers.
Optical cable: the backup when HDMI ARC is not available
If your TV has no ARC port or your soundbar has no HDMI input, use an optical cable (also called TOSLINK). This is a thin cable with a square connector on each end. Plug one end into the optical audio output on your TV (usually labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK") and the other into the optical input on your soundbar.
Optical carries sound but not video, so you still need your TV connected to your cable box or streaming device by HDMI. The trade-off is that optical does not support the newest sound formats — it works fine for regular TV and movies, but cannot carry the advanced audio that comes with some streaming services or Blu-ray discs.
After plugging in the cable, go to your TV's audio settings and set the audio output to "Optical" or "Digital Out." Your soundbar should automatically detect the signal. If it does not, check that the soundbar is set to optical input mode — most soundbars have a button or remote option to switch between HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth.
Bluetooth: wireless connection without a cable
Bluetooth lets you connect a soundbar without running a cable, but it requires you to pair the devices once and works best when the soundbar is in the same room as your TV. To pair, turn on the soundbar and put it in pairing mode — usually by holding a button on the back or remote for three seconds until a light blinks. Then go to your TV's Bluetooth settings, find the soundbar in the list of available devices, and select it.
Once paired, the soundbar will connect automatically when you turn it on. The downside is that Bluetooth can drop the connection if you move too far away or if other wireless devices interfere. It also adds a slight delay (called latency) between the picture and sound, which you might notice during movies or sports. For these reasons, HDMI or optical is usually the better choice if your TV supports it.
Some soundbars let you pair multiple devices, so you can connect both your TV and a phone or tablet. Check your soundbar's manual to see how many devices it can remember and whether you need to manually switch between them.
3.5mm aux cable: for older TVs and soundbars
Older soundbars and TVs sometimes have a 3.5mm headphone jack instead of HDMI, optical, or Bluetooth. A 3.5mm aux cable looks like a standard headphone cable and works the same way — plug it into the audio output on your TV and the audio input on your soundbar.
This connection works but carries lower sound quality than optical or HDMI and does not support surround sound features. It is a last resort if your TV and soundbar have no other connection options. If you are buying a new soundbar, avoid models with only a 3.5mm input, because it limits what you can connect and how good the sound can be.
Troubleshooting: sound is not coming through
If you connected the cable but hear nothing, first check that the soundbar is powered on and set to the correct input. Most soundbars have a button or remote option to switch between HDMI, optical, Bluetooth, and aux — make sure it matches the cable you plugged in. Look for a small light on the soundbar that shows which input is active.
Next, go to your TV's audio settings and check that the sound output is set to the external speaker or HDMI device, not the TV speakers. On most TVs, this is in Settings > Sound or Audio. If you are using HDMI ARC, make sure ARC is turned on in that same menu — some TVs have it disabled by default. If you are using optical, select "Digital Out" or "Optical" as the audio output.
If the soundbar still does not work, try unplugging both the TV and soundbar for 30 seconds, then plug them back in. This resets the connection and often fixes pairing problems. If you are using Bluetooth, forget the device in your TV's Bluetooth settings and pair it again from scratch.
Connecting a soundbar to a TV without ARC: workarounds
Older TVs often have no ARC port, which means you cannot use a single HDMI cable. Your options are optical, Bluetooth, or aux cable — all of which work, but require you to manually adjust the soundbar volume because your TV remote cannot control it.
If your TV has neither ARC nor optical, check whether it has a headphone output (usually a 3.5mm jack). You can run an aux cable from that jack to your soundbar's aux input, though this is the lowest-quality option. Some soundbars also come with a remote control, which lets you adjust volume even if your TV cannot.
Another option is to connect your cable box or streaming device directly to the soundbar instead of the TV. For example, plug your cable box's HDMI output into the soundbar's HDMI input, then run an HDMI cable from the soundbar's output to your TV. This way the soundbar sits between your source and TV and can control the sound. Not all soundbars support this setup, so check your manual first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?
No. Any standard HDMI cable works with ARC or eARC. The difference is in the port on your TV and soundbar, not the cable itself. If you already have an HDMI cable at home, use that.
Can I use both the soundbar and my TV speakers at the same time?
Most TVs let you turn off the internal speakers once you connect an external soundbar, so sound comes only from the soundbar. Some TVs have an option to use both, but this usually sounds worse because the audio is slightly out of sync. Check your TV's audio settings to disable the internal speakers.
Why is there a delay between the picture and sound?
Bluetooth and some optical connections add a small delay called latency. HDMI ARC has the least delay and is best for movies and sports. If you notice the sound is out of sync, try switching to HDMI ARC or checking whether your soundbar has a lip-sync adjustment in its settings menu.
What if my soundbar has no HDMI input?
Use optical or Bluetooth instead. Optical is more reliable for TV watching because it does not drop the signal. Bluetooth works but may disconnect if you move far from the soundbar or if other wireless devices interfere.
Do I need to change any settings after I plug in the cable?
Yes. Go to your TV's audio settings and set the sound output to the external device (soundbar, HDMI device, or optical out — depending on which cable you used). If you are using HDMI ARC, turn on ARC in the same menu. Without this step, your TV will send sound to its own speakers instead of the soundbar.