The fastest way: HDMI with ARC or eARC

Most soundbars connect to a 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 route because one cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV remote usually controls the soundbar's volume automatically.

Look at the back of your TV for ports labeled HDMI 3, HDMI 4, or HDMI (ARC). If your TV is newer than 2016, it almost certainly has one. Plug the HDMI cable into that port, then plug the other end into the HDMI input on your soundbar. Turn on both devices. The TV should recognize the soundbar within seconds, and you may see a notification on screen.

If your TV has eARC instead of ARC, the connection works the same way — eARC is just a faster version that handles more audio formats. Either one works fine for most soundbars.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI ARC or eARC is the easiest method because one cable carries both video and audio, and your TV remote controls volume.
  • If your TV has no ARC port, use optical audio (a thin cable that carries sound only) or Bluetooth, though these require a separate power source for the soundbar.
  • After connecting, go into your TV's audio settings and select the soundbar as the output device so sound plays through it instead of the TV speakers.
  • If the soundbar does not turn on automatically when you turn on the TV, check that ARC is enabled in your TV's settings menu.

Optical audio: the backup when HDMI ARC is not available

If your TV does not have an ARC port, or if the HDMI connection does not work, use an optical audio cable instead. This is a thin, square cable with a small red light inside. One end plugs into the optical audio port on your TV (usually labeled S/PDIF or Optical Out), and the other end plugs into the optical input on your soundbar.

Optical audio only carries sound, not video, so you still need to plug the soundbar into power separately using its power cord. After connecting the cable, go into your TV's settings menu, find Audio or Sound Output, and select Optical as the output. The soundbar should then play all sound from the TV.

Optical works reliably but has one drawback: your TV remote will not control the soundbar's volume. You will need to use the soundbar's remote or its physical buttons to adjust sound level.

Bluetooth: wireless but requires manual pairing

Some soundbars support Bluetooth, which means you can pair them to your TV without any cable. Press the Bluetooth button on your soundbar (or hold it for three seconds) until you see a light blink. Then go into your TV's Bluetooth settings, find the soundbar in the list of available devices, and select it to pair.

Bluetooth is convenient because there are no cables to run, but it has two limits. First, not all TVs support Bluetooth audio output — many older models do not. Second, Bluetooth audio can lag slightly behind the picture, which is noticeable during movies or shows with dialogue. For this reason, HDMI ARC or optical audio is usually the better choice.

If you do use Bluetooth, plug the soundbar into power and keep it within 20 feet of the TV. If the connection drops, straightforward re-pair them by pressing the Bluetooth button again.

Checking your TV's audio settings after you connect

Once the cable is plugged in, your TV may not automatically send sound to the soundbar. You need to tell it to. Press the Menu or Settings button on your TV remote, then look for Audio, Sound, or Sound Output. Select that option and you should see a list of audio devices — this might say "TV Speaker," "HDMI," "Optical," or "Soundbar."

Select the soundbar or the connection type you used (HDMI ARC, Optical, or Bluetooth). Your TV will now send all sound to the soundbar instead of its built-in speakers. If you do not see the soundbar listed, the connection may not be complete — unplug the cable, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in.

Some TVs also have a setting called CEC or HDMI Control that lets your TV remote control the soundbar. If you want this feature, look for it in the same settings menu and turn it on. This is optional but convenient.

Troubleshooting when the soundbar does not play sound

If you have connected the cable but hear nothing from the soundbar, start with the simplest check: make sure the soundbar is powered on. Look for a light on the front — if there is none, plug it in or press the power button.

Next, check that the cable is fully inserted into both the TV and the soundbar. A cable that is halfway in will not work. If you are using HDMI ARC, try a different HDMI port on your TV — not all of them support ARC, even though they all look the same.

If the cable is find and the soundbar is on but still silent, go back into your TV's audio settings and make sure the soundbar is actually selected as the output. If it is not listed at all, the TV may not recognize it. Try unplugging the soundbar for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This resets the connection and often fixes recognition problems.

If you are using optical audio and the soundbar still does not play, check that the small plastic cap on the optical cable is removed — some cables ship with a protective cap that blocks the signal.

When to use a separate audio receiver instead

If your soundbar has no HDMI, optical, or Bluetooth input, or if you want to connect multiple audio devices (like a gaming console, streaming box, and cable box), consider using an audio receiver instead. A receiver sits between your TV and your devices, accepts inputs from all of them, and sends combined sound to speakers or a soundbar.

This is more complex than a direct soundbar connection, but it gives you more control over which device's sound plays at any moment. Most people do not need this — a soundbar with HDMI ARC handles everything a typical TV setup requires. But if you have a complex entertainment system, a receiver may be worth exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Once you select the soundbar as your audio output, the TV speakers turn off automatically. If you want to switch back to TV speakers, go into audio settings and select "TV Speaker" instead. You cannot have both playing at once.

Do I need to buy a special HDMI cable for ARC?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works with ARC. You do not need to buy an expensive "ARC cable" — the regular ones you already have will work fine. The ARC feature is built into the TV and soundbar ports, not the cable itself.

Why does my soundbar turn off when I turn off the TV?

This happens when CEC (HDMI Control) is enabled. The TV tells the soundbar to power down when it powers down. If you do not want this, go into your TV's settings, find HDMI Control or CEC, and turn it off. The soundbar will then stay on until you manually power it down.

What if my TV is too old to have HDMI ARC?

Use optical audio instead. Nearly all TVs made before 2016 have an optical port even if they lack ARC. Optical works just as well — you just cannot control volume from the TV remote. If your old TV has neither ARC nor optical, Bluetooth is your only wireless option, though not all older TVs support that either.

Should I use HDMI or optical if my TV has both?

Use HDMI ARC. It is simpler because one cable carries everything, and your TV remote controls volume. Optical works fine too, but requires a separate remote for volume control. There is no quality difference between them for normal TV watching.