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. ARC stands for Audio Return Channel — it means the TV sends sound back through that same cable instead of you needing a separate audio cable. This is the simplest setup because one cable handles both picture and sound.

Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI ARC or eARC port on your TV (check your TV manual or the ports themselves — they are usually labeled). Plug the other end into the HDMI input on the back of your soundbar. Then go into your TV's settings menu, find the audio or sound section, and turn on HDMI ARC or eARC. Your TV will now send all its sound to the soundbar automatically.

If your TV does not have an ARC or eARC port, or if you have an older soundbar without HDMI input, you can use an optical cable instead — see the section below on optical connections.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI ARC or eARC is the simplest connection: one cable carries both picture and sound from your TV to the soundbar.
  • You must turn on ARC or eARC in your TV's audio settings after plugging in the cable, or the soundbar will not receive sound.
  • If your TV lacks ARC or eARC, an optical cable is the next best option and works with almost all soundbars.
  • Bluetooth is convenient for playing music from your phone but does not work for TV sound on most soundbars.
  • If you have a cable or satellite box, you may need to connect it to the soundbar instead of the TV to hear all audio.

Using an optical cable when HDMI ARC is not available

An optical cable (also called a Toslink cable) is a thin cord with a small square connector on each end. It carries sound from your TV to the soundbar and works with nearly every soundbar made in the last 15 years, even if HDMI ARC is not an option.

Locate the optical audio output port on the back of your TV — it is usually labeled "Optical Out" or "SPDIF Out" and looks like a small square hole. Plug one end of the optical cable into that port. Plug the other end into the optical input on the back of your soundbar (labeled "Optical In" or "SPDIF In"). Then go into your TV's audio settings and select optical as the audio output. The soundbar should begin receiving sound within a few seconds.

Optical cables are reliable and inexpensive, but they carry less information than HDMI ARC, so some newer soundbars with advanced features may not work at full capability. For most people watching regular TV and movies, this makes no practical difference.

Connecting a cable or satellite box to the soundbar

If you watch most of your content through a cable box, satellite receiver, or streaming device, you may get better results by connecting that device directly to the soundbar instead of going through the TV. This is because some cable boxes do not send audio back through the TV's ARC port the way a streaming app does.

Run an HDMI cable from your cable box or satellite receiver to the HDMI input on your soundbar. Then run a second HDMI cable from the HDMI output on the soundbar to the HDMI input on your TV. This way, the soundbar sits between your source device and your TV, and it receives all the audio before passing the picture to the screen.

If your soundbar does not have an HDMI output (some budget models do not), use an optical cable from the cable box to the soundbar instead, and connect the TV normally. You will need to switch your TV's audio input manually depending on whether you are watching cable or using a streaming app on the TV itself.

Setting up Bluetooth for music from your phone

Most soundbars have Bluetooth built in, which lets you play music from your phone or tablet without any cables. Press the Bluetooth button on the soundbar or its remote — usually marked with a Bluetooth symbol — and the soundbar will enter pairing mode. On your phone, go to Settings, find Bluetooth, and look for your soundbar's name in the list of available devices. Tap it to connect.

Bluetooth is convenient for music, but it does not work for TV sound on most soundbars — the TV cannot send audio over Bluetooth to a soundbar the way a phone can. If you want to hear your TV through the soundbar, you still need an HDMI or optical cable. Bluetooth is an extra feature, not a replacement for a wired connection.

Powering on and adjusting volume

Plug the soundbar into a power outlet. Most soundbars turn on automatically when they receive an audio signal from the TV, but some have a power button on the back or front. Press it if the soundbar does not light up.

Use your TV remote to control the volume if you connected via HDMI ARC — the TV will pass volume commands through the cable to the soundbar. If you used an optical cable, you will need to use the soundbar's remote or buttons to adjust volume, because optical cables do not carry remote signals. Some soundbars let you control volume from your TV remote even with optical, but you have to enable this in the soundbar's settings first — check the manual for your specific model.

Troubleshooting when you hear no sound

If you plugged everything in but hear nothing, first check that the soundbar is powered on — look for a light on the front. Then check your TV's audio settings to make sure the output is set to HDMI ARC, optical, or whatever connection you used. Many TVs default to their built-in speakers, so you have to manually switch the audio output.

If the soundbar is on and the TV is set to the right output, try unplugging the soundbar for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. This resets the connection. If you still hear nothing, swap the HDMI or optical cable for a new one — cables fail sometimes, and a bad cable looks identical to a working one.

If you have a cable box or satellite receiver, make sure it is also sending audio to the soundbar. Some boxes have their own audio output settings that override the TV's settings. Check the box's menu or manual to confirm audio is going to the TV or soundbar, not to a different output.

When to call a professional

Most soundbar connections are straightforward enough to do yourself, but a few situations call for professional help. If your TV does not have any audio output ports at all — some very new or very cheap models lack them — you may need an electrician or home theater installer to run cables through your walls or find an adapter that works with your specific TV model. If you are mounting the soundbar on the wall and want the cables hidden, a professional can run them inside the wall safely.

If you have tried the steps above and still have no sound, and you have checked that the cables are plugged in and the settings are correct, the soundbar itself may be faulty. Contact the soundbar manufacturer's support line — they can walk you through more detailed troubleshooting or arrange a replacement if the unit is still under warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works with ARC or eARC. You do not need to buy a cable labeled "ARC" — the feature is built into the port, not the cable. If you already have an HDMI cable at home, it will work.

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

You can plug both cables in, but the soundbar will only listen to one at a time. Check the soundbar's manual or settings to see which input is set as the default. If you want to switch between them, you usually have to press an input button on the soundbar's remote.

Why does my soundbar work with my phone but not my TV?

Your phone is probably connected via Bluetooth, which works differently than a TV connection. For TV sound, you need an HDMI or optical cable. Bluetooth does not carry TV audio on most soundbars. Plug in a cable and the TV sound should come through.

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

Use an optical cable instead — it works with almost all TVs made in the last 20 years. If your TV has no optical port either, you can buy an adapter that converts the TV's analog audio output (the red and white ports) to optical, though this is less common now.

Do I need to turn off the TV's built-in speakers?

Not always. Many TVs automatically mute their speakers when they detect a soundbar connected via HDMI ARC. If both the soundbar and TV speakers are playing at the same time, go into your TV's audio settings and select "External Speaker" or "Soundbar" as the audio output, or look for an option to disable the built-in speakers.