Connect the soundbar using HDMI or optical cable first

The fastest way to add a soundbar to a Samsung Smart TV is to run a cable from the TV to the soundbar. Most Samsung TVs have either an HDMI eARC port (usually HDMI 3 or 4, marked on the back) or an optical audio port (a small square opening). Check your TV's manual or the back panel to see which one you have — many newer models have both.

If your TV has HDMI eARC, plug one end of an HDMI cable into that port and the other end into the eARC port on your soundbar. If your TV only has an optical port, use an optical audio cable instead. Plug the soundbar into power and turn both devices on. The TV should detect the soundbar automatically within a few seconds.

If you have neither HDMI eARC nor optical, you can use the TV's 3.5mm headphone jack with a 3.5mm-to-RCA adapter cable, though this method gives you fewer volume control options and no automatic switching.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI eARC is the best connection method because it lets you control the soundbar volume with your TV remote and sends all audio types to the soundbar automatically.
  • Optical audio cables work well if your TV does not have HDMI eARC, though they do not support the newest audio formats.
  • After connecting the cable, go into your TV's Sound settings and select the soundbar as the audio output device.
  • If the soundbar does not appear in your TV's sound menu, restart both devices and check that the cable is fully inserted into both the TV and soundbar ports.
  • Bluetooth connection is an option for some Samsung soundbars, but a wired connection is more reliable for everyday use.

Set the soundbar as your TV's audio output in the Sound menu

Once the cable is connected, your Samsung TV needs to know to send sound to the soundbar instead of its built-in speakers. Press the Menu button on your TV remote and navigate to Sound or Audio. The exact path varies by TV model year, but you are looking for an option called Speaker Output, Audio Output, or Sound Output.

Select that option and look for an entry that says External Speaker, Soundbar, or the name of your soundbar model. Highlight it and press Enter. Your TV will now send all sound to the soundbar. If you do not see the soundbar listed, go back and check that the cable is pushed all the way into both ports — a loose connection will not show up in this menu.

Turn off the TV's internal speakers to avoid echo

Even after you select the soundbar as the audio output, some Samsung TVs will still play sound through their built-in speakers at the same time. This creates an echo or hollow sound. To prevent this, go back into the Sound menu and look for an option called TV Speaker or Internal Speaker. Set it to Off.

On some models, this option appears as a toggle next to the Speaker Output setting. On others, you may need to go into Advanced Audio or informed Settings to find it. Once the TV's internal speakers are off, only the soundbar will play sound.

Use Bluetooth if you prefer wireless connection

If your soundbar supports Bluetooth and you want to avoid running a cable, you can pair it wirelessly to your Samsung TV. Press Menu on your remote, go to Sound, and look for Bluetooth Speaker List or Bluetooth Audio. Put your soundbar into pairing mode (usually by holding a button on the soundbar or its remote for three seconds until a light blinks) and then select it from the TV's Bluetooth menu.

Bluetooth works well for occasional use, but a wired connection is more reliable for daily viewing because Bluetooth can drop the connection if the soundbar moves or if other devices are nearby. If you use Bluetooth, keep the soundbar within 10 feet of the TV and make sure no other Bluetooth devices are trying to connect at the same time.

Adjust volume and sound settings on the soundbar

After the soundbar is connected and set as the audio output, you can control its volume with your TV remote if you used HDMI eARC. If you used an optical cable or Bluetooth, you may need to use the soundbar's remote or buttons to adjust volume. Check your soundbar's manual to see whether it supports TV remote volume control for your connection type.

Many Samsung soundbars have sound modes like Standard, Surround, Movie, or Music. You can switch between these using the soundbar's remote. Some soundbars also let you adjust bass and treble — experiment with these settings to find what sounds best for your room and the type of content you watch.

Restart both devices if the soundbar does not appear

If you connected the cable but the soundbar does not show up in your TV's Sound menu, the first step is to restart both devices. Turn off the TV completely, unplug it for 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Do the same with the soundbar. This clears temporary connection errors that prevent the TV from recognizing the soundbar.

After both devices restart, go back into the Sound menu and check again. If the soundbar still does not appear, turn off the TV, unplug the cable from both ends, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in firmly. Make sure the cable is fully seated — a cable that is only halfway inserted will not work. If you are using an optical cable, check that the small plastic cap is removed from the port.

Troubleshoot common connection problems

If the soundbar is connected and appears in the Sound menu but you hear no sound, check that the TV's internal speakers are turned off (see the section above). If sound is still not coming through, try adjusting the soundbar's input setting. Some soundbars have a button or menu option to switch between HDMI, Optical, and Bluetooth inputs — make sure it is set to the input you are using.

If you are using HDMI eARC and the soundbar keeps losing connection, check whether your TV has a firmware update available. Go to Settings > Support > Software Update and select Update Now if an update is shown. Outdated TV firmware can cause eARC problems. If the soundbar still disconnects, try switching to an optical cable instead, which is more stable on some TV models.

If the soundbar connects but the volume is very quiet, check that the soundbar's volume is not turned all the way down. Use the soundbar's remote to raise the volume to at least 50 percent. If it is still quiet, go into your TV's Sound menu and look for a Volume Leveler or Dynamic Range setting — turning this off can sometimes fix low volume issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable for eARC?

No, a standard HDMI cable works fine for eARC. The difference is in the port, not the cable. Make sure the cable is plugged into the eARC port on your TV (usually HDMI 3 or 4) and the eARC port on your soundbar. Check your manuals if you are not sure which port is which.

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

You can, but it usually sounds worse because the audio is delayed between the two speakers. Most people turn off the TV speakers entirely once a soundbar is connected. If you want to use both, go into Sound settings and turn the TV Speaker back on, but be aware of the echo effect.

What if my soundbar is older and does not have eARC?

Older soundbars work fine with an optical audio cable, which is the standard connection method for non-eARC soundbars. Optical cables are inexpensive and widely available. The main limitation is that optical does not support the newest audio formats like Dolby Atmos, but it works well for regular TV watching.

Will the soundbar work with streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube?

Yes, once the soundbar is set as your TV's audio output, it will play sound from all apps — Netflix, YouTube, Samsung TV Plus, and anything else you watch on the TV. The soundbar does not need to connect to the internet or your streaming accounts.

Can I control the soundbar volume with my TV remote?

Yes, if you use HDMI eARC. The TV remote will control both the TV and the soundbar volume together. With optical or Bluetooth, you usually need the soundbar's remote to adjust volume, though some soundbars support TV remote control over optical — check your soundbar's manual to see if yours does.