Connect the soundbar using HDMI or optical cable first
The fastest way to add a soundbar to your Samsung TV is to run a cable from the TV to the soundbar. Most Samsung TVs have either an HDMI port labeled ARC (Audio Return Channel) or an optical audio port — sometimes both. Check the back or side of your TV to see which ports are available, then use the matching cable that came with your soundbar.
If your soundbar came with an HDMI cable, plug one end into the HDMI ARC port on your TV and the other end into the HDMI input on the soundbar. If it came with an optical cable (a thin, square connector), plug that into the optical audio port on the TV and the optical input on the soundbar instead. HDMI ARC is usually the better choice because it carries more audio information, but either method works.
Once the cable is connected, turn on both the TV and soundbar. The soundbar should power on automatically when it detects a signal, or you may need to press the power button on the soundbar or its remote.
Key Takeaways
- Connect the soundbar to your Samsung TV using either an HDMI ARC cable or an optical audio cable, depending on which ports your TV has.
- After plugging in the cable, go to your TV's sound settings and change the audio output from the TV speakers to the soundbar.
- If your soundbar supports Bluetooth, you can also pair it wirelessly without running a cable, though a wired connection is more reliable.
- Test the connection by playing a video or music and checking that sound comes from the soundbar, not the TV speakers.
Change the TV audio output to the soundbar in settings
After connecting the cable, your Samsung TV will not automatically send sound to the soundbar — you have to tell it to. Pick up your TV remote and press the Menu or Home button, then look for Sound, Audio, or Speaker settings. The exact name varies by TV model, but it is usually under Settings.
Once you find the sound settings, look for an option that says Speaker Output, Audio Output, or Sound Output. You should see a list with choices like "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker" and "External Speaker" or "Soundbar." Select the soundbar option. Some TVs also have a setting called HDMI Audio Format or Audio Format — if you see it, leave it on the default setting unless the soundbar manual tells you to change it.
Save the change and exit the menu. Now when you play a video or music, the sound should come from the soundbar instead of the TV speakers. If you still hear sound from the TV, go back to the audio output menu and double-check that the soundbar is selected.
Pair the soundbar with Bluetooth if you prefer wireless connection
If your soundbar has Bluetooth and you do not want to run a cable, you can pair it wirelessly to your Samsung TV. This method works well for most people, though a wired connection is generally more stable and does not require charging the soundbar remote.
To pair via Bluetooth, first make sure the soundbar is in pairing mode. Most soundbars enter pairing mode automatically when you turn them on for the first time, or you can press and hold a Bluetooth button on the soundbar or its remote until a light blinks. Then go to your TV's Bluetooth settings — usually found under Settings > Sound or Settings > Connections — and look for available devices. Your soundbar should appear in the list. Select it to pair.
Once paired, the soundbar will remember your TV and connect automatically when both are turned on. If the soundbar does not appear in the Bluetooth list, make sure it is in pairing mode and try again. Some soundbars require you to hold the pairing button for longer than you might expect — check the manual if it does not show up after 30 seconds.
Adjust volume and test the connection
After the soundbar is connected and the audio output is set correctly, test it by playing a video, movie, or music. Use your TV remote to turn the volume up and down — the soundbar should respond. If the volume does not change or you still hear sound from the TV speakers, go back to the audio output settings and confirm the soundbar is selected.
Most Samsung soundbars also come with their own remote. You can use either the TV remote or the soundbar remote to control volume, but using the soundbar remote gives you more options like adjusting bass, treble, or sound modes. Read the soundbar manual to learn which buttons do what.
If you want the TV speakers to stay off completely, some Samsung TVs have an option to disable them entirely once a soundbar is connected. This is usually in the same sound settings menu where you selected the soundbar as the audio output. Disabling the TV speakers saves power and prevents accidental sound from coming out of both devices at once.
Troubleshoot if the soundbar is not receiving sound
If you connected the cable and changed the audio output setting but the soundbar is still silent, start by checking the cable itself. Unplug it from both the TV and soundbar, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in firmly. Sometimes a loose connection prevents sound from traveling through.
Next, restart both devices. Turn off the TV and soundbar completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on. This clears temporary glitches that can block the audio signal. If the soundbar has a power button, use it instead of just unplugging, because some soundbars need a full restart to reset their connection.
Check the soundbar's input setting. Most soundbars have a button or menu option that lets you choose which input to listen to — HDMI, optical, Bluetooth, or auxiliary. Make sure it is set to the input you are using. If you connected via HDMI but the soundbar is set to optical, it will not hear anything. The soundbar manual or the back of the device usually shows which button switches inputs.
If you are using an optical cable, make sure the cable is fully inserted into both ports. Optical connectors are delicate and sometimes do not seat all the way in on the first try. Push gently but firmly until you hear or feel a click.
Update the soundbar firmware if sound cuts out or drops
If the soundbar connects but the sound cuts out, drops, or stutters, the soundbar firmware may need an update. Firmware is the software that runs inside the soundbar, and updates often fix connection problems. Check the soundbar manual or the manufacturer's website to see if an update is available.
Most Samsung soundbars update through a mobile app. read the SmartThings app or the soundbar brand's app on your phone, connect to the same Wi-Fi network as the soundbar, and look for a firmware or software update option in the app settings. Follow the on-screen steps to install the update. Do not turn off the soundbar or TV while the update is running.
After the update finishes, restart the soundbar and test the connection again. If sound still cuts out, try switching from HDMI ARC to optical cable or vice versa. Sometimes one connection type works more reliably than the other depending on your TV model and soundbar brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use HDMI ARC or can I use a regular HDMI cable?
A regular HDMI cable will not work for audio. You must use the HDMI ARC port on your TV, which is specifically designed to send audio back to the soundbar. Check your TV manual if you are not sure which port is ARC — it is usually labeled on the back of the TV.
Can I use the soundbar with my cable box or streaming device instead of the TV?
Yes. You can connect the soundbar directly to your cable box, Roku, Apple TV, or other device using HDMI ARC or optical cable. This way the soundbar gets audio from that device instead of from the TV. You may still need to change the audio output setting on the device itself.
Why does my soundbar only work when I use the soundbar remote and not the TV remote?
This usually means the audio output setting on your TV is still set to TV Speaker instead of Soundbar. Go back to Settings > Sound and select the soundbar as the audio output. If it is already selected, restart both devices and try again.
Can I connect two soundbars to one Samsung TV?
Most Samsung TVs only allow one audio output at a time, so you cannot connect two soundbars simultaneously through the standard audio settings. Some soundbars have a pass-through HDMI port that lets you chain devices, but this is not common. Check your soundbar manual to see if this feature is available.
What if my TV does not have an HDMI ARC or optical port?
Older Samsung TVs sometimes lack these ports. In that case, you can connect the soundbar to your cable box or streaming device directly instead of to the TV. Alternatively, some soundbars accept a 3.5mm auxiliary cable or RCA cables, which older TVs may have. Check what ports are on the back of your TV and what inputs your soundbar supports.