How to Connect a Polk Soundbar to Your TV

The fastest way to connect a Polk soundbar

Most Polk soundbars connect to your TV using a single HDMI cable plugged into the HDMI ARC (or eARC) port on the back of your TV. This one cable carries both the picture signal and the sound, so your TV sends audio to the soundbar automatically. If your TV has an eARC port—usually labeled as such—use that one first, since it handles more data and gives you better sound quality.

If your TV does not have an ARC port, or if you prefer not to use HDMI, you can connect using an optical cable (also called TOSLINK) or a 3.5mm audio cable instead. Both of these carry only sound, not video, so your TV picture still goes through its normal cable or streaming box. The trade-off is that these older connections do not support advanced sound formats, but they work reliably on any TV made in the last 15 years.

Key Takeaways

HDMI ARC is the simplest connection method—one cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV controls the soundbar volume automatically.
If your TV lacks an ARC port, optical cable or 3.5mm audio cable will work, though they do not support newer sound formats like Dolby Atmos.
You must turn on HDMI CEC in your TV settings for the remote control to work across both devices.
Polk soundbars can also connect wirelessly via Bluetooth if you want to avoid cables, though this limits you to stereo sound and requires pairing first.
After connecting, set your TV's audio output to the soundbar in the TV's sound settings menu, not the soundbar's own menu.

Connecting with HDMI ARC—the recommended method

Locate the HDMI ARC or eARC port on your TV. On most modern TVs, this is one of the HDMI ports on the back, and it will be labeled "ARC" or "eARC" next to the port itself. If you cannot find a label, check your TV's manual or look at the ports from the side—the ARC port is often the rightmost HDMI port, but this varies by brand.

Plug one end of an HDMI cable into that ARC port and the other end into the HDMI OUT port on the back of your Polk soundbar. The HDMI OUT port is usually labeled clearly and is separate from any HDMI IN ports. Turn on both devices and wait 10 to 15 seconds for them to recognize each other.

Next, go into your TV's settings menu. Look for "Sound" or "Audio" settings, then find the option for "HDMI ARC" or "Digital Audio Output." Turn this setting on. Your TV should now send sound to the soundbar instead of its own speakers. You may see a notification on your TV screen confirming the connection.

If you want your TV remote to control the soundbar volume, turn on HDMI CEC in your TV settings. This feature is sometimes called "Anynet+" (Samsung), "Bravia Sync" (Sony), "EasyLink" (Philips), or "HDMI Control" (LG)—the name depends on your TV brand. Once enabled, pressing the volume buttons on your TV remote will adjust the soundbar volume instead of the TV's internal speakers.

Using optical cable if your TV has no HDMI ARC

If your TV does not have an ARC port, or if you prefer a wired connection that does not use HDMI, an optical cable is the next best option. Locate the optical audio output port on your TV—it is usually a small, square port on the back labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK." Polk soundbars have a matching optical input port on the back.

Plug the optical cable into both ports. The cable has a small square connector that only fits one way, so you cannot insert it backwards. Turn on both devices and wait for them to recognize each other, which usually takes 5 to 10 seconds.

Go into your TV's sound settings and set the audio output to "Optical" or "Digital Audio Out." Your TV will now send sound through the cable to the soundbar. Note that optical cables do not support newer sound formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, so you will hear standard stereo or 5.1 surround sound instead. For most TV shows and movies, this is not noticeable, but some streaming services and Blu-ray discs use these advanced formats.

Connecting with a 3.5mm audio cable

A 3.5mm cable (also called an aux cable or headphone cable) is the simplest connection method if your TV has a headphone jack. Locate the 3.5mm audio output port on your TV—it is usually a small round jack on the back or side. Plug one end of the cable into that port and the other end into the 3.5mm audio input on your Polk soundbar.

Go into your TV's sound settings and set the audio output to "3.5mm" or "Headphone Jack." Your TV will now send sound to the soundbar. This connection method works on older TVs and is very reliable, but it also does not support advanced sound formats. Additionally, you will need to adjust the soundbar's volume using its own remote or buttons, since the TV remote cannot control it through a 3.5mm connection.

Pairing your Polk soundbar via Bluetooth

If you want to avoid cables entirely, you can connect your Polk soundbar to your TV using Bluetooth. Press the Bluetooth button on the soundbar or its remote to put it in pairing mode. The soundbar will usually emit a beeping sound or show a blinking light to indicate it is ready to pair.

On your TV, go to Settings, then look for "Bluetooth" or "Wireless Devices." Select your Polk soundbar from the list of available devices. Your TV will pair with the soundbar, and sound will begin playing through it automatically.

Bluetooth is convenient because it requires no cables, but it has limitations. Most Polk soundbars over Bluetooth only receive stereo sound (two channels), not surround sound, even if the soundbar has multiple speakers. Additionally, Bluetooth can occasionally drop the connection if your TV or soundbar moves out of range or if there is wireless interference in your home. For these reasons, a wired connection using HDMI ARC or optical cable is more reliable for everyday use.

Troubleshooting when sound does not come through

If you have connected the cable but hear no sound from the soundbar, first check that the soundbar is powered on and set to the correct input. Most Polk soundbars have an input button on the remote or the unit itself—press it to cycle through HDMI, Optical, 3.5mm, and Bluetooth inputs until you see the correct one highlighted.

Next, go back into your TV's sound settings and confirm that the audio output is set to the connection method you used. For example, if you plugged in an HDMI cable, make sure "HDMI ARC" is selected, not "TV Speakers" or "Internal Speakers." If you used an optical cable, select "Optical" or "Digital Audio Out."

If the soundbar is connected via HDMI ARC but your TV does not recognize it, try unplugging the HDMI cable, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging it back in. Also check that you plugged the cable into the ARC port, not a regular HDMI port—using the wrong port is the most common reason the connection fails.

For Bluetooth connections, if the soundbar and TV are paired but sound cuts out frequently, move the soundbar closer to the TV or remove any large metal objects between them. Bluetooth works best within 30 feet and with a clear line of sight.

Setting up your soundbar's audio format and volume

Once your soundbar is connected and producing sound, you may want to adjust its settings. Most Polk soundbars have a menu button on the remote that lets you access settings like bass, treble, and surround sound mode. Press the menu button and use the arrow keys to navigate to "Sound" or "Audio Settings."

If your soundbar has a surround sound mode (sometimes called "Surround" or "Virtual Surround"), you can turn this on to make stereo sound feel wider. This is useful for TV shows and movies, though some people prefer to turn it off for music. You can toggle this mode on and off using the remote without changing any cables.

Set the soundbar's volume to a comfortable level using its remote. If you enabled HDMI CEC earlier, your TV remote will also control the volume, so you do not need to keep the soundbar remote nearby for everyday use. However, the soundbar remote is still useful for changing sound modes and accessing the menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect my Polk soundbar to my TV and my cable box at the same time?

Yes. If your TV has HDMI ARC, connect the soundbar to the TV's ARC port and your cable box to a regular HDMI port on the TV. The TV will send sound from both the cable box and any streaming apps to the soundbar automatically. If your TV lacks ARC, use an optical cable from the TV to the soundbar instead, and connect your cable box to the TV normally.

Do I need to use the soundbar remote to control volume, or can I use my TV remote?

If you connected via HDMI ARC and enabled HDMI CEC in your TV settings, your TV remote will control the soundbar volume. If you used an optical or 3.5mm cable, you will need the soundbar remote to adjust volume, since those connections do not support remote control signals.

What is the difference between HDMI ARC and eARC?

eARC is a newer version of ARC that supports more advanced sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. If your TV has an eARC port, use that instead of a regular ARC port. Both work the same way—you just plug in one HDMI cable—but eARC gives you access to better sound quality if your soundbar and content support it.

Why is my soundbar connected but I only hear sound from one side?

Check that your soundbar is set to the correct input mode. Press the input button on the soundbar remote and make sure it matches how you connected it (HDMI, Optical, 3.5mm, or Bluetooth). If the input is correct, try unplugging the soundbar for 30 seconds and plugging it back in to reset it.

Can I connect my Polk soundbar to my TV and my phone at the same time?

Most Polk soundbars can only play audio from one source at a time. If you connect your phone via Bluetooth, the soundbar will stop playing sound from your TV until you disconnect the phone. Some newer models may support dual Bluetooth connections, so check your soundbar's manual to see if yours does.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.