How to Connect a Samsung Soundbar to Your TV and Other Devices

The basic connection: HDMI is the simplest route

The fastest way to connect a Samsung soundbar is with an HDMI cable plugged into the HDMI port on the back of the soundbar and the HDMI port on your TV. This single cable carries both picture and sound, and most Samsung soundbars will power on automatically when your TV turns on. If your TV has an HDMI port labeled ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC, use that one — it lets your TV send sound to the soundbar without a separate audio cable.

Once you plug in the HDMI cable, your TV may ask you to confirm that you want to use the soundbar for audio. Select yes, and the TV will route all sound through the soundbar instead of its built-in speakers. If nothing happens, go into your TV's sound settings and look for an option called "Sound Output" or "Speaker Settings," then select the soundbar from the list.

HDMI is better than older audio cables because it handles higher-quality sound formats and requires only one cable. If your TV does not have an available HDMI port, or if you want to connect a device other than your TV, the other methods below will work.

Key Takeaways

HDMI with ARC is the simplest connection method and requires only one cable between your TV and soundbar.
Bluetooth works wirelessly for phones, tablets, and laptops, but you must pair the devices once before they will connect automatically.
Optical audio cables are an older but reliable option if your TV has an optical port and no HDMI ARC available.
Samsung soundbars can connect to WiFi through the SmartThings app, which also lets you control volume and switch inputs from your phone.
If sound does not play after connecting, check your TV's sound output settings to make sure the soundbar is selected as the audio device.

Connecting via Bluetooth for wireless audio

Bluetooth lets you play sound from your phone, tablet, or laptop without any cables. To pair a device with your Samsung soundbar, press the Bluetooth button on the soundbar's remote or on the soundbar itself — usually a button with a Bluetooth symbol. The soundbar will enter pairing mode, and you will see a light blink on the front of the unit.

On your phone or laptop, go to Bluetooth settings and look for your soundbar's model name in the list of available devices. Tap or click it to pair. Once paired, your device will remember the soundbar and connect automatically the next time Bluetooth is turned on and the soundbar is powered on. You can pair multiple devices, but the soundbar can only play sound from one at a time.

Bluetooth is convenient for streaming music or podcasts, but it does not work as well for TV watching because there is often a slight delay between the picture and the sound. For TV, HDMI is the better choice.

Using an optical audio cable if HDMI ARC is not available

If your TV does not have HDMI ARC, you can use an optical audio cable instead. This is a thin cable with a small square connector on each end. Plug one end into the optical audio port on the back of your TV (usually labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK") and the other end into the optical port on the soundbar.

Optical cables carry high-quality digital audio and work reliably, but they only send sound from your TV to the soundbar — they do not carry a picture signal. You will still need to plug your TV into power and any other devices (like a cable box or streaming device) into your TV's HDMI ports.

After connecting the optical cable, go into your TV's sound settings and select the optical port as the audio output. The soundbar should begin playing sound from your TV when ready. Optical is older technology than HDMI, but it works well if that is what your TV offers.

Connecting through WiFi using the SmartThings app

Samsung soundbars can connect to your home WiFi network, which lets you control them from the SmartThings app on your phone even when you are in another room. read the SmartThings app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, then open it and tap the plus sign to add a new device.

Select "Soundbar" from the device list, and the app will search for your soundbar on your WiFi network. When it finds it, follow the on-screen steps to connect. Your soundbar will need to be powered on and within range of your WiFi router. Once connected, you can use the app to adjust volume, switch between inputs, and see what is currently playing.

WiFi connection does not replace HDMI or Bluetooth — it works alongside them. The WiFi connection is mainly for remote control and for playing music from streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music directly to the soundbar without using your TV.

Connecting a cable box, gaming console, or streaming device

If you want to connect a device other than your TV to the soundbar, plug it into your TV first, then let the TV send the sound to the soundbar through HDMI ARC or optical. This is the standard setup for most homes: your cable box, gaming console, or streaming device connects to your TV, and your TV connects to your soundbar.

Some Samsung soundbars have their own HDMI inputs on the back, which means you can plug a device directly into the soundbar instead of the TV. If your soundbar has this feature, plug the device into the soundbar's HDMI input, and the soundbar will send both picture and sound to your TV automatically. Check your soundbar's manual to see if it has this capability — not all models do.

The advantage of plugging devices into the soundbar directly is that you have one less cable to run to your TV. The disadvantage is that you need to know which HDMI input on the soundbar each device is plugged into, and you may need to switch inputs manually using the soundbar's remote.

Troubleshooting when sound does not play

If you have connected your soundbar but hear no sound, the first step is to check your TV's sound settings. Go into your TV's settings menu, find the audio or sound output section, and make sure the soundbar is selected as the audio device. If your TV is still set to play through its built-in speakers, no sound will come from the soundbar even if it is connected correctly.

Next, check that the soundbar is powered on — look for a light on the front of the unit. If the light is off, press the power button on the soundbar or its remote. If the soundbar is on but you still hear nothing, try adjusting the volume on the soundbar using its remote or the buttons on the unit itself. Sometimes the volume is turned all the way down.

If you are using HDMI, try unplugging the cable from both the TV and the soundbar, waiting 10 seconds, and plugging it back in. This resets the connection and often fixes audio problems. If you are using Bluetooth, try unpairing the device and pairing it again. If you are using optical audio, make sure the cable is pushed all the way into both ports — a loose connection will cause no sound.

If none of these steps work, check your soundbar's manual for a reset button, usually a small hole on the back of the unit. Press and hold it for 10 seconds with a paperclip or pen to reset the soundbar to factory settings, then try connecting again.

When to call Samsung support

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps above and your soundbar still does not play sound, contact Samsung support. You can reach them through the SmartThings app, by phone, or through the Samsung website. Have your soundbar's model number ready — it is usually on a sticker on the back of the unit or in the manual.

Samsung support can walk you through more advanced troubleshooting and determine whether your soundbar has a hardware problem that requires repair or replacement. If your soundbar is still under warranty, they may be able to replace it at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable for the soundbar?

No, any standard HDMI cable works fine. You do not need an expensive "premium" cable — a basic HDMI cable from any electronics store will work just as well. Make sure the cable is long enough to reach from your TV to the soundbar without stretching.

Can I use the soundbar with a TV that does not have HDMI ARC?

Yes, you can use an optical audio cable instead. Optical cables are inexpensive and widely available. Your TV must have an optical audio port, which most TVs made in the last 10 years do have. Check the back of your TV to see if there is a port labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK."

Will the soundbar work if I connect it to a different TV?

Yes, as long as the new TV has either an HDMI ARC port or an optical audio port, you can connect the soundbar to it. You may need to go into the new TV's sound settings and select the soundbar as the audio output, just as you did with the first TV.

Can I connect multiple soundbars to one TV?

No, most TVs can only send audio to one soundbar at a time. If you want sound in multiple rooms, you would need a separate soundbar in each room, each connected to its own TV or audio system.

What if my soundbar keeps disconnecting from Bluetooth?

Move your phone or device closer to the soundbar — Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet, but walls and other obstacles can reduce that. Also check that your phone's Bluetooth is turned on and that the soundbar is powered on. If it keeps disconnecting, try unpairing and re-pairing the device.

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.