How to Connect a Samsung Soundbar to a Samsung TV

The fastest way: use Samsung's wireless connection

Samsung soundbars connect to Samsung TVs wirelessly through Bluetooth or Samsung's proprietary Q-Symphony technology, which is faster and more stable than standard Bluetooth. Most Samsung soundbars made in the last five years support one or both of these methods. The TV and soundbar must be within 10 to 15 feet of each other, and you should turn off any other Bluetooth devices nearby to avoid interference.

Start by powering on both the TV and the soundbar. On your Samsung TV remote, press the Home button, then navigate to Settings. Go to Sound, then Sound Output. You should see an option for Bluetooth Speaker or Wireless Speaker Setup. Select it, and the TV will search for nearby devices. When your soundbar appears in the list, select it. The TV will pair with the soundbar, and you should hear a confirmation tone from the soundbar within a few seconds.

If your soundbar does not appear in the list, make sure the soundbar is in pairing mode. Most Samsung soundbars enter pairing mode automatically when first powered on, but if it has already been paired to another device, you may need to hold the Bluetooth button on the soundbar remote for three to five seconds until you see a blue light flashing on the soundbar's display panel.

Key Takeaways

Samsung soundbars connect wirelessly through Bluetooth or Q-Symphony, which is Samsung's faster wireless standard built into newer models.
The pairing process takes place in your TV's Sound settings menu under Sound Output or Wireless Speaker Setup.
If wireless connection fails, check that the soundbar is in pairing mode and that no other Bluetooth devices are interfering.
HDMI eARC is an alternative wired connection that also sends TV audio to the soundbar and works with older soundbar models.
After pairing, test the connection by playing content on the TV and adjusting the soundbar volume with its remote.

Using HDMI eARC for a wired connection

HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) is a wired connection that sends sound from your TV to the soundbar through an HDMI cable. This method works with nearly all Samsung soundbars, including older models that do not support Bluetooth. The TV must have an eARC-compatible HDMI port, which is usually HDMI 3 or HDMI 4 on Samsung TVs made after 2017. Check your TV's manual or the back panel to confirm which port supports eARC.

Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the eARC port on your TV and the other end to the HDMI input on the soundbar. Then go to Settings on your TV, navigate to Sound, and select Sound Output. Choose HDMI (eARC) from the list. The TV will recognize the soundbar when ready. You should hear audio from the soundbar when you play content on the TV.

If you do not hear sound, go back to Sound settings and make sure HDMI (eARC) is selected as the output device. Some Samsung TVs require you to turn on eARC in the Advanced Audio settings as well. Look for an option called "HDMI eARC/ARC" and toggle it on.

Connecting through an external device like a cable box or streaming player

If you use a cable box, satellite receiver, or streaming device like a Roku or Apple TV, you can route audio through the soundbar by connecting the device directly to the soundbar instead of the TV. This method works well if your soundbar has HDMI inputs with eARC support.

Connect your cable box or streaming device to the HDMI input on the soundbar labeled eARC or ARC. Then connect the soundbar to the TV using an HDMI eARC cable. When you play content from the external device, the soundbar will receive the audio signal first and send it to the TV for display. This setup gives the soundbar priority over the TV's internal speakers and often produces better sound quality.

If your soundbar does not have HDMI inputs, you can still connect an external device to the TV and use the wireless pairing method described above. The TV will receive the audio from the external device and send it to the soundbar wirelessly.

Troubleshooting when the soundbar will not connect

If the soundbar does not appear during wireless pairing, restart both devices. Unplug the soundbar from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. At the same time, restart your TV by holding the power button on the remote for 10 seconds. After both devices have restarted, repeat the pairing process.

If the soundbar still does not appear, check that it is in pairing mode. The soundbar should display a Bluetooth symbol or a flashing blue light. If you do not see either, press and hold the Bluetooth button on the soundbar remote until the light appears. Some Samsung soundbars also have a dedicated pairing button on the back of the unit; check your soundbar's manual for the exact location.

If you are using HDMI eARC and hear no sound, make sure the HDMI cable is fully inserted into both the TV and soundbar ports. Try a different HDMI cable to rule out a faulty connection. Also confirm that your TV's eARC port is enabled in the Sound settings menu. On some Samsung models, eARC is turned off by default.

Adjusting sound settings after connection

Once the soundbar is connected, you can control its volume using either the soundbar remote or your TV remote. If you want to use only the TV remote, go to Settings on your TV, select Sound, and look for an option called "Remote Control" or "Universal Remote." Enable this setting, and your TV remote will control the soundbar volume.

You can also adjust the soundbar's audio modes through the TV's Sound menu. Most Samsung soundbars offer preset modes like Standard, Movie, Music, and Voice. These modes adjust the bass, treble, and midrange to suit different types of content. Test each mode with your favorite show or movie to find the one that sounds best to you.

If the soundbar audio is out of sync with the TV picture, go to Sound settings and look for an option called "Audio Delay" or "Lip Sync." Increase this value in small increments until the audio matches the picture. Most Samsung soundbars have a delay range of 0 to 500 milliseconds.

When to use wireless versus wired connection

Wireless connection through Bluetooth or Q-Symphony is simpler to set up and requires no cables. It works well for most everyday viewing and is the best choice if your TV and soundbar are close together and you want a clean setup without visible wires.

HDMI eARC is more reliable for gaming and fast-action content because it has lower latency, meaning less delay between the picture and sound. It is also the better choice if your TV and soundbar are far apart or if you have many Bluetooth devices in your home that might interfere with the wireless signal. HDMI eARC also allows you to control the soundbar with your TV remote without additional setup.

If you own an older Samsung soundbar that does not support Bluetooth, HDMI eARC is your only wireless option. Check your soundbar's manual or the back panel to see which connection types it supports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect a non-Samsung soundbar to a Samsung TV?

Yes. Most soundbars connect to Samsung TVs through standard Bluetooth or HDMI eARC, which work with any brand. The pairing process is the same: go to Sound settings on your TV, select Sound Output, and choose Bluetooth Speaker or HDMI (eARC). Non-Samsung soundbars may not have all the same features as Samsung models, but the basic connection works the same way.

Why does my soundbar keep disconnecting from the TV?

Bluetooth disconnections usually happen when other devices are interfering or when the soundbar is too far from the TV. Move the soundbar closer to the TV and turn off nearby Bluetooth devices like phones or tablets. If you are using HDMI eARC and the connection drops, try a different HDMI cable or a different eARC port on your TV. Some TV ports work better than others.

Do I need a special HDMI cable for eARC?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works with eARC. However, if you are running the cable a long distance (more than 25 feet), use a high-speed HDMI cable rated for 18 Gbps or higher to avoid signal loss. For most home setups, a regular HDMI cable is fine.

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

No. When you connect a soundbar and set it as the Sound Output device, the TV's internal speakers turn off automatically. If you want to use the TV speakers again, go to Sound settings and change Sound Output back to TV Speaker.

What if my Samsung TV does not have an eARC port?

Older Samsung TVs without eARC can still connect to a soundbar through standard Bluetooth. Go to Settings, Sound, and select Bluetooth Speaker. The TV will search for nearby soundbars. This method works with most soundbars made in the last 10 years.

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.