Connect the soundbar to power and your TV first

Start by plugging the Sonos soundbar into a power outlet using the included cable. The soundbar will power on and show a light on the front panel. Next, connect the soundbar to your TV using an HDMI cable — plug one end into the HDMI port on the back of the soundbar and the other into any HDMI port on your TV. 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 automatically when you change inputs or adjust volume.

If your TV does not have ARC or eARC, you can still use the soundbar, but you will need to switch the TV input to the soundbar manually each time you want to hear sound through it. Some older TVs may only have optical audio ports instead of HDMI ARC. In that case, use an optical cable from your TV's optical out port to the soundbar's optical in port, though this gives you fewer features than HDMI.

Once the cable is connected, turn on your TV and the soundbar. You should see or hear a startup sound from the soundbar. If you do not hear anything, check that the TV's audio output is set to the HDMI port or optical port you used, not the TV's built-in speakers.

Key Takeaways

  • Plug the soundbar into power and connect it to your TV using an HDMI ARC port if available, or an optical cable if your TV does not have HDMI ARC.
  • read the Sonos app on your phone or tablet and create a Sonos account or sign in with an existing one before setting up the soundbar.
  • The Sonos app will guide you through connecting the soundbar to your home WiFi network, which takes about five minutes.
  • After WiFi setup is complete, test the connection by playing sound from your TV or a streaming app to confirm the soundbar is receiving audio.

read the Sonos app and create an account

Go to the App Store (iPhone or iPad) or Google Play (Android phone or tablet) and search for "Sonos". read the official Sonos app — it is free. Open the app and you will be asked to create a new Sonos account or sign in if you already have one. You will need an email address and a password. If you have other Sonos speakers or a Sonos system already set up, sign in with the same account so all your devices appear in one place.

Creating an account takes about two minutes. Sonos uses the account to store your speaker settings, let you control the soundbar from anywhere in your home, and send you updates when new features are released. You do not need a Sonos account to use the soundbar with your TV, but you will need one to use it with music streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music.

Add the soundbar to your WiFi network through the app

Open the Sonos app on your phone or tablet. Tap the plus sign or "Add a speaker" button — the exact wording varies by app version. The app will search for Sonos devices on your network. When it finds your soundbar, tap it to select it. The app will then ask you to confirm that you see a light pattern on the soundbar itself; this confirms the app is talking to the right device.

Next, the app will ask for your WiFi network name and password. Enter the same WiFi network your phone is connected to. The soundbar will connect to that network — this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. Once connected, the app will show a confirmation message and ask if you want to set up additional features like voice control or music services. You can skip these for now and come back to them later.

If the soundbar does not find your WiFi network, make sure your router is turned on and within 30 feet of the soundbar. If you have a 5GHz and 2.4GHz network with the same name, the soundbar works better on 2.4GHz, so you may need to temporarily separate them in your router settings or connect to the 2.4GHz band specifically.

Test the connection and adjust settings

Once the soundbar is connected to WiFi, play something on your TV — a streaming app, a cable channel, or a movie. You should hear sound come from the soundbar instead of your TV's speakers. If you do not hear anything, go back to your TV's settings and check that the audio output is set to the HDMI port or optical port you used, not the TV's internal speakers.

In the Sonos app, you can adjust the soundbar's volume, bass, and treble. Tap the soundbar name in the app to open its control panel. You will see a volume slider and a settings icon (usually a gear). Tap settings to find options for bass, treble, and speech enhancement — a feature that makes dialogue clearer on TV shows and movies. These settings are optional; the soundbar sounds good at factory defaults.

Pair a Sonos subwoofer or rear speakers if you have them

If you own a Sonos subwoofer or rear speakers and want to add them to your soundbar, the process is similar. Make sure the subwoofer or rear speakers are plugged in and powered on. Open the Sonos app, tap the plus sign, and select "Add a speaker". The app will find the new device. Select it and follow the prompts to add it to your system. The app will automatically pair it with your soundbar to create a surround sound setup.

Once paired, the subwoofer will handle low frequencies (bass) and the rear speakers will play sound from behind you during movies. You do not need to do anything else — the soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speakers will work together automatically. If you later want to remove a speaker, open the app, tap the speaker name, go to settings, and choose "Remove from system".

Troubleshoot common connection problems

If the soundbar is not showing up in the Sonos app, restart both the soundbar and your phone. Unplug the soundbar for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the light to stop blinking. Then open the Sonos app again and try to add the speaker. If it still does not appear, check that your phone and the soundbar are on the same WiFi network — if your phone is on 5GHz and the soundbar is on 2.4GHz, they cannot find each other.

If the soundbar is connected to WiFi but you hear no sound from your TV, the issue is usually with your TV's audio settings, not the soundbar. Go to your TV's settings menu, find the audio or sound section, and change the audio output from "TV speakers" to "HDMI" or "Optical" — whichever port you used to connect the soundbar. Some TVs call this "audio out" or "external speakers". Once you change this setting, sound should come through the soundbar.

If the soundbar loses WiFi connection frequently, move your router closer to the soundbar or remove obstacles like metal objects or thick walls between them. You can also restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If problems continue, check Sonos's support website for your specific soundbar model, as some older models have known WiFi issues that Sonos has documented.

Use the soundbar with streaming apps and other devices

Once the soundbar is set up, you can use it with any app on your TV — Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, or any other streaming service. The soundbar will automatically play the sound from whatever is on your TV screen. You do not need to do anything special; just turn on the app and play content.

If you want to play music from your phone through the soundbar, open the Sonos app, tap the soundbar name, and look for a "Now Playing" or music section. You can then select a music streaming service like Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music and play songs directly to the soundbar. This works even if your TV is off, so you can use the soundbar as a standalone speaker for music.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need WiFi to use the soundbar with my TV?

No. The soundbar will play sound from your TV through the HDMI or optical cable even if it is not connected to WiFi. However, you will not be able to control it from the Sonos app, use voice commands, or play music from streaming services without WiFi. Most people connect it to WiFi so they can control volume from their phone and use it for music.

Can I use the soundbar without an HDMI ARC port?

Yes. If your TV does not have HDMI ARC, use an optical cable instead. The soundbar will still play sound from your TV, but you will need to manually switch your TV's audio output to the optical port each time you want to hear sound through the soundbar. HDMI ARC is more convenient because it switches automatically.

What if my soundbar keeps disconnecting from WiFi?

Move your router closer to the soundbar or remove obstacles between them. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the problem continues, check that your router is not set to 5GHz only — Sonos soundbars work best on 2.4GHz networks. You can also restart the soundbar by unplugging it for 10 seconds.

Can I control the soundbar without the app?

Yes. Most Sonos soundbars have physical buttons on the top or back for power and volume. You can also use your TV remote to control the soundbar's volume if your TV supports HDMI ARC, because the TV will send volume commands through the HDMI cable. The app is optional and mainly useful for adjusting bass and treble or playing music.

How long does the setup process take?

The entire setup — plugging in the soundbar, downloading the app, connecting to WiFi, and testing — usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Most of that time is waiting for the soundbar to connect to your network. If you run into WiFi problems, it may take longer.