How to Connect a Soundbar to an LG TV

The fastest way: HDMI eARC or optical cable

Most LG TVs connect to a soundbar through one of two cables: HDMI eARC (the newer, simpler method) or a digital optical cable (the older standard that still works reliably). HDMI eARC is faster to set up if your soundbar and TV both support it—you plug one cable in, and the TV sends audio and video through the same connection. If your soundbar or TV is older, or if eARC doesn't work, the optical cable is the backup that almost always succeeds.

Check the back or side of your LG TV for the ports you have. Look for a port labeled HDMI eARC or HDMI ARC (usually HDMI 3 or 4 on LG models), or a small round port labeled Optical Out or Digital Audio Out. Your soundbar manual will tell you which ports it has. If both devices have eARC, start there. If one device lacks eARC, use optical.

Key Takeaways

HDMI eARC is the simplest connection method if both your LG TV and soundbar support it—one cable handles both video and audio.
A digital optical cable works as a reliable backup and is the only option if your soundbar or TV lacks eARC.
After plugging in the cable, you must change your LG TV's audio output setting from "TV Speaker" to "External Speaker" or "Soundbar" in the sound menu.
Bluetooth pairing is an option for some soundbars but produces lower sound quality and is best used only when cables are not practical.
If you hear no sound after connecting, check that the soundbar is powered on, the cable is fully inserted, and the TV audio output setting matches your connection type.

Setting up HDMI eARC: step by step

Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI eARC port on the back of your LG TV (check your TV's manual for which HDMI port supports eARC—it is often labeled). Plug the other end into the HDMI input on your soundbar. Power on both devices and wait 10 to 15 seconds for them to recognize each other.

On your LG TV remote, press the Settings button (or the gear icon). Navigate to Sound or Audio. Look for an option called Sound Out, Audio Output, or Speaker Settings. Change the setting from TV Speaker to External Speaker, Soundbar, or HDMI eARC—the exact name varies by TV model year. Press Enter or OK to confirm. Test the sound by playing a video or music.

If you still hear no sound, go back to the Sound menu and check whether HDMI eARC or Digital Audio Out is toggled on. Some LG TVs require you to enable eARC separately from choosing the output device. If the soundbar has its own input selector, press the input button on the soundbar remote and choose HDMI or eARC.

Using a digital optical cable instead

If eARC is not available or not working, a digital optical cable is the next choice. Locate the Optical Out port on your LG TV—it is a small round port, often on the back or bottom edge. Plug one end of the optical cable into that port. Plug the other end into the Optical In port on your soundbar.

Power on both devices. On your LG TV remote, go to Settings > Sound > Sound Out (or Audio Output). Change the setting to External Speaker or Optical Out. Some LG models also have a separate toggle for Digital Audio Out—make sure it is set to On. Press Enter to save and test the sound.

Optical cables are durable and work with nearly all soundbars made in the last 15 years. The main limitation is that they carry audio only, not video, so if your soundbar has HDMI inputs for other devices (like a game console), you would still need to connect those separately to the TV.

Connecting via Bluetooth if cables are not an option

Bluetooth is a wireless option, but it introduces a slight delay between the picture and sound and compresses the audio quality. Use it only if running a cable is not practical. On your soundbar, press the Bluetooth or Pairing button and hold it for 3 to 5 seconds until you see a light blink (usually blue). The soundbar is now in pairing mode.

On your LG TV remote, go to Settings > Sound > Sound Out and look for a Bluetooth Speaker or Bluetooth Audio option. Select it. The TV will search for nearby Bluetooth devices. When your soundbar appears in the list, select it. The two devices should pair within 10 seconds. Test the sound by playing a video.

Bluetooth pairing is convenient for temporary setups, but for a permanent home theater connection, a wired cable (eARC or optical) will always deliver better sound and no lag. If you use Bluetooth and the soundbar keeps disconnecting, try moving it closer to the TV or removing obstacles between them.

Troubleshooting when there is no sound

Start with the simplest checks: make sure the soundbar is powered on (look for a light on the front), and make sure the cable is fully inserted into both the TV and the soundbar. A cable that is halfway plugged in will not work. Unplug and reseat both ends.

Next, verify that your TV's audio output setting matches the cable you used. If you plugged in an optical cable but the TV is set to HDMI eARC, the TV will send no sound to the optical port. Go back to Settings > Sound > Sound Out and confirm the setting matches your connection type. If you used optical, it should say Optical Out or External Speaker. If you used eARC, it should say HDMI eARC or External Speaker.

If the soundbar has an input selector button on its remote, press it and make sure the soundbar is listening to the correct input (HDMI, Optical, or Bluetooth). Some soundbars default to an input that is not connected. Finally, check the soundbar's volume—press the volume up button on the soundbar remote or the soundbar itself. If the volume is at zero or muted, you will hear nothing even if everything else is correct.

Connecting other devices through the soundbar

If your soundbar has HDMI inputs, you can connect a game console, streaming device, or Blu-ray player directly to the soundbar instead of the TV. The soundbar will then send both audio and video to the TV through the eARC cable. This setup reduces cable clutter and lets the soundbar control all the audio for your entertainment devices.

To do this, plug your devices into the soundbar's HDMI inputs (labeled HDMI In 1, HDMI In 2, etc.), and plug the soundbar's HDMI eARC output into your TV's eARC port. The soundbar becomes the hub. On your TV, set the audio output to HDMI eARC as described above. When you switch inputs on the soundbar, the video will automatically appear on your TV.

Not all soundbars have HDMI inputs—check your soundbar's manual to see what it supports. Budget soundbars often have only optical or Bluetooth, in which case you would connect your devices directly to the TV as usual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable for eARC?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works with eARC. You do not need to buy an expensive "eARC cable"—the feature is built into the HDMI standard itself. A cable that is already in your home will work fine as long as both the TV and soundbar have eARC ports.

Why is there a delay between the picture and sound when I use Bluetooth?

Bluetooth compresses audio and sends it wirelessly, which introduces a small lag—usually 100 to 200 milliseconds. For watching TV or movies, you may not notice it. For gaming or watching live sports, the delay can be annoying. Wired connections (eARC or optical) have no lag because the signal travels when ready through the cable.

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

Most LG TVs will not play audio through both. When you set the audio output to External Speaker or Soundbar, the TV speaker turns off. If you want to use both, check your TV's sound settings for an option called TV Speaker or Dual Output, though this is rare on newer models.

What if my soundbar has no HDMI port?

Use a digital optical cable instead. Optical is the standard audio connection for soundbars without HDMI. It works just as well and is often cheaper than HDMI cables. Your LG TV almost certainly has an optical port on the back.

Do I need to update my LG TV or soundbar software?

Not usually, but if you are having trouble with eARC, check the soundbar manufacturer's website for a firmware update. Some soundbars have a USB port or an app that lets you update the software. An update can sometimes fix eARC recognition issues. Your LG TV updates automatically over the internet if you have it connected to Wi-Fi.

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.