The fastest way: HDMI with ARC or eARC
Most soundbars connect to your TV using a single HDMI cable plugged into the port labeled ARC or eARC on the back of your TV. This is the simplest method because one cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV remote usually controls the soundbar's volume automatically. If your TV has an eARC port (newer models from around 2017 onward often do), use that—it's faster and more reliable than standard ARC.
To set this up: plug one end of an HDMI cable into the ARC or eARC port on your TV, and the other end into the HDMI input on your soundbar. Then go into your TV's settings menu, find the sound or audio section, and turn on HDMI ARC or eARC. Your TV will now send all sound through the soundbar instead of its built-in speakers. You may need to disable the TV's internal speakers in that same menu so sound doesn't come from both places.
If your TV doesn't have an ARC port, or if you're using an older soundbar without HDMI input, move to the optical cable method below. ARC is not available on all TVs, particularly older models or budget sets.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI ARC or eARC is the simplest connection—one cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV remote controls volume.
- Optical cable (TOSLINK) is the second-best option if your soundbar or TV lacks HDMI ARC, and it works reliably on older equipment.
- Bluetooth is convenient for streaming from phones or tablets but does not work for TV sound on most soundbars unless you use a separate Bluetooth transmitter.
- After connecting, disable your TV's internal speakers in the settings menu so sound comes only from the soundbar.
- If sound does not appear after connecting, check that ARC is enabled in your TV's audio settings and that the soundbar is set to the correct input.
Optical cable: the reliable backup when HDMI ARC is not available
An optical cable (also called TOSLINK) is a thin fiber-optic cord that carries digital sound from your TV to the soundbar. It does not carry picture, only audio, so you still need HDMI cables for your other devices. Optical works on nearly all TVs and soundbars made in the last 15 years, making it a good choice if your TV lacks ARC or if you want a backup connection method.
Locate the optical audio output port on the back of your TV—it is usually labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK Out" and looks like a small square hole with a red ring around it. Plug one end of the optical cable into that port and the other end into the optical input on your soundbar. Then go into your TV's audio settings and select optical as the audio output. The soundbar should begin receiving sound within a few seconds.
Optical cables are inexpensive (usually under $10) and very durable. The main drawback is that they carry less information than HDMI, so some newer soundbars with advanced features may not work at full capability over optical. For basic stereo sound, optical is reliable and straightforward.
Bluetooth: wireless connection for phones and tablets, not usually for TV
Most soundbars have Bluetooth built in, but Bluetooth does not work for TV sound on the vast majority of models. Your TV would need to have Bluetooth transmitter capability, which is rare. Bluetooth is useful for playing music or podcasts from your phone or tablet through the soundbar, but it is not a solution for watching television.
To connect a phone or tablet via Bluetooth, press the Bluetooth button on your soundbar remote or hold down the power button until you see a Bluetooth indicator light. Then go to your phone's Bluetooth settings, find the soundbar in the list of available devices, and tap it to pair. Once paired, sound from that device will play through the soundbar.
If you want to use Bluetooth for TV sound, you can buy a separate Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into your TV's optical or headphone jack and sends the audio wirelessly to the soundbar. This adds an extra device and cost, so HDMI ARC or optical cable is usually the better choice for TV viewing.
Turning off your TV's internal speakers so sound comes only from the soundbar
After you connect the soundbar, your TV may still play sound through its built-in speakers. To stop this, go into your TV's settings menu—usually accessed by pressing the Menu or Settings button on the remote. Look for an Audio, Sound, or Speaker section.
In that menu, find an option called "Speaker Output," "Audio Output," "Internal Speaker," or "TV Speaker." Change it from "On" or "TV Speaker" to "Off," "External Speaker," or "Soundbar." The exact wording depends on your TV brand. Once you make this change, all sound should come from the soundbar only. If you ever want to use the TV's internal speakers again (for example, if the soundbar loses power), you can return to this menu and switch it back.
What to do if you do not hear sound from the soundbar
If you connected everything but hear nothing, start by checking that the soundbar is powered on—look for a light on the front panel. Then make sure the soundbar is set to the correct input. Most soundbars have a button on the remote or the unit itself to switch between HDMI, optical, Bluetooth, and other inputs. Press that button until you see the input you are using light up on the display.
Next, go back into your TV's audio settings and confirm that ARC is enabled (if using HDMI ARC) or that optical is selected as the audio output (if using optical). Also check that your TV's internal speakers are turned off, as described above. If the TV is still sending sound to its own speakers, the soundbar may not receive a signal.
If you are using HDMI ARC and still have no sound, try unplugging the soundbar for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Sometimes the connection needs to be reset. If the soundbar has a separate power button, make sure it is in the On position. If none of these steps work, check the soundbar's manual for a factory reset option, or contact the manufacturer's support line.
Connecting multiple devices: cable box, streaming device, or gaming console
If you have a cable box, streaming device, or gaming console, you have two options. The simplest is to plug all of them into your TV using HDMI cables, then use HDMI ARC to send all the sound to the soundbar at once. This way, no matter which device you are watching, the soundbar plays the audio.
The alternative is to plug some devices directly into the soundbar if it has multiple HDMI inputs. This works well if your soundbar has three or more HDMI ports, but most soundbars have only one or two. If you go this route, make sure the soundbar's HDMI output is connected to your TV's HDMI input so you can still see the picture on the screen.
For best results, plug everything into the TV and use ARC. This keeps your setup straightforward and ensures that your TV remote controls what you watch and hear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?
No. Any standard HDMI cable works for ARC. You do not need to buy an expensive "ARC cable"—a regular HDMI cable you already have will work fine. Make sure it is plugged into the ARC or eARC port on your TV, not a regular HDMI port.
Can I use both optical and HDMI ARC at the same time?
Technically yes, but you should not. If both cables are connected, your TV may send sound to both, creating a delay or echo. Unplug the optical cable if you are using HDMI ARC, or unplug the HDMI cable if you are using optical. Use only one connection method at a time.
Why is there a delay between the picture and the sound?
This is called lip-sync delay and usually happens with optical cable or Bluetooth. Go into your TV's audio settings and look for a "Lip Sync" or "Audio Delay" option. You can adjust the delay in milliseconds to match the picture. If your TV does not have this option, try using HDMI ARC instead, which rarely has this problem.
What if my soundbar has no HDMI input, only optical?
Use the optical cable method described above. Plug the optical cable from your TV into the soundbar's optical input, then select optical as your TV's audio output. This works just as well as HDMI ARC for watching television.
Can I control the soundbar volume with my TV remote?
Yes, but only if you are using HDMI ARC or eARC. With optical or Bluetooth, you will need to use the soundbar's remote to adjust volume. If you are using ARC and volume control is not working, go into your TV's settings and look for an option called "HDMI Control," "CEC," or "Anynet+" and turn it on.