The fastest way: HDMI with ARC or eARC
Most modern soundbars connect to your TV using a single HDMI cable plugged into the HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC on the back of your TV. This is the simplest route because one cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV remote often controls the soundbar's volume automatically. If your TV has an eARC port (newer models from 2016 onward usually 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 HDMI 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 automatically, whether you're watching cable, streaming, or using an app.
This method works even if your soundbar has a subwoofer or rear speakers—those connect wirelessly to the soundbar itself, not to your TV.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI ARC or eARC is the simplest connection method and requires only one cable between your TV and soundbar.
- You must turn on HDMI ARC or eARC in your TV's audio settings for the connection to work properly.
- Optical audio (TOSLINK) is a reliable backup if your TV does not have HDMI ARC, though it cannot carry newer surround sound formats.
- Bluetooth works for streaming from phones and tablets but is not recommended as your primary TV connection because it can drop out during use.
- Subwoofers and rear speakers connect wirelessly to the soundbar, not directly to your TV.
Optical audio (TOSLINK) if your TV has no HDMI ARC
If your TV is older or does not have an HDMI ARC port, 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 output on your TV (usually labeled TOSLINK or S/PDIF) and the other into the optical input on your soundbar.
Optical audio is reliable and works with most soundbars, but it cannot carry newer surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos. After you plug in the cable, go into your TV's audio settings and select optical audio as the output. Your soundbar should automatically detect the signal and begin playing sound from your TV.
One limitation: optical audio is one-way only, so your TV remote will not control the soundbar's volume. You will need to use the soundbar's remote or a control app on your phone to adjust sound levels.
Bluetooth for phones and tablets, not your TV
Bluetooth is useful for streaming music or podcasts from your phone or tablet to the soundbar, but it is not a reliable way to connect your TV. Bluetooth can drop out during movies, has a slight delay between picture and sound, and does not work well if you have other Bluetooth devices nearby.
If you want to use Bluetooth anyway, put your soundbar in pairing mode (usually by holding a button on the back for three seconds), then go to your TV's Bluetooth settings and select the soundbar from the list. The connection will work, but you may notice the sound lags behind the picture, especially during action scenes.
For streaming from your phone, Bluetooth is fine. For watching TV, stick with HDMI ARC or optical audio.
Connecting a subwoofer and rear speakers
Most soundbars with subwoofers and rear speakers use wireless pairing, not cables. The subwoofer and rear speakers connect to the soundbar itself, not to your TV. This means you only need one cable from your TV to the soundbar—everything else is wireless.
To pair a subwoofer or rear speakers, put the soundbar in pairing mode (check your soundbar's manual for the exact button or combination), then put the subwoofer or speakers in pairing mode as well. They will find each other automatically within a few seconds. Once paired, they stay connected even if you turn them off and back on.
If the subwoofer or rear speakers lose connection, restart all three devices (soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speakers) and they will pair again automatically.
Troubleshooting when sound does not come through
If you have plugged in the cable but hear no sound, first check that HDMI ARC or optical audio is turned on in your TV's settings. Many TVs default to their built-in speakers, so you have to manually switch the audio output. Look in your TV's audio or sound settings for an option called "audio output" or "sound output" and select the soundbar or external speaker option.
If the soundbar is still silent, try changing the input on the soundbar itself. Most soundbars have a button or remote control option to switch between HDMI, optical, Bluetooth, and other inputs. Press the input button and cycle through until you see the light or indicator for the input you are using (HDMI or optical).
If you are using HDMI ARC and nothing works, try unplugging both the TV and soundbar for 30 seconds, then plugging them back in. Sometimes the connection needs to reset. If you still have no sound after that, try optical audio instead—it is more stable on older TVs.
When to call a professional
Most soundbar connections are straightforward enough to do yourself, but call a TV installer if your TV does not have any audio outputs (very rare on modern TVs), if you need to run cables through walls, or if you want to hide wires behind your TV stand. An installer can also help if you are adding a soundbar to a home theater system with multiple devices.
If your soundbar works fine with your phone but not your TV, the problem is almost always in your TV's audio settings, not the soundbar itself. Check your TV's manual or support website for instructions on switching the audio output to an external speaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?
No. Any standard HDMI cable works with ARC or eARC. You do not need to buy an expensive "ARC cable"—a regular HDMI cable from any electronics store will work fine. The difference between ARC and eARC is in the TV and soundbar, not the cable.
Can I use both HDMI and optical audio at the same time?
No. Your TV can only send audio through one output at a time. If you plug in both an HDMI and optical cable, go into your TV's settings and choose which one you want to use. The soundbar will only play sound from the input you select.
Why does my soundbar volume not respond to my TV remote?
If you are using optical audio, your TV remote cannot control the soundbar because optical audio is one-way only. Use the soundbar's remote or a control app instead. If you are using HDMI ARC and the TV remote still does not work, go into your TV's settings and look for an option called HDMI CEC or Anynet+ and turn it on.
Will my soundbar work if my TV does not have HDMI ARC?
Yes. Use an optical audio cable instead. Optical audio is older but still works reliably on most soundbars and TVs. The only downside is that your TV remote will not control the soundbar's volume, and you cannot use newer surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos.
What if I have a very old TV with no audio outputs at all?
This is rare, but if your TV has no HDMI ARC, optical audio, or headphone jack, you can connect the soundbar to a cable box, streaming device, or other source instead. Plug the HDMI or optical cable from your cable box directly into the soundbar, and the soundbar will play sound from that device. You will lose the ability to use your TV's built-in apps, but external devices will work fine.