How to Connect a Vizio Soundbar to a Vizio TV

The fastest way: HDMI ARC or eARC

The simplest connection uses a single HDMI cable plugged into the ARC or eARC port on both your TV and soundbar. Most Vizio TVs have an ARC port labeled on the back—usually HDMI 3 or HDMI 4, though check your manual to be sure. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into that port on the TV and the other end into the HDMI ARC/eARC port on the soundbar. Power on both devices, and the TV will automatically send sound to the soundbar.

This method works because ARC (Audio Return Channel) lets the TV send sound back through the HDMI cable instead of requiring a separate audio cable. eARC is a faster version of the same thing, and both are backward compatible—if your TV has eARC and your soundbar only supports ARC, they will still work together. No settings changes are usually needed; the TV recognizes the soundbar and routes audio automatically.

If you have other devices plugged into your TV (a streaming box, game console, or cable box), keep them on different HDMI ports. The ARC port handles the return signal from the TV itself, not from those other devices.

Key Takeaways

HDMI ARC or eARC is the easiest method and requires only one cable between the TV and soundbar.
Check your TV manual to find which HDMI port supports ARC—it is often HDMI 3 or HDMI 4 on Vizio models.
If HDMI ARC does not work, use an optical audio cable instead, which connects to the optical out port on the TV and optical in on the soundbar.
After connecting, check your TV's audio output settings to confirm the soundbar is selected as the default speaker.
Bluetooth pairing is a backup option if neither HDMI nor optical is available, though it may cause slight audio delay during video playback.

Using an optical audio cable if HDMI ARC is not available

If your Vizio TV does not have an ARC port or the HDMI connection does not work, an optical audio cable is the next best choice. Look for a small square port on the back of your TV labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK." Plug one end of the optical cable into that port and the other end into the "Optical In" port on the soundbar. The cable is keyed so it only fits one way.

Optical cables carry digital audio and are reliable, but they do not carry video or control signals—you will need to adjust the soundbar volume using its remote or buttons, not your TV remote. Some Vizio soundbars let you control volume through the TV remote if you enable CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) in the TV settings, but this depends on your specific model.

After plugging in the optical cable, go to your TV's audio settings and select "Optical Out" or "External Speaker" as the audio output. The exact menu name varies by Vizio model year, but it is usually under Settings > Audio or Sound.

Checking your TV's audio output settings

Regardless of which cable you use, your Vizio TV needs to be told to send sound to the soundbar instead of its built-in speakers. Press the Menu button on your TV remote and navigate to Settings. Look for an Audio, Sound, or Speaker menu—the label depends on your TV's age and model.

Inside that menu, find the option for "Audio Output," "Speaker," or "Sound Output." You should see choices like "TV Speaker," "External Speaker," "Soundbar," or "HDMI ARC." Select the soundbar or external speaker option. If you are using an optical cable, choose "Optical Out" or "External Speaker." If you are using HDMI ARC, the TV may automatically detect the soundbar and set it as the default.

Save your changes and test the connection by playing something on the TV—a streaming app, broadcast channel, or input source. You should hear sound from the soundbar, not the TV's built-in speakers. If you hear nothing, go back to the audio settings and confirm the correct output is selected.

Pairing via Bluetooth if cables are not an option

Bluetooth is a wireless option, though it is slower than HDMI or optical and can cause a slight delay between the picture and sound during video playback. Use Bluetooth only if you cannot run a cable between the TV and soundbar.

Put the soundbar in pairing mode by holding the Bluetooth button on the soundbar remote or pressing and holding the power button until a light blinks (check your soundbar manual for the exact method). On your TV, go to Settings > Bluetooth and select the soundbar from the list of available devices. The TV will pair with the soundbar and remember it for future use.

After pairing, set the TV's audio output to Bluetooth in the audio settings menu. Test the connection with a video to check for audio delay. If the delay is noticeable, switch to HDMI ARC or optical instead—Bluetooth works best for music or podcasts, not for watching TV or movies.

Troubleshooting when the soundbar does not produce sound

If you have connected the soundbar but hear nothing, start by checking the cable. Make sure the HDMI or optical cable is fully inserted into both the TV and soundbar ports—a loose connection is the most common cause. If using HDMI, try a different HDMI cable; some cables are defective or do not support ARC even if they look fine.

Next, confirm the TV's audio output is set to the soundbar. Go back to Settings > Audio and verify the correct output is selected. Some Vizio TVs default to "TV Speaker" even after you plug in a soundbar, so you may need to change this setting again.

Check the soundbar's power and volume. Make sure it is turned on and the volume is not muted or set to zero. Look for a light on the front of the soundbar—if there is no light, the soundbar may not be receiving power. Try unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in to reset it.

If you are using HDMI ARC, try switching to optical audio instead. Some older Vizio TV models have HDMI ports labeled ARC that do not actually support it, or the feature may need to be turned on in the TV's settings under HDMI or CEC options. Your TV manual will specify which ports support ARC and whether it needs to be enabled.

Controlling the soundbar with your TV remote

If your Vizio TV and soundbar are both connected via HDMI ARC and CEC is enabled, you may be able to control the soundbar volume using your TV remote. This is not may provide—it depends on whether both devices support CEC and whether it is turned on.

To enable CEC, go to Settings > HDMI or Settings > CEC on your TV (the exact path varies by model). Look for an option called "CEC," "HDMI Control," or "Anynet+" and turn it on. Once enabled, pressing the volume buttons on your TV remote should adjust the soundbar volume instead of the TV's speakers.

If CEC does not work or is not available, you will need to use the soundbar's remote or buttons to adjust volume. Some Vizio soundbars come with a dedicated remote; others use buttons on the soundbar itself. Keep the soundbar remote in an straightforward-to-reach spot, or use your TV remote for volume and the soundbar remote for other controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 audio output, the TV automatically disables its built-in speakers. If you want to switch back to the TV speakers, go to Settings > Audio and select "TV Speaker" instead of the soundbar. You cannot use both simultaneously on a Vizio TV.

What if my soundbar has no HDMI port?

Use an optical audio cable instead. Optical is the standard audio connection for older soundbars and works just as well as HDMI ARC for most purposes. The only downside is that you cannot control the soundbar volume with your TV remote unless CEC is enabled.

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

Bluetooth has inherent latency—it takes time for the signal to travel wirelessly from the TV to the soundbar. This delay is usually 100 to 200 milliseconds, which is noticeable during video but not during music. HDMI ARC and optical audio have no delay because they are wired connections.

Do I need to do anything special if I add a subwoofer to my soundbar?

Most Vizio soundbars with subwoofers pair the subwoofer to the soundbar itself, not to the TV. The subwoofer connects wirelessly to the soundbar during setup, and then the soundbar connects to the TV via HDMI or optical. Check your soundbar manual for subwoofer pairing instructions—you usually hold a button on the subwoofer until it pairs automatically.

Can I connect the soundbar to a different HDMI port if the ARC port is already in use?

No. The soundbar must be plugged into the ARC or eARC port to send audio back to the TV through HDMI. If that port is occupied by another device, you will need to use an optical audio cable instead or move the other device to a non-ARC HDMI port.

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.