The fastest way: HDMI eARC or optical cable
Most LG soundbars connect to your TV using one of two cables. HDMI eARC is the newer standard and works best if your TV has an eARC port — usually labeled on the back. Plug one end into the eARC port on your TV and the other into the HDMI input on the soundbar. This single cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV remote will control the soundbar volume.
If your TV does not have eARC, use an optical cable instead. Plug it into the optical audio output on your TV (a small square port, often labeled S/PDIF) and into the optical input on the soundbar. Optical works reliably on older TVs and does not require any setup beyond plugging it in.
Do not use both cables at once. Pick one and stick with it. If you use both, the soundbar may switch between them unpredictably or produce no sound at all.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI eARC is the best option if your TV has an eARC port, because one cable carries both picture and sound and your TV remote controls volume.
- Optical cable is the reliable backup for older TVs that lack eARC, and it requires no setup beyond plugging it in.
- You must change your TV's audio output settings to send sound to the soundbar instead of the TV speakers.
- Bluetooth is an option for wireless connection but does not work with TV remotes and adds a step every time you turn on the soundbar.
- If you hear no sound, check that the soundbar input is set to match the cable you plugged in and that your TV audio output is not muted.
Setting up audio output on your TV
Plugging in the cable is only half the job. Your TV is still sending sound to its own speakers by default. You need to tell it to use the soundbar instead. On most LG TVs, go to Settings > Sound > Sound Out and select either HDMI eARC/ARC or Optical, depending on which cable you used. On Samsung, Sony, and other brands, the path is similar but the menu names vary — look for "Sound Output" or "Audio Output" in the Settings menu.
If you cannot find the setting, check your TV's manual or search "[your TV brand] change audio output" online. The manual will show you the exact menu path for your model. This step is not optional — without it, the soundbar will receive a signal but your TV will still play sound through its own speakers.
Once you have changed the setting, test it by playing something on your TV. You should hear sound from the soundbar and silence from the TV speakers. If the TV speakers are still playing, go back and confirm the audio output setting is correct.
Connecting via Bluetooth if you do not want a cable
LG soundbars also support Bluetooth, which means you can pair the soundbar to your TV without running a cable. Press the Bluetooth button on the soundbar or its remote — usually marked with a Bluetooth symbol — until the light blinks. Then go to your TV's Bluetooth settings and select the soundbar from the list of available devices.
Bluetooth works, but it has drawbacks. Your TV remote will not control the soundbar volume — you will need the soundbar remote instead. The soundbar will not automatically connect when you turn on the TV; you may have to re-pair it or wait for it to reconnect. For these reasons, a wired connection (HDMI eARC or optical) is almost always better if your TV has the ports.
Use Bluetooth only if running a cable is not practical — for instance, if the soundbar is far from the TV or the cable would be visible and you want to avoid it.
Checking the soundbar input and volume
If you plugged everything in but hear no sound, the problem is usually one of three things. First, check that the soundbar is set to the correct input. Most LG soundbars have an input button on the remote or the unit itself. Press it and cycle through the options — HDMI, Optical, or Bluetooth — until you land on the one that matches your cable. The display on the soundbar will show which input is active.
Second, make sure the soundbar is not muted. Look for a mute button on the remote or the unit — it usually has a speaker symbol with a line through it. Press it once to unmute. Check the volume level too; if it is turned all the way down, you will not hear anything even if everything else is correct.
Third, confirm that your TV audio output is actually set to the soundbar. Go back to your TV's Sound settings and verify that the output is not set to "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker". If it is, change it back to HDMI eARC or Optical.
Updating the soundbar firmware
LG soundbars sometimes need a firmware update to work smoothly with newer TVs. Check whether an update is available by connecting the soundbar to your home Wi-Fi. Most LG soundbars have a Settings menu accessible through the remote; look for Wi-Fi or Network and connect to your network. Then look for Software Update or Firmware Update in the same menu.
If an update is available, the soundbar will read and install it automatically. This usually takes a few minutes. Do not unplug the soundbar during an update. Once it is done, restart the soundbar and test the connection again.
Firmware updates are not always necessary, but they can fix connection problems and improve compatibility with your TV. If you are having trouble getting sound to work, updating is worth trying before you assume something is broken.
Troubleshooting when sound cuts out or is delayed
If the soundbar works but the sound cuts out randomly or lags behind the picture, the problem is usually interference or a weak signal. For HDMI eARC, try a different HDMI cable — some cables are damaged or do not support eARC properly. For optical, make sure the cable is not bent or pinched, and that both ends are pushed in firmly.
For Bluetooth, move the soundbar closer to the TV or remove obstacles between them. Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet in open space, but walls and metal objects can reduce it. If other wireless devices are nearby — a microwave, a cordless phone, or a Wi-Fi router — they can interfere with Bluetooth. Try moving the soundbar away from these devices or switching to a wired connection.
If sound is delayed only when you are watching streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube, the problem may be the app itself, not the soundbar. Try restarting the app or the TV. If the delay happens with all sources, restart the soundbar by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.
Controlling the soundbar with your TV remote
If you used HDMI eARC, your TV remote should control the soundbar volume automatically. Press the volume buttons on your TV remote and the soundbar volume should change. If it does not, your TV may not support eARC control, or the feature may be turned off.
Check your TV settings for an option called HDMI Device Control, HDMI CEC, or Anynet+ (on Samsung TVs). This feature lets your TV remote talk to the soundbar. Turn it on if it is off. If your TV does not have this option, you will need to use the soundbar remote to adjust volume.
With optical or Bluetooth, your TV remote will never control the soundbar — you will always need the soundbar remote for volume. This is a limitation of those connections, not a problem you can fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both HDMI eARC and optical at the same time?
No. If both cables are plugged in, the soundbar may switch between them unpredictably or produce no sound. Use one cable only. If you want to switch from one to the other, unplug the unused cable.
Why does my soundbar work with my phone but not my TV?
Your phone and TV are probably using different connection methods. Your phone likely uses Bluetooth, while your TV should use HDMI eARC or optical. Check that the soundbar input is set to match the cable you plugged into the TV, not Bluetooth. Also confirm your TV audio output is set to the soundbar, not the TV speakers.
Do I need to do anything special to use the soundbar with a streaming stick or external box?
No. The streaming device plugs into your TV, and the soundbar plugs into your TV. The TV handles the audio routing. As long as your TV audio output is set to the soundbar, sound from any device connected to the TV will play through the soundbar.
What if my TV does not have eARC or optical?
Very old TVs sometimes lack both ports. In that case, Bluetooth is your only option. Pair the soundbar to the TV using Bluetooth and accept that you will need the soundbar remote to control volume. If the TV is too old to support Bluetooth, you may need a separate audio adapter, but this is rare on TVs made in the last ten years.
Can I connect the soundbar to my cable box instead of my TV?
You can, but it is not recommended. Connect the soundbar to your TV instead, so it works with all sources — cable, streaming apps, and external devices. If you connect it only to the cable box, you will hear sound only from cable channels, not from apps or other inputs on the TV.