The basic connection process
To connect a Bluetooth soundbar to your Roku TV, you put the soundbar in pairing mode, then search for it in your Roku's Bluetooth settings and select it. The TV will remember the connection, so you won't have to pair them again unless you reset one of the devices or connect the soundbar to something else.
The exact steps depend on your soundbar model and your Roku TV model, but the general path is the same: soundbar first, then TV. Most soundbars have a dedicated Bluetooth button or a mode button you hold down to enter pairing mode—check your soundbar's manual or the back panel for the button location.
Key Takeaways
- Put your soundbar in pairing mode first by pressing and holding the Bluetooth or mode button until you see a light blink or hear a tone.
- Open your Roku TV's Settings menu, go to Remotes & Devices, then Bluetooth, and select your soundbar from the list of available devices.
- Once paired, the soundbar will connect automatically when you turn it on, as long as it is within range and no other device is using it.
- If the soundbar does not appear in the Bluetooth list, restart both devices and try pairing again.
- Some Roku models and soundbars may have firmware updates that improve Bluetooth stability—check the manufacturer websites if you have ongoing connection problems.
How to put your soundbar in pairing mode
Look for a button labeled Bluetooth, Pair, or Mode on your soundbar. This is often on the back or side of the unit. Press and hold this button for three to five seconds until you see a light flash (usually blue or white) or hear a beep. The flashing light means the soundbar is now discoverable and waiting for your Roku TV to find it.
If your soundbar does not have a dedicated Bluetooth button, check the manual that came with it or look on the manufacturer's website. Some soundbars use a remote control to enter pairing mode—you may need to press a specific button combination on the remote instead. Leave the soundbar in pairing mode for at least two minutes while you move to the next step.
Finding and selecting the soundbar in Roku settings
On your Roku TV remote, press the Home button to go to the main menu. Navigate to Settings (usually at the top or bottom of the menu, depending on your Roku model). From Settings, select Remotes & Devices or Bluetooth Devices—the exact name varies by Roku version.
Select Bluetooth or Add a Bluetooth Device. Your Roku will search for nearby Bluetooth devices. When your soundbar appears in the list, select it. The TV will then attempt to pair with it. You should see a confirmation message on your TV screen within a few seconds. Once confirmed, the soundbar is paired and should start playing audio from your TV when ready.
What to do if the soundbar does not appear in the list
If your soundbar is not showing up, the most common reason is that it did not enter pairing mode correctly. Turn off the soundbar completely, wait ten seconds, then turn it back on and try the pairing mode button again. Make sure the soundbar is within six to ten feet of the TV—Bluetooth has a limited range, and walls or other obstacles can interfere.
If the soundbar still does not appear, restart your Roku TV. Press the Home button, go to Settings, then System, then Power. Select Restart. Wait for the TV to turn off and back on. Once it restarts, repeat the pairing steps. If the soundbar still does not show up after a restart, check the soundbar manual to confirm you are using the correct pairing button and that the device supports Bluetooth (not all soundbars do).
Reconnecting after the initial pairing
After the first pairing, your Roku TV stores the soundbar's information. The next time you turn on the soundbar, it should connect to the TV automatically without any action from you. This automatic reconnection works as long as the soundbar is the last Bluetooth device you paired with the TV and both devices are powered on.
If the soundbar does not reconnect automatically, turn it off and back on. If that does not work, go back to Remotes & Devices in your Roku settings and look for the soundbar in the list of paired devices. You may see an option to reconnect or forget the device. Select reconnect. If you see a forget option and reconnection is not working, you can forget the device and pair it again from scratch.
Audio not coming through the soundbar
If the soundbar is paired but you are not hearing audio through it, check that the soundbar is turned on and the volume is not muted or set very low. Press the volume up button on the soundbar remote or the TV remote to confirm sound is coming through.
Next, check your Roku TV's audio output settings. Go to Settings, then Audio, and look for an option called External Speakers, Bluetooth Audio, or Audio Output. Make sure it is set to your soundbar, not the TV's built-in speakers. If you see an option to switch between speakers, select the soundbar. Some Roku models default to the TV's internal speakers even after pairing a Bluetooth device, so you may need to manually switch the audio output each time you turn on the TV.
When to call the manufacturer or restart from scratch
If the soundbar pairs but audio cuts out frequently, or if it pairs and then when ready disconnects, the issue may be interference from other Bluetooth devices nearby. Move any other Bluetooth devices (phones, tablets, wireless headphones) away from the TV and soundbar, or turn them off temporarily to test.
If problems continue after moving other devices, try unpairing the soundbar completely and pairing it again. In your Roku settings under Remotes & Devices, find the soundbar in the list of paired devices and select Forget or Remove. Then restart both the TV and soundbar, put the soundbar back in pairing mode, and pair them again as if it were the first time. If the soundbar still does not work reliably after this, contact the soundbar manufacturer's support line—the issue may be a hardware problem or a firmware update that your soundbar needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Bluetooth soundbar with an older Roku TV?
Not all older Roku models have built-in Bluetooth. If your Roku TV is more than five or six years old, check your TV's manual or the Roku website to confirm it has Bluetooth capability. If it does not, you can still use a soundbar by connecting it with an HDMI cable or an optical audio cable instead.
Will the soundbar work with other devices if I pair it to my Roku TV?
Most soundbars can pair with multiple devices, but they can only connect to one at a time. If you pair your soundbar to your Roku TV, you can still pair it to a phone or tablet later. To switch, put the soundbar back in pairing mode and pair it with the new device. When you want to use it with the Roku TV again, turn on the soundbar and it should reconnect automatically to the TV.
What if my soundbar has a remote control—do I still need the Roku remote to pair it?
Yes, you need the Roku remote to access the TV's Bluetooth settings and complete the pairing. The soundbar remote controls the soundbar's volume and settings, but the Roku remote is what tells the TV to search for and connect to Bluetooth devices. Once paired, you can use either remote to adjust volume.
Does Bluetooth audio have a delay compared to HDMI or optical cable?
Bluetooth can have a slight delay of 100 to 200 milliseconds, which you might notice if you are watching a movie and the sound seems to lag slightly behind the picture. If this bothers you, an HDMI or optical cable connection will have less delay. Check your soundbar manual to see if it supports these wired connections as an alternative.
Why does my soundbar keep disconnecting from the Roku TV?
Frequent disconnections are usually caused by interference from other Bluetooth devices, the soundbar being too far from the TV, or a firmware issue. Move the soundbar closer to the TV, turn off other Bluetooth devices nearby, and check the soundbar manufacturer's website to see if a firmware update is available. If disconnections continue, try unpairing and repairing the devices.