How to Connect Your Bose Soundbar to Your TV and Devices

The fastest way to connect a Bose soundbar

Most Bose soundbars connect to your TV through a single HDMI cable plugged into the HDMI ARC (or eARC) port on the back of your TV. This one cable carries both picture and sound, so you do not need separate audio cables. If your TV does not have HDMI ARC, you can use an optical audio cable instead, which is slower to set up but works just as well.

Before you plug anything in, locate the HDMI ARC port on your TV—it is usually labeled "HDMI ARC" or "HDMI eARC" and is often (but not always) the last HDMI port on the back. Check your TV's manual if you are unsure which one it is. Once you have identified it, plug one end of the HDMI cable into that port and the other end into the HDMI input on the back of your soundbar.

After the cable is connected, turn on both your TV and soundbar. Your TV should automatically detect the soundbar and route sound through it. If sound still comes out of the TV speakers instead of the soundbar, you may need to change your TV's audio output settings—this varies by TV brand, but usually lives in Settings > Sound or Audio.

Key Takeaways

HDMI ARC is the simplest connection method and requires only one cable from your TV to the soundbar.
If your TV lacks HDMI ARC, an optical audio cable works as a backup, though setup takes a few extra steps.
After connecting the cable, check your TV's sound settings to make sure audio is routed to the soundbar instead of the TV speakers.
Bluetooth pairing is useful for playing music from your phone or tablet, but does not replace the TV connection.
The Bose app on your phone lets you adjust volume and settings without needing the remote.

Connecting via HDMI ARC step by step

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is the standard way to connect a soundbar to a modern TV. The ARC port sends audio from your TV back to the soundbar through the same cable that carries the picture, which is why you only need one cable instead of two.

Start by powering off both your TV and soundbar. Locate the HDMI ARC port on your TV—most TVs made in the last five years have one, usually marked clearly on the back panel. Plug the HDMI cable into that port first, then plug the other end into the HDMI input on your soundbar. Turn both devices back on and wait 10 to 15 seconds for them to recognize each other.

Once they are both on, go to your TV's settings menu and find the audio or sound section. Look for an option called "HDMI ARC" or "Digital Audio Out" and make sure it is turned on. Some TVs call this "Simplink" (LG), "Bravia Sync" (Sony), or "Anynet+" (Samsung)—the name depends on your brand. Set the audio output to the HDMI port, not the TV speakers. Test by playing something on your TV; sound should now come from the soundbar.

Using an optical audio cable if your TV has no HDMI ARC

If your TV does not have an HDMI ARC port, or if HDMI ARC is not working, an optical audio cable is the next best option. Optical cables carry digital sound from your TV to the soundbar and are inexpensive and reliable, though they do not carry picture like HDMI does.

Locate the optical audio output port on the back of your TV—it is a small square opening, usually labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK." Plug one end of the optical cable into that port. On the soundbar, find the optical input port (also labeled "Optical In" or "TOSLINK") and plug the other end there. The cable only fits one way, so do not force it.

Turn on both devices and go to your TV's audio settings. Select "Optical" or "Digital Audio Out" as the audio output method. You may also need to set the optical output to PCM (a standard audio format) rather than Dolby Digital, depending on your soundbar model—check your soundbar's manual if sound does not work right away. Once configured, sound from your TV and any connected devices (cable box, streaming device, game console) will play through the soundbar.

Pairing your soundbar with Bluetooth devices

Bluetooth lets you play music and podcasts from your phone, tablet, or laptop directly through the soundbar without needing a cable. This is separate from your TV connection—you can have both active at the same time.

Press and hold the Bluetooth button on your soundbar (or use the Bose app on your phone) until you see a light blink or hear a tone indicating the soundbar is in pairing mode. On your phone or tablet, go to Settings > Bluetooth and look for your soundbar's name in the list of available devices. Tap it to pair. Once paired, your device will remember the soundbar and connect automatically when you turn it on in the future.

If you have trouble pairing, make sure the soundbar is not already connected to another device—most Bose soundbars can only pair with one Bluetooth device at a time. Unpair the old device first by going to your phone's Bluetooth settings, finding the soundbar, and selecting "Forget This Device." Then try pairing again.

Connecting a cable box, streaming device, or game console

If you have a cable box, streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick), or game console, you can connect it directly to the soundbar using HDMI, or you can connect it to your TV and let the soundbar receive the audio through the TV's HDMI ARC port.

The simplest approach is to connect everything to your TV first, then use HDMI ARC to send all audio to the soundbar. This way, no matter what device you are using, the soundbar handles all the sound. Plug your cable box, streaming device, or console into any of your TV's HDMI inputs (not the ARC port), then connect the TV to the soundbar using HDMI ARC as described above.

If you want to connect a device directly to the soundbar instead, use an HDMI cable from the device to the soundbar's HDMI input. This works, but means you are using the soundbar as a middleman between the device and your TV, which can sometimes cause compatibility issues. Most people find it easier to plug everything into the TV and let HDMI ARC handle the audio routing.

Using the Bose app to control your soundbar

The Bose app (available on iOS and Android) lets you adjust volume, change inputs, and tweak sound settings without needing the physical remote. read the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, then open it and follow the prompts to connect to your soundbar over your home WiFi network.

Once connected, you can control volume, switch between inputs (HDMI, optical, Bluetooth), and access advanced settings like bass and treble adjustment. The app also shows you firmware updates when they become available—keeping your soundbar's software current can fix bugs and improve performance. If the app cannot find your soundbar, make sure both your phone and soundbar are on the same WiFi network and that your soundbar is powered on.

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If you have connected everything but hear no sound, the most common cause is that your TV is still routing audio to its own speakers instead of the soundbar. Go back to your TV's audio settings and double-check that the output is set to HDMI ARC (or optical, if that is what you are using) and not "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker."

If the soundbar is connected but only one side has sound, or the sound cuts out, try unplugging the soundbar for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. This resets the connection and often fixes temporary glitches. If the problem persists, check that your HDMI cable is fully inserted on both ends—a loose connection can cause audio dropouts.

If Bluetooth will not pair, restart both your phone and soundbar, then try pairing again. Make sure the soundbar is in pairing mode (usually indicated by a blinking light) before you search for it on your phone. If your soundbar is already paired to another device, unpair it first as described in the Bluetooth section above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need both HDMI ARC and an optical cable?

No. Use one or the other. HDMI ARC is preferred because it is faster and requires only one cable. Use optical only if your TV does not have HDMI ARC or if HDMI ARC is not working.

Can I use a regular HDMI cable for HDMI ARC?

Yes. Any standard HDMI cable works with HDMI ARC. You do not need a special "ARC cable"—the difference is in the port, not the cable itself.

Why is sound coming from both the TV and the soundbar?

Your TV is still sending audio to its own speakers. Go to your TV's sound settings and turn off the TV speakers or set the audio output to HDMI ARC only. The exact steps vary by TV brand, but this setting is always in the audio or sound menu.

Can I connect my soundbar to my phone without WiFi?

Yes, use Bluetooth. Bluetooth does not require WiFi and works anywhere. WiFi is only needed if you want to use the Bose app for remote control or if you want to play music from a streaming service that requires internet.

What if my soundbar is not showing up in my TV's settings?

Make sure the HDMI cable is fully inserted on both ends and that you are using the HDMI ARC port, not a regular HDMI port. Try unplugging the soundbar for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully power on before checking your TV's settings again.

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.