The fastest way: HDMI with ARC or eARC
The simplest connection uses a single HDMI cable and works on almost all Samsung TVs made in the last ten years. You plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI port on the back of your Bose soundbar, and the other end into any HDMI port on your Samsung TV — but use the port labeled ARC or eARC if your TV has one. This port sends sound back to the soundbar automatically, so you do not need a separate audio cable.
Once the cable is connected, turn on both devices. Your Samsung TV should recognize the soundbar within a few seconds. Go to your TV's sound settings (usually under Settings > Sound > Speaker Settings or Sound Output) and select the soundbar as your audio output. The TV will now send all sound — from apps, broadcasts, and HDMI inputs — through the soundbar instead of its built-in speakers.
If your TV does not have an ARC or eARC port, use any HDMI port, but you will also need to connect an optical audio cable from your TV's optical audio output (a small square port) to the soundbar's optical input. This carries the sound signal separately and is still simpler than Bluetooth for everyday use.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI ARC or eARC is the best connection method because one cable carries both picture and sound, and it works with all Samsung TV inputs at once.
- If your TV lacks ARC, use any HDMI port plus an optical audio cable from the TV's optical output to the soundbar's optical input.
- Bluetooth works for wireless connection but only carries sound from your phone or tablet, not from the TV itself.
- After connecting the cable, change your TV's sound output setting to the soundbar so the TV sends audio to it instead of the built-in speakers.
Connecting via optical audio cable (no HDMI ARC)
If your Samsung TV is older or does not have HDMI ARC, an optical audio cable is the next best option. Locate the optical audio output port on the back of your TV — it is a small square opening, sometimes labeled SPDIF or Optical Out. Plug one end of an optical audio cable into that port and the other end into the optical input on your Bose soundbar.
Turn on both devices and go to your TV's sound settings. Select the optical output as your audio source. From that point on, whenever you watch TV, play a streaming app, or use any HDMI input on the TV, the sound will play through the soundbar. Optical cables carry good-quality audio and are reliable, though they do not support the newest surround sound formats that HDMI ARC does.
Pairing via Bluetooth for phones and tablets
Bose soundbars can connect to your Samsung phone or tablet over Bluetooth, which is useful if you want to play music or podcasts from your device without plugging anything in. Press the Bluetooth button on the soundbar (or hold it for three seconds) until the light blinks blue, which means it is searching for a device. On your Samsung phone or tablet, go to Settings > Bluetooth, turn Bluetooth on, and select your Bose soundbar from the list of available devices.
Once paired, your phone will remember the soundbar and reconnect automatically when you turn Bluetooth on. However, Bluetooth only works for audio from your phone — it does not carry sound from your TV. If you want the TV and your phone to both use the soundbar, you need to use HDMI or optical cable for the TV and Bluetooth for your phone.
Checking your Samsung TV's audio output settings
After you connect the soundbar with a cable, your TV may not automatically switch to using it. Go to Settings on your Samsung TV remote, then navigate to Sound or Audio. Look for an option called Speaker Settings, Sound Output, or Audio Output. You should see a list that includes your TV's built-in speakers and your Bose soundbar (it may appear as "External Speaker" or by the soundbar's model name).
Select the soundbar from this list. If the soundbar does not appear, make sure the cable is fully inserted on both ends and that both devices are powered on. Unplug the soundbar for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot up — this often fixes connection problems. If it still does not show up, try a different HDMI port on your TV.
Troubleshooting when the soundbar does not appear
If you have connected the cable but your TV does not recognize the soundbar, start with the simplest fixes. Make sure the cable itself is not damaged — try a different HDMI or optical cable if you have one. Check that the cable is pushed all the way in on both the TV and the soundbar; a loose connection will not work.
Next, restart both devices. Unplug the soundbar from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. While it is restarting, go to your TV's Settings > Support > Software Update and check whether your TV's software is current. Samsung releases updates that sometimes improve soundbar compatibility. If an update is available, install it and then try connecting the soundbar again.
If you are using HDMI, try switching to a different HDMI port on your TV. Some older Samsung TVs have only one ARC-capable port, and using the wrong port will not work. Check your TV's manual or Samsung's website to confirm which port supports ARC. If you are using optical cable, make sure you are plugging into the optical output (sound leaving the TV), not an optical input if your TV has both.
When to use each connection type
| Connection Type | Best For | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC or eARC | All TV inputs and apps at once; newest sound formats | One HDMI cable; TV must have ARC or eARC port |
| Optical Audio | Older TVs; reliable, straightforward connection | One optical audio cable; TV must have optical output |
| Bluetooth | Playing music from your phone or tablet | No cable; both devices must support Bluetooth |
| HDMI + Optical | TV without ARC but with optical output | One HDMI cable and one optical cable |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both HDMI and optical cables at the same time?
Yes, but your TV will only send sound through one at a time. If you connect both, go to your TV's sound settings and choose which one you want to use. Most people choose HDMI ARC because it is simpler and supports better sound quality.
Why is there no sound coming from the soundbar even though it is connected?
Check that the soundbar is set as your TV's audio output in Settings > Sound > Speaker Settings. Also make sure the soundbar itself is powered on and not muted — look for a mute button on the remote or the soundbar itself. If the cable is loose, the TV will not send any audio.
Do I need to do anything special to use the soundbar with streaming apps like Netflix?
No. Once the soundbar is connected via HDMI or optical cable and set as your TV's audio output, all apps automatically send their sound to it. You do not need to change any settings for each app.
Will the soundbar work if I connect it to a different HDMI port than the one labeled ARC?
It will work for picture, but not for sound. You must use the ARC or eARC port for the soundbar to receive audio from your TV. If your TV does not have an ARC port, use an optical cable instead.
Can I connect the soundbar to my Samsung TV and my phone at the same time?
Yes. Use a cable (HDMI or optical) to connect the soundbar to your TV, and Bluetooth to connect your phone. The soundbar will switch between them — when you play something on your phone, it will pause TV audio and play the phone audio instead.