How to Connect Your Samsung Soundbar to Your Samsung TV

The fastest way to connect a Samsung soundbar to a Samsung TV

The easiest connection method is Samsung Wireless Soundbar Link, which pairs your soundbar to your TV without an HDMI cable or manual setup. Turn on both devices, press the pairing button on the soundbar's remote or the back panel, and your TV should detect it within 30 seconds. Once paired, audio from the TV plays through the soundbar automatically.

If Wireless Soundbar Link does not work or your models do not support it, use an HDMI eARC cable instead. This single cable carries both video and audio, and it is the most reliable method for newer Samsung TVs and soundbars. Plug one end into the eARC port on your TV (usually labeled HDMI 3 or HDMI 4) and the other into the HDMI input on the soundbar, then set your TV's sound output to the soundbar in the audio settings.

Older Samsung soundbars may require an optical cable or a 3.5mm aux cable as a fallback. These work but do not support advanced audio formats, so check your soundbar's manual first to see which ports it has.

Key Takeaways

Samsung Wireless Soundbar Link is the fastest method and requires no cables—just turn on both devices and press the pairing button.
HDMI eARC is the most reliable wired option and uses a single cable that carries both video and audio signals.
You must set your TV's audio output to the soundbar in the sound settings menu after connecting, or the TV will still play audio through its built-in speakers.
If your soundbar does not appear in the TV's Bluetooth list, restart both devices and try pairing again within 30 seconds of pressing the pairing button.

Connecting via Samsung Wireless Soundbar Link (no cables)

This method works on most Samsung soundbars made in 2018 or later and Samsung TVs from 2017 onward. Start by turning on your soundbar and TV. On the soundbar's remote, look for a button labeled Pairing, Link, or Bluetooth—press and hold it for 3 to 5 seconds until the LED light on the soundbar blinks blue or white.

On your TV remote, go to Settings → Sound → Sound Output (or Speaker Settings on some models). Your TV should show a list of available devices. Select your soundbar's model name from the list. The pairing usually completes in 10 to 30 seconds, and the soundbar's LED will stop blinking and stay solid.

If your soundbar does not appear in the list, restart both devices and try again. Make sure the soundbar is within 10 feet of the TV and that no other Bluetooth devices are trying to pair at the same time. Some Samsung soundbars have a dedicated pairing button on the back panel instead of the remote—check the manual if you cannot find the button on the remote.

Connecting via HDMI eARC (one cable)

HDMI eARC is the most stable wired connection and works with all Samsung soundbars that have an HDMI input. Locate the eARC port on your TV—it is usually HDMI 3 or HDMI 4 and may be labeled "eARC" or "ARC" on the back panel. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into this port and the other end into the HDMI input on your soundbar.

Turn on both devices. On your TV remote, go to Settings → Sound → Sound Output and select your soundbar from the list. If the soundbar does not appear, go to Settings → General → External Device Manager and turn on HDMI eARC. This setting tells your TV to send audio through the HDMI cable instead of the built-in speakers.

Test the connection by playing a video or music on your TV. Audio should come from the soundbar, not the TV speakers. If you hear sound from both, return to Sound Output and make sure the soundbar is selected. If the soundbar still does not work, unplug both devices for 30 seconds, plug them back in, and try again.

Using an optical cable as a backup

If your soundbar has an optical input but no HDMI port, use a digital optical cable (also called a TOSLINK cable). Plug one end into the optical output port on your TV and the other into the optical input on the soundbar. Optical cables are inexpensive and widely available at electronics stores.

Go to Settings → Sound → Sound Output on your TV and select the soundbar. Optical cables do not support advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos, so you will hear standard stereo or 5.1 surround sound depending on what your soundbar supports. This method is reliable but older than HDMI eARC.

Fixing common connection problems

If your soundbar pairs but produces no sound, the TV's audio output is still set to the built-in speakers. Go to Settings → Sound → Sound Output and change it from TV Speaker to your soundbar's name. Save the setting and test again.

If the soundbar appears in the Bluetooth list but will not pair, move it closer to the TV (within 6 feet) and try pairing again. Turn off any other Bluetooth devices nearby, such as phones or tablets, because they can interfere with the pairing process. If the soundbar still will not connect, restart both devices by unplugging them for 30 seconds.

If you are using HDMI eARC and the soundbar is not recognized, check that you plugged the cable into the correct HDMI port on your TV. Not all HDMI ports support eARC—your manual will show which one does. You may also need to enable eARC in your TV's settings under General → External Device Manager.

Switching between soundbar and TV speakers

You can switch audio output back to your TV speakers at any time without disconnecting the soundbar. Go to Settings → Sound → Sound Output and select TV Speaker. The soundbar will remain paired or connected but will not play audio until you switch back to it.

Some Samsung TVs also have a quick-access sound menu on the remote. Press the Volume button and hold it for 2 seconds to open the sound menu, then select your preferred speaker. This is faster than going through the full settings menu each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Samsung TV to use a Samsung soundbar?

No. Samsung soundbars work with any TV that has HDMI eARC, optical output, or Bluetooth. You will not have access to Samsung Wireless Soundbar Link with non-Samsung TVs, but the other connection methods work the same way.

Can I use both the soundbar and TV speakers at the same time?

No. When you set the TV's sound output to the soundbar, audio plays only through the soundbar. If you want to hear sound from both, you will need to switch the output back to the TV speakers, which disables the soundbar.

Why does my soundbar keep disconnecting from the TV?

Wireless connections drop if the soundbar moves too far from the TV or if other Bluetooth devices interfere. Keep the soundbar within 10 feet of the TV and away from microwaves or cordless phones. If disconnections happen often, use an HDMI eARC cable instead—it is more stable than wireless.

What if my soundbar has no pairing button?

Some older Samsung soundbars pair automatically when turned on near the TV. Try turning on the soundbar and then going to your TV's Bluetooth settings to see if it appears in the device list. If not, check the manual for your soundbar model—it may have a pairing button on the back panel or require a specific button combination on the remote.

Can I connect multiple soundbars to one TV?

No. Your TV can only output audio to one device at a time. If you pair a second soundbar, it will replace the first one in the TV's settings.

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.