How to Connect a Samsung Soundbar to Your TV

The fastest way: HDMI with eARC

Most Samsung soundbars connect to your TV using a single HDMI cable plugged into the eARC port on your TV. eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) sends sound from the TV back to the soundbar, so you hear everything through the soundbar instead of the TV's built-in speakers — no separate audio cable needed.

Find the HDMI port on your TV labeled eARC or ARC. It is usually HDMI 3 or HDMI 4, but check your TV's manual if you are not sure which one. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into that port and the other end into the HDMI In (eARC) port on the back of your soundbar. Turn on both devices. The soundbar should appear in your TV's sound output menu within a few seconds.

If the soundbar does not show up, go into your TV's settings, find Sound or Audio Output, and select the soundbar from the list. Some TVs call this "Speaker List" or "Audio Device". Once selected, all sound from your TV — streaming apps, cable, antenna — plays through the soundbar.

Key Takeaways

HDMI eARC is the simplest connection: one cable from your TV's eARC port to the soundbar's HDMI In port, then select the soundbar in your TV's sound settings.
If your TV does not have eARC, use an optical cable from the TV's optical audio out port to the soundbar's optical in port instead.
Bluetooth works for phones and tablets but not for TV sound, because TV audio does not automatically send to Bluetooth speakers.
If the soundbar does not appear in your sound menu, restart both devices and check that the cable is fully inserted into the correct port.
Samsung soundbars with a subwoofer pair wirelessly to the soundbar itself — you do not connect the subwoofer to the TV.

Optical cable connection (for older TVs without eARC)

If your TV does not have an eARC port or you prefer not to use HDMI, use an optical audio cable instead. This is a thin cable with a small square connector on each end. Plug one end into the optical audio out port on the back of your TV (often labeled "Optical Out" or "SPDIF") and the other end into the optical in port on the soundbar.

Turn on both devices. Go into your TV's sound settings and select the optical output as your audio device. The soundbar will begin playing TV audio. Optical cables work reliably but do not support advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos, so if your soundbar has Atmos capability, eARC is the better choice.

Pairing the wireless subwoofer (if included)

Samsung soundbars that come with a subwoofer pair the two wirelessly — you do not plug the subwoofer into your TV. Place the subwoofer in the room where you want it, plug it into power, and turn it on. The soundbar and subwoofer usually find each other automatically within 30 seconds.

If they do not pair, press and hold the pairing button on the back of the subwoofer for 5 seconds until the light blinks. Then press the pairing button on the soundbar (or use the remote) to start pairing mode. The lights will stop blinking once they are connected. This wireless connection is separate from how the soundbar connects to your TV.

Using Bluetooth for phones and tablets

You can play music from your phone or tablet through the soundbar using Bluetooth, but this does not work for TV sound. TV audio does not automatically send to Bluetooth speakers the way phone audio does. Use Bluetooth only for streaming music apps, podcasts, or videos from your phone.

Press the Bluetooth button on the soundbar remote or the soundbar itself. The soundbar will enter pairing mode (usually shown by a blinking light). On your phone or tablet, go to Bluetooth settings, find the soundbar's name in the list, and tap it to connect. Once paired, your device will reconnect automatically when you turn the soundbar on.

Troubleshooting: soundbar does not appear in TV sound menu

If you plugged in the HDMI cable but the soundbar is not showing up in your TV's audio output list, restart both devices. Turn off the TV and soundbar completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. This resets the connection and usually fixes the problem.

Check that the HDMI cable is fully inserted into both the eARC port on the TV and the HDMI In port on the soundbar. A loose connection will not register. If you are using an optical cable, make sure it is pushed all the way in — optical connectors sit flush when properly connected.

If the soundbar still does not appear, check your TV's manual to confirm which HDMI port supports eARC. Not all HDMI ports on a TV have eARC capability. Some older Samsung TVs require you to enable eARC in the settings menu before it will work — look under Sound or Audio settings for an option called "HDMI eARC" or "eARC" and turn it on.

Adjusting volume and sound settings

Once the soundbar is connected, use your TV remote to control the volume. The TV will send volume commands to the soundbar automatically. If you want to adjust bass, treble, or sound modes (like Movie or Music), use the soundbar remote instead — these settings are on the soundbar, not the TV.

Some Samsung soundbars have a companion app you can read to your phone to control settings and check the firmware version. This is optional — the soundbar works fine with just the physical remote. If you read the app, make sure your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as the soundbar.

Connecting multiple devices (cable box, streaming device, game console)

If you have a cable box, streaming device, or game console, connect those to your TV using HDMI as usual. The soundbar does not need separate connections to each device — it only connects to the TV. The TV receives audio from all your devices and sends it to the soundbar through the eARC or optical connection.

This setup means you control everything through your TV remote. Switch inputs on the TV to change between cable, streaming, or gaming, and the soundbar automatically plays the audio from whatever is on screen. You do not need to switch the soundbar to different inputs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable for eARC?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works with eARC. You do not need to buy an expensive "eARC cable" — the technology is built into the port, not the cable. A cable you already have will work fine.

Can I use both HDMI and optical at the same time?

You can plug both cables in, but your TV will only send audio through one at a time. Go into sound settings and choose which one you want to use. Using both cables does not improve sound quality — pick one and leave the other disconnected to avoid confusion.

Why does my soundbar work with my phone but not my TV?

Your phone connects via Bluetooth, which is a different connection method than HDMI or optical. TVs do not send audio to Bluetooth speakers automatically. Use HDMI eARC or optical cable for TV sound, and Bluetooth only for phones and tablets.

What if my TV is in another room from where I want the soundbar?

HDMI and optical cables have distance limits — eARC works reliably up to about 15 feet, and optical up to about 30 feet. If your soundbar is farther away, you will need to run the cable through walls or use a wireless connection instead, though this requires a separate wireless audio transmitter (not included with most soundbars).

Do I need to update the soundbar firmware after connecting it?

Not when ready. The soundbar will work as soon as it is connected. Check for firmware updates occasionally using the Samsung SmartThings app or the soundbar's companion app — updates add features and fix bugs, but they are not required for basic operation.

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.