How to Connect a Soundbar to Your Samsung TV

The fastest way: HDMI with eARC

Most Samsung TVs made in the last five years have an eARC port — usually HDMI 3 or HDMI 4, marked on the back. If your soundbar also has eARC, this is the single cable method. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the eARC port on your TV and the other into the eARC port on the soundbar. Turn on both devices. The TV will send audio to the soundbar automatically, and you can control the soundbar volume with your Samsung remote.

If your soundbar does not have eARC but your TV does, you can still use HDMI — it just becomes a one-way connection. The soundbar will play audio from the TV, but you may need to adjust volume on the soundbar itself rather than from your remote. Check your soundbar manual to see which HDMI port to use; some models require a specific input.

eARC works with any content source connected to your TV: streaming apps, cable boxes, gaming consoles, and antenna broadcasts all route through the TV to the soundbar. You do not need separate cables for each device.

Key Takeaways

HDMI eARC is the simplest method if both your TV and soundbar support it — one cable handles both picture and sound.
If your soundbar lacks eARC, optical audio (TOSLINK) is the most reliable second choice and works with nearly all Samsung TVs.
Bluetooth works for some soundbars but can drop connection and does not work with cable boxes or antenna TV.
After connecting, check your TV's sound output settings to make sure audio is routed to the soundbar, not the TV speakers.
If you have a Samsung soundbar, Samsung's SmartThings app can simplify pairing and let you control both devices from one place.

Optical audio (TOSLINK) for older soundbars

If your soundbar does not have HDMI eARC, look for an optical audio port on the back — it is a small square opening, usually labeled "OPTICAL" or "TOSLINK." Samsung TVs have a matching port on the back panel. Use an optical audio cable (they cost five to fifteen dollars) to connect the two ports directly.

Optical audio carries sound from your TV to the soundbar but not the other way around. It works with all content sources that run through your TV: streaming, cable, antenna, and gaming consoles. The connection is stable and does not drop like Bluetooth can.

After you plug in the cable, go to your TV's sound settings. Press the Menu button on your Samsung remote, navigate to Sound, then look for Speaker or Sound Output. Change it from "TV Speaker" to "External Speaker" or "Optical Out." Your soundbar should start playing audio when ready.

Bluetooth pairing for wireless connection

Some soundbars connect via Bluetooth, which means no cables at all. Press and hold the Bluetooth button on your soundbar (or check the manual for the pairing button) until a light blinks. On your Samsung TV, go to Menu > Sound > Speaker Settings > Bluetooth Speaker. Select your soundbar from the list and confirm pairing.

Bluetooth works well for streaming apps and some cable boxes, but it has limits. It does not work with antenna TV or some older cable systems. The connection can also drop if the soundbar moves out of range or if another Bluetooth device interferes. If you use your TV for cable or antenna, Bluetooth alone is not reliable enough — pair it with HDMI or optical as your main connection instead.

If your soundbar supports both Bluetooth and HDMI, use HDMI as the primary connection and keep Bluetooth as a backup for when you want to play audio from your phone or tablet.

Samsung SmartThings app for easier setup

If you own a Samsung soundbar, the SmartThings app (free on Android and iOS) can pair it with your TV automatically. Open the app, tap the plus icon to add a device, and select your soundbar from the list. The app will walk you through the rest. Once paired, you can control both the TV and soundbar from one screen and adjust settings without hunting through menus.

SmartThings also lets you create scenes — for example, a "Movie" scene that dims the lights (if you have smart lights), turns off notifications, and sets the soundbar to a specific volume. You do not need SmartThings to use your soundbar, but it removes the need to switch between remotes.

SmartThings requires a Samsung account (free to create) and a Wi-Fi connection. Your TV and soundbar must be on the same network. If you have trouble pairing, restart both devices and make sure they are within 10 feet of your router.

Checking your TV's sound output settings

After you connect your soundbar, your TV may still send audio to its built-in speakers instead of the soundbar. To fix this, press Menu on your Samsung remote and go to Sound. Look for an option called Speaker, Sound Output, or Audio Output. Select it and choose "External Speaker," "Soundbar," "HDMI eARC," or "Optical Out" depending on how you connected.

If you do not see these options, your TV may be set to "Auto" mode, which should detect the soundbar automatically. Wait 30 seconds after plugging in the cable, then restart the TV. If audio still comes from the TV speakers, unplug the soundbar for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and try the sound settings again.

Some Samsung TVs also have a separate setting for which apps use the soundbar. If you notice that streaming apps use the soundbar but cable does not, check the Sound menu for an option like "HDMI Audio Format" or "Digital Audio Out" and make sure it is set to the connection type you used.

Troubleshooting no sound from the soundbar

If you plugged everything in but hear nothing from the soundbar, start with the volume. Check that the soundbar is turned on and that its volume is not at zero. Many soundbars have a physical volume dial or buttons on the back — try turning it up. Also check that your TV volume is not muted (look for a mute icon on the remote or screen).

Next, verify the connection. If you used HDMI, unplug the cable and plug it back in firmly — a loose connection is the most common cause of no sound. If you used optical, make sure the cable is fully inserted into both ports and that neither port is blocked by dust. If you used Bluetooth, go back to your TV's Bluetooth settings and unpair the soundbar, then pair it again from scratch.

If the soundbar still has no sound, check your TV's sound output setting one more time (Menu > Sound > Speaker). Make sure it is not set to "TV Speaker." If it is, change it to match your connection type. Restart both devices and wait a full minute before testing again.

Connecting multiple devices to your soundbar

Your soundbar can receive audio from your TV, but your TV can receive audio from many sources: a cable box, streaming device, gaming console, or antenna. All of these connect to your TV (not directly to the soundbar), and the TV passes the audio to the soundbar through your HDMI or optical cable.

If you want to connect a device directly to the soundbar — for example, to play music from a phone via Bluetooth — most soundbars support that. Pair your phone to the soundbar using Bluetooth, and it will play through the soundbar speakers. When you switch back to watching TV, the TV audio takes over automatically.

Some soundbars have multiple HDMI inputs, which means you can plug a gaming console or streaming device directly into the soundbar instead of the TV. Check your soundbar manual to see if it has this feature. If it does, you can control everything from the soundbar remote without switching between devices.

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 a cable labeled "eARC" or "high-speed." If you already have an HDMI cable, it will work. The eARC feature is built into the ports, not the cable.

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 to your sound settings and choose which connection you want to use. If you switch between them often, use HDMI eARC as your main connection — it is more reliable and handles more audio formats.

Why does my soundbar keep disconnecting via Bluetooth?

Bluetooth has a limited range and can be blocked by walls or interference from other devices. Move the soundbar closer to the TV or remove obstacles between them. If disconnections keep happening, switch to HDMI or optical instead — they are more stable. Bluetooth works best as a backup for playing music from your phone, not as your main TV connection.

Will my Samsung remote control the soundbar volume?

Yes, if you use HDMI eARC. The TV remote will adjust soundbar volume automatically. With optical or Bluetooth, you may need to use the soundbar remote or app to change volume, depending on your soundbar model. Check your soundbar manual to see if it supports remote control from your TV.

What if my TV does not have eARC?

Use optical audio instead. All Samsung TVs have an optical port. Optical is just as reliable as eARC for most uses and works with all content sources. The only downside is that you may need the soundbar remote to adjust volume, but the audio quality is the same.

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.