How to Connect a Soundbar to Your Samsung TV

The fastest way: HDMI ARC or eARC

The simplest connection uses a single HDMI cable and works on most Samsung TVs made in the last five years. You plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI ARC port on your TV (usually HDMI 3 or 4, marked "ARC" on the back panel) and the other end into the HDMI ARC port on your soundbar. Then you turn on HDMI-CEC in your TV settings so the devices talk to each other.

If your TV and soundbar both support eARC (an improved version of ARC), use that same port—eARC is backward compatible and handles more audio formats. The TV will automatically detect which one your soundbar supports. You get sound from all your TV apps, cable box, and streaming services through that single cable, and the soundbar remote usually controls both devices.

Check your TV's manual or the back panel to confirm which HDMI port is ARC-enabled. Not every HDMI port works this way, and using the wrong one means no sound.

Key Takeaways

HDMI ARC is the easiest method and requires only one cable plugged into the correct HDMI port on both devices.
You must enable HDMI-CEC in your TV's sound settings for ARC to work; without it, the TV and soundbar cannot communicate.
If your soundbar has no HDMI port, use an optical audio cable instead, which connects to the TV's optical out port.
Bluetooth is the slowest option and works best for music streaming, not for TV shows or movies where sound delay becomes noticeable.
After connecting, set the soundbar as your default audio output in the TV's sound settings so all apps use it automatically.

Setting up HDMI-CEC so your devices work together

Once the cable is plugged in, you need to turn on HDMI-CEC on your Samsung TV. This setting lets the TV and soundbar communicate over the HDMI cable. On Samsung TVs, this setting is usually called Anynet+ (Samsung's name for HDMI-CEC). Go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output, then look for Anynet+ or HDMI-CEC and turn it on.

After you enable Anynet+, power cycle both devices: unplug the soundbar and TV for 30 seconds, then plug them back in. This forces them to recognize each other. When they restart, the TV should automatically detect the soundbar and route sound to it.

If the soundbar still does not receive sound, go back to Settings > Sound > Sound Output and manually select the soundbar from the list of audio devices. The name usually matches the soundbar model (for example, "Samsung HW-Q60C"). Once selected, all TV audio goes to the soundbar.

Using an optical audio cable if your soundbar has no HDMI

Older soundbars and some budget models do not have HDMI ports. In that case, use an optical audio cable (also called a Toslink cable), which connects to the TV's optical out port on the back panel. Plug one end into the TV's optical port and the other into the soundbar's optical in port.

Optical cables carry high-quality audio but cannot send commands between devices, so you will need to use the soundbar's remote to adjust volume separately from the TV remote. The TV remote will still control the TV itself, but not the soundbar.

After plugging in the optical cable, go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output and select the optical port (usually labeled "Optical Out" or "S/PDIF"). The TV will then send all audio through that cable to the soundbar.

Connecting via Bluetooth for wireless audio

If you want to avoid cables entirely, most Samsung soundbars support Bluetooth pairing. Put the soundbar in pairing mode (usually by holding a button on the back or remote for three seconds until a light blinks), then go to your TV's Settings > Sound > Sound Output and select the soundbar from the Bluetooth list.

Bluetooth works well for music streaming apps like Spotify or YouTube Music, but it introduces a slight delay—usually 100 to 200 milliseconds—between the picture and sound. This delay is barely noticeable for music but becomes obvious during TV shows or movies, where lips and dialogue will seem out of sync. For that reason, HDMI ARC is always the better choice for TV viewing.

If you use Bluetooth, keep the soundbar within 30 feet of the TV and away from other wireless devices like routers or microwaves, which can cause dropouts or interference.

Checking your TV's audio output settings

After you connect the soundbar, your TV might still be set to play sound through its built-in speakers. To fix this, go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output and look at what is currently selected. You should see options like "TV Speaker," "Optical Out," "HDMI ARC," or the soundbar's name if it is connected via HDMI.

Select the soundbar or the connection type you used (HDMI ARC or Optical). Once you select it, the TV will send all audio to the soundbar for every app, input, and service. If you ever want to switch back to the TV speakers, you can return to this menu and select "TV Speaker."

Some Samsung TVs also have a "Sound Output" option that says "Auto" or "Detect Connected Device." If you see this, select it and the TV will automatically route sound to the soundbar whenever it is powered on and connected.

Troubleshooting when sound does not come through

If you plugged everything in but hear nothing from the soundbar, start with the simplest fix: make sure the soundbar is powered on and the volume is not muted or set to zero. Check the soundbar's display or LED light to confirm it is receiving power and has detected an input signal.

Next, verify you used the correct HDMI port. Check your TV's manual to confirm which HDMI port supports ARC—plugging the cable into the wrong port is the most common reason sound does not work. If you used an optical cable, make sure it is fully seated in both ports and not bent or damaged.

If you are using HDMI ARC, go back to Settings > Sound > Sound Output and confirm that Anynet+ is turned on and the soundbar is selected as the audio output. Power cycle both devices again by unplugging them for 30 seconds. Sometimes the connection needs to be re-established after a TV update or power outage.

If the soundbar is connected via Bluetooth and sound cuts out, move it closer to the TV and away from other wireless devices. Bluetooth connections can drop if there is too much interference or distance between the devices.

Updating your soundbar firmware for better compatibility

Samsung soundbars occasionally receive firmware updates that improve compatibility with newer TV models and fix connection issues. Check the soundbar's manual or Samsung's support website to see if an update is available for your model.

Most soundbars update automatically if they are connected to your home Wi-Fi network. You can also check manually by going into the soundbar's settings menu (usually accessed through its remote or a companion app) and looking for a "Software Update" or "Firmware Update" option. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

After updating, power cycle the soundbar and TV again to may support the new firmware is fully active and the devices recognize each other correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works for ARC. You do not need an expensive "ARC-certified" cable. The key is plugging it into the correct ARC port on both the TV and soundbar, not the cable itself.

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

Most Samsung TVs do not allow this. When you select the soundbar as the audio output, the TV speakers turn off automatically. If you want sound from both, you would need to manually switch the audio output back to "TV Speaker" in the settings menu.

Why is there a delay between the picture and sound?

This usually happens with Bluetooth connections, which have a built-in delay of 100 to 200 milliseconds. HDMI ARC has almost no delay. If you are using HDMI ARC and still notice a delay, check your soundbar's settings for an audio sync or lip-sync adjustment option and enable it.

What if my soundbar remote does not control the TV volume?

This happens when HDMI-CEC (Anynet+) is not enabled. Go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output and turn on Anynet+. After you enable it and power cycle both devices, the soundbar remote should control both the soundbar and TV volume.

Can I connect multiple soundbars to one TV?

No. Your TV can only send audio to one device at a time. You can switch between them in the Sound Output settings, but only one will receive sound. If you want audio in multiple rooms, you would need a separate audio system for each room.

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.