Connect Your Samsung Soundbar in Three Steps

Most Samsung soundbars pair to your TV using a single HDMI cable or an optical audio cable — no app or extra setup required. If you want to play music from your phone, you can add Bluetooth pairing without removing the TV connection. The whole process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether your soundbar is new or has been sitting in a box.

The method depends on what you want to connect. TV pairing is fastest and gives you the best sound for movies and shows. Phone pairing lets you stream music and podcasts. You can have both active at the same time, and the soundbar will switch between them automatically when you start playing something.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI eARC is the fastest way to connect a Samsung soundbar to a TV — plug one cable into the eARC port on your TV and the HDMI port on the soundbar, then turn both devices on.
  • If your TV does not have eARC, use an optical audio cable instead, which carries sound from the TV to the soundbar without needing a separate power connection.
  • Bluetooth pairing for your phone happens through the soundbar's physical buttons or the Samsung SmartThings app, and takes about 30 seconds.
  • Once paired, your soundbar remembers both your TV and phone, so you will not have to pair them again unless you reset the soundbar.

Pairing Your Soundbar to a TV Using HDMI eARC

HDMI eARC is the cable method that works best. It carries both video and audio through one cable, and it lets your TV remote control the soundbar's volume. Check the back of your TV for a port labeled "eARC" or "ARC" — most Samsung TVs made in the last five years have one.

Plug an HDMI cable into the eARC port on your TV. Plug the other end into the HDMI port on the back of your soundbar. Turn on both devices. Your TV should recognize the soundbar within 10 seconds, and you will hear a confirmation tone from the soundbar. If you do not hear it, go into your TV's sound settings and make sure the audio output is set to HDMI or External Speaker.

Once connected, use your TV remote to adjust the soundbar volume. If the remote does not control it, your TV may need a software update, or the eARC setting may be turned off in the TV menu. Check your TV's manual for the exact menu path — it is usually under Sound or Audio Output.

Using an Optical Audio Cable If Your TV Has No eARC

Older TVs and some newer models do not have eARC. In that case, use an optical audio cable (also called a Toslink cable). This cable carries sound only, not video, but it works reliably and costs about five dollars.

Plug the optical cable into the optical audio output on your TV — it is usually a small round port on the back labeled "Optical Out" or "Digital Audio Out." Plug the other end into the optical port on the soundbar. Turn on both devices. The soundbar will recognize the connection automatically.

With an optical cable, your TV remote will not control the soundbar volume. You will use the soundbar's remote or buttons on the unit itself. If you want to control volume from your TV remote, you can pair the soundbar to your TV via Bluetooth instead, though this is less common for TV connections.

Pairing Your Phone to the Soundbar via Bluetooth

To play music or podcasts from your phone, pair it to the soundbar using Bluetooth. Press and hold the Bluetooth button on the soundbar's remote or on the unit itself — it usually looks like a Bluetooth symbol. The soundbar will enter pairing mode, and you will hear a tone or see a light blink.

On your phone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and turn Bluetooth on. Your soundbar should appear in the list of available devices. Tap its name to pair. Once paired, your phone will remember the soundbar, and it will connect automatically the next time you turn the soundbar on and Bluetooth is on on your phone.

If the soundbar does not appear in your phone's Bluetooth list, make sure the soundbar is still in pairing mode — you may need to hold the button for a full 10 seconds. If it still does not show up, restart the soundbar by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and try again.

Using the Samsung SmartThings App to Pair and Control

The Samsung SmartThings app is optional but useful if you want to adjust bass, treble, and other sound settings from your phone. read the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, then open it and tap the plus sign to add a device.

Select Soundbar, then choose your soundbar model from the list. The app will walk you through pairing. Once paired, you can adjust volume, switch between inputs (TV, Bluetooth, or aux), and change sound modes like Movie, Music, or Standard. You can also see the soundbar's battery level if it is a wireless model.

The app is not required to use the soundbar — it just gives you more control. If you do not want to use it, the soundbar works fine with just the physical remote or buttons.

Troubleshooting When the Soundbar Will Not Pair

If your soundbar does not connect to your TV or phone, start by checking the cable. Make sure the HDMI or optical cable is pushed all the way into both ports — a loose connection is the most common reason pairing fails. If you are using HDMI, try a different HDMI port on your TV, as some ports may not support eARC.

For Bluetooth pairing, make sure your phone's Bluetooth is on and the soundbar is in pairing mode. Move your phone closer to the soundbar — Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet, but walls and other devices can interfere. If pairing still fails, restart both devices by turning them off for 30 seconds, then turning them back on.

If the soundbar pairs but produces no sound, check your TV's audio output settings. Go to Sound or Audio in your TV menu and make sure the output is set to External Speaker, HDMI, or Optical — not Internal Speaker. On your phone, make sure the volume is turned up and the soundbar is selected as the audio output in your phone's Bluetooth settings.

Resetting Your Soundbar If Pairing Fails Completely

If nothing works, you can reset the soundbar to factory settings. This erases all paired devices and returns the soundbar to the state it was in when new. Unplug the soundbar from the wall. Wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and when ready press and hold the reset button — this is usually a small button on the back or bottom of the unit, sometimes labeled Reset or marked with a small hole.

Hold the button for about 10 seconds until you hear a tone or see lights flash. The soundbar is now reset. Pair it again to your TV or phone using the steps above. If the soundbar still will not pair after a reset, there may be a hardware problem, and you should contact Samsung support or check the warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Your soundbar can be connected to your TV via HDMI or optical cable and paired to your phone via Bluetooth at the same time. The soundbar will play sound from whichever device is actively sending audio. If you start playing music on your phone, it will pause the TV sound and play the music instead.

Why does my TV remote not control the soundbar volume?

Your TV remote controls soundbar volume only if you use HDMI eARC and the TV has that feature enabled. If you are using an optical cable, the remote will not work — you will need the soundbar remote. Check your TV's sound settings to make sure eARC is turned on.

How do I know if my TV has eARC?

Look at the back of your TV for an HDMI port labeled "eARC" or "ARC." If you do not see a label, check your TV's manual or look up your model number online. Most Samsung TVs from 2018 onward have eARC, but older models may not.

What if I want to pair a second phone to the soundbar?

Put the soundbar back into pairing mode by holding the Bluetooth button, then pair the second phone the same way you paired the first. The soundbar will remember both phones. When you want to switch between them, just start playing audio on the phone you want to use.

Do I need the Samsung SmartThings app to use my soundbar?

No. The soundbar works without the app using just the physical remote or buttons. The app is optional and gives you extra control over sound settings and input switching from your phone. You can use the soundbar perfectly well without ever downloading it.