Connect the Subwoofer First, Then the Soundbar

Start by powering on the subwoofer and placing it in the room where you want it — usually on the floor to the side of or behind your TV. Wait for the LED light on the back to stop blinking and turn solid. This means the subwoofer is ready to pair. Then power on the soundbar and hold the ID/Pairing button (usually on the back or bottom) for about 5 seconds until you see a blinking light. The two devices will find each other wirelessly within 30 seconds. Once the subwoofer light turns solid again, they are connected.

If they do not pair automatically, check that both devices are within 6 feet of each other during setup. Move them closer if needed, then try the pairing process again. Once paired, you can move the subwoofer to its final location in the room — it does not need to stay near the soundbar.

Key Takeaways

  • Power the subwoofer on first and wait for a solid LED light before pairing the soundbar to it.
  • Hold the ID/Pairing button on the soundbar for 5 seconds to start wireless pairing, which takes about 30 seconds to complete.
  • Connect the soundbar to your TV using HDMI eARC, optical cable, or Bluetooth, depending on your TV model and what cables you have.
  • Use the Samsung SmartThings app or your TV remote to adjust soundbar volume and input source after setup is complete.
  • If pairing fails, restart both devices, keep them close together, and try again — most connection problems clear up on the second attempt.

Connect the Soundbar to Your TV

After the soundbar and subwoofer are paired, connect the soundbar to your TV. The best connection method depends on your TV model. If your TV has an HDMI eARC port (usually labeled eARC or ARC), use an HDMI cable to connect the soundbar directly to that port. This sends both video and audio through one cable and gives you the best sound quality. Check your TV manual to find which HDMI port supports eARC — it is often HDMI 3 or 4, but varies by model.

If your TV does not have eARC, use an optical cable instead. Plug one end into the optical audio output on the back of your TV and the other end into the optical input on the soundbar. Optical cables are usually included with Samsung soundbars. If you have neither eARC nor optical, you can use Bluetooth, though this is the least reliable option for everyday use because the connection can drop if your phone or another device pairs with the soundbar.

Set the Soundbar Input to Match Your Connection

Once the cable is plugged in, you need to tell the soundbar which input to listen to. On the soundbar remote, press the Source or Input button and select the connection type you just used — HDMI, Optical, or Bluetooth. The soundbar will remember this setting. If you used HDMI eARC, the soundbar should automatically detect it and switch to that input, but you can manually select it if it does not.

Test the connection by turning on your TV and playing something with sound — a streaming app, a broadcast channel, or a movie. You should hear audio from the soundbar and feel bass from the subwoofer. If you hear nothing, go back and check that the cable is fully inserted on both ends and that the correct input is selected on the soundbar.

Adjust Volume and Sound Settings

Use your TV remote to control the soundbar volume if you connected it via HDMI eARC — most Samsung TVs will automatically send volume commands to the soundbar. If you used an optical cable, you will need the soundbar remote to adjust volume. Keep the soundbar remote in an straightforward-to-reach place.

For more detailed sound adjustments, read the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone. The app lets you change the equalizer settings, turn on surround sound modes, and adjust the subwoofer volume separately from the soundbar. Start with the default settings and only change them if you feel the bass is too loud or the dialogue is hard to hear. Most people do not need to adjust anything after the initial setup.

Position the Subwoofer for Best Bass

The subwoofer does not have to stay in front of the TV — bass travels in all directions and bounces off walls, so placement is flexible. Try placing it in a corner of the room, along a side wall, or behind the couch. Listen to some music or a movie with action scenes and see where the bass sounds fullest. You may need to experiment for a few days to find the best spot.

Avoid placing the subwoofer directly against a wall or in a corner if the bass sounds boomy or muddy — move it out a few inches. If the bass sounds weak, try moving it closer to the center of the room or to a different wall. The subwoofer should be on a hard floor, not on carpet, for the clearest sound.

Troubleshoot Connection Problems

If the soundbar and subwoofer will not pair, unplug both devices, wait 30 seconds, and plug them back in. Start the pairing process again from the beginning. If they still will not connect, check that you are holding the pairing button long enough — some models require 7 to 10 seconds instead of 5.

If the soundbar connects to your TV but produces no sound, make sure the TV volume is not muted and that the soundbar input matches your cable type. Unplug the soundbar for 10 seconds and plug it back in. If you used an optical cable, try swapping it for a different one — some optical cables are defective out of the box. If you used HDMI eARC, restart your TV and soundbar together and try again.

If the subwoofer pairs with the soundbar but produces no bass, check that the subwoofer volume is turned up. On the back of the subwoofer, there is usually a volume dial — turn it clockwise to increase bass. If the dial is already at maximum and you still hear no bass, the subwoofer may be faulty and should be returned or replaced.

Use Your Soundbar With Multiple Devices

Once setup is complete, you can switch between TV, streaming devices, and other sources without re-pairing. If you want to play music from your phone, press the Source button on the soundbar remote and select Bluetooth. Your phone will find the soundbar in its Bluetooth settings — select it and you are connected. When you switch back to watching TV, press Source again and select your TV input.

If you have a Samsung TV, you can also use the TV remote to control the soundbar volume and input. This is the easiest method because you do not have to pick up a second remote. Non-Samsung TVs will not control the soundbar, so you will need the soundbar remote for those.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair the subwoofer and soundbar every time I turn them on?

No. Once they are paired, they stay paired. When you turn them on, they automatically find each other within 30 seconds. You only need to manually pair them once, during initial setup.

Can I use the soundbar without the subwoofer?

Yes. The soundbar works on its own and will produce sound without the subwoofer. However, you will lose the bass, and the soundbar is designed to work best with the subwoofer included in the package.

What if my TV does not have HDMI eARC or an optical port?

Use Bluetooth instead. Pair the soundbar to your TV through your TV's Bluetooth settings, then select Bluetooth as the input on the soundbar. Bluetooth works with almost all TVs, though the connection is less stable than HDMI or optical.

Why is the subwoofer not producing any bass?

Check the volume dial on the back of the subwoofer and turn it up. If it is already at maximum, make sure the subwoofer is powered on and paired with the soundbar — the LED light should be solid, not blinking. If the light is blinking, restart the pairing process.

Can I move the subwoofer to a different room?

The subwoofer will lose connection if you move it too far from the soundbar — the wireless range is typically 30 to 50 feet with a clear line of sight. If you move it to a different room, you will need to re-pair it by holding the pairing button again.