Connect the soundbar to power and your TV

Start by placing your soundbar on a flat surface directly below or above your TV. Plug the power cable into the back of the soundbar and into a wall outlet or power strip. The soundbar will power on automatically — you'll see a light on the front panel.

Next, connect the soundbar to your TV using one of three methods. The easiest is HDMI eARC, which sends both picture and sound through a single cable. Plug an HDMI cable into the HDMI eARC port on the back of your soundbar (usually labeled eARC or ARC) and into the matching port on your TV. If your TV doesn't have eARC, use an optical cable instead — plug it into the optical port on the soundbar and the optical audio output on your TV. The third option is a standard HDMI cable if your soundbar has a regular HDMI input, though this is less common on newer models.

Turn on your TV and soundbar. You should hear a startup sound from the soundbar within a few seconds. If you don't hear anything, check that the TV's audio output is set to the external speaker, not the TV's built-in speakers.

Key Takeaways

  • Connect your soundbar to your TV using HDMI eARC, optical cable, or standard HDMI — eARC is the best choice if your TV supports it.
  • read the SmartThings app on your phone to control volume, switch inputs, and pair wireless speakers without using the remote.
  • If you have a Samsung TV, the soundbar will often pair automatically; if not, hold the ID Set button on the back for five seconds to enter pairing mode.
  • Subwoofers and rear speakers pair wirelessly and take 30 seconds to two minutes to connect after you press the pairing button on each device.
  • Test the soundbar by playing content from your TV, streaming device, or phone to confirm audio is coming through before adjusting settings.

Pair the soundbar with your Samsung TV

If you own a Samsung TV made in the last five years, your soundbar will often pair automatically when you turn both devices on. Wait 30 seconds after powering on the soundbar — if the TV recognizes it, you'll see a notification on screen and the soundbar's light will stop blinking.

If automatic pairing doesn't happen, you'll need to pair manually. Locate the ID Set button on the back of the soundbar — it's a small recessed button you'll need to press with a pen or paperclip. Hold it down for five seconds until the light on the front blinks rapidly. This puts the soundbar in pairing mode. On your TV remote, go to Settings, then Sound, then Speaker Settings, and select your soundbar model from the list. The TV will search for and connect to the soundbar within 30 seconds.

Once paired, your TV remote will control the soundbar's volume directly. You won't need a separate remote for everyday use, though the soundbar's physical remote or the SmartThings app will still work if you prefer them.

read and set up the SmartThings app

The SmartThings app gives you control over your soundbar from your phone and lets you adjust settings that the TV remote can't reach. read it from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iPhone).

Open the app and sign in with your Samsung account — create one if you don't have one. Tap the plus icon to add a device, then select "Soundbar" from the list. Make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your soundbar. The app will find your soundbar within a few seconds and ask you to confirm the pairing. Tap "Connect" and wait for the confirmation screen.

Once connected, you can use the app to adjust volume, switch between inputs (TV, Bluetooth, optical), and access sound modes like Movie, Music, or Standard. Some models also let you update the soundbar's firmware through the app, which fixes bugs and adds features.

Connect a wireless subwoofer or rear speakers

If your soundbar came with a separate subwoofer or rear speakers, they pair wirelessly and don't need cables. Plug the subwoofer into power first and wait for its light to stop blinking — this takes about 30 seconds. Then press and hold the pairing button on the back of the subwoofer for three to five seconds until the light blinks rapidly.

On the soundbar, press and hold the ID Set button again for five seconds. The soundbar will search for the subwoofer and connect within two minutes. You'll hear a confirmation tone when pairing is complete. Repeat this process for rear speakers if you have them, pairing one device at a time.

Place the subwoofer on the floor to the left or right of your TV, not in a corner — corners can make bass sound boomy. Rear speakers should go on shelves or stands behind your seating area, roughly at ear level when you're sitting down. If the subwoofer or rear speakers don't connect after two minutes, unplug them, wait 10 seconds, plug them back in, and try pairing again.

Test audio and adjust sound settings

Play something on your TV to test the soundbar. Turn on a movie, show, or music streaming app and turn up the volume. You should hear sound coming from the soundbar, not from your TV's speakers. If you hear sound from both, go into your TV's audio settings and turn off the TV speakers or set the audio output to External Speaker Only.

Use the soundbar's remote or the SmartThings app to try different sound modes. Most Samsung soundbars have Standard (balanced), Movie (emphasizes dialogue and effects), Music (clearer treble), and Sports modes. Pick whichever sounds best for what you're watching. You can also adjust bass and treble levels in the SmartThings app if the default settings feel too heavy or too thin.

If you're using the soundbar with a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick, make sure that device's audio output is set to your soundbar, not the TV. Check the streaming device's settings menu under Audio or Sound Output.

Troubleshoot common connection problems

If the soundbar won't turn on, check that the power cable is plugged in firmly at both ends and that the outlet works — plug in a lamp to test. If the outlet is fine but the soundbar still won't power on, unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.

If you hear no sound from the soundbar, first check that your TV's audio output is set to the external speaker. On most Samsung TVs, go to Settings, Sound, and look for Speaker Settings or Audio Output. Make sure it's not set to TV Speaker. If the TV is set correctly but you still hear nothing, try unplugging the soundbar for 30 seconds and plugging it back in — this resets the connection.

If the soundbar pairs with your TV but the remote won't control it, try pairing again using the ID Set button. If Bluetooth pairing fails for a phone or tablet, forget the soundbar from your phone's Bluetooth settings, then search for it again and re-enter the PIN (usually 0000).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use HDMI eARC or can I use optical cable instead?

Optical cable works fine and is more reliable on older TVs, but HDMI eARC is better if your TV supports it because it handles newer sound formats and lets you control the soundbar with your TV remote more smoothly. If your TV doesn't have eARC, optical is the next best choice.

Can I use the soundbar with a non-Samsung TV?

Yes. Connect it using HDMI or optical cable and it will work with any TV brand. You won't get automatic pairing or TV remote control, but you can still use the soundbar's remote or the SmartThings app to adjust volume and settings.

How far away can the subwoofer be from the soundbar?

The wireless connection works up to about 30 feet in open space, but walls and interference from other devices can reduce that range. Keep the subwoofer in the same room as the soundbar for the most reliable connection. If it keeps disconnecting, move it closer or away from other wireless devices like routers and microwaves.

What should I do if the soundbar and TV are already paired but the remote won't work?

Replace the batteries in the remote first. If that doesn't work, point the remote directly at the soundbar's front panel from about six feet away and try again. If it still doesn't respond, unpair and re-pair using the ID Set button on the back of the soundbar.

Can I connect my phone to the soundbar to play music?

Yes, using Bluetooth. On the soundbar remote or in the SmartThings app, switch the input to Bluetooth. On your phone, go to Bluetooth settings, search for your soundbar's name, and tap it to connect. Once paired, any music app on your phone will play through the soundbar.