How to Connect a Soundbar to Your TV

The three ways soundbars connect to TVs

A soundbar connects to your TV through one of three methods: HDMI, which carries both picture and sound through a single cable; optical audio, which uses a thin cable to send sound only; or Bluetooth, which is wireless. Most soundbars support at least two of these, and many support all three. The method you choose depends on what ports your TV has, what cables came with your soundbar, and whether you want a wireless setup.

HDMI is the most common choice because it handles everything in one connection and often lets the soundbar control your TV's volume with your remote. Optical audio is reliable and works with almost any TV made in the last 15 years, but requires a cable run along your wall or furniture. Bluetooth is the easiest to set up if your TV supports it, but can occasionally drop the connection if something interferes with the signal.

Key Takeaways

HDMI is the best choice if your TV has an HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC, because it carries both picture and sound through one cable and usually lets the soundbar respond to your TV remote.
Optical audio works with almost any TV and requires only a thin cable, but you will need to manually adjust soundbar volume since the TV remote usually cannot control it.
Bluetooth is wireless and simple to set up, but works only if your TV has Bluetooth and the soundbar is within 30 feet of the TV.
Check your TV's manual or the back panel to see which ports are available before you buy a soundbar or cables.

Connecting with HDMI (ARC or eARC)

HDMI is the fastest and most reliable way to connect a soundbar. The soundbar plugs into a specific HDMI port on your TV labeled HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC — not just any HDMI port. ARC stands for "Audio Return Channel," which means that port can send sound back to the soundbar instead of just receiving it from a device like a streaming box.

To connect: Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI ARC or eARC port on your TV. Plug the other end into the HDMI port on the soundbar. Turn on the soundbar and TV. On your TV, go to Settings, then Audio or Sound, and look for an option called "HDMI ARC" or "Digital Audio Out." Turn it on. Your TV should now send all sound to the soundbar automatically, and your TV remote will usually control the soundbar's volume.

If you have a cable box, streaming device, or gaming console, you can plug those into the other HDMI ports on your TV — not the ARC port. The TV will mix all the sound from those devices and send it to the soundbar through the ARC port. This is why HDMI ARC is so useful: everything goes through one connection to the soundbar.

Connecting with optical audio cable

Optical audio is a thin cable that carries sound only, not picture. It works with almost every TV made since 2005 and is very reliable. The port looks like a small rectangular opening, usually labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK." You will find it on the back or side of your TV, often near the HDMI ports.

To connect: Locate the optical audio port on your TV and the optical port on the soundbar. Insert the optical cable into both ports — it only fits one way, so do not force it. Turn on the soundbar. On your TV, go to Settings, then Audio or Sound, and look for "Digital Audio Out" or "Optical Out." Make sure it is turned on. Your TV will now send sound to the soundbar.

One limitation of optical audio: your TV remote will not control the soundbar's volume. You will need to use the soundbar's remote or buttons to adjust sound. If you have a cable box or streaming device, plug it into an HDMI port on the TV, and the TV will send that sound through the optical cable to the soundbar — just like with HDMI ARC, but using optical instead.

Connecting with Bluetooth

Bluetooth is wireless, so you do not need any cables between the TV and soundbar. However, not all TVs have Bluetooth, and the soundbar must be within about 30 feet of the TV for the connection to stay stable. Bluetooth works best in a living room where the TV and soundbar are in the same room with no thick walls between them.

To connect: Make sure the soundbar is turned on and in pairing mode — check the soundbar's manual for how to enter pairing mode, as this varies by brand. On your TV, go to Settings, then Bluetooth or Wireless, and look for the soundbar's name in the list of available devices. Select it. The TV and soundbar should now be paired, and sound will play through the soundbar.

Bluetooth has one drawback: if your TV is also connected to other Bluetooth devices like headphones or a phone, it might switch to those instead of the soundbar. If the sound cuts out or switches unexpectedly, check your TV's Bluetooth settings and make sure the soundbar is still selected as the audio output device.

What to do if your TV does not have the port you need

If your TV does not have HDMI ARC, optical audio, or Bluetooth, you have two options. The first is to use a streaming device that has the connection you need — for example, a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick. Plug the soundbar into the streaming device instead of the TV, and the device will send sound to the soundbar. You will watch everything through that device, so your cable box or antenna must also plug into it.

The second option is to buy an audio adapter that converts one type of connection to another. For example, if your TV has only HDMI but no ARC port, you can buy an HDMI to optical converter. These adapters are inexpensive but add another device to your setup. Before buying an adapter, check your TV's manual to confirm which ports you actually have — many people miss the ARC port because it looks like a regular HDMI port.

Troubleshooting when the soundbar will not connect

If you have plugged in the cable or turned on Bluetooth but hear no sound from the soundbar, start by checking that the soundbar is turned on and set to the correct input. Most soundbars have a button or remote option to switch between HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth inputs. Press the input button on the soundbar or its remote and cycle through the options until you see the one you are using light up.

Next, check your TV's audio settings. Go to Settings, then Audio or Sound, and make sure the output is set to the external speaker or soundbar, not the TV's built-in speakers. If you are using HDMI ARC, make sure you plugged the cable into the port labeled ARC or eARC, not a regular HDMI port. If you are using optical audio, make sure "Digital Audio Out" is turned on in your TV's settings.

If the soundbar connects but the sound is very quiet, check the volume on both the soundbar and the TV. Some TVs mute the soundbar when you turn down the TV's volume, so try turning the TV volume all the way up and then adjusting the soundbar's volume instead. If you are using Bluetooth and the connection keeps dropping, move the soundbar closer to the TV or remove any large metal objects between them.

Choosing the right connection for your setup

If your TV has HDMI ARC or eARC, use that — it is the simplest and most reliable option, and your TV remote will control the volume. If your TV does not have ARC but has an optical port, optical audio is your next best choice. If your TV has Bluetooth and you do not want cables, Bluetooth works well as long as the soundbar stays within 30 feet of the TV and nothing interferes with the signal.

Before you buy a soundbar, check what ports your TV actually has. Look at the back and sides of your TV, or search for your TV model number plus "ports" or "connections" online. Write down which ports you see — HDMI, optical, Bluetooth, or a combination. Then buy a soundbar that supports at least one of those connections. Most soundbars support multiple connections, so you will have options if one method does not work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a regular HDMI cable instead of HDMI ARC?

A regular HDMI cable will work physically, but it will not send sound from your TV to the soundbar. You must use the HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC. If your TV does not have an ARC port, use optical audio or Bluetooth instead.

Do I need to buy special cables for optical audio?

No. Any optical audio cable works with any soundbar and TV that has an optical port. They are inexpensive and available at any electronics store. The cable is the same whether your soundbar costs $100 or $1,000.

Why does my soundbar keep disconnecting from Bluetooth?

Bluetooth can drop if the soundbar is more than 30 feet from the TV, if there are thick walls between them, or if another Bluetooth device is interfering. Try moving the soundbar closer to the TV or turning off other Bluetooth devices in the room. If the problem continues, switch to HDMI or optical audio instead.

Can I connect a soundbar to my TV and my phone at the same time?

Most soundbars can connect to only one device at a time. If you want to switch between your TV and phone, you will need to disconnect from one and connect to the other. Some newer soundbars can remember both connections and switch automatically when you play sound from a different device, but this varies by brand.

What if my TV is mounted on the wall and I do not want cables showing?

Run the cable behind the wall if possible, or use a cable cover that attaches to the wall. If you want to avoid cables entirely, use Bluetooth instead — just make sure your TV has Bluetooth and the soundbar is within 30 feet. Bluetooth is the only cable-free option.

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.