How to Connect Your Bose Soundbar to Your TV

Connect your Bose soundbar using HDMI, optical cable, or Bluetooth

Most Bose soundbars connect to your TV through one of three methods: HDMI (the fastest and most reliable), optical cable (if your TV has an optical port), or Bluetooth wireless (if HDMI and optical aren't available). HDMI is the best choice because it carries both picture and sound through one cable and lets your soundbar control your TV's volume with your remote. Start by checking what ports are on the back of your TV and soundbar — this determines which method will work for you.

The connection itself takes about five minutes. You'll plug a cable into your TV's output port and your soundbar's input port, then tell your TV to send sound to that port instead of its built-in speakers. If you're using Bluetooth, you'll hold a button on the soundbar to make it discoverable, then select it from your TV's Bluetooth menu. Either way, you'll hear sound from the soundbar within a few minutes.

Key Takeaways

HDMI is the most reliable connection method and lets your soundbar remote control your TV's volume.
Optical cable is the second choice if your TV has an optical port and HDMI isn't available.
Bluetooth wireless works if your TV supports it, but you cannot control TV volume from the soundbar remote.
After connecting the cable, you must change your TV's audio output setting so sound plays through the soundbar instead of the TV speakers.
If you hear nothing after connecting, check that the soundbar is powered on and your TV's audio output is set to the correct port.

Connect using HDMI (the best option)

HDMI is the strongest connection because it sends audio and video through one cable, and most Bose soundbars come with an HDMI cable in the box. Look at the back of your TV for a port labeled HDMI or HDMI ARC (ARC stands for Audio Return Channel, which means the TV can send sound back through the same cable). Plug one end of the HDMI cable into that port on your TV.

Plug the other end into the HDMI input port on the back of your Bose soundbar. The port is usually labeled HDMI In. Turn on both the TV and soundbar. Now you need to tell your TV to send sound to the soundbar instead of its own speakers. Pick up your TV remote and look for a menu button (often labeled Menu, Settings, or a gear icon). Go to Sound or Audio settings, then look for an option called Audio Output, Speaker Output, or Sound Output. Change it from Internal Speaker or TV Speaker to HDMI or the name of your soundbar. Your TV remote's volume buttons should now control the soundbar volume.

Connect using an optical cable (if HDMI isn't available)

An optical cable (also called a Toslink cable) is a thin cable with a small square connector on each end. It carries sound only, not video. Look at the back of your TV for a port labeled Optical Out, Digital Out, or S/PDIF. If you see it, plug one end of the optical cable into that port. Plug the other end into the Optical In port on the back of your Bose soundbar.

Turn on both devices. Go to your TV's Sound or Audio settings the same way you would for HDMI, and change the Audio Output to Optical or Digital Out. You should hear sound from the soundbar within a few seconds. Note that with an optical connection, your soundbar remote may not control your TV's volume — you'll need to use your TV remote to adjust volume instead. Some newer Bose soundbars can learn your TV remote's commands, but this requires a separate setup step in the Bose app.

Connect using Bluetooth (wireless, but limited)

Bluetooth is wireless and requires no cables, but it has a drawback: your soundbar remote cannot control your TV's volume. Use Bluetooth only if your TV doesn't have HDMI ARC or an optical port. First, make sure your Bose soundbar is powered on and within 10 feet of your TV.

Look for a Bluetooth button on the back or bottom of the soundbar — it's usually small and recessed, so you may need a pen or paperclip to press it. Hold it for about 3 seconds until you see a light blink on the soundbar (usually blue or white). This puts the soundbar in pairing mode. On your TV remote, go to Settings, then Bluetooth or Wireless, and look for a list of available devices. You should see your Bose soundbar listed by model name (like "Bose Solo" or "Bose Soundbar 700"). Select it. Your TV will pair with the soundbar, and sound should start playing through it. If pairing fails, restart both devices and try again.

What to do if you hear no sound after connecting

The most common reason sound doesn't work is that your TV is still sending audio to its own speakers instead of the soundbar. Go back to your TV's Sound or Audio settings and double-check that the Audio Output is set to HDMI, Optical, or Bluetooth — whichever method you used. Some TVs have a separate setting called Speaker or Internal Speaker that you need to turn off. If your TV has this option, turn it off so the TV speakers stay silent.

If you've checked the audio output and still hear nothing, make sure the soundbar itself is powered on — look for a light on the front. If the light is off, press the power button or plug the power cable in fully. If the soundbar is on but you still hear nothing, try unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This resets the connection. If you're using Bluetooth and the soundbar is not showing up in your TV's Bluetooth list, try holding the Bluetooth button on the soundbar for 5 seconds instead of 3, then search for it again on your TV.

Switching between HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth

If you have multiple devices connected to your soundbar (for example, both your TV and a streaming device), you can switch between them. Most Bose soundbars have an Input button on the remote or on the device itself. Press it to cycle through the available inputs — you'll see the input name appear on the soundbar's display. Select the input that matches what you want to listen to.

If you're switching from one connection method to another (for example, from HDMI to Bluetooth), you don't need to unplug anything. Just press the Input button and select the new method. Your TV's audio output setting doesn't change — it stays set to HDMI or Optical. The soundbar simply stops listening to that input and starts listening to the new one.

Using your soundbar remote to control TV volume

If you connected using HDMI ARC, your Bose soundbar remote should control your TV's volume automatically. Test it by pressing the volume up or down button on the soundbar remote. If the TV volume changes, you're all set. If nothing happens, your TV may not support HDMI ARC, or the feature may be turned off in your TV's settings.

To turn on HDMI ARC in your TV settings, go to Sound or Audio settings and look for an option called HDMI ARC, CEC, or Anynet+. Turn it on. Then try the soundbar remote again. If it still doesn't work, your TV may not support this feature — you'll need to use your TV remote to adjust volume. With optical or Bluetooth connections, the soundbar remote typically cannot control TV volume at all, so you'll always need your TV remote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the Bose app to connect my soundbar to my TV?

No. The Bose app is optional and is used only for updates, settings, and pairing with your phone or other devices. To connect your soundbar to your TV, you need only a cable (HDMI or optical) or Bluetooth — no app required. If you want to update your soundbar's software or adjust sound settings, the app can help, but it's not necessary for basic TV connection.

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

Yes, but only one device can play sound at a time. If you're using HDMI or optical to connect your TV, your soundbar will play TV sound. If you want to play music from your phone, you can connect your phone via Bluetooth, and the soundbar will switch to Bluetooth input. You'll need to press the Input button on the soundbar remote to switch back to TV sound. Some soundbars can remember both connections and switch automatically, but this depends on your model.

What if my TV doesn't have HDMI ARC or an optical port?

Older TVs sometimes have neither port. In this case, Bluetooth is your only wireless option. If your TV doesn't support Bluetooth either, you can buy an HDMI adapter or optical converter online, but these add cost and complexity. Check your TV's manual or the back panel carefully — most TVs made in the last 10 years have at least one of these ports.

Why is my soundbar connected but the volume is very low?

Check two things: first, make sure the soundbar's volume is turned up (use the remote or the buttons on the soundbar itself). Second, check your TV's volume — it may be set low even though sound is routing to the soundbar. If both are turned up and sound is still quiet, your TV's audio output setting may be wrong. Go back to Sound settings and confirm you've selected HDMI, Optical, or Bluetooth as the output.

Can I use a different HDMI cable than the one that came with my soundbar?

Yes. Any standard HDMI cable works. If your soundbar didn't come with a cable or you lost it, you can buy one at any electronics store or online. Make sure it's labeled HDMI 2.0 or higher for the best performance, though older HDMI cables usually work fine for audio.

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.