The fastest way: HDMI with ARC or eARC
Most Samsung TVs made in the last five years have an HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC — usually HDMI 3 or HDMI 4. If your soundbar has an HDMI port, this is the simplest connection. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into that port on the soundbar, plug the other end into the ARC or eARC port on your TV, then go into your TV's sound settings and select the soundbar as your audio output. That's it — the TV will send all sound through the soundbar from then on.
eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) is newer and handles more audio formats, but both work the same way from your perspective. If your TV and soundbar both support eARC, use that port. If only one of them does, use the regular ARC port instead — they're backward compatible.
The main advantage of HDMI is that one cable carries both picture and sound, and the TV can control the soundbar's volume with your remote. You won't need a separate remote for the soundbar in most cases.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI ARC or eARC is the easiest method if your soundbar has an HDMI port — plug it into the matching port on your TV and select it in sound settings.
- Bluetooth works if your soundbar supports it, but the TV has to be turned on for sound to play, and volume control may require the soundbar's remote.
- Optical audio (TOSLINK) is a reliable alternative if your soundbar doesn't have HDMI, though it carries less audio information than HDMI does.
- After connecting, go to Settings > Sound > Speaker Settings on your TV and choose the soundbar as the output device.
- If you hear no sound after connecting, check that the soundbar is powered on and set to the correct input, and that your TV isn't muted.
Bluetooth: wireless but with limits
If your soundbar has Bluetooth, you can pair it without any cables. Put the soundbar in pairing mode (usually a button on the back or remote), then go to Settings > Sound > Speaker Settings on your TV, select Bluetooth, and choose the soundbar from the list. Once paired, the TV will connect automatically when both are powered on.
Bluetooth is convenient for avoiding cables, but it has a real drawback: your TV has to stay on for the soundbar to receive sound. If you turn off the TV but leave the soundbar on, you won't hear anything. With HDMI ARC, the soundbar can stay on and receive audio even when the TV is in standby mode. Also, some Samsung TVs don't let you control Bluetooth soundbar volume with the TV remote — you'll need the soundbar's remote instead.
Bluetooth is best as a backup option or if your soundbar doesn't have HDMI or optical ports.
Optical audio: a wired alternative without HDMI
If your soundbar has an optical audio port (also called TOSLINK), you can use a thin optical cable to connect it to your TV's optical audio output. This is more reliable than Bluetooth and doesn't require the TV to stay on, but it carries less audio information than HDMI does — you won't get advanced surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos if the soundbar supports them.
To set it up, plug the optical cable into both the TV and soundbar, then go to Settings > Sound > Speaker Settings and select Optical Audio as your output. The TV remote will control the soundbar's volume once it's set as the default speaker.
Optical is a solid middle ground if your soundbar doesn't have HDMI ARC but does have an optical port.
Finding the right port on your Samsung TV
Samsung TVs have different port layouts depending on the model and year. The HDMI ports are usually on the back or side, grouped together. Look for labels printed next to each port — ARC or eARC will be marked on one of them, usually HDMI 3 or 4. If you don't see a label, check your TV's manual or search your model number online to find which HDMI port supports ARC.
The optical audio port is a small square opening, usually near the HDMI ports. It's smaller than HDMI and has a distinctive shape. If your TV has one, it will be labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK".
If you can't find these ports, your TV may be older or may not support external audio connections — in that case, Bluetooth is your only option.
Adjusting sound settings after you connect
Once the soundbar is physically connected, you need to tell your TV to use it. Go to Settings > Sound > Speaker Settings (the exact path varies slightly by Samsung model year, but it's always in the Sound menu). You'll see a list of audio outputs. Select your soundbar from the list.
If the soundbar doesn't appear in the list, make sure it's powered on and set to the correct input. For HDMI, check that you used an ARC or eARC port. For Bluetooth, make sure the soundbar is in pairing mode and try pairing again. For optical, make sure the cable is fully inserted into both ports.
After you select the soundbar, test it by playing something on your TV — a streaming app, a broadcast channel, or a movie. If you hear sound from the soundbar but not the TV speakers, the connection is working. If you hear nothing, check that the soundbar itself isn't muted (look for a mute button on the remote or the device).
Controlling volume and input with your TV remote
With HDMI ARC, your Samsung remote will control the soundbar's volume automatically — you don't need a separate remote. The TV sends volume commands through the HDMI cable. This works with most soundbars, though some older models may require you to enable a setting called HDMI-CEC or Anynet+ on your TV first. Check Settings > General > Anynet+ (CEC) and turn it on if it's off.
With Bluetooth or optical audio, volume control depends on the soundbar model. Some respond to the TV remote, others don't. If your soundbar doesn't respond, you'll need to use its own remote or a mobile app if it has one.
If the TV remote isn't controlling the soundbar volume even with HDMI ARC, try unplugging the soundbar for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and checking Anynet+ again. If that doesn't work, check the soundbar's manual — some brands require a specific setting to be enabled on their end.
Troubleshooting when sound doesn't come through
If you've connected everything but hear no sound, work through these steps in order. First, make sure the soundbar is powered on — look for a light on the front. Second, check that it's set to the correct input. Most soundbars have an input button on the remote or the device itself; cycle through the inputs until you find the one you connected to (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, Bluetooth, Optical, etc.). Third, unmute the soundbar if it has a mute button.
Fourth, check your TV's sound settings again. Go to Settings > Sound > Speaker Settings and confirm the soundbar is selected as the output. Fifth, make sure the TV itself isn't muted — press the mute button on your TV remote to toggle it off. Sixth, try restarting both devices: turn off the soundbar and TV, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on.
If you still hear nothing, the cable may be loose or faulty. Unplug it, wait a few seconds, and plug it back in firmly. If you're using HDMI, try a different HDMI cable if you have one — some cables are defective. If you're using Bluetooth, forget the soundbar from your TV's Bluetooth settings and pair it again from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both the TV speakers and the soundbar at the same time?
No, once you select the soundbar as your audio output in Settings > Sound > Speaker Settings, the TV speakers turn off. If you want to switch back to the TV speakers, go back to that menu and select "TV Speaker" instead. Some soundbars have a pass-through mode that lets them send audio to another device, but that's not a standard feature.
Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?
No, any standard HDMI cable works with ARC. You don't need to buy an expensive "ARC cable" — the feature is built into the port, not the cable. However, the cable must be plugged into the ARC or eARC port on your TV, not just any HDMI port.
Why does my soundbar keep disconnecting from Bluetooth?
Bluetooth can be finicky if other devices are nearby or if the soundbar is far from the TV. Try moving the soundbar closer to the TV, turning off Bluetooth on other devices in the room, and forgetting the soundbar from your TV's Bluetooth list, then pairing it again. If it keeps dropping, switch to HDMI or optical audio instead — they're more stable.
What if my soundbar has HDMI but my TV doesn't have an ARC port?
Older Samsung TVs may not have ARC. Check your manual or search your model number to confirm. If your TV doesn't have ARC, use optical audio if your soundbar has that port, or Bluetooth if it supports it. HDMI without ARC won't work for audio — it only carries picture.
Will connecting a soundbar affect my TV's picture quality?
No, the soundbar only handles audio. It won't change your picture quality or resolution. The video signal goes directly from your TV's input to the screen, separate from the audio path.