How to Connect a Soundbar to Your TV in Three Steps

The fastest way: HDMI with ARC or eARC

Most soundbars connect to TVs through a single HDMI cable plugged into a port labeled ARC or eARC on the back of your TV. This is the simplest route because one cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV remote usually controls the soundbar's volume automatically. eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) is newer and faster than ARC, but both work the same way from your perspective.

To set this up, plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI ARC or eARC port on your TV — check your TV's manual or the labels on the back if you are not sure which port it is — and plug the other end into the HDMI input on your soundbar. Then go into your TV's audio settings and turn on HDMI ARC or eARC. Your TV will now send sound to the soundbar instead of its built-in speakers. If your soundbar has a remote, you may need to pair it first by holding down a pairing button for a few seconds.

This method works with every streaming app, cable box, and gaming console connected to your TV because the TV handles all the sound routing. You do not need to switch inputs or change settings when you change what you are watching.

Key Takeaways

HDMI ARC or eARC is the simplest connection method and requires only one cable from your TV to the soundbar.
Optical audio (TOSLINK) is an older alternative if your TV does not have HDMI ARC, though it carries less detailed sound information.
Bluetooth works for some soundbars but requires re-pairing if the connection drops and does not work with all TV inputs.
Your TV's audio settings menu must be set to send sound through HDMI or optical, not to the TV's built-in speakers.
If sound comes from both the TV and soundbar at once, mute the TV's speakers in the audio settings.

When your TV does not have HDMI ARC: optical audio

If your TV is older or does not have an HDMI ARC port, you can use an optical audio cable (also called TOSLINK) instead. This is a thin cable with a square connector on each end. Plug one end into the optical audio output on your TV — usually labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK" — and the other into the optical input on your soundbar.

Optical audio works reliably but carries less information than HDMI, so some soundbars cannot deliver surround sound or the newest audio formats through optical. Check your soundbar's manual to see what it supports. Like HDMI ARC, you will need to go into your TV's audio settings and select optical as the output.

The main drawback is that optical does not carry a signal back to the TV, so if your soundbar has a remote, you cannot use it to control your TV's volume or change inputs. You will need to use your TV remote for those tasks.

Bluetooth: wireless but with limits

Some soundbars support Bluetooth, which means you can pair them to your TV without any cable. To do this, put your soundbar in pairing mode (usually by holding a button on the back or remote for three to five seconds until a light blinks), then go to your TV's Bluetooth settings and select the soundbar from the list. Once paired, your TV will send sound to the soundbar automatically when you turn it on.

Bluetooth is convenient if you want to avoid cables, but it has real limitations. The connection can drop if something blocks the signal between your TV and soundbar, and you will have to re-pair them. More importantly, Bluetooth does not work with all TV inputs — some cable boxes and older gaming consoles do not send audio over Bluetooth, so you would hear nothing until you switched back to HDMI ARC or optical. For this reason, Bluetooth works best as a backup option, not your main connection.

Connecting a soundbar to a cable box or gaming console instead

If your soundbar has multiple HDMI inputs, you can plug your cable box or gaming console directly into the soundbar instead of the TV. The soundbar then connects to the TV with a single HDMI cable. This works, but it adds an extra step: you have to switch the soundbar's input when you change devices, and some soundbars do this automatically while others require a remote button press.

Most people find it simpler to plug everything into the TV and let the TV send all the sound to the soundbar through one ARC cable. This way your TV remote controls everything, and you do not have to think about which input the soundbar is on.

Fixing sound coming from both the TV and soundbar

If you hear audio from both your TV's built-in speakers and your soundbar at the same time, your TV is still sending sound to its own speakers instead of only to the soundbar. Go into your TV's audio settings (usually under Sound or Audio in the main menu) and look for an option called Speaker Output, Audio Output, or Sound Output. Change it from "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker" to "HDMI ARC", "Optical", or "External Speaker" — the exact name depends on your TV brand.

Some TVs have a separate toggle for "TV Speaker On/Off" that you need to turn off. If you cannot find the right setting, check your TV's manual by searching the brand name and model number online — most manufacturers have PDFs available for free.

Pairing your soundbar remote to your TV

Many soundbars come with a remote that can also control your TV's volume and power. To set this up, hold down the TV button on the soundbar remote (or a pairing button, depending on the model) for three to five seconds until a light on the remote blinks. Then point the remote at your TV and press the power button. Your TV should respond, which means the pairing worked.

Not all soundbar remotes support this feature, and not all TV brands work with all remotes. If your soundbar remote does not control your TV after trying this, check the soundbar's manual to see if it lists compatible TV brands. Some soundbars require you to enter your TV's brand code manually using the remote's number pad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn off my TV's built-in speakers?

Not always, but you should. If both are on, you will hear audio from both at once, which sounds wrong. Go to your TV's audio settings and set the speaker output to HDMI ARC, optical, or external speaker. This tells your TV to send sound only to the soundbar.

What if my soundbar and TV are in different rooms?

HDMI and optical cables have distance limits — HDMI works reliably up to about 50 feet, and optical up to about 30 feet. If they are farther apart, you would need a wireless solution like Bluetooth or a separate audio receiver, which is beyond a basic soundbar setup. For most home setups, a single cable run is practical.

Can I use a soundbar with a TV that only has one HDMI port?

Yes, but you will have to choose between connecting your soundbar and connecting another device like a cable box or gaming console. If your TV has only one HDMI port, consider using a soundbar with multiple HDMI inputs and plugging your other devices into the soundbar instead, then running one HDMI cable from the soundbar to the TV.

Why is there no sound after I connect the soundbar?

The most common reason is that your TV's audio output is still set to the TV's built-in speakers. Go to audio settings and change it to HDMI ARC or optical. Also check that the soundbar is powered on and that the volume is not muted — look for a mute button on the remote or a light on the soundbar itself.

Does the HDMI cable type matter?

For ARC, any HDMI cable works, even older ones. For eARC, a newer high-speed HDMI cable is better, but most standard cables still work. If you have trouble, try a cable labeled "High Speed HDMI" or "HDMI 2.1", which cost a few dollars more and are more reliable over longer distances.

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.