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How to Connect Soundbar to TV
A soundbar significantly improves TV audio quality and can be connected in a few different ways, depending on the ports available on your television.
What You'll Need
- Soundbar
- HDMI cable with ARC support, or an optical (digital audio) cable
- Power cable for the soundbar
Step 1: Check for HDMI ARC Support
Look at your TV's HDMI ports for one labeled "ARC" or "eARC." This port allows audio to pass back from the TV to the soundbar through a single HDMI cable, simplifying the connection.
Step 2: Connect via HDMI ARC (Recommended)
Plug an HDMI cable into the ARC port on your TV and the corresponding HDMI ARC port on your soundbar. This method supports both audio and remote control signals between the two devices.
Step 3: Alternative: Use an Optical Cable
If your TV doesn't have an ARC-labeled HDMI port, use an optical cable instead. Connect one end to the TV's optical audio output and the other to the soundbar's optical input.
Step 4: Power On the Soundbar
Plug in the soundbar and turn it on, then power on your television.
Step 5: Enable ARC in TV Settings
Go to your TV's sound settings menu and make sure HDMI ARC or "TV Speakers/Audio Out" is set to the appropriate external speaker option rather than the TV's built-in speakers.
Step 6: Adjust Volume and Test
Use either your TV remote or the soundbar's own remote to adjust volume, and play some audio to confirm sound is coming through the soundbar rather than the TV.
Troubleshooting Tips
If there's no sound, double check that the correct audio output is selected in your TV's settings, since many TVs default to internal speakers even when a soundbar is connected. Lag between audio and video, sometimes called sync issues, can often be corrected through an audio delay setting found in either the TV or soundbar menu.
