The fastest way to connect your Samsung soundbar
Most Samsung soundbars connect to your TV through a single cable — either HDMI or optical audio — and power on automatically when your TV turns on. The connection method depends on which ports your TV has and which soundbar model you own. HDMI is the simplest choice if your TV supports it, because it carries both audio and video and lets the soundbar control your TV's volume with your remote.
Before you start, locate the ports on the back of your TV and soundbar. You will need either an HDMI cable, an optical audio cable, or both depending on your setup. If you are replacing an older soundbar or speaker system, disconnect that first and remove any cables from your TV's audio ports.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI eARC is the simplest connection method and works with most modern Samsung soundbars and TVs made in the last five years.
- Optical audio cables work with older TVs and soundbars that do not have HDMI ports, though they require manual volume control.
- After connecting the cable, turn on the soundbar and TV together — most Samsung soundbars detect the connection automatically.
- If sound still comes from your TV speakers, go into your TV's audio settings and select the soundbar as the output device.
- Bluetooth pairing is a backup option for soundbars that support it, but wired connections are more reliable for everyday use.
Connecting via HDMI eARC (the recommended method)
HDMI eARC is the standard connection for newer Samsung soundbars and TVs. The eARC port on your TV is usually labeled as such on the back panel, or it is the HDMI port closest to the power input. Check your TV's manual if you are unsure which port to use — using the wrong HDMI port will not damage anything, but the soundbar will not receive audio.
Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the eARC port on your TV and the other end into the HDMI input on the back of your soundbar. Then plug the soundbar into a power outlet. Turn on your TV first, then turn on the soundbar. Your TV should recognize the soundbar within a few seconds, and you will hear a confirmation sound from the soundbar.
Once connected, go to your TV's settings menu and look for Sound or Audio Output. Select HDMI eARC or the name of your soundbar from the list. Your TV remote should now control the soundbar's volume — if it does not, go back to the audio settings and make sure HDMI eARC is enabled.
Connecting via optical audio cable (for older TVs)
If your TV does not have an HDMI eARC port, or if you prefer a dedicated audio connection, use an optical audio cable instead. The optical port on your TV is a small square opening, usually labeled Optical Out or Digital Audio Out. On your soundbar, it is labeled Optical In or Digital In.
Insert one end of the optical cable into your TV's optical port and the other end into the soundbar's optical port. The cable has a distinctive rectangular connector that only fits one way. Push it in until you hear a small click. Then plug the soundbar into power and turn both devices on.
Go to your TV's audio settings and select Optical or Digital Audio Out as the output. With an optical connection, your TV remote will not control the soundbar's volume — you will need to use the soundbar's remote or the Samsung SmartThings app to adjust volume.
Setting up the Samsung SmartThings app for wireless control
The Samsung SmartThings app lets you control your soundbar from your phone and adjust settings like bass and treble. read the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, then open it and tap the + button to add a device.
Select Soundbar from the device list. The app will search for your soundbar on your home WiFi network — make sure your soundbar and phone are connected to the same network. When the app finds your soundbar, tap it to connect. You will see a confirmation message once the pairing is complete.
From the SmartThings app, you can now adjust volume, switch between input sources, and access equalizer settings. The app also shows you firmware updates for your soundbar — if an update is available, install it to get bug fixes and new features.
Connecting via Bluetooth if HDMI and optical are not available
If your TV does not have HDMI eARC or an optical port, you can pair your soundbar to your TV using Bluetooth. This is less reliable than a wired connection because Bluetooth can drop the signal if something blocks the path between devices, but it works in a pinch.
On your soundbar, press and hold the Bluetooth button (usually on the remote or the back of the unit) until you see a blue light blinking. On your TV, go to Settings and look for Bluetooth or Wireless Devices. Select your soundbar from the list of available devices. Once connected, the blue light on the soundbar will stop blinking and stay solid.
Bluetooth connections work best when the soundbar is within 10 feet of your TV and nothing metal or thick is between them. If you experience sound cutting out, move the soundbar closer to your TV or switch to an HDMI or optical connection instead.
Troubleshooting when sound still comes from your TV speakers
If you connected the soundbar but audio is still coming from your TV's built-in speakers, your TV is not sending sound to the soundbar. This is the most common issue and has a straightforward fix.
Go to your TV's Settings menu, then Sound or Audio. Look for Speaker Output, Audio Output, or Sound Output. You will see a list of options — select your soundbar's name or HDMI eARC or Optical depending on how you connected it. If you do not see your soundbar listed, unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and try again.
If the soundbar still does not appear in the audio output list, check that the cable is fully inserted into both the TV and soundbar. A cable that is only partially plugged in will not be recognized. Also verify you are using the correct port on your TV — using a regular HDMI port instead of the eARC port is a common mistake.
Connecting multiple Samsung soundbars to one TV
You can connect more than one soundbar to your TV, but only one will play audio at a time. This is useful if you want to use a smaller soundbar in one room and a larger one in another, or if you are testing a new soundbar before deciding which to keep.
Connect each soundbar using a separate HDMI or optical port on your TV. In your TV's audio settings, you will see all connected soundbars listed. Select which one you want to use, and your TV will send audio only to that device. To switch to a different soundbar, go back to the audio settings and select a different output.
If you are using Bluetooth, you can only pair one soundbar at a time. To switch to a different soundbar, unpair the first one from your TV's Bluetooth settings, then pair the new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use the soundbar remote to control volume?
Not if you use HDMI eARC. Your TV remote will control the soundbar's volume automatically. With optical audio or Bluetooth, you will need the soundbar remote or the SmartThings app to adjust volume — your TV remote will not work.
What if my soundbar does not turn on when I turn on my TV?
Check that the soundbar is plugged into a power outlet and that the power button is not in the off position. Some soundbars have a standby mode that turns them on automatically only if they are set to Auto Power On in the settings. Check your soundbar's manual or the SmartThings app to enable this feature.
Can I use both HDMI and optical cables at the same time?
You can plug both cables in, but your TV will only send audio through one of them. In your audio settings, select which connection you want to use. Using both cables does not improve sound quality — pick one and leave the other disconnected to avoid confusion.
Why is there a delay between when I press a button on my remote and when the soundbar responds?
A slight delay (usually less than one second) is normal with Bluetooth connections. If the delay is longer than that, move the soundbar closer to your TV or switch to a wired connection. HDMI eARC and optical audio have no noticeable delay.
What should I do if the soundbar is not showing up in the SmartThings app?
Make sure your soundbar and phone are on the same WiFi network. Restart the SmartThings app and try adding the device again. If it still does not appear, restart your soundbar by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in and trying again.