The fastest way: HDMI with ARC or eARC
Most Samsung TVs made in the last five years have a port labeled HDMI 3 or HDMI 4 with "ARC" printed next to it. This port sends both picture and sound through a single cable, and it is the simplest connection method. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into that ARC port on your TV and the other end into the HDMI input on your soundbar. Then go to your TV's sound settings and change the audio output from "TV Speaker" to "HDMI" or "External Speaker".
If your soundbar has eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) instead of regular ARC, the setup is identical — the cable and port names stay the same, but eARC handles more audio formats and higher quality sound. You will know it worked when you hear sound from the soundbar instead of the TV speakers when you turn on a show.
The advantage of ARC or eARC is that one cable carries everything. Your TV remote will usually control the soundbar's volume automatically. You do not need to switch inputs or manage separate devices.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI ARC or eARC is the simplest method: plug into the ARC port on your TV, then switch the audio output to "External Speaker" in settings.
- If your soundbar has no HDMI port, use an optical cable instead — it carries sound only but works reliably on older and budget soundbars.
- Bluetooth connection works for streaming music but does not carry sound from cable boxes, satellite receivers, or built-in TV apps reliably.
- After connecting, test with a streaming app like Netflix or a cable input to confirm sound comes from the soundbar, not the TV.
Using an optical cable if your soundbar has no HDMI
Older soundbars and some budget models have only an optical port (also called TOSLINK or S/PDIF), not HDMI. Samsung TVs have an optical port on the back or side. Buy a digital optical cable from any electronics store — they cost $5 to $15 and are not expensive.
Plug one end into the optical port on your TV and the other into the optical input on your soundbar. Then go to your TV settings, find "Sound" or "Audio Output", and select "Optical" or "External Speaker". The soundbar will receive sound from everything the TV plays — apps, cable input, or built-in tuner.
Optical cables carry stereo and surround sound formats, though not the newest formats like Dolby Atmos. If your soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, HDMI ARC is the better choice. But optical is reliable and works on almost every soundbar made in the last 15 years.
Connecting via Bluetooth for music streaming
Most soundbars have Bluetooth, which lets you stream music from your phone or tablet without any cable. Put the soundbar in pairing mode — usually by holding a button on the remote or the soundbar itself for three seconds until a light blinks. Then go to your phone's Bluetooth settings, find the soundbar's name, and tap it to connect.
Bluetooth works well for Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, or any app on your phone. The sound quality is good enough for casual listening. However, Bluetooth does not work reliably for TV shows, movies, or cable box input — there is often a delay between the picture and sound, and the connection can drop.
Use Bluetooth as a second option for music, not as your main TV connection. Keep the HDMI or optical cable plugged in for TV watching, and use Bluetooth when you want to play music from your phone.
Checking your TV model and port location
Samsung TVs from 2018 onward almost always have HDMI ARC. To find which port is the ARC port, look at the back or side of your TV. The ports are usually labeled with small white text: HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, HDMI 4. The ARC port is almost always HDMI 3 or HDMI 4, and it will have "ARC" or "eARC" printed next to it.
If you cannot find the label or your TV is older than 2018, check the model number on the back of the TV or in the settings menu. Go to Settings > Support > About This TV to see the model. Then search "[your model number] ARC port" online — Samsung's support site will show you a diagram of where the port is.
The optical port is easier to spot: it is a small square opening, usually on the back of the TV, sometimes labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK". If you see it, your TV supports optical connection.
Adjusting TV sound settings after you connect
After you plug in the cable, your TV will not automatically send sound to the soundbar. You have to tell it to. Press the Menu or Settings button on your TV remote. Look for "Sound", "Audio", or "Speaker Settings". The exact name varies by Samsung model year.
Inside that menu, find the option that says "Speaker" or "Audio Output". You will see choices like "TV Speaker", "External Speaker", "HDMI", or "Optical". Select whichever matches your cable type. If you used HDMI ARC, choose "HDMI" or "External Speaker". If you used optical, choose "Optical".
Some Samsung TVs have an option called "TV Speaker Off" or "Soundbar Mode". Turning this on will mute the TV's built-in speakers so sound comes only from the soundbar. This prevents echo or confusion about where the sound is coming from.
Fixing sound that does not come through
If you plugged everything in but hear nothing from the soundbar, start with the simplest checks. Make sure the soundbar is powered on — look for a light on the front. Check that the cable is fully inserted into both the TV and the soundbar; a loose connection is the most common reason sound does not work.
Next, verify you selected the right audio output in the TV settings. Go back to Settings > Sound and confirm you chose the correct option for your cable type. If you used HDMI but selected "Optical", the TV will send sound nowhere.
If the soundbar is on and the settings are correct but you still hear nothing, try a different HDMI port on your TV. Some ports are for input only and do not support ARC. Unplug the cable and move it to HDMI 3 or HDMI 4 specifically, then check the settings again.
For optical connections, make sure the cable is not bent or kinked. Optical cables are fragile and can break inside even if they look fine outside. If you have another optical cable, try swapping it to rule out a bad cable.
Using your TV remote to control soundbar volume
When you connect via HDMI ARC, your Samsung TV remote should control the soundbar volume automatically. Press the volume up or down button on your TV remote and watch the soundbar — the volume should change on the soundbar's display.
If the remote does not control the soundbar, go to Settings > Sound > Remote Control and make sure "Control External Speaker" or "Control Soundbar" is turned on. Some Samsung models call this "Anynet+" or "HDMI-CEC". Turning it on lets the TV remote talk to the soundbar.
With optical or Bluetooth connections, the TV remote usually does not control volume. You will need to use the soundbar's remote or buttons to adjust sound. Some soundbars let you control volume from your phone app instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?
No. Any standard HDMI cable works with ARC. You do not need to buy an expensive "ARC cable" or "premium HDMI cable". A basic HDMI cable from any store will work fine. The ARC feature is built into the port itself, not the cable.
Can I use both the soundbar and TV speakers at the same time?
Yes, but most people do not want to. If you want sound from both, go to Settings > Sound and look for an option like "TV Speaker" or "Dual Output". Turn it on and both will play. However, this usually causes echo or a hollow sound because the TV speakers and soundbar are not perfectly in sync.
What if my soundbar is in another room?
Bluetooth can work at a distance of about 30 feet in open space, though walls and obstacles reduce that range. If your soundbar is far away or in another room, Bluetooth may disconnect or have lag. HDMI and optical cables require the soundbar to be within cable length of the TV, usually 10 to 25 feet depending on cable type.
Will connecting a soundbar turn off the TV speakers automatically?
Not always. Some Samsung models do this automatically when you select "External Speaker", but others keep the TV speakers on. If you hear sound from both, go back to Settings > Sound and look for "TV Speaker Off" or "Speaker Select". Turn off the TV speaker option to silence the built-in speakers.
Can I connect two soundbars to one TV?
Most TVs can only send sound to one device at a time through HDMI or optical. You can connect two soundbars via Bluetooth, but only one can be paired and playing at once. If you want sound in multiple rooms, you would need a separate audio system or wireless speakers for the other room.