How to connect your soundbar using an optical cable
An optical cable (also called a TOSLINK or digital optical cable) carries sound from your Samsung TV to your soundbar through a thin fiber-optic line. The connection is straightforward: you plug one end into the optical output on your TV and the other into the optical input on your soundbar, then tell your TV to send sound through that port instead of its built-in speakers.
This method works with nearly every Samsung TV model from the last ten years and most soundbars on the market. The cable itself costs between $8 and $20. Unlike HDMI, an optical cable carries only audio, so you will still need HDMI connected to your TV if you want picture from your soundbar's source — but many people use optical specifically because they want the TV to handle video while the soundbar handles sound.
The physical connection takes about two minutes. The settings change takes another two minutes. You do not need to read anything or create an account.
Key Takeaways
- Optical cables plug into the square-shaped optical output port on your Samsung TV and the matching input port on your soundbar.
- After plugging in the cable, you must go into your TV's sound settings and select optical as the audio output — the soundbar will not work until you do this.
- If you see no sound from the soundbar after changing the setting, check that the cable is fully inserted and that your soundbar is powered on and set to the correct input.
- Optical cables are directional: the end that goes into your TV is different from the end that goes into your soundbar, so you cannot reverse them by accident.
Locating the optical ports on your Samsung TV and soundbar
The optical output on your Samsung TV is a small square port, usually located on the back panel. Look for a label that says "Optical Out", "Digital Audio Out", or "TOSLINK". On most Samsung models, it sits near the HDMI ports and the power input. If your TV is mounted on a wall, you may need to look behind it or use a flashlight to see the port clearly.
The optical input on your soundbar is the matching square port, also labeled "Optical In" or "Digital Audio In". On most soundbars, this port is on the back panel, sometimes grouped with other audio inputs like AUX or USB. Some soundbars have the port on the side instead. Check your soundbar's manual or look at the back panel before you buy the cable — if you cannot find an optical port, your soundbar may only accept HDMI or Bluetooth.
Before you plug anything in, power off both your TV and soundbar. This is not strictly required, but it prevents any electrical noise when the connection is first made.
Inserting the optical cable correctly
Optical cables have a specific shape: one end has a small rectangular connector with a spring-loaded shutter, and the other end is identical. The cable itself is directional in practice, though not electrically — you will plug the TV end into the TV and the soundbar end into the soundbar, but the cable works the same way either direction.
Take the end of the cable and align it with the optical output port on your TV. The connector should slide in smoothly without forcing. You will hear or feel a small click when it seats fully. The spring-loaded shutter inside the port will open automatically as the connector enters. Do not jam the cable — if it does not slide in easily, check that you have the right port and that the connector is aligned straight.
Repeat the same process with the other end of the cable and the optical input port on your soundbar. Both ends should click into place. Once both connections are find, you can power the TV and soundbar back on.
Changing your Samsung TV's audio output to optical
Your TV will not automatically send sound through the optical cable. You must tell it to do so through the sound settings. On your Samsung TV remote, press the Menu button (or Home on newer models). Navigate to Sound or Audio — the exact name depends on your TV model and software version.
Look for an option called Sound Output, Audio Output, or Speaker Settings. Select it. You should see a list of options: TV Speaker, Optical (or Digital Audio Out), HDMI, or Bluetooth. Choose Optical. Your TV will confirm the change and return to the menu.
Exit the menu and play something on your TV — a streaming app, a broadcast channel, or a movie. You should hear sound from your soundbar, not from the TV's built-in speakers. If you hear nothing, move to the troubleshooting section below.
Adjusting soundbar volume and input settings
Once the optical cable is connected and your TV is sending sound through it, you control the volume from your TV remote, just as you would if the soundbar were not there. The TV remote's volume buttons will adjust the soundbar's volume. Some soundbars also have their own volume control on the remote or on the unit itself — you can use either one.
Make sure your soundbar is set to receive sound from the optical input. Most soundbars have an input button on the remote or the unit that cycles through available inputs: HDMI, Optical, AUX, Bluetooth, and USB. Press the input button until the display shows Optical or Digital. If your soundbar defaults to a different input, it will not play sound from the TV even if the cable is connected correctly.
If your soundbar has a separate subwoofer, it usually connects to the soundbar wirelessly or through a cable — the optical cable to the TV does not affect that connection. The subwoofer should power on automatically when the soundbar powers on.
What to do if you hear no sound from the soundbar
If you plugged in the cable, changed the TV's audio output to optical, and still hear nothing, work through these checks in order. First, power off both the TV and soundbar completely, wait ten seconds, and power them back on. This resets the connection and often fixes temporary glitches.
Second, check that the optical cable is fully inserted at both ends. Pull the cable out slightly and push it back in until you hear the click. A cable that looks connected but is not fully seated will not carry sound. Third, verify that your soundbar is powered on — look for a light on the front of the unit or check the remote. Fourth, press the input button on your soundbar remote and confirm that Optical or Digital is selected.
If you still hear nothing, go back into your TV's sound settings and confirm that Optical is selected as the audio output. Some TVs default back to TV Speaker after a software update or if the optical cable is disconnected. If the setting shows TV Speaker, select Optical again and test.
If the soundbar still produces no sound after these steps, the cable itself may be faulty. Optical cables rarely fail, but it is possible. Try a different optical cable if you have one available, or contact the soundbar manufacturer for support.
Optical cable versus other connection methods
An optical cable is one of several ways to connect a soundbar to a Samsung TV. HDMI is another common method — it carries both picture and sound through a single cable, but requires your soundbar to have HDMI input and output ports. Bluetooth is wireless and requires no cable, but can have occasional lag or dropouts. AUX (a 3.5mm headphone-style jack) works with older soundbars but carries lower-quality audio than optical.
Optical is often the best choice because it is reliable, carries high-quality digital audio, and works with almost every soundbar made in the last fifteen years. It does not require HDMI passthrough, so you can use it alongside other connections. The main drawback is that it carries only audio — if you want to control your soundbar through your TV remote or use advanced features like Dolby Atmos, HDMI is sometimes a better option, though not all soundbars support those features over optical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an optical cable and HDMI at the same time?
Yes. You can plug both cables into your TV and soundbar, but your TV can only send audio through one at a time. Go into your TV's sound settings and choose which one you want to use. Most people pick one and leave it there.
Why does my soundbar work with optical but the volume is very low?
Check that your TV's volume is turned up and that your soundbar's volume is also turned up. Some soundbars have a separate master volume control on the unit itself. If both are high and sound is still quiet, your TV's audio output level may be set low — this is rare, but check your TV's sound settings for an output level or gain control.
Do I need a special optical cable for Samsung TVs?
No. Any standard optical cable works with any Samsung TV and any soundbar that has an optical port. The cable does not know what brand it is connected to. Buy the cheapest one you can find — expensive optical cables do not sound better than cheap ones.
What if my Samsung TV does not have an optical port?
Some very new Samsung TVs and some budget models do not include an optical output. Check the back and sides of your TV carefully, or look up your TV model number online to confirm. If there is no optical port, you can use HDMI, Bluetooth, or AUX instead, depending on what your soundbar supports.
Will the optical cable work if my soundbar is in a different room?
No. Optical cables have a maximum effective length of about 30 feet, and the signal degrades over distance. For a soundbar in a different room, use Bluetooth instead, or run the optical cable through your walls if you are willing to do that work.