The simplest way to connect your Samsung soundbar
Most Samsung soundbars connect to your TV through HDMI, which is the fastest and most reliable method. You plug one HDMI cable from your TV's HDMI port (usually labeled HDMI ARC or eARC) into the matching port on the back of the soundbar. The soundbar then sends audio back to your TV automatically — you do not need to pair anything or change settings afterward.
If your TV does not have HDMI ARC, or if you prefer wireless connection, Samsung soundbars also work over Bluetooth. Bluetooth pairing takes about two minutes the first time, and then reconnects on its own whenever you turn on the soundbar and TV together.
HDMI is the better choice if your setup allows it, because it handles more audio formats and does not drop the connection. Bluetooth works well for everyday use but occasionally needs to be re-paired if the soundbar and TV lose sync.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI ARC is the fastest connection method — plug the cable in and audio flows automatically without any pairing steps.
- Bluetooth pairing takes two minutes the first time and then reconnects on its own each time you turn on both devices.
- You need either an HDMI cable or to have Bluetooth turned on in your TV's settings; most TVs have Bluetooth but not all have HDMI ARC.
- If sound does not come through after connecting, check that your TV's audio output is set to the soundbar, not the TV speakers.
Connecting via HDMI ARC — the recommended method
HDMI ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. It means the HDMI port on your TV can send sound back through the cable to the soundbar, so you only need one cable instead of two. Look at the back of your TV for a port labeled HDMI ARC, HDMI eARC, or sometimes just HDMI with a small label nearby. If you cannot find it, check your TV's manual or look at the ports while the TV is off — the ARC port is usually one of the last HDMI ports on the back.
Take an HDMI cable and plug one end into the HDMI ARC port on your TV. Plug the other end into the HDMI port on the back of the soundbar. Turn on the soundbar and TV. Within a few seconds, the soundbar should light up and you should hear audio coming through it instead of the TV speakers. If you do not hear anything, go to your TV's settings menu, find the audio or sound section, and change the audio output from "TV Speaker" to "HDMI" or "External Speaker."
The connection stays active as long as both devices are powered on. You do not need to re-pair or reconnect — just turn them on and audio flows through the soundbar automatically.
Connecting via Bluetooth if HDMI ARC is not available
If your TV does not have HDMI ARC, or if you want a wireless connection, Bluetooth is your next option. First, turn on the soundbar and make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your TV's settings. On most Samsung TVs, go to Settings, then Sound, then Speaker Settings, and toggle Bluetooth Speaker on. On other TV brands, the path varies — look for Audio Output or Bluetooth in the settings menu.
Once Bluetooth is on in your TV, the soundbar should appear in a list of available devices. Select the soundbar from that list. Your TV will pair with it, and you should see a confirmation message on the TV screen. The first pairing takes about two minutes. After that, whenever you turn on both devices, they reconnect automatically within a few seconds.
If the soundbar does not appear in the list, make sure it is in pairing mode. Most Samsung soundbars enter pairing mode automatically when you first turn them on, but if it has been paired before, you may need to hold the Bluetooth button on the remote or the soundbar itself for three to five seconds until a light blinks. Check your soundbar's manual for the exact button location.
What to do if you hear no sound after connecting
The most common reason sound does not come through is that your TV is still set to play audio through its own speakers instead of the soundbar. Go to your TV's settings, find the audio or sound section, and look for an option called "Speaker," "Audio Output," or "Sound Output." Change it from "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker" to "External Speaker," "Soundbar," or "HDMI" depending on how your TV labels it.
If you connected via HDMI and the soundbar still does not work, try unplugging the HDMI cable, waiting ten seconds, and plugging it back in. Sometimes the connection needs to reset. If you connected via Bluetooth and sound is cutting out or not working, unpair the devices and pair them again — go to your TV's Bluetooth settings, find the soundbar in the list, and select "Forget" or "Remove," then pair it again from scratch.
If the soundbar is connected but very quiet, check the volume on both the soundbar itself and your TV remote. The TV volume and soundbar volume are separate controls, and both need to be turned up for you to hear audio at a comfortable level.
Using both HDMI and Bluetooth at the same time
You can connect a Samsung soundbar to your TV using both HDMI and Bluetooth, but the TV will only send audio through one of them at a time. HDMI takes priority — if both are connected, your TV will use HDMI. This is useful if you want to switch between devices. For example, you could use HDMI for your TV and Bluetooth for your phone, so you can play music from your phone through the soundbar without unplugging anything.
To set this up, connect the HDMI cable first and make sure audio comes through. Then turn on Bluetooth in your TV's settings and pair the soundbar as a Bluetooth device as well. Your TV will remember both connections. When you want to play audio from your phone, turn off the TV or switch your phone's Bluetooth to the soundbar — the soundbar will switch from HDMI to Bluetooth automatically.
Troubleshooting when the connection keeps dropping
If you are using Bluetooth and the soundbar keeps disconnecting, move the soundbar closer to the TV. Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet, but walls, metal objects, and other wireless devices can interfere. If the soundbar is in a cabinet or behind the TV, try moving it to an open shelf temporarily to see if that fixes the problem.
If moving it does not help, unpair the devices completely and pair them again. On your TV, go to Bluetooth settings, find the soundbar, and select "Forget" or "Remove." Then turn off the soundbar, turn it back on, and pair it again as if it were the first time. This clears out any corrupted pairing information.
If you are using HDMI and the connection drops, the cable itself may be loose or damaged. Unplug it from both ends, inspect the connectors for bent pins or debris, and plug it back in firmly. If the problem continues, try a different HDMI cable — sometimes cables wear out or have internal damage that is not visible.
Connecting multiple devices to the same soundbar
A Samsung soundbar can be connected to your TV and also paired with your phone or tablet over Bluetooth. To do this, connect the soundbar to your TV first using either HDMI or Bluetooth. Then, on your phone or tablet, go to Bluetooth settings and pair it with the soundbar as a separate device. Your phone will remember the pairing.
When you want to play audio from your phone, make sure the soundbar is on and select it from your phone's Bluetooth list. When you want to hear TV audio again, just turn on the TV and it will switch back automatically if you used HDMI, or you can manually switch back to the TV in your phone's Bluetooth settings if you used Bluetooth for both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special HDMI cable for HDMI ARC?
No. Any standard HDMI cable works with HDMI ARC. You do not need to buy a special cable or a newer version. If you already have an HDMI cable at home, it will work.
Can I use both HDMI and Bluetooth at the same time to hear audio from both?
No. Your TV sends audio through only one connection at a time. HDMI takes priority if both are connected. To hear audio from multiple sources, you would need to switch the soundbar's input manually or use a separate audio receiver, which is beyond a standard soundbar setup.
Why does my soundbar keep disconnecting from Bluetooth?
Bluetooth interference is the most common cause. Move the soundbar closer to the TV, away from microwaves, routers, or other wireless devices. If that does not work, unpair and re-pair the devices. If the problem continues, try HDMI instead, which is more stable.
What if my TV does not have HDMI ARC?
Use Bluetooth instead. Older TVs often do not have HDMI ARC, but almost all have Bluetooth. If your TV has neither, you can use an optical audio cable if your soundbar supports it, though this is less common on newer Samsung models.
Do I have to use the Samsung remote to control the soundbar volume?
No. Once connected via HDMI, your TV remote usually controls the soundbar volume automatically. If you connected via Bluetooth, you may need to use the soundbar's own remote or a universal remote. Check your soundbar's manual for which remotes work with it.