The three ways to connect: HDMI, optical cable, or Bluetooth
Samsung soundbars connect to TVs through one of three methods, and which one works depends on what ports your TV and soundbar both have. HDMI is the fastest and most reliable — it carries both picture and sound through a single cable and lets the soundbar and TV talk to each other about volume and power. Optical cable (also called TOSLINK) carries only sound, not picture, but works with almost every TV made in the last 15 years. Bluetooth is wireless but slower to connect and can drop the signal if something blocks the path between the devices.
Most people should start with HDMI if their TV has an HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC — that's the one designed for soundbars. If your TV doesn't have ARC, optical cable is the next best choice. Bluetooth is useful as a backup or if you want to play music from your phone through the soundbar, but it's not reliable enough to be your main TV connection.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI ARC is the best connection method because it carries both picture and sound, lets the soundbar control your TV's volume, and requires only one cable.
- Optical cable works with older TVs and is more stable than Bluetooth, but you'll need to control volume separately on the soundbar remote.
- Bluetooth pairs wirelessly but can drop connection if something blocks the signal between your TV and soundbar, so it works best as a secondary option.
- After you plug in the cable or pair the devices, you may need to tell your TV which audio output to use in the TV's sound settings menu.
Connecting with HDMI ARC: the fastest method
Look at the back of your TV for an HDMI port labeled ARC, eARC, or sometimes just marked with a different color or symbol than the other HDMI ports. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into that port and the other end into the HDMI port on the back of your Samsung soundbar. Power on both devices and wait 10 to 15 seconds for them to recognize each other.
Once they're connected, go into your TV's settings menu — usually accessed through a remote button labeled Menu or Settings — and look for Sound or Audio settings. You should see an option for HDMI ARC or Digital Audio Output. Select it and set it to On or Auto. Your soundbar should now play all the sound from your TV, and you should be able to control the volume using your TV remote.
If the soundbar doesn't produce sound after you've plugged it in and changed the TV settings, check that the HDMI cable is fully inserted on both ends. Some older Samsung TVs require you to manually select HDMI ARC in the settings even after the cable is connected. If you still hear sound from the TV's built-in speakers instead of the soundbar, go back to the Sound settings and make sure the TV is set to output audio through HDMI, not its internal speakers.
Connecting with optical cable: for older TVs
An optical cable looks like a thin black or clear tube with small square connectors on each end. Find the optical audio output port on your TV — it's usually on the back and labeled Optical Out, TOSLINK, or S/PDIF. Plug one end of the optical cable into that port and the other end into the optical input on your Samsung soundbar, usually found on the back panel.
Power on both devices and go into your TV's Sound or Audio settings. Look for Digital Audio Output or Optical Output and make sure it's set to On or PCM (not Dolby Digital, which some older soundbars don't support). The soundbar should begin playing your TV's audio within a few seconds. Unlike HDMI ARC, your TV remote won't control the soundbar's volume — you'll need to use the soundbar's remote or buttons on the unit itself.
Optical cables are more durable than they look, but the connectors are fragile. If the soundbar still doesn't produce sound after you've connected the cable and changed the TV settings, try gently removing and reinserting the cable on both ends. Make sure nothing is blocking the cable's path, since even a small kink can break the internal fiber.
Pairing via Bluetooth: wireless but less stable
To pair your soundbar and TV using Bluetooth, first make sure both devices are powered on and within 10 feet of each other. On your Samsung soundbar, press the Bluetooth button on the remote or the unit itself — you should see a light blink or hear a tone indicating it's in pairing mode. This mode usually lasts about 2 to 3 minutes.
On your TV, go to Settings, then Sound or Audio, and look for Bluetooth or Wireless Speaker options. Your TV should show a list of available devices. Select your Samsung soundbar from the list. Once the pairing is complete, you'll see a confirmation message on the TV screen, and the light on the soundbar should stop blinking and stay solid.
Bluetooth connections can drop if your TV and soundbar get too far apart, if you move between them and a wall blocks the signal, or if another Bluetooth device in your home is interfering. If the connection drops frequently, move the soundbar closer to the TV or switch to an HDMI or optical connection instead. Bluetooth works well for playing music from your phone through the soundbar, but it's not the most reliable choice for everyday TV watching.
What to do if your soundbar won't produce sound
The most common reason a newly connected soundbar doesn't play sound is that your TV is still set to output audio through its own speakers instead of the soundbar. Go back into your TV's Sound settings and look for Speaker Output, Audio Output, or Sound Output. Change it from Internal Speaker or TV Speaker to External Speaker, HDMI ARC, Optical, or Bluetooth — whichever method you used to connect.
If you're using HDMI ARC and the soundbar still doesn't work, try unplugging both devices for 30 seconds, then plugging them back in. Some Samsung TVs need a full restart to recognize a new HDMI ARC connection. If you're using optical cable, make sure you selected PCM in the TV's audio settings, not Dolby Digital — older soundbars sometimes don't support Dolby Digital output from the TV.
Check the volume on both your TV and your soundbar. If the TV volume is muted or set to zero, the soundbar won't produce sound even if it's connected correctly. Also verify that the cable is fully inserted on both ends — a loose connection is often mistaken for a broken device. If none of these steps work, try a different cable or connection method to narrow down whether the problem is with the cable, the soundbar, or the TV.
Switching between connection methods
If you want to change from one connection method to another — for example, from Bluetooth to HDMI ARC — you don't need to unpair or disconnect anything. straightforward plug in the new cable or pair the new device, then go into your TV's Sound settings and select the new audio output method. Your TV will automatically stop using the old connection and start using the new one.
Some Samsung soundbars remember multiple connections and will automatically switch between them based on what's available. If your soundbar is connected to both your TV via HDMI and your phone via Bluetooth, it will play TV audio when the TV is on and switch to phone audio when you start playing music. You can usually control this behavior in the soundbar's settings menu, accessible through its remote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?
No. Any standard HDMI cable works with ARC. The difference is in the port on your TV, not the cable itself. Make sure you're plugging into the HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC, not just any HDMI port.
Can I use both HDMI and optical at the same time?
You can plug both cables in, but your TV will only output audio through one at a time. Go into Sound settings and choose which one you want to use. If you switch methods later, you'll need to change the setting again.
Why does my soundbar keep disconnecting from Bluetooth?
Bluetooth has a shorter range than HDMI or optical and can be blocked by walls or other devices. If disconnections happen often, move the soundbar closer to the TV or switch to a wired connection. Bluetooth works best for occasional use, not as your main TV audio source.
Will my TV remote control the soundbar volume if I use optical cable?
No. Optical cable only carries sound, not control signals. You'll need to use the soundbar's remote or buttons to adjust volume. HDMI ARC does let your TV remote control the soundbar, which is one reason it's the preferred method.
What if my TV doesn't have HDMI ARC or optical output?
Bluetooth is your option, though it's less stable. Some very old TVs have a headphone jack instead — you can use a 3.5mm to RCA adapter cable to connect to the soundbar's audio input, though this is rare on modern Samsung soundbars.