The basic connection: HDMI, optical, or wireless
A soundbar connects to your TV through one of three routes: an HDMI cable (the most common), a digital optical cable (if your TV has one), or Bluetooth wireless. HDMI is usually the best choice because it carries both audio and video, handles newer sound formats, and often lets the soundbar control your TV's volume with a single remote. If your TV doesn't have an HDMI input available for audio, or if the HDMI port doesn't support audio return (called ARC), a digital optical cable is the next best option. Bluetooth works but can drop the connection and doesn't support the best sound quality.
Before you buy a soundbar, check what ports your TV actually has on the back. Most TVs made in the last ten years have at least one HDMI port that supports ARC, and many have a digital optical port as well. If your TV is older or very basic, it might only have RCA audio ports (the red and white connectors), which means you'll need either a soundbar with RCA inputs or an adapter.
Key Takeaways
- HDMI with ARC is the easiest connection because one cable carries audio and video, and the soundbar remote can control your TV volume.
- Digital optical cable is a solid second choice if your TV has that port and HDMI ARC isn't available.
- You'll need to change your TV's audio output setting to send sound to the soundbar instead of the TV's built-in speakers.
- Bluetooth works but can disconnect and doesn't support the highest-quality sound formats, so use it only if wired connection isn't possible.
- Most soundbars come with the cable you need, but check the box before you buy to avoid buying a separate one.
Setting up HDMI ARC: the standard method
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is the standard way to connect a soundbar. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI ARC port on your TV — this is usually labeled "HDMI ARC" or "HDMI eARC" on the back of the TV, often port 3 or 4. Plug the other end into the HDMI input on the soundbar. Then turn on both devices and wait 10 to 15 seconds for them to recognize each other.
Next, go into your TV's settings menu and find the audio or sound section. Look for an option called "HDMI ARC" or "Digital Audio Out" and make sure it's turned on. Then find "Speaker" or "Audio Output" and change it from "TV Speaker" to "External Speaker" or "Soundbar" — the exact wording depends on your TV brand. Your TV remote should now control the soundbar's volume, and sound from any input (cable box, streaming app, antenna) will go through the soundbar instead of the TV's tiny speakers.
If the soundbar doesn't produce sound after you've made these changes, restart both devices by unplugging them for 30 seconds, then plugging them back in. If it still doesn't work, go back into your TV settings and confirm the audio output is set to HDMI ARC, not "TV Speaker."
Using digital optical cable when HDMI ARC isn't available
If your TV doesn't have HDMI ARC, or if you've already used all your HDMI ports for other devices, a digital optical cable (also called TOSLINK or S/PDIF) is the next best option. Plug one end into the digital optical audio output on your TV — it's usually a small square port labeled "Optical Out" or "Digital Audio Out." Plug the other end into the optical input on the soundbar.
Go into your TV's audio settings the same way you would for HDMI ARC, but this time select "Digital Audio Out" or "Optical" as the audio output instead of HDMI. The soundbar will now receive sound from your TV. One drawback: the soundbar's remote usually won't control your TV's volume when using optical, so you'll need to use your TV remote to adjust volume, or use the soundbar's own remote or buttons.
Digital optical cables are inexpensive and widely available. Most soundbars include one in the box, but if yours didn't, you can buy a replacement for under $10 at any electronics store.
Connecting via Bluetooth when wired isn't possible
Bluetooth is the easiest to set up physically — no cables — but it's the least reliable option. To connect, put the soundbar in pairing mode by pressing and holding the Bluetooth button on the soundbar or its remote until you see a blinking light. Then go into your TV's Bluetooth settings, search for available devices, and select the soundbar from the list. Wait a few seconds for the connection to establish.
The problem with Bluetooth is that the connection can drop, especially if you move the soundbar far from the TV or if there are other wireless devices nearby. It also doesn't support the newer, higher-quality sound formats that HDMI and optical can carry. Use Bluetooth only if your TV doesn't have HDMI ARC or optical output, or if you're connecting a portable device like a phone or tablet to the soundbar temporarily.
Connecting a soundbar with RCA inputs to an older TV
If your TV only has RCA audio outputs (the red and white connectors) and no HDMI or optical port, you can still use a soundbar, but you'll need one that has RCA inputs on the back. Plug the red and white RCA cables from your TV into the matching red and white inputs on the soundbar. This is an older connection method, so not all modern soundbars have RCA inputs — check the back of the soundbar before you buy.
With RCA, you won't get surround sound or the latest audio formats, but you will get better sound than your TV's built-in speakers. You'll also need to adjust volume using the soundbar's remote or buttons, since RCA doesn't carry volume control signals the way HDMI does.
Adjusting soundbar settings after connection
Once your soundbar is connected and producing sound, you may want to adjust a few settings. Most soundbars have a menu button on the remote that lets you change the sound mode (Movie, Music, News, or Night Mode are common options). Movie mode usually adds bass and surround effects; Music mode is flatter and more balanced; News mode boosts dialogue; and Night Mode reduces loud sounds so you can watch late at night without disturbing others.
Check whether your soundbar has a subwoofer included or sold separately. If it does, you'll need to pair the subwoofer to the soundbar using the button on the back of the subwoofer — the soundbar manual will explain the exact steps. A subwoofer adds deep bass that the soundbar alone can't produce, and it connects wirelessly, so you don't need another cable.
If your soundbar has a display, you can usually adjust the brightness or turn it off entirely in the settings menu. Some soundbars also let you adjust the treble and bass separately, which is useful if dialogue sounds muffled or if the bass is too heavy.
Troubleshooting common connection problems
If you've connected the soundbar but hear no sound, the most common cause is that your TV's audio output is still set to "TV Speaker" instead of the external soundbar. Go back into your TV's audio settings and confirm the output is set to the soundbar or external speaker. If you're using HDMI ARC, also confirm that HDMI ARC is turned on in the settings.
If the soundbar produces sound from some inputs but not others, the problem is usually that different inputs have different audio settings. For example, your cable box might be set to output audio through HDMI while your streaming app outputs through the TV's speakers. Check the settings on each device you use — cable box, streaming device, antenna box — and make sure they're all set to output audio through HDMI or optical, not through their own speakers.
If the soundbar connects via Bluetooth but keeps disconnecting, move it closer to the TV and away from other wireless devices like routers or cordless phones. If that doesn't help, unpair the soundbar from your TV's Bluetooth settings, restart both devices, and pair them again. Bluetooth connections are sometimes finicky, so this reset often solves the problem.
If you're using a soundbar with a subwoofer and the subwoofer isn't producing sound, check that it's turned on and that the pairing button on the back was held long enough during setup. The subwoofer manual will specify how long to hold the button — usually 5 to 10 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a soundbar with a TV that only has a headphone jack?
Yes, but you'll need an adapter. Buy a 3.5mm to RCA adapter (about $5 to $10), plug it into the TV's headphone jack, and connect the RCA cables to a soundbar with RCA inputs. This is not ideal because the headphone jack wasn't designed to drive external speakers, so the sound may be quieter or distorted. If possible, use HDMI, optical, or Bluetooth instead.
Do I need to turn off my TV's built-in speakers when I connect a soundbar?
No, but you should. When you set your TV's audio output to "External Speaker" or "Soundbar," the TV automatically stops sending sound to its built-in speakers. If you want to be extra sure, you can go into the TV's audio settings and look for an option to disable or mute the internal speakers, but this step is usually not necessary.
Can I connect multiple soundbars to one TV?
Not through a single audio output. Your TV can only send audio to one device at a time through HDMI ARC, optical, or RCA. If you want sound in multiple rooms, you'd need to use a separate audio system or wireless speakers in the other rooms, not a second soundbar connected to the same TV.
What's the difference between HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC?
eARC is a newer version of ARC that supports higher-quality sound formats and faster data transfer. If your TV and soundbar both support eARC, use it — the setup is identical to ARC, and you'll get better sound quality. If only one device supports eARC, they'll fall back to regular ARC, which still works fine.
Why does my soundbar remote not control my TV volume?
This usually happens when you're using digital optical or RCA instead of HDMI ARC. Optical and RCA cables only carry audio, not control signals, so the soundbar can't tell the TV to change volume. If you want remote control, switch to HDMI ARC if your TV supports it. If not, you'll need to use your TV remote to adjust volume.