Connect the HDMI cable from your soundbar to your TV

The simplest way to connect a soundbar to your TV is with a single HDMI cable. One end plugs into the HDMI port on the back of your soundbar, and the other end plugs into an HDMI port on the back of your TV. This single cable carries both picture and sound from your TV to the soundbar, and the soundbar then sends the audio to its speakers.

Most soundbars have one HDMI port labeled "HDMI In" or "HDMI ARC" on the back. Your TV has multiple HDMI ports — they all look identical, but one is usually labeled "HDMI ARC" or "HDMI eARC" (the letters stand for Audio Return Channel). Using the ARC port on your TV matters because it lets sound travel both directions: from your TV to the soundbar, and from the soundbar back to the TV if needed. If your TV and soundbar both have ARC ports, connect them to each other. If only one has ARC, use that port.

If your TV has no ARC port or your soundbar has no HDMI input at all, you have other options covered in the sections below. But HDMI ARC is the most reliable starting point because it requires no extra equipment and handles all the audio your TV produces.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI ARC is the fastest connection method because one cable carries both video and audio, and you need no extra equipment or settings changes.
  • Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI ARC port on your TV and the other end into the HDMI port on your soundbar — the ports are usually on the back.
  • If your TV has no ARC port, use any HDMI port on the TV and check your TV's sound settings to route audio through HDMI instead of the TV's built-in speakers.
  • If your soundbar has no HDMI input, use an optical cable or 3.5mm audio cable instead, which carry sound only but work with older soundbars and TVs.
  • After connecting, turn on both devices and test sound by playing something on your TV — if you hear nothing, check that HDMI is selected as your TV's audio output.

Turn on both devices and test the connection

Plug in both your TV and soundbar, then turn them on. Play something on your TV — a streaming app, a broadcast channel, or a movie — and listen for sound coming from the soundbar speakers instead of from the TV itself. If you hear sound from the soundbar, the connection is working and you are done.

If you hear nothing from the soundbar but sound still comes from the TV's built-in speakers, the TV is not sending audio through HDMI yet. This is the most common problem after plugging in the cable. The fix is in your TV's settings, covered in the next section.

Change your TV's audio output to HDMI if sound does not play

Your TV has a setting that tells it where to send sound — to its own speakers, to a connected soundbar, or to both. If you plugged in the HDMI cable but hear nothing from the soundbar, this setting is probably still pointed at the TV's speakers.

On most TVs, go to Settings, then Audio or Sound, then look for a line that says "Audio Output", "Speaker Output", "Sound Output", or "HDMI ARC". The exact names vary by brand — Samsung calls it "Sound Output", LG calls it "Audio Output", and Sony calls it "Speaker". Open that menu and select HDMI or HDMI ARC. Your TV will now send all sound to the soundbar instead of playing it through the TV's speakers.

If you cannot find this setting, check your TV's manual or search "[Your TV brand] HDMI audio output settings" online. Most TV makers have a support page that walks through the steps for your exact model. After you change the setting, test again by playing something on your TV. Sound should now come from the soundbar.

Use an optical cable if your soundbar has no HDMI port

Older soundbars and some budget models have no HDMI input — they have only an optical port (a small square opening) or a 3.5mm audio jack (the same size as a headphone plug). If this is your soundbar, you cannot use HDMI. Use an optical cable instead.

An optical cable looks like a thin black cord with a small rectangular connector on each end. Plug one end into the optical audio output on the back of your TV and the other end into the optical input on the back of your soundbar. Then go to your TV's audio settings and select "Optical" or "S/PDIF" as the audio output instead of HDMI. Optical cables carry sound only, not picture, but they work reliably with almost any TV and soundbar made in the last 15 years.

If your TV has no optical port either, use a 3.5mm audio cable (a thin cord with round connectors the size of a headphone jack) from the TV's headphone output to the soundbar's audio input. This is the least ideal option because the headphone output on a TV is often weak, but it works if nothing else is available.

Check that the soundbar is set to the correct input

Some soundbars have a button or remote control option to switch between inputs — HDMI, optical, Bluetooth, or aux. If you plugged in the cable but hear nothing, the soundbar might be listening to the wrong input. Look for a button on the soundbar itself or on its remote that says "Input", "Source", or shows a list of connection types. Press it and select HDMI (or Optical, if you used an optical cable).

Most soundbars remember which input you selected last, so you should only need to do this once. After you switch inputs, test again by playing something on your TV. If the soundbar still makes no sound, go back to the TV's audio settings and double-check that HDMI (or Optical) is selected as the output.

Disable the TV's speakers if sound comes from both the TV and soundbar

After you connect the soundbar, you might hear sound from both the soundbar and the TV's built-in speakers at the same time. This usually means your TV's audio output setting is set to "TV Speaker + HDMI" or "All Speakers" instead of "HDMI Only". Go back to your TV's audio settings and change it to send sound to HDMI only, not to both.

If your TV's settings do not offer this option, look for a setting called "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker" and turn it off. Some TVs also have a setting for "Audio Description" or "Secondary Audio" — make sure these are off as well, because they can cause extra sound to play alongside your main audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable for a soundbar?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works with a soundbar. You do not need to buy an expensive "premium" or "high-speed" cable — a basic HDMI cable costs a few dollars and carries audio just as well. If you already have a spare HDMI cable, use that.

Can I use HDMI if my TV is older and has no ARC port?

Yes, but with a limitation. Plug the HDMI cable into any HDMI port on your TV, then go to your TV's audio settings and select HDMI as the output. The soundbar will receive sound from the TV, but the TV cannot receive signals back through the same cable — this only matters if your soundbar has a built-in TV tuner, which is rare. For most people, this makes no difference.

What if my soundbar is wireless and has no cable ports at all?

Some soundbars connect only through Bluetooth or WiFi, not through cables. If yours has no HDMI or optical port, check your soundbar's manual for pairing instructions. You will pair it to your TV using Bluetooth instead, which is a different process than plugging in a cable.

Should I use HDMI or optical if my soundbar has both?

Use HDMI if both your TV and soundbar have it. HDMI carries more information and handles newer audio formats better than optical. Optical is a good backup if HDMI stops working, but HDMI is the better choice when available.

Why does my soundbar have two HDMI ports?

One port is for input (sound coming into the soundbar from your TV) and one is for output (sound going from the soundbar to another device, like a receiver). Plug your TV into the input port, which is usually labeled "HDMI In" or "HDMI ARC". The output port is for connecting other equipment and is rarely needed in a straightforward TV-and-soundbar setup.