The fastest way to add speakers to your PS5

You can connect external speakers to your PS5 in three ways: through the HDMI cable that carries both picture and sound, through a separate audio cable plugged into the back of your TV, or wirelessly using Bluetooth. Which one works depends on what speakers you have and what your TV supports. Most people use HDMI because it carries everything in one cable, but if your speakers are older or your TV doesn't pass sound through HDMI, a direct audio cable or Bluetooth connection will work instead.

The PS5 itself doesn't have a headphone jack or audio output port — it sends all sound through HDMI to your TV, and your TV then sends that sound to your speakers. This means you're really connecting speakers to your TV, not directly to the console. Your TV is the middleman.

Key Takeaways

  • The PS5 sends all audio through HDMI to your TV, so you are connecting speakers to your TV, not the console itself.
  • If your TV has a built-in speaker, you already have sound — you may only need to turn up the volume or adjust TV settings.
  • HDMI is the simplest route if your TV supports audio return channel (ARC), because one cable carries both picture and sound.
  • Bluetooth speakers work if your TV has Bluetooth, but some TVs do not — check your TV manual or settings first.
  • Older or wired speakers need a separate audio cable from your TV's audio output port, which may require an adapter.

Check what your TV already has

Before you buy anything, look at the back and sides of your TV. Most modern TVs have built-in speakers, and if yours does, you may already have sound coming through — you just need to turn up the volume or unmute it. Press the volume button on your TV remote and watch the screen. If a volume bar appears, your TV has speakers.

If your TV has no sound at all, the problem is usually that the HDMI cable is not carrying audio, or the TV's audio output is turned off in settings. Check your TV's manual or settings menu (usually under Audio or Sound) to see whether HDMI audio is enabled. Many TVs ship with this turned off.

Using HDMI audio return channel (ARC) for wireless-style simplicity

HDMI ARC is a feature that lets your TV send sound back through the same HDMI cable that brings picture from the PS5. This means you can connect a soundbar or receiver to your TV using one HDMI cable, and that device will receive sound from the PS5 without needing a separate audio cable. Not all TVs support ARC — check your TV manual or settings to confirm.

To set this up: plug your soundbar or receiver into the HDMI port on your TV labeled ARC or eARC (usually HDMI 3 or 4). Then go into your TV settings, find the Audio or Sound menu, and turn on HDMI ARC or eARC. The PS5 will automatically send sound through HDMI to your TV, and your TV will pass it to the soundbar. No additional cables needed.

If your TV does not have ARC, you will need a separate audio cable running from your TV to your speakers — see the next section.

Connecting speakers with a separate audio cable

If your TV has an audio output port (usually labeled Audio Out, Optical, or Aux), you can run a cable directly from that port to your speakers. This works with older soundbars, receivers, and powered speakers that have a 3.5mm jack or RCA inputs.

The steps are: plug one end of the audio cable into your TV's audio output port, plug the other end into your speakers' audio input port, then go into your TV settings and select that audio output as the active speaker. The PS5 sends sound to your TV through HDMI, your TV sends it out through the audio cable, and your speakers play it.

If your speakers have RCA inputs (two round red and white ports) but your TV has a 3.5mm jack, you will need a 3.5mm-to-RCA adapter cable, which costs $5 to $15 and is available at any electronics store. If your speakers have an optical input (a square port), you need an optical audio cable instead.

Connecting Bluetooth speakers to your TV

Some TVs have Bluetooth built in, which means you can pair wireless speakers without any cable. Check your TV manual or go into Settings to see whether Bluetooth is available — not all TVs have it, and some have it disabled by default.

If your TV has Bluetooth: go into your TV settings, find Bluetooth or Wireless Speakers, and turn it on. Put your speaker into pairing mode (usually by holding a button for a few seconds — check the speaker manual). Your TV should find the speaker and connect automatically. Once paired, sound from the PS5 will play through the speaker whenever it is turned on and in range.

Bluetooth speakers are convenient because there are no cables, but they can have a slight delay between the game action and the sound, which some people notice during fast games. If that bothers you, a wired connection is more reliable.

Adjusting PS5 audio settings

The PS5 itself has very few audio settings because it assumes your TV is handling the sound. However, you can check that audio is enabled by going to Settings, then Sound, then Audio Output. Make sure it is set to HDMI or whatever output your TV is using. If you have a soundbar or receiver connected to your TV, the PS5 does not need to know about it — your TV handles that connection.

If you are using headphones, you can plug them into a controller using the 3.5mm jack on the bottom of the DualSense controller. This is separate from your TV speakers and lets you listen privately while others hear the TV sound.

Troubleshooting when you have no sound

If you connected everything but hear nothing, check these things in order: First, make sure your TV volume is not muted or set to zero. Second, confirm that your speakers are turned on and plugged in. Third, check that the audio cable is plugged firmly into both the TV and the speakers — a loose connection is the most common cause of silent speakers.

If you are using HDMI ARC, go into your TV settings and confirm that HDMI ARC is turned on. If you are using a separate audio cable, check that your TV's audio output is set to that port (not the TV's built-in speakers). Restart your TV and PS5 if nothing works — sometimes a power cycle fixes audio routing problems that settings alone cannot solve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect speakers directly to the PS5 controller?

No. The PS5 controller has a 3.5mm jack for headphones only, not for speakers. You can plug wired headphones into the controller, but external speakers must connect to your TV, not the console.

Do I need a soundbar or can I use regular computer speakers?

Computer speakers work fine if they have audio inputs that match your TV's audio output. If your computer speakers have a 3.5mm jack and your TV has a 3.5mm audio output, you can connect them with a straightforward cable. Powered speakers (speakers with a built-in amplifier) work better than passive ones because they do not need an external receiver.

What if my TV does not have an audio output port?

Many newer TVs removed the audio output port because they assume you will use HDMI ARC or the TV's built-in speakers. If your TV has neither, you may need to use a TV audio extractor device, which plugs into HDMI and pulls the sound out so you can send it to speakers. These cost $20 to $50.

Will Bluetooth speakers work if my TV does not have Bluetooth?

Not directly. However, you can buy a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into your TV's audio output port and broadcasts to Bluetooth speakers. These cost $15 to $40 and are available online or at electronics stores.

Can I use my phone as a speaker for PS5 games?

No. The PS5 cannot send audio to your phone. Your phone would need to be connected to your TV as a speaker, which defeats the purpose — you would still be using your TV as the middleman, and the audio would go through your TV to your phone, creating delay and poor sound quality.