How to Connect Your Bose Soundbar to Your TV

The simplest way to connect a Bose soundbar

Most Bose soundbars connect to your TV using a single HDMI cable plugged into the HDMI ARC port on the back of your TV. ARC stands for Audio Return Channel — it means the TV sends sound back through that same cable instead of you needing a separate audio cable. This is the fastest route and works with almost every TV made in the last ten years.

If your TV does not have an HDMI ARC port, or if you prefer not to use HDMI, you can connect using an optical audio cable instead. Optical cables look like thin black cords with small square connectors on each end. Both methods work equally well — HDMI ARC is just simpler because it is one cable instead of two.

Bluetooth is a third option, but it is slower to set up and can drop the connection if something interferes with the signal. Most people use it only as a backup when HDMI and optical are not available.

Key Takeaways

• HDMI ARC is the easiest connection method — plug one cable into the HDMI ARC port on your TV and the soundbar will work when ready.
• You must turn off the TV's internal speakers in the sound settings after connecting, or you will hear audio from both the TV and the soundbar at the same time.
• If your TV does not have HDMI ARC, an optical audio cable works just as well and requires only a second cable.
• Bluetooth connection is possible but slower to set up and less reliable than wired connections.

Connecting with HDMI ARC in four steps

Start by locating the HDMI ARC port on your TV. Look at the HDMI ports on the back or side of your TV — usually there are three or four of them. One will be labeled HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC (the "e" just means an enhanced version). If you cannot find a label, check your TV's manual or search online for your TV model number plus "HDMI ARC port".

Plug one end of an HDMI cable into that HDMI ARC port. Plug the other end into the HDMI OUT or HDMI ARC port on the back of your Bose soundbar. Turn on both the TV and the soundbar. The soundbar should light up and you should hear sound coming from it instead of from the TV's speakers.

If you do not hear sound, go into your TV's settings menu and look for Sound or Audio settings. Find the option that says something like "Speaker Output" or "Audio Output" and change it from "TV Speaker" to "HDMI ARC" or "External Speaker". Save the setting and try playing something again.

Once sound is working, turn off the TV's internal speakers completely. Go back to the Sound settings and look for an option called "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker" and set it to Off. This prevents you from hearing audio from both the TV and the soundbar at the same time, which sounds confusing and hollow.

Using an optical audio cable instead

If your TV does not have an HDMI ARC port, or if the HDMI connection is not working, an optical audio cable is the next best option. Optical cables are inexpensive — usually between five and fifteen dollars — and you can find them at any electronics store or online.

Locate the optical audio port on your TV. It is usually on the back and looks like a small square hole with a red or orange ring around it. Some TVs label it "Optical Out" or "SPDIF". Plug one end of the optical cable into that port. Plug the other end into the optical port on the back of your Bose soundbar.

Turn on the soundbar and TV. Go into your TV's Sound settings and change the audio output from "TV Speaker" to "Optical" or "Digital Audio Out". The soundbar should start playing sound when ready. Like with HDMI, turn off the TV's internal speakers in the settings so you only hear audio from the soundbar.

Connecting via Bluetooth

Bluetooth is the slowest connection method but works if you do not want cables running across your room. Press and hold the Bluetooth button on the back of your Bose soundbar for three to five seconds until you see a blue light blinking. This puts the soundbar in pairing mode.

On your TV remote, go to Settings, then look for Bluetooth or Connected Devices. Select "Search for Devices" or "Add Device". Your TV will scan for nearby Bluetooth devices. When you see your Bose soundbar in the list, select it. The soundbar will beep and the light will stop blinking once it is connected.

Bluetooth connections can be interrupted by other wireless devices, walls, or distance. If the sound cuts out or lags, move the soundbar closer to the TV or switch to an HDMI or optical connection instead.

Troubleshooting when sound does not come through

If you plugged everything in but hear nothing, the most common cause is that your TV is still set to play sound through its own speakers. Go to Settings, find Sound or Audio, and look for an option called "Speaker Output", "Audio Output", or "Sound Output". Change it from "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker" to whichever connection you used — HDMI ARC, Optical, or Bluetooth.

If that does not work, unplug the soundbar for thirty seconds, then plug it back in. This resets the connection. While it is restarting, go back to your TV's sound settings and make sure the output is still set correctly.

For HDMI connections, try a different HDMI cable. Some cables are damaged or do not support ARC even though they look fine. If you have another HDMI cable in your house, test with that one first before buying a new cable.

If the soundbar is connected but the volume is very low, check the volume on both the soundbar itself and on your TV remote. The soundbar has its own volume control, usually buttons on the back or a remote control. The TV also has volume controls. Both need to be turned up for you to hear sound at a normal level.

When to use each connection type

Use HDMI ARC if your TV has that port. It is one cable, it is reliable, and it handles both picture and sound. This is the method most people should choose.

Use optical audio if your TV does not have HDMI ARC, or if you are having trouble with the HDMI connection. Optical is just as reliable as HDMI and costs very little. The only downside is you need two cables instead of one — one for picture from your cable box or streaming device, and one for sound to the soundbar.

Use Bluetooth only if running cables is not possible. Bluetooth works, but it is slower to set up, can drop the connection, and may have slight audio delay if you are watching video. It is a good backup option but not the first choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy a special HDMI cable for ARC?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works with ARC. You do not need to buy an expensive "ARC cable" — the feature is built into the port itself, not the cable. If you already have an HDMI cable at home, try that one first.

Can I connect the soundbar to my cable box instead of my TV?

Yes, but it is more complicated. If you connect the soundbar to your cable box, it will only play sound from that box, not from streaming apps on your TV. Most people connect to the TV so the soundbar plays sound from everything — cable, streaming apps, and built-in TV speakers.

Why is there a delay between the video and the sound?

This usually happens with Bluetooth connections. Wired connections (HDMI or optical) do not have this problem. If you are using HDMI or optical and still see a delay, go into your TV's sound settings and look for an option called "Audio Delay" or "Lip Sync". You can adjust it there to match the video.

What if my soundbar was already connected and suddenly stopped working?

Unplug the soundbar for thirty seconds and plug it back in. If that does not work, unplug the HDMI or optical cable from both the TV and the soundbar, wait ten seconds, and plug it back in. This resets the connection without losing your other settings.

Can I use the soundbar with multiple devices at once?

No. The soundbar can only play sound from one source at a time. If you have a cable box, a streaming device, and a game console all plugged into your TV, the soundbar will play whichever one your TV is currently showing. You do not need separate connections for each device — they all go through the TV.