HDMI-ARC sends audio back through your HDMI cable instead of requiring a separate wire

HDMI-ARC (Audio Return Channel) is a feature built into certain HDMI ports that lets sound travel in both directions through the same cable. Normally, HDMI carries video and audio from a device (like a cable box or streaming player) to your TV. With ARC, your TV can also send audio back through that same cable to a soundbar or receiver, eliminating the need for a separate optical or analog audio cable.

The practical result: you plug your soundbar into your TV's HDMI-ARC port, connect your cable box or streaming device to a different HDMI port on the TV, and the TV automatically routes all sound—from any input—to the soundbar. You get cleaner cable management and one less wire behind your entertainment center.

Not every HDMI port on your TV supports ARC. Usually only one port does, and it is labeled on the back of the TV or in the manual. If your TV has multiple HDMI ports, check which one is the ARC port before you buy a soundbar or receiver.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI-ARC lets audio travel backward through an HDMI cable from your TV to a soundbar or receiver, so you do not need a separate audio cable.
  • Only one HDMI port on most TVs supports ARC, and it is usually labeled on the back or in the manual.
  • Your soundbar or receiver must also support ARC for this to work—check the specifications before you buy.
  • HDMI-ARC works with any input on your TV (cable box, streaming device, antenna) as long as the soundbar is connected to the ARC port.

Which HDMI port on your TV supports ARC

Most TVs have one HDMI port that supports ARC, usually labeled "HDMI 3" or "HDMI 4" on the back panel. Some newer TVs have two ARC ports. The manual or the back of the TV itself will tell you which port it is—look for text that says "ARC" or "eARC" printed next to the port.

If you cannot find the label, check your TV's settings menu. On most TVs, go to Settings > Sound or Audio, and look for an option called "HDMI Audio Out" or "Audio Return Channel." The menu will show you which port is active for ARC. If your TV does not have this menu option, it may not support ARC at all.

Plug your soundbar or receiver into the ARC port, not into any other HDMI port. If you plug it into a non-ARC port, the audio will not travel backward, and you will need a separate cable to connect sound from your TV to the soundbar.

What devices need to support ARC for it to work

Both your TV and your soundbar (or receiver) must support HDMI-ARC. Your TV almost certainly does if it was made in the last five years, but older soundbars and receivers may not. Check the soundbar's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm it has HDMI-ARC support before you buy.

The devices that feed video and audio to your TV—like a cable box, streaming device, or game console—do not need to support ARC. They just send video and audio to the TV normally. The TV then sends that audio back to the soundbar through the ARC port.

If your soundbar does not support ARC, you can still use it with your TV, but you will need to connect an optical audio cable or a 3.5mm cable from the TV's audio output to the soundbar's audio input. This is the older method and requires an extra cable.

How to set up HDMI-ARC on your TV and soundbar

Start by connecting your soundbar to the ARC port on your TV using an HDMI cable. Then connect your other devices (cable box, streaming player, game console) to the other HDMI ports on your TV. Power on the TV and soundbar.

Go to your TV's Settings menu and find the audio or sound section. Look for an option called "HDMI Audio Out," "Audio Return Channel," or "Digital Audio Out." Turn this setting on. Some TVs call it "TV Speaker" or "External Speaker"—the exact name varies by brand.

Once you enable ARC in the TV's settings, the TV should automatically detect the soundbar and start sending audio to it. Test it by playing something on your cable box or streaming device. You should hear sound from the soundbar, not from the TV's built-in speakers. If you do not hear anything, restart both devices and check that the soundbar is set to the correct input.

HDMI-ARC versus eARC: what is the difference

eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) is a newer version of ARC that handles more audio formats and sends data faster. If your TV and soundbar both support eARC, use it instead of regular ARC—it is backward compatible, meaning it will work with ARC devices too, but it performs better with newer equipment.

The practical difference: eARC can handle surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, while regular ARC is limited to stereo and basic surround sound. If you have a high-end soundbar or receiver that supports these formats, eARC will let you use them. If you have a basic soundbar, the difference will not matter.

Check your TV's manual to see if it supports eARC. If both your TV and soundbar support it, the TV will usually default to eARC automatically when you enable audio return. You do not need to do anything special—just enable ARC in the settings, and the TV will use eARC if available.

Common problems and how to fix them

If you hear no sound from the soundbar after connecting it to the ARC port, first check that you enabled ARC in your TV's settings menu. Many people plug in the soundbar but forget to turn on the setting. Go back to Settings > Sound and make sure the audio return option is switched on.

If the setting is on but you still hear no sound, restart both the TV and the soundbar. Unplug the soundbar for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up. Then restart the TV. Sometimes the devices need to re-detect each other.

If you hear sound from both the TV speakers and the soundbar at the same time, go to your TV's settings and disable the TV speakers. Look for an option called "TV Speaker," "Internal Speaker," or "Speaker Output," and turn it off. This tells the TV to send all audio to the soundbar only.

If your soundbar is connected to the ARC port but you are not getting surround sound or advanced audio formats, check that both devices support eARC and that it is enabled in your TV's settings. Some TVs require you to manually select eARC instead of regular ARC in the audio settings menu.

When to use a separate audio cable instead

If your soundbar does not support HDMI-ARC, or if your TV does not have an ARC port, you will need to use an optical audio cable or a 3.5mm cable instead. Optical cables carry digital audio and work well for most soundbars. A 3.5mm cable is older and carries analog audio, which is fine for basic setups but not ideal for surround sound.

Connect the optical or 3.5mm cable from your TV's audio output to the soundbar's audio input. Then go to your TV's settings and select "Optical" or "Analog" as the audio output, depending on which cable you used. The soundbar should receive audio from any input on your TV, just like with ARC.

Optical and 3.5mm cables are also useful if you want to keep your soundbar connected to your TV but also connect it to other devices like a turntable or a second streaming device. With ARC, the soundbar only receives audio from the TV, not from other sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?

No. Any standard HDMI cable works with ARC. You do not need to buy an expensive "ARC cable" or "eARC cable." The feature is built into the port, not the cable. A regular HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 cable will work fine.

Can I use HDMI-ARC if my TV is older?

Most TVs made after 2015 support HDMI-ARC, but older models may not. Check your TV's manual or look at the back panel to see if any HDMI port is labeled "ARC." If not, you will need to use an optical or 3.5mm audio cable instead.

What if my soundbar has HDMI-ARC but my TV does not?

You cannot use ARC if your TV does not support it. Connect an optical or 3.5mm audio cable from your TV to the soundbar instead. The soundbar's ARC port will not work without a TV that also supports ARC.

Will HDMI-ARC work with my cable box or streaming device?

Yes. Your cable box, streaming device, or game console does not need to support ARC. It sends video and audio to your TV normally, and your TV sends that audio back to the soundbar through the ARC port. ARC only requires support from the TV and the soundbar.

Can I connect multiple soundbars to one ARC port?

No. One ARC port connects to one soundbar or receiver. If you want to use multiple soundbars in different rooms, you will need to connect them to different HDMI ports and use separate audio cables, or use a different audio solution like wireless speakers or a multi-room audio system.