How to Connect Soundbar to Samsung TV using HDMI

Learn the best ways to connect Soundbar to Samsung TV using HDMI.

Samsung TVs are rated among the best available in the market today. 

They offer fantastic picture quality, which other competing brands can hardly beat, especially with their 4K and 8K QLED TV models. 

You might want to know that getting a Samsung 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV will give you the best sound output available on a TV in 2022. This bad boy comes with Dolby Atmos effects and DTS-HD support. 

Even the best TVs are limited in their sound capacity and quality. Getting a Soundbar will be the best viable option for those who require even better audio output from their TV.

And that’s why we’re writing this article.

In this self-help guide, we’ll focus on finding creative ways to connect your Samsung TV to a Soundbar using an HDMI cable.

Connecting Samsung TV to Soundbar using HDMI

Starting from 2018, almost all Samsung TVs rolled out with HDMI support. 

But you don’t just require an HDMI port on your Samsung TV to connect it with a Soundbar; what you need is an HDMI port with ARC support on your TV.

What is ARC on HDMI?

Connect Soundbar to Samsung TV using HDMI

ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. 

Your standard HDMI port carries sound and video output from home gadgets (PS4/5, Xbox one X/S, blu-ray player, Cable box, Roku streaming stick, FireTV Stick, etc.) into the TV. However, the HDMI ARC is designed to return audio signals from TV to other sound output devices like a Home Theater system or a Soundbar.

So basically, with an HDMI ARC compatible TV, you’ll reduce the number of needed cables to connect your TV to a Soundbar and maintain the desired sound output.

How do I connect my Samsung TV to a Soundbar using HDMI?

How to Connect Soundbar to Samsung TV using HDMI

There are two options,

  1. Connect your Samsung TV to Soundbar using HDMI with ARC support

2. Connect your Samsung TV to Soundbar using HDMI without ARC Compatibility.

It’s easier to set up your Soundbar with your Samsung TV if it has HDMI with ARC compatibility.

How to connect Samsung TV to Soundbar using HDMI with ARC support

  • Confirm that your Samsung TV has HDMI with ARC compatibility. Take a look at the HDMI port at the back/side of the TV. You should see ARC written on the HDMI port to indicate it’s compatible with the ARC setup.
ARC HDMI port on Samsung smart TV
  • Once ARC compatibility is verified, you’ll need to get a high-speed HDMI cable. This is different from the regular HDMI cable but is readily available on most e-commerce websites. A high-speed ARC-compatible HDMI cable will have either ARC or high-speed written boldly on it.
  • Turn off the TV and Soundbar, connect one end of the high-speed HDMI cable to the HDMI ARC port of the TV; also connect the other end to the HDMI ARC port of the Soundbar.
HDMI in Arc Samsung Smart TV
  • Now turn on your TV and Soundbar.
  • Select HDMI ARC as the source input for the Soundbar.
HDMI ARC on Samsung smart TV

You’ll also need to change the audio output settings for your Samsung TV to recognize the connected Soundbar.

Sound Output Samsung smart Tv
Go here to change to Sound bar.

How to connect Samsung TV to Soundbar using HDMI without ARC Compatibility

If you can’t see ARC written on the HDMI port of your Samsung TV, it means there’s no ARC compatibility for your TV, and you’ll need to find other ways to connect the Soundbar to the Samsung TV. 

You can do this using a standard HDMI cable, but you’ll also need an Optical audio cable to complete the setup.

  • Turn off your TV and Soundbar
  • Connect the standard HDMI cable to the HDMI ports on your Samsung TV and Soundbar
  • Now connect the Optical audio cable to the Optical audio out of your TV and connect the other terminal to the Optical audio in your Soundbar.
  • Turn on your TV and Soundbar and set your Soundbar input settings to the Optical digital audio port. Also, set the TV audio output settings to recognize the connected Soundbar. Now you should hear your TV Audio through the Soundbar.

 How to setup Anynet+ on Samsung TV

Anynet+ is a feature that automatically turns on your Soundbar once the Samsung TV is turned on via remote control.

This is possible by turning on HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) for ARC-compatible Samsung TVs.

Select the Home button on the remote and head to Settings > General > External Device Manager.

System Settings Samsung TV

From here, you can turn on CEC Anynet+ for your Samsung TV to control other connected devices using the TV remote control.

How to turn on Auto power link on Samsung TV

Auto power link is the equivalent of Anynet+ for Samsung TVs but works when connected to a Soundbar using an Optical Digital audio cable instead of an HDMI ARC cable.

To turn it on, press and hold the left direction button on the TV remote < for 5-8 seconds.

Volume Rocker on Samsung smart TV

FAQs

Can I use HDMI ARC as standard HDMI?

Yes, you can. But that’ll limit the full potential of your HDMI ARC port.

Why won’t TV audio work on my Soundbar?

Ensure ARC CEC mode is turned on and set TV audio output settings to PCM and select your Soundbar as an Audio device. Also, ensure you’re using a high-speed HDMI cable that supports HDMI ARC.

Do I need an Optical audio cable with HDMI ARC?

No, you don’t. HDMI ARC eliminates the need for extra cables.