Set up your Samsung Soundbar

There are multiple benefits to connecting your soundbar to your TV via a Wi-Fi network. For instance, this way gives you a wider range to connect compared to Bluetooth. It also allows for multiple connections, as long as they are on the same network. Before you begin this process, make sure that you have the SmartThings app downloaded on your mobile device.

Connecting your soundbar to a TV through HDMI will give you the best audio because HDMI cables transmit sound digitally. There are 2 ways to connect your soundbar with HDMI: you can connect a device to your soundbar (like a Blu-ray player) and then connect the soundbar to the TV, or you can use ARC (Audio Return Channel). The first method will give you the best possible sound from external devices you regularly use. ARC is the way to go if you want great sound from streaming apps on your TV and a soundbar.

Connect your soundbar and a device using HDMI

Everything should be working now, but let's take it a step further and make this setup the best it can be.

Note: If your external device is 4K-compatible, you need to make sure the soundbar supports 4K pass-thru. Samsung 2017 650 series or above all support 4K pass-thru, so you should be good to go if you have this model.

To set up HDMI ARC, power on your TV and soundbar. 

An optical cable (Tos-Link) is also another way to connect your soundbar to your TV. This type of cable is similar to an HDMI cable and transmits digital sound, so you can hear every detail. You can also connect your devices (cable boxes, video game systems, and Blu-ray players) to the TV, and have the sound output from the TV to the soundbar.

Note: If these steps don't work on your TV, or you do not have a Samsung TV, check out the soundbar's or TV's user manual.

Connect your soundbar with an aux cable

If you want to kick it old-school, you can use an auxiliary cable to connect the soundbar to your TV or external devices. You'll still enjoy first-rate sound quality from your soundbar; however, aux cables use an analog connection, so the sound won't be as good as if you were using an HDMI or optical cable.

Connect your soundbar with Bluetooth

It doesn't have the same sound quality as HDMI, but everyone loves the convenience of Bluetooth since you don't have to worry about any cables. The main challenge with Bluetooth is that connections can disconnect or become unstable if there's some kind of disruption, like a power outage. Bluetooth is still a nice and easy option to have, though.

Once the soundbar is in pairing mode, use your TV remote to navigate to Source, and then select Connection Guide. Select Audio Device, and then select Bluetooth. Press Right on the TV remote, and go through the tutorial if desired. Select the device type you would like to pair, and follow the on-screen instructions to connect it via Bluetooth.

You can also navigate to Settings, and then select Sound. Next, select Sound Output, and then select Bluetooth Speaker List or Bluetooth Audio Device, depending on your TV model. Finally, select your soundbar. Now sound from the TV will be played through your soundbar.

If you are not getting sound from the soundbar after connecting, check out our guide.