The best audio passthrough setting for a soundbar is usually Auto or Passthrough when the TV, connection, and soundbar all support the source format. Choose PCM when you need a dependable compatibility test. Passthrough reduces unnecessary TV decoding, but it cannot make an unsupported format work.

Quick recommendation

  • Auto: best first choice for most systems.
  • Passthrough: useful when a compatible soundbar should decode the original signal.
  • PCM: safest fallback for silence or format errors, though some TV paths limit PCM to stereo.

Set passthrough correctly

  1. Connect the soundbar through the labeled ARC/eARC ports or a direct HDMI input.
  2. Select Receiver, Audio System, or HDMI ARC/eARC as the TV sound output.
  3. Open Digital Audio Output and select Auto or Passthrough.
  4. Play known surround content and check the soundbar information display.
  5. If sound disappears, select PCM. If PCM works, the original encoded format or signal path is incompatible.
Streaming device audio and video passing through a television to a soundbar
Passthrough keeps a compatible encoded soundtrack intact while the TV routes it to the soundbar.

Fix common problems

Test a built-in TV app and an external HDMI source separately because TVs can store different audio settings for each input. Enable eARC when both products support it, update firmware, and temporarily disable extra surround processing. For silence, switch to PCM; for stereo-only sound, return to Auto or Passthrough and verify that the program actually offers surround audio.

Connections and useful hardware

Review our PCM versus bitstream guide and HDMI ARC setup. For guided troubleshooting, use the Soundbar & Audio Gadget Wiz. If testing identifies a cable problem, compare a certified eARC-capable HDMI cable or a certified Premium High Speed HDMI cable.

Frequently asked questions

Is passthrough better than Auto?

Not always. Auto is usually the easiest starting point; Passthrough is useful when you deliberately want the soundbar to decode a supported source format.

Why does PCM work when passthrough does not?

The TV is decoding the audio into a simpler compatible signal, indicating a format or connection limitation.

Can optical use passthrough?

Some TVs can pass supported compressed formats over optical, but optical lacks eARC bandwidth and generally carries only stereo PCM or selected compressed surround formats.

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