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Written by Tech Support in How to, Sound
Aug 10 th, 2026
Quick answer: Turn off the TV and soundbar, connect the TV’s HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC to the soundbar’s HDMI OUT/TO TV port labeled ARC or eARC, power the devices on, select the soundbar’s TV/ARC input, and set the TV’s sound output to its external audio system. Enable HDMI-CEC and eARC only as required by the two manuals, then verify audio with a built-in TV app.
Safety first: Disconnect power before reaching behind wall-mounted or tightly installed equipment. Do not pull on a cable, force a connector, climb on unstable furniture, or move a TV by yourself when its size or mounting makes that unsafe. Stop if a port is loose, damaged, hot, wet, or smells burnt.
This guide covers the standard TV-to-soundbar ARC connection. If you need to confirm what ARC means or whether your models support it, read What Is HDMI ARC, and Does Your TV Support It?. If your setup is already connected but produces no sound, use Soundbar HDMI ARC Not Working? 12 Safe Checks.
Find the TV HDMI input marked ARC or eARC/ARC. Then find the soundbar port marked HDMI OUT (TV ARC), HDMI TO TV (eARC/ARC), or comparable wording. Do not use the soundbar’s ordinary HDMI IN connector for the TV return-audio connection unless the manufacturer’s diagram specifically instructs it.
Take a clear photo of both connection panels and the cable positions. That record makes it easier to restore the original setup if another source stops working. Write down the HDMI input number used on the TV.
Use a short, known-working HDMI cable in good condition and follow the cable recommendation in both manuals. Avoid adapters, couplers, switchers, wall plates, and extenders during the first test because each extra connection can complicate diagnosis.
If you need a replacement cable for the installation, you can view this HDMI cable on Amazon*. Confirm the required length and manufacturer guidance before purchasing.
Use the remotes or power buttons, then unplug the devices if you need to reach into a confined area. Also turn off connected consoles, disc players, and set-top boxes for the initial connection.
Insert one end straight into the TV HDMI input labeled ARC or eARC. The plug should seat firmly without force. If the TV has several HDMI ports, the ARC/eARC label—not the lowest port number—determines the correct choice.
Use the soundbar HDMI port labeled for TV output and ARC/eARC. A port labeled only HDMI IN is commonly intended for a source device and is not interchangeable with the soundbar’s designated TV connection.
Reconnect power if needed. Allow both devices to finish starting before changing settings. Leave other HDMI sources off for this first test.
Use the soundbar remote or function button. The name may be ARC, eARC, TV, TV-ARC, D.IN, HDMI, or OPT/HDMI ARC. Some soundbars detect the TV automatically; others require manual input selection.
Open the TV’s sound settings and choose the external audio system, receiver, soundbar, or HDMI ARC output. The exact wording varies. Do not confuse the sound-output menu with the TV picture-input menu.
ARC commonly works alongside HDMI-CEC. Manufacturers use names such as Anynet+, BRAVIA Sync, Simplink, VIERA Link, and HDMI Control. Enable the setting only where the manuals require it. Changing CEC can affect automatic input selection, volume, and power behavior on other HDMI devices.
If both products support eARC, use their specified eARC mode—often Auto. If one product supports only ARC, follow the model-specific compatibility instructions rather than assuming eARC will fall back correctly. Do not change advanced audio formats until basic TV sound works.
Start with the TV’s recommended Auto or Pass Through setting when both products support the source format. If sound is missing, temporarily selecting PCM can help determine whether the problem is format compatibility rather than the physical connection. PCM may reduce multichannel capability in some systems, so treat it as a diagnostic setting, not automatically the final choice.
Play a familiar program from one of the TV’s own apps and raise the volume modestly. A built-in app provides a clean test because its audio originates in the TV. Confirm that sound comes from the soundbar rather than the TV speakers.
Turn on a single source connected to the TV, such as a cable box or streaming player. If the TV app works but the source does not, the ARC link is functioning and the remaining issue is more likely the source’s audio format, its HDMI connection, or the TV’s passthrough capability.
Test volume up, volume down, and mute with the TV remote. Then turn the TV off and on once. One-remote control is convenient but is not proof of audio-format support; it is generally an HDMI-CEC function.
Use Gadget Wiz Soundbar & Audio Setup Help. Have the exact TV and soundbar models, photos of the port labels, the TV sound-output screen, and any message shown on the soundbar display ready.
Two arrangements are common:
Start with sources connected to the TV unless the manuals or an audio/video capability requires the second arrangement. Add one device at a time and test after each addition.
If a built-in app remains silent, recheck the two labeled ports before changing advanced settings. Then follow the 12 safe HDMI ARC troubleshooting checks.
Use the input explicitly labeled ARC or eARC/ARC. On many TVs only one HDMI input supports the return channel.
Use the port labeled HDMI OUT (TV ARC), HDMI TO TV (eARC/ARC), or equivalent—not an ordinary source HDMI IN port.
Either can work when the devices support the required formats and video features. Connecting the source to the TV is generally the simplest starting point. Routing it through the soundbar can help when the TV cannot pass a desired audio format.
PCM can remove an unsupported compressed-format conversion from the test path. If PCM works while Auto or Pass Through fails, compare the supported audio formats of the TV, source, and soundbar before choosing the final setting.
No, not for a functioning ARC/eARC connection. Optical can be a fallback when ARC is unavailable or unreliable, but connecting both at the same time may create input confusion unless a manual specifically calls for it.
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