How to Control Soundbar With TV Remote? (2023)

To Control the Soundbar with the TV Remote, go to Settings → Sound Output. Next, select your soundbar and then close the Settings. You should be able to use the TV remote to change the volume and mute it. The soundbar should also turn on and off.

TV Remote Soundbar Mastery

If you are a new soundbar user and you are finding a way to make the controlling simpler of your TV and soundbar, then there is good news for you. You will be able to control both your TV and soundbar with just one remote. It is a good way to avoid dealing with many remotes and simplify your whole entertainment system.

OR, If you want to control your soundbar with your TV remote, then you just have to follow these steps:-

  1. Look for the ARC connection port on your TV and soundbar.
  2. Connect the HDMI or optical cable to each
  3. Start the TV & soundbar
  4. Troubleshoot and Test Any Connection Problems
  5. Adjust and optimize your sound to improve it.

The process of connecting and controlling your soundbar with your TV remote mostly depends on the brand of your TV. You have to follow different ways to connect your soundbar for different TV brands. In this article, you will get to know that what you have to do to command a soundbar with your TV remote.

Find the Optical or HDMI ARC Connection on both the Soundbar and TV

HDMI ARC

Firstly you have to check out your TV and soundbar to see the type of inputs you have available. The best way to connect is HDMI ARC. Now many TVs and soundbars come with this feature. If you don’t have HDMI ARC available, then you can look for a digital optical cable connection. It is really a good option.

If your TV and soundbar have both possibilities, you may be confused about which one you should use. You do not have to consider much you can use any of them. After you decide which one you are going to use, you just have to follow the instructions below. 

If you will connect your TV and soundbar via HDMI ARC, you have to connect your soundbar’s ‘HDMI OUT’ or ‘HDMI OUT’ to the ‘HDMI IN (ARC)’ on your TV.

Again if you want to connect your TV and soundbar by Using a Digital Fiber Optical Cable, or you can call it just optical cable. Then you have to find out the ‘DIGITAL AUDIO OUT (OPTICAL)’ or ‘DIGITAL OPTICAL OUT’ on your Television and also the ‘DIGITAL AUDIO IN (OPTICAL)’ or ‘OPTICAL IN’ on your soundbar.

Connect an Optical or HDMI Cable to Each Device

Whether you are using HDMI ARC or an optical connection, you might need the right cables. The soundbar manufacturer might provide you with the correct cable. You just have to plug those cables in the right port.

And if you have an old HDMI Arc cable and a question had come to your mind, can you use the cable? And the answer is yes. Any HDMI cable with the 2.0 standard or more upgraded will work well. But some options on Amazon reassuringly call out the ARC capability right in the listing, like the AmazonBasics Premium HDMI Cable (on Amazon).

Amazon Basics Flexible and Durable Premium HDMI Cable (18Gpbs, 4K/60Hz) - 10 Feet, Black
  • IN THE BOX: 10-foot flexible, lightweight HDMI cable; black
  • CONVENIENT: Ideal for connecting media devices to playback display such as HDTVs, projectors, and more
  • DEVICE COMPATIBILITY: Blu-Ray players, computers, Apple TV, Roku, cable, PS4, Xbox One, and other HDMI-compatible devices
  • SUPPORTS: Ethernet, 3D, 4K HDR and ARC (4K@60Hz, 18Gbps)
  • DURABLE DESIGN: Solid copper conductors and full metal jacket shielding for strength and high-performance connectivity

When you use an optical cable, you have to make sure that the small plastic caps on the ends are taken off. Then you have to keep pushing each side into the TV and soundbar tightly till you hear or feel a click. But do not have any optical cable, or if the fiber optics in your cable have been damaged, you can easily get a cable like the iVANKY Optical Cable Digital Audio Cable for Home Theater for a reasonable price.

IVANKY Digital Optical Audio Cable 6ft/1.8M, Slim Nylon Braided Audio Optical Cord Toslink Cable for...
  • 【Unparalleled Sound Quality】iVANKY digital optical audio cable adopts Japan Toray Original Fiber Core for zero distortion Lossless Audio. This Toslink cable compatible with uncompressed PCM audio and compressed 5.1 to 7.1 surround sound systems including Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution and LPCM, delivering stunning sound with wide dynamic range to your living room
  • 【For Immersive Sound Experience】iVANKY optical audio cable allows you to connect soundbars and home theatres to TVs/PS4/Xbox/Blu-Ray Players, and more devices with standard Toslink (s/PDIF, Optical) ports.Spatial audio places sounds all around you to create a three-dimensional listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, and more
  • 【Ultra Durability】Unlike conventional PVC jackets, the optical cord for soundbar with quality nylon braided jacket withstands over 15,000 bends, not easily broken anymore. Aluminum shell and gold-plated connector won't tarnish and decrease conductivity over time
  • 【Considerate Design】Precisely designed cuboid connectors make this digital audio optical cable easier to identify the installation angle and fits snugly. Carefully-chosen nylon material is flexible and lightweight, CL3-rated. Removable rubber caps can prevent dust and oxidation when not plugged in
  • 【iVANKY's Customer Support】You'll receive a digital optical audio cable, along with an 18+36-month customer support and our friendly support team ready to help within 24 hours. Each iVANKY cable undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure optimal functionality. We go beyond selling cables by providing expert technical support to every customer

Turn the TV and Soundbar On

After connecting your soundbar with your TV via an HDMI ARC or optical connection, you have to turn them on. You can turn on your devices by using its own remote or by using the buttons on the devices themselves.

Test and Troubleshoot Any Connection Issues

Test and Troubleshoot Any Connection Issues

When Using HDMI ARC:

An HDMI ARC connection makes it simpler to control your soundbar from your TV remote. After connecting your soundbar with your TV via HDMI ARC cable, you will be able to hear your TV’s Sound through your soundbar. 

But in fact, if you do not hear any sound, then you have to make some settings. You have to turn off your TV speaker from your TV’s Sound or audio settings. You will also see an option for “HDMI Arc” or something else like this on that settings. Select that option and give your TV the command to route the audio channel through the soundbar.

When Using Optical:

When you use an optical cable to connect your soundbar with your TV, there’s a little possibility that the Television will know to use the soundbar automatically. So you likely have to find the right settings and set everything up. 

Now you have to find the ‘Source’ or ‘Input’ button by using your soundbar’s remote. Look at the display on your soundbar and set the input to ‘OPTICAL’ or an abbreviated version such as ‘OPT.’

Adjust and Optimize Your Sound

Adjust and Optimize Your Sound

After successfully connecting everything and adjusting all the settings, now you have to adjust the soundbar’s volume to optimize the Sound. You have to control it from your TV. 

Firstly, you have to start the process by turning the volume of the soundbar down by using your soundbar’s remote. Then play audio in different sound settings to find the best settings for you.

If you want to find a range to use the TV remote for the volume most of the time, you have to set the soundbar somewhere between 50-80% of its maximum volume output.

Controlling a Soundbar With a TV Remote – Instructions by TV Brand

The mentioned instructions above are a general way to connect your devices and control your soundbar with your TV. But many TVs from different manufacturers come with different ways of connection. Here you can find some instructions for different TV manufacturers; you can find your listed brand and follow the instructions.

TV Brand

Samsung

You can connect your TV and soundbar using an optical digital or HDMI ARC connection. To do this, you must use the appropriate cable and change the input of the soundbar to “D.IN”

Use a digital optical connection to the soundbar from your Samsung TV. You can hold the left direction on the Samsung TV remote’s direction pad to activate or deactivate Auto Power Link. This feature only works with an optical connection. Make sure that you have changed the TV’s audio output settings so that you can control your soundbar by your TV remote.

But use an HDMI ARC connection. The source of your soundbar will automatically change to TV ARC, and you will be able to use the TV remote’s right direction on the direction pad to activate/deactivate Anynet+. This feature only works with an HDMI ARC connection.

You can get more information on Samsung support.

LG

If you have an LG TV. You can connect your soundbar with your TV in many ways. Such as you can Sound Sync via Bluetooth, a digital optical connection, or an HDMI ARC connection. Moreover, LG TVs also come with Magic Remote.

If you want to use the Bluetooth wireless connection, you have to follow the given instructions:-

  1. Go to TV settings
  2. Then find the sound section
  3. Then select the Sound Out
  4. At last, you have to click on LG Sound Sync (Wireless). 

After doing these, The Device Selection button will appear and look for your soundbar. So make sure that the Bluetooth of your soundbar is turned on. Then select your soundbar and pair them. 

If you want to connect via the digital optical and HDMI ARC connection, the process is also the same. You’ll use the Sound> Sound Out area to change the output to HDMI or optical.

You can get more information by visiting LG support.

VIZIO

VIZIO TVs also use the same process as the instructions above to connect your soundbar with the TV through an optical or HDMI connection. The port for an optical connection on the VIZIO TV may be called ‘S/PDIF,’ and for an HDMI ARC connection, use ‘HDMI 1’, which is the ARC port.

When you use the HDMI ARC, your TV may automatically recognize your connection after inserting the cable. If it won’t, then you have to do it manually. For this, you use the menu on your VIZIO remote and go to System > CEC, then change the setting to ‘Disabled,’ ‘Enabled,’ or ‘ARC only,’ whatever you wish.

You can get more information by visiting VIZIO support.

Sony

Sony

You can easily connect your soundbar by using both the HDMI ARC connection and an optical digital audio cable. The setup process is also the same as the instructions listed above. When you will switch the audio output setting, make sure you select ‘Audio System’ for all setups.

One important thing you should know that Sony support said that when using an optical cable, you will not be able to manage functions that require an HDMI connection like power interlock and volume with the remote of your TV.

You can get more information by visiting Sony support

Hitachi

 Hitachi is a very well-known electronic manufacturer. They are well known because of their low-priced smart TVs. These TVs also come with Roku TV built-in. You can connect your soundbar to a Hitachi Roku TV and use your Roku remote to control all of your TV and media devices. 

But if you want to use the HDMI ARC connection, you have to go to TV settings > Audio > Audio Preferences. And set ‘Audio Mode’ to ‘Auto (DTS)’ to connect to your soundbar automatically. You also have to select ‘Auto-detect’ in the S/PDIF and ARC settings.  

After doing all these, you have to go back to ‘System’ on the main settings menu, then go to ‘CEC’ and click the checkboxes for HDMI ARC to give your Roku remote the ability to control your soundbar.

You can get more information by visiting Hitachi support.

Panasonic

Panasonic TVs are also able to connect to your soundbar for controls via the HDMI or digital optical connection. When you use the HDMI connection, you’ll find the ‘HDMI2 (ARC)’ input on your Panasonic TV. Fortunately, an app in Panasonic TV allows you to easily switch between your TV’s speakers and soundbar for audio if you connect via HDMI ARC.

But if you want to use the optical connection, the setup will be the same as above. You have to connect both your devices by an optical cable, and then you have to go to the TV settings, turn off the TV speaker, and change the source to ‘Optical.’

You can get more information by visiting Panasonic’s support page.

TCL

Most of the TCL TVs are compatible with the HDMI ARC connection. So you can use this connection for connecting and controlling your soundbar with a TCL TV remote. You should use a high-speed HDMI cable that supports ARC and CEC control.

After connecting HDMI ARC, you have to set everything up. For this, you have to go to Home > Settings > System > Control other devices (CEC) > HDMI ARC and Select the button to enable ‘HDMI ARC.’ Moreover, you also have to disable ‘System audio’ by unchecking the box by this feature.

You can get more information by visiting  TCL support.

Hisense

Most of the TCL TVs are compatible with the HDMI ARC connection. So you can use this connection to connect and control your soundbar; you can control your soundbar from your Hisense TV. You just have to connect your soundbar with your TV by using an HDMI-certified High-Speed 2.0 cable. Then go to your TV Settings > Sound > Speakers > ARC and turn off your TV’s speaker, and enable HDMI ARC.

To enjoy the best quality audio, you can also change the ‘Digital Audio Out.’ Go to Settings > Sound > Advanced Settings > Digital Audio Out > Dolby Digital Plus, and then connect using an optical cable.

You can get more information on the Nakamichi Help Desk.

Conclusion

After reading this article now, you know that controlling your soundbar with your TV remote is not a hard task. You just have to connect your TV with the soundbar and adjust your settings and Sound as necessary. Among the optical connection and HDMI ARC connection, the HDMI ARC connection is the easiest way to do it.

-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.

Best Seller List of Soundbars:

SaleBestseller No. 1
Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, Black, Includes Remote...
  • Hear your TV better: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is a small soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound
  • Wide, natural sound: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar
  • Enhanced dialogue: This TV speaker is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation
  • Bluetooth TV Speaker: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts. Connect up to 3 devices through the inputs (HDMI, Optical in, and AUX in); the first powered on device will automatically connect
  • Simple setup: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes
SaleBestseller No. 2
Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar with Bass Reflex Speaker, Integrated Tweeter and Bluetooth, (HTS100F),...
  • Straight from the theater to your home: easy set-up, built-in tweeter, 2-ch speaker with simple Bluetooth connection
  • Deep sound with Bass Reflex speaker
  • High power with a slim design that matches any room and is perfect for small living spaces
  • Voice enhancement feature is great for TV content with hushed dialogue, or to make conference call participants easier to hear
  • Easy TV set up with HDMI ARC
SaleBestseller No. 3
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar, 2.0 speaker with DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio, Bluetooth connectivity
  • Amp up your audio - Fire TV Soundbar enhances TV audio with dual speakers for fuller sound, clearer dialogue, and deeper bass—all in a compact design.
  • Immersive sound - Enjoy a three-dimensional virtual surround sound experience with DTS Virtual:X and more detail with Dolby Audio.
  • Easy setup - Just plug in the included HDMI cable to the HDMI eARC/ARC port on your TV to instantly enjoy audio that's always in sync.
  • Compact design - With a length of 24“ and a height of just 2.5", Fire TV Soundbar fits most entertainment consoles and TV stands.
  • Stream audio with Bluetooth - Connect your phone or tablet via Bluetooth to fill the room with your favorite music.
SaleBestseller No. 4
VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Sound Bar with Dolby Audio, DTS:X, Bluetooth V20x-J8
  • Compact, versatile design – Sleek, rounded all-black finish with easy-to-clean textured surface, optimized for small-med rooms.
  • DTS Virtual:X – Sound Enhancement for room-filling, floor-to-ceiling virtualized sound
  • Full-Range Speakers – 2 full-range speakers in the sound bar provide coherent sound and brilliant clarity.
  • Optimized for 4K HDR Content with Dolby Audio – Bring out the best audio performance from your 4K HDR content with Dolby Audio when connected through HDMI.
  • 70Hz – 20kHz Frequency Response – Wide, natural frequency response means you can hear what the artist intended.
Bestseller No. 5
RIOWOIS Sound Bar for Smart TV, Soundbar TV Speakers with Customized Bass Reflector, Compact Design...
  • 【Hearing Every Word】 Say goodbye to muffled dialogue and hello to our soundbar that brings words to life, making you feel like you're part of the conversation.
  • 【Compact yet Suitable】At a little over 2.5 inches in height, our sound bar is compact enough to fit in most spaces. You can easily mount it on the wall or place it in front of your TV without worrying about it blocking the bottom edge or IR remote sensor.
  • 【DSP&Three Sound Effects】With DSP, sound bar offers three sound modes or presets that cater to different program types, such as movies, music, news. These profiles can optimize the audio settings to suit the specific genre, enhancing your listening experience based on your preferences.
  • 【Compatible with Fire TV Remote】Soundbar is compatible with Fire TV remote control. Additional remotes compatible with Roku box or Roku TVs can be provided as per your request.
  • 【Hassle-free Installation】We've made the installation steps for the soundbar much simple. Plus, a special vibrant, easy-to-follow installation instructions has been included in the package. In case you still encounter any issues during the sound bar installation process, our dedicated after-sales team is always available to assist you!
Bestseller No. 6
VIZIO V-Series 2.1 Home Theater Sound Bar with Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X, Bluetooth, Wireless...
  • Simple, Convenient 2.1 Design - Experience the performance and features of a larger, more complex home theater system in a simple solution designed to blend seamlessly into any home.
  • Powerful Performance - Brilliant clarity, thunderous bass, and Dolby Audio and DTS Digital Surround support combine for performance beyond its size.
  • Simple Setup, Streaming & Control - Get setup and listening in minutes with HDMI ARC and Bluetooth connectivity for unparalleled ease of use, control, and access to your content.
  • Minimal Modern Design - Clean, low-profile silhouettes, subtle textures, and matte finishes seamlessly blend into any environment.
  • 2.1-Channel Sound - Experience a powerful room-filling, true stereo experience ideal for movies, music, and gaming.
SaleBestseller No. 7
Bose New Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar, Bluetooth Soundbar Speaker with Voice Control and Amazon Alexa...
  • TOTAL IMMERSION, FOR EVERYTHING YOU PLAY: The Bose Dolby Atmos Soundbar features shockingly immersive sound for its size and utilizes proprietary TrueSpace technology so you can feel everything you watch
  • ULTRA-CRISP DIALOGUE CLARITY: Never miss out on what your favorite characters are saying, this TV soundbar uses A.I. Dialogue Mode to balance voices and surround sound for ultra-crisp vocal clarity
  • ONLY TRUESPACE ELEVATES IT ALL: Bose TrueSpace technology intelligently analyzes signals other than Dolby Atmos, like stereo or 5.1, and upmixes them to create an immersive multi-channel sound experience
  • BIG-TIME TECH FOR A SMALL SOUNDBAR: The Bluetooth soundbar speaker features an acoustic architecture that fits five transducers into its compact frame, including two that fire upward, for spacious, realistic sound
  • STREAMING, ANY WAY YOU WANT: Stream songs and video via Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, or Chromecast built-in, if you can get it on your phone, you can hear it through your Bose soundbar
SaleBestseller No. 8
Polk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar & Wireless Subwoofer – Exclusive VoiceAdjust Technology, Ultra-Slim...
  • A PREMIUM ULTRA-SLIM SOUND BAR WITH INCLUDED WIRELESS SUBWOOFER – 5 powerful full-range drivers deliver beautiful rich sound with deep bass. Polk’s exclusive VoiceAdjust technology & Dolby Digital Decoding maximizes sound clarity & reduces voice delays
  • EXCELLENT SOUND AND VALUE on par with any mid- to high-range sound bars available in the market. At just over 2" tall, it fits most spaces — easily wall-mount it or place in front of your TV. It won’t block your TV’s bottom edge or IR remote sensor
  • UPGRADE YOUR HOME THEATER EXPERIENCE – Watch your favorite shows on your 4K HD Smart TV with exceptional picture quality & crystal clear sound. With numerous connection possibilities, plug in any audio source via HDMI ARC, optical input & AUX
  • WIRELESSLY STREAM MUSIC from your favorite streaming apps like Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, and others directly from your smartphone, tablet or other compatible device through the built-in Bluetooth technology
  • SET UP YOUR SOUND BAR IN MINUTES — With the included subwoofer, HDMI and optical cables quickly connect your TV to the sound bar. Get set up and listening in minutes
SaleBestseller No. 9
SAMSUNG HW-Q600C 3.1.2ch Soundbar w/Dolby Audio, Q-Symphony, Adaptive Sound, HDMI eARC, Game Mode...
  • Q-SYMPHONY: Amp up your audio with the greatest duo of all time—Samsung TVs paired with Samsung soundbars; With Q-Symphony, your TV speakers paired with Q-Series soundbars operate as one*
  • 3.1.2 CH TRUE DOLBY ATMOS SOUND: There’s more that meets the ear; Appreciate the story, concert or soundtrack on a deeper level with the three-dimensional nuance of 3.1.2ch sound with Dolby Atmos
  • ADAPTIVE SOUND: Sick of missing lines? Hear voices better, even at low volume, with intelligently optimized audio; Scenes are analyzed in real time to pull out the most important audio based on the type of content
  • HDMI eARC: This single HDMI cable connection passes advanced audio like Dolby Atmos from your TV to your soundbar; One cable is all you need for a high-quality connection that won’t degrade your sound**
  • GAME MODE PRO: The game is calling; Powerful up-firing speakers, acoustic beam and strong woofers unlock a more intuitive gaming experience, complete with 3D optimized sound***
SaleBestseller No. 10
MZEIBO TV Sound Bar, Sound Bars for Smart TV, Bluetooth 5.0 Soundbar 60W 32Inch Detachable Soundbars...
  • ✅Dive into 360°Surround Sound: Enhance your home entertainment with our sound bar, transforming your living room into a cinematic haven. With four advanced drivers, our sound bar ensures precise sound reproduction, capturing every detail from gentle whispers to booming explosions. Delight in a broad spectrum of clear, potent audio that revitalizes your favorite movies and music, offering an immersive experience that rivals the cinema.
  • ✅Advanced DSP Technology: Immerse yourself in unparalleled audio-visual excellence with our cutting-edge DSP technology. Engineered to perfection, our soundbar's DSP technology delivers a stable, precise, and high-fidelity audio output. Say farewell to audio distortion as our innovative technology minimizes sound transmission loss, providing you with crystal-clear sound. Explore customizable sound profiles tailored for news, music, and movies, ensuring an optimized audio experience for every occasion.
  • ✅Elevated Audio Performance: Immerse yourself in dynamic, immersive sound with our innovative TV sound bar, ingeniously designed to split into two sleek tower speakers. The vertical alignment of these towers creates a powerful, vibrant audio atmosphere, suit for cinematic movie nights and captivating music sessions. Not only does our sound bar redefine your audio experience, but its sleek design also seamlessly enhances your home decor, adding a contemporary flair to your living space.
  • ✅Seamless Setup: Embark on a immersive audio journey with effortless setup.Our meticulously designed soundbar ensures easy installation, seamlessly compatible with Optical, HDMI-ARC, AUX, and Bluetooth connections, providing seamless integration across a diverse range of devices.
  • ✅Reliable Support: Your satisfaction is our top priority. Experience the exceptional quality of our soundbar, backed by a life-time after-sales service. Our team is always available to provide any support you need within two days. The package includes the TV Soundbar, Remote Controller, Power Adapter, HDMI/Optical/3.5mm audio cable, base, quick installation instructions, and user manual.

You May Also Like…

Rate this post

Last update on 2024-11-21

TheaterDIY is a dedicated platform where I passionately share my vast knowledge and experiences in the realm of home theaters and home electronics. My expertise and insights are a guiding light for enthusiasts seeking to create their own cinematic havens.