Using multiple controllers while watching TV can feel like trouble. So if you are exploring a way to keep control of both your TV remote and your soundbar’s remote, then you will be delighted to hear that you can use one remote to manage both your TV and soundbar with just a little setup.
Simplify Your Setup: Universal Remotes for Soundbars

There are a lot of solutions available from different manufacturers and brands. So always do the research on your particular brand of soundbar, TV, and remote to choose the best solution for you.
There are different ways to simplify your controls. Such as, you can use a universal remote to control your soundbar. People also use IR technology to communicate. Hardwired connections such as HDMI ARC or a Digital Fiber Optical Cable are also an excellent way to simplify controls.
The setup is very easy. Even it could be as easy as plugging in some cables. The setup process mainly depends on the device. Moreover, some other methods will require you to program your remote with special codes specific to your soundbar.
You can use any of them; none of the processes is too hard. If you have a little knowledge about the technology, you will be able to do that. To gain more ideas about how to use your universal remote to control your soundbar, you can read this article till the end.
Controlling Soundbars with Universal Remotes

Most of the available soundbars will allow you to control them using a universal remote. It actually depends on the type of soundbar you have. If you desire to use a universal remote to control your soundbar, you will need to have an IR sensor to receive the signal sent by the universal remote. Because IR uses waves to transfer binary data in pulses over the electromagnetic spectrum, so your soundbar will need to have an IR sensor to receive the data and decode this data.
IR technology is very popular. It is used a lot in remote controls. This technology is very easy to use. IR has a lot of applications, from spectroscopy to cooling and heating. But it is mostly used in relaying commands to electronic devices such as TV. If you want to do this, you have to have a few different components:
- IR Blaster/Sender – This component will be on the remote itself
- IR Receiver – It is located on the soundbar
- IR Decoder – This decoder will use control protocols like RC-5 or SIRC to decode the binary message to command your soundbar to move the volume up or down.
So if your soundbar has an IR receiver, then you will be able to control it with just a little setup. Some good quality soundbars with IR communication systems are the Sonos Playbar, Samsung HW-Q60T, and the Vizio 2.1 Soundbar. You will be able to find them on amazon.
If your soundbar has a remote control, then it might have using IR tech to communicate. So you should be able to use a universal remote to control the device. You just have to pair the remote to the device by programming it with brand-specific pairing codes to control it.
Universal Remote Control Soundbar Codes

Pairing a universal remote with any electronic device is an easy process. Sometimes it can feel a little difficult because the pairing process actually depends on the device. The different device uses different instructions. After all, with a bit of time and the proper pairing codes, you will be able to power your soundbar with your remote control in no time. Here are some following steps to pairing a remote with a soundbar.
How to Pair a Universal Remote with a Soundbar
- First, you’ll need to find the pairing code for your soundbar.
- Then you have to power on your TV and your soundbar.
- Point your universal remote at the soundbar you want to pair.
- Press the Setup button on your universal remote till the light on the remote flashes (this step will actually depending on the brand); otherwise, press the AUX and OK buttons simultaneously, then press the channel up button.
- Hold until the soundbar turns off, then press the AUX button again to save (if it works, then you are already set up and don’t need further steps).
- Enter the brand-specific pairing code into the universal remote.
- You should see the indicator light on the remote start to flash, indicating the pairing has worked.
- In the end, after setting up everything, you can test your remote by trying to control the volume.
It is only a general setup process; there are many different types of universal remotes with different setup processes. You can find the right process for that universal remote on the user’s manual. But whatever you will see, that process is almost the same. But most importantly, you should have the correct soundbar pairing codes. These codes are brand-specific. Here you can see some codes from some of the famous brands.
Soundbar Pairing Codes
Bose | Sony | LG | Insignia | Samsung | Vizio |
4001 | 1345 | 32676 | 21268 | 32609 | 0883 |
5042 | 4029 | 11993 | 12002 | 22609 | 0660 |
4017 | 31759 | 31953 | 10463 | 21014 | 1517 |
1961 | 31293 | 20045 | 1144 | ||
31629 | 31517 | ||||
31229 | 11144 | ||||
31841 | 31975 | ||||
30639 | |||||
31253 | |||||
30674 |
An Alternative: Control the Soundbar with the Stock TV Remote
Sometimes you may be able to use the stock TV remote to control the volume of your soundbar. But it mostly depends on the available connections of your soundbar. You will need an HDMI ARC port on your soundbar and an HDMI ARC port on your TV to use this feature. This technique is not so hard. Here you can find some basic steps.
- Find the HDMI ARC connection on both the soundbar and TV.
- Connect an HDMI cable to each.
- Turn the TV and soundbar.
- Test and troubleshoot any connection issues.
- If it is not working, try enabling the CEC option on your TV.
But one thing you should remember that after using this setup still your television and soundbar will have their own volume settings. So it can happen that you have the sound up on your TV, but the volume of the soundbar is loud enough because the soundbar’s sound is on low. If you have used any Bluetooth speaker before, then you may already be familiar with this problem.
So if you want to increase the amount of sound in your soundbar, you have to adjust some settings. You may need to go to your TV’s setting to set the correct audio out to get the connection to the soundbar. This is also the same for the soundbar.
Why HDMI ARC is Important for Universal Remotes?

HDMI ARC is very useful for simplifying the remote control setup for the TV and soundbar. The ARC (Audio Return Channel) technology actually communicates the volume commands from your TV to your soundbar, and you do not have to pair to do that. Though it has been around since 2009, it is not so well known.
HDMI ARC is so useful because you can use your regular TV remote without any additional setup. It is a great feature. If your soundbar does not have any IR sensor, you will not be able to use a universal remote to control it. But with this feature, you can still see one remote to control your TV and your soundbar.
If you are already using a universal remote to control your TV, the HDMI ARC connection will still be useful to control the soundbar. Because if you send volume commands to your TV’s IR receiver by using the stock or universal remote, the HDMI ARC will also send them to the soundbar without any issue.
Conclusion
Pairing a soundbar with a universal remote is not a hard job. Anyone can do that with just a simple idea about technology. The pairing process depends on the device. You can follow a few different setup methods depending on your device. But these are mostly similar. Those process also requires brand-specific codes to pair the devices.
But if your soundbar is not compatible with this process, you can use a Digital Optical connection or an HDMI ARC connection. Whatever you do. After setting it up correctly, you will be able to use one remote to control your TV and the soundbar.
-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.
Best Seller List of Sound Bars:

- 【𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭】: Elevate faint sounds to vibrant with automatic loudness boost. Experience immersive sound through 4 versatile placements—horizontal for distortion-free audio, vertical for room-filling sound, tabletop for vibrant clarity, or wall mount for 360° cinematic magic. Transforms your room into a personal theater.
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- 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.


- 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


- FULL, BALANCED SOUND WITH A SUBWOOFER INCLUDED: Immerse yourself in your favorite content with perfectly balanced sound and rich bass from the built-in woofer.
- ONE REMOTE. TOTAL CONTROL: Use your Samsung TV remote to control key soundbar functions, including power, volume and sound effects.*
- EXPANDS YOUR LISTENING ZONE SO YOU CAN FEEL THE SOUND ALL AROUND YOU: Experience immersive sound that fills the room. Clear audio is projected in all directions so you can feel the action from every angle.
- SEAMLESSLY CONNECTS TO YOUR TV: Connects to your TV without cable clutter.** Just pair and play your favorite content.
- PICK UP EVERY PIECE OF DIALOGUE: Hear voices more clearly with dialogue automatically amplified so you don't miss a word.


- 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.


- Fire TV Soundbar Plus – Elevate your audio with an all-in-one 3.1 soundbar that’s easy to set up. Featuring built-in bass, crisp dialogue, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.
- Powerful sound with style – Take your entertainment to the next level with incredible sound, clarity, and depth packed into an all-in-one design.
- Crystal clear dialogue – A dedicated center dialogue channel sharpens conversations so you can catch every moment of your favorite shows.
- Sound in another dimension – Dolby Atmos features 3D sound that moves around you and clear dialogue. DTS:X delivers multi-dimensional audio for lifelike sound.
- Easy setup – Connect the included HDMI cable to your TV's HDMI eARC/ARC port and instantly enjoy audio that’s always in sync.


- Immersive 5.1 Surround Sound: 3-channel soundbar + 2 wired surround speakers + 1 wireless subwoofer, creating a full-range stereo field, clear dialogue, low-frequency shock, providing you with a real cinema-level experience for smart tvs
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- Advanced Decoding Technology & Wide Compatibility: Support Dolby Atmos, the sound effect far exceeds the traditional Dolby Digital technology. Compatible with streaming media such as Blu-ray, Netflix, Prime Video, etc., suitable for a variety of audio and video scenes.
- 3 Modes for Different Scenarios : One-button switching of the three modes of movie, dialogue mode and music (EQ button on the remote control) meets the needs of watching movies, chasing dramas, and listening to songs in multiple scenes
- Flexible Layout & Wireless Convenience: The wired surround speakers are equipped with a 20-foot extension cable, which can be freely adjusted; the wireless subwoofer uses BassMX technology, with strong low frequency and unlimited placement.


- ✔️【2-IN-1 Detachable Sound bar】 This soundbar works with TVs, game consoles, and home theaters. Split the soundbar into two tower speakers for 360° surround sound by placing them beside your TV, or combine them into a single fashion bar for compact tabletop or wall-mounted use. Designed to provide a seamless transition between immersive cinematic audio and space-saving, it delivers deep bass and clarity with versatile placement options, great for movie nights, gaming, or music
- ✔️【Immersive 3D Sound & Deep Bass】 This 100W sound bar packs 6 Audio Sources—2 full-range speakers, 2 tweeters, and 2 bass diaphragms—to deliver room-filling 3D surround sound bass. Perfect for music, movies, or gaming, the soundbar's compact design blends effortlessly into small spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, or offices. Enhance movie effect with cinematic immersion or elevate casual meals with vibrant, room-filling audio clarity
- ✔️【Bluetooth 5.3 & 5 Connection Methods】Upgraded soundbar Bluetooth 5.3 delivers stable wireless streaming for synced movie/gaming experiences. This Bluetooth speaker delivers high-quality audio to phones, tablets, and TVs. The soundbar provides versatile connectivity: Bluetooth/USB/AUX/Optical/I ARC. You can use the TV remote control to control the soundbar volume in ARC mode. In non-ARC connection mode, you can only use the soundbar's built-in remote control to control volume
- ✔️【Personalized Audio Modes】This soundbar offers three EQ modes (Music/Movie/Game) to optimize your listening experience. Advanced 3D surround sound technology enriches explosive effects, sound details, and crisp dialogue. Whether watching movies, enjoying live concerts, following sports, or catching up on the news, this home theater sound system delivers enhanced depth and clarity for all your favorite content
- ✔️【Two Control Methods】Adjust your soundbar using either the included remote or front/top physical buttons. The remote offers precise surround effect customization and volume management. Both methods allow seamless volume control. If the speakers' prompt tone is too loud, press the remote's mute button to silence it instantly. Choose your preferred control style – handheld precision or tactile access – for optimized audio management


- 【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!


- 【𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧】: Feel the thunderous highs in action-packed scenes, while enjoying crisp audio and clear dialogue in even the quietest moments. Whether it's a rumbling explosion or a soft whisper, every sound is rich, detailed, and perfectly balanced to transform your space into a cinematic experience.
- 【𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭】: The smart adaptive sound enhancement automatically adjusts audio settings based on the content you're watching, ensuring optimal clarity for everything. Powered by advanced audio technologies, the soundbar ensures every sound—no matter how faint or intense—is rendered with precision, making each moment more captivating, whether you’re watching a film or enjoying your favorite playlist.
- 【𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬】: Tailor your listening experience with multiple sound modes including Movie, Music, and Dialogue settings. Whether you’re creating a cinematic atmosphere, enhancing music experience, or ensuring clear dialogue, this soundbar offers an intuitive equalizer that adjusts for your specific needs. Its dynamic range ensures that no sound detail is missed, filling your entire room with balanced audio that lets you hear every subtle nuance and impact.
- 【𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐞】: Whether you prefer the latest Bluetooth 5.0 wireless streaming, ARC, OPT, or AUX, this soundbar ensures easy connectivity. Setup is a breeze with plug-and-play simplicity, and once connected, you can even control the soundbar with your TV remote in ARC mode, offering you complete control at your fingertips.
- 【𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭】: Your satisfaction is our top priority. Enjoy peace of mind with our 18-month warranty and 24/7 online tech support. Our 60-day hassle-free replacement policy, with top-tier assistance whenever you need it.
Last update on 2025-07-10