How to Connect a Streaming Device to a Soundbar

Most home setups route a streaming device's audio through the TV, and then out to a soundbar — rather than connecting the streaming device to the soundbar directly.

The common setup

• Streaming device connects to the TV via HDMI
• TV connects to the soundbar via HDMI ARC, optical cable, or Bluetooth
• TV audio output setting is switched to the external speaker or soundbar

If there's no sound after connecting

Check your TV's audio output settings first — it's common for a TV to keep playing through its own speakers even with a soundbar connected until this is changed manually.

If audio and video fall out of sync

This is a separate, common issue with its own fix — see our guide on fixing audio that's out of sync while streaming.