Bose Soundbar Setup — Unlock Amazing Sound!

Your Bose soundbar promises amazing and impactful sound, but you won’t be able to experience it without the right setup. The wrong connection won’t unlock the layers of digital sound and optimize your audio. To help you, our experts put together this guide for your Bose soundbar setup.

How to Do Your Bose Sound Bar Setup

Connection Methods

Soundbars are easier to connect to other devices than surround sound. In this case, the simplest and best way for your Bose soundbar setups is to connect to your TV via the HDMI eARC or HDMI ARC cables. The setup is simple, as all you’ll have to do is locate the port on the back of your soundbar labeled as such and the corresponding port on the back of your TV.

Bose soundbar in nature setup

If your TV does not support HDMI eARC or HDMI ARC, the next best option recommended by our audio team is to use digital optical. Locate the digital optical port that is clearly labeled on the back of the soundbar and insert the cable securely. Then, find the right port on the back of the TV and do the same.

The analog connection is available on some models, which are the RCA or 3.5mm cables. They are the red and white cables that insert into the corresponding color ports on your TV and soundbar. This form of connection does not support digital signals and is not recommended for high-quality content.

Bluetooth Pairing

Bose soundbars offer wireless Bluetooth connection for streaming content from external devices. To put the soundbar into pairing mode, first, hold down and the “Bluetooth” button on the remote until the indicator light on the soundbar flashes blue.

Close up shot of speaker

You should enable the Bluetooth function on the device you wish to connect to and open the list of Bluetooth devices and look for your Bose soundbar. If pairing is successful, the soundbar should produce a tone and the flashing blue light will turn a solid white.

The process is similar to Sanyo soundbar setups.

Setting Up the Remote

In order to control your chosen soundbar with the included universal remote, you need to download the Bose Music app first. Once downloaded, open the app to locate the picture of your soundbar on the bottom right corner then select “Settings”.

Choose “Universal Remote” then press “Advanced” and then select “Pair New Device”. 

The soundbar should then begin the search for the remote. Once it has found it, just follow the instructions on the Bose Music app to complete the configuration.

Connecting to Wifi

Another wireless Bose soundbar setup method is with Wi-Fi [1]. On the included remote, press and hold down the “TV” and “skip back” buttons for three seconds. The indicator light should then glow in an amber color showing it’s ready for setup. 

On your external device, open the Wi-Fi settings and select your Bose soundbar. Once this is done, open a browser page on your device and type in “192.0.2.1”. The Bose soundbar Wi-Fi setup page will appear, and you’ll have to select your home Wi-Fi network and input the password before clicking “Submit”.

Changing Audio Output Settings

If there is no sound coming from your soundbar, you may need to change the audio output settings. Turn on your TV, go to the settings and select “audio output settings”. Look through the list of options and make sure the one selected matches your connection.

FAQ

How do I connect my Bose sound bar?

You can connect your Bose soundbar via HDMI eARC, HDMI ARC, digital optical cable or analog options. Locate the correct port on the back of the soundbar and insert the cable. Then, find the corresponding port on the back of your TV and do the same.

Can Bose Soundbar be mounted?

Yes, the Bose soundbar can be mounted. Some models come with their own wall-mounting kits but there are also other mounts available for purchase so you can save space for your Bose soundbar setup.

How do I connect my Bose soundbar to my network?

You can connect your Bose soundbar to your network by downloading the Bose app, putting your soundbar into Wi-Fi mode by holding down the “TV” and “skip back” buttons, then opening the Wi-Fi setup browser page to input your network information.

How do I reset my Bose sound bar?

You can reset your Bose soundbar by removing it from the Bose Music app, then holding down the “Power” and “Skip Forward” buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds until the indicator light glows amber.

How do I connect my Bose soundbar to my TV?

You can connect your Bose soundbar including the lightweight Bose Solo 15 Series II to your TV by choosing the HDMI ARC or eARC method. If your TV doesn’t support it, there are also digital optical and analog connections.

Why is my Bose Soundbar not working?

Your Bose soundbar is not working due to a needed update, or loose or faulty cables. Check to see if the firmware is up-to-date and also check the cable connections to make sure they are all tightly secured.

Bose Soundbar Conclusion

Your Bose soundbar setup can be easy and straightforward. Our experts suggest HDMI eARC or ARC for the easiest connection from your soundbar to your TV with just one cable. If your TV does not support HDMI connections, digital optical cable is your next best option for high quality digital content.

Need help setting up your device with your computer? Check out our guide on how to connect your soundbar to your computer, next!

Writer

Willie Greer
Willie Greer
Willie Greer is the founder of The Product Analyst. A cinephile, he has made it a personal quest to achieve the awesomest home theater possible. He now shares what he has learned through the years on the site, and has enlisted the help of tech-savvy colleagues in providing more insight about today’s most sought-after gadgets.