How to Connect Soundbar to TV Using Bluetooth — A Quick and Simple Guide

Bluetooth is the easiest way to connect a soundbar to a TV seamlessly. But without a strong and steady connection, you could suffer from unstable connection or no sound. To make sure you have the most reliable setup, our audio experts have created an easy guide on how to connect a soundbar to a TV via Bluetooth.

How to Connect Soundbar to a TV Using Bluetooth

Step 1: Check if you can connect your soundbar to the TV via Bluetooth

The first step is to check whether both devices are Bluetooth [1] compatible. Since all devices are different, our experts would suggest double-checking the manual to be sure you can connect or hook up the soundbar to your TV through Bluetooth.

One easy way to check this is to see if there is a Bluetooth icon, Bluetooth button or indicator light on your soundbar. Another is to go into the settings menu of your TV to see it’s a Bluetooth device.

(Have a soundbar and a Sceptre TV? We have instructions specific to the brand.)

Step 2: Setup your soundbar to receive thru Bluetooth

Once you have made sure that both the soundbar and TV have a wireless Bluetooth input, you then need to put them both into Bluetooth pairing mode. For smart home, LG, Sony TV soundbar, Samsung soundbar, or soundbars of any other brand or model, Bluetooth mode can be turned on in the settings.

For example, a Vizio bar manual states that their products feature a Bluetooth button on the remote and on the soundbar itself for convenience.

Taotronics Bluetooth connection

Some soundbars including Bose Soundtouch 120 have controller app where you can find the Bluetooth connection option through the display. If not, your soundbar remote control is the key. Click into the settings on the remote, some remotes have an input button which you could also use, and select the Bluetooth connection.

Our experts also recommend placing your Bluetooth devices close together for a stronger wireless connection. It’s very easy for signals from another device, source, or item to get in the way of the TV to the soundbar.

Step 3: Configure your TV to transmit thru Bluetooth

Your TV should be where you connect the TV’s sound to the soundbar using Bluetooth. A smart home soundbar including the Bose Solo 15 Series II most definitely features Bluetooth mode, but a TV may not always have or support it. To double-check this, press the TV home button, navigate through the display, and search for the menu option. Then, select how to connect the soundbar to your home theater for better sound audio.

Once you have clicked into the soundbar TV settings, search for the Bluetooth connection between your tv function and search for the soundbar name from the list of devices. Once you select the name of your device, it should connect the TV to the soundbar via Bluetooth automatically. 

Now, you can enjoy your music or movies, and get the surround sound or increase in volume you wanted from your soundbar. If a link cannot be established, switch off Bluetooth on the soundbar and television and try again. 

What To Do When Your TV Isn’t Bluetooth Compatible

Even TVs and other home theater systems without Bluetooth can still work with Bluetooth soundbars with the help of different accessories. In this case, you can use what is called a Bluetooth adapter. There are a few different ways to connect your TV and soundbar using the adapter, and that depends on whether your TV has an aux output or not.

For TVs that have an aux input jack, it’s a much easier process. Start by connecting your adapter to your TV with the aux cable through the aux port on the back of your device. Once the device has been detected by your television, set the adapter to “TX” mode for the right sound output.

There should be a form of indication that the bluetooth devices are linked and this will guarantee your adapter will transmit the TV’s sound to the soundbar.

Pyle 3D Surround Bluetooth Soundbar

For TVs that do not have aux connection, then you will need to check if it has an RCA output port. RCA is a common connection that can be seen in soundbars as well. A TV or soundbar with RCA is very similar to one with an aux connection.

The steps are similar to the aux option. Use the RCA connector to connect the adapter to your TV, and then set it to “TX” mode for the correct digital audio output.

If you’re lacking a TV and soundbar RCA, you can look for an adapter device that can support digital optical cable, or HDMI cable. HDMI inputs might even provide better sound quality, you just need to have a TV with HDMI. You can use these methods for connection between your TV and soundbar. The steps for connection are the same. 

The final takeaway from our experts is to find a Bluetooth adapter that supports the same connections as your TV such as ARC (Audio Return Channel), Optical, and HDMI ARC inputs. 

For RCA connections, here are the best soundbars with RCA connections

How Does This Type of Connection Work?

Connecting your soundbar with Bluetooth to the TV means both devices are paired. Before this can happen, each Bluetooth device needs to be “discoverable”. This means that both devices can detect each other.

You can use Bluetooth for audio and video but it can only be done with a strong connection. Keep the devices close together and so they can “find” and pair each other easily. 

Samsung soundbar bluetooth pairing successful

When you open the menu settings to look for your Bluetooth speaker or device, it will most likely be listed under the model name. This can be customized in the future so you can locate the device on the list more easily.

Troubleshooting Guide

Like with any technological device, you may encounter some problems when you want to connect your TV to the soundbar wirelessly. In this case, you won’t be able to enjoy better audio or sound quality with Bluetooth audio, you may also waste a lot of time.

If your soundbar doesn’t want to connect to your TV, here are a few troubleshooting steps that works for most soundbars and TVs, whether Sony, Vizio, or even, Samsung TV. You can follow these steps for support.

  • Power off both devices and then turn them on again. Press and hold the Bluetooth button on the remote or the soundbar and wait for them to pair up again.
  • Check your Smart TV to see if the Bluetooth device is discoverable and connected to the right one.
  • Determine if Bluetooth isn’t working for one of the devices. You may do this by connecting the soundbar your TV and to other devices in your home.
  • A hard reset of the soundbar or TV can sometimes solve the issue. 

More Tips to Get the Best Quality of Sound Transmission

To get a stronger and stabler link for your Bluetooth devices, and the best quality while playing music, our audio experts suggest taking the steps below.

  • Place the devices closer together. It’s possible that signal from another source, device, or item may be disrupting your wireless connectivity.
  • Check that nothing is blocking the remote receiver of the TV.
  • Turn off the wireless connectivity on other home electronics around your home.

FAQ

Can you connect Soundbar to your TV via Bluetooth?

Yes, you can connect your soundbar to the TV via Bluetooth. Turn on the Bluetooth connectivity in both devices and make them discoverable. Once your wireless speakers and TV are paired, you can enjoy enhanced select sound or audio quality from your device.

How do I make my soundbar Bluetooth?

You can make your soundbar Bluetooth by adding an adapter device. Your adapter can be connected via aux output, RCA, HDMI, HDMI Arc and digital optical cablesThen set it to “TX” mode, which will transmit signals from your soundbar receiver to your TV.

Conclusion

When asked how to connect soundbars to TV using Bluetooth, the best way to do so is with pairing, but this is only relevant for a device that features wireless connectivity. The steps described can also help you pair up a subwoofer, speaker, headphones, or a similar device, as long as it has the Bluetooth function. If your TV lacks wireless capabilities, there is another way to connect the soundbar to your TV, and that is with a Bluetooth adapter. 

Our audio experts advise not to place the speakers or sound bars too far away from your TV, as the video and audio may be compromised. To maximize the power and signal, be sure there is nothing obstructing the devices from connecting. You should also keep every other Bluetooth-capable device in your home a good distance away.

About to get a 4K TV? Read which brand between Samsung and Vizio is better to invest in before you add to cart!

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.