How To Connect Soundbar To Samsung TV Using Optical Cable? (Connection Guide)

You would want to connect a soundbar to your Samsung TV for many reasons. This all-in-one system delivers high-quality sound, way better than your TV speakers, for an impeccable audio experience. Besides, soundbars have multiple ports and connectivity options, making them easy to set up with your external devices.

Since the emergence of digital TVs, HDMI has always been the standard way of connecting a soundbar to a TV. But as technology advances, you can connect your soundbar via several methods, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or optical cable.

Using an optical cable is a suitable wired option. This cable transfers audio signals by light, ensuring high-quality sounds. Besides, modern soundbars and TVs have a connector for optical connections, making it an option worth trying.

This guide explains how to connect your soundbar to your Samsung TV with an optical cable.

Key Takeaways

Connecting a Soundbar to a Samsung TV via Optical Cable – Step-by-Step Guide

Connecting Soundbar to Samsung TV using Optical Cable

An optical cable is an excellent option for connecting a soundbar to your Samsung TV. It uses light pulses to transfer sound between connected devices, ensuring lower transmission loss and a rich audio experience. You can similarly connect other external devices to your TV and configure the sound output to play from the TV to the soundbar.

TOSLINK Optical Audio Cable Explained

If you’ve ever used an HDMI cable, connecting your soundbar to your TV via an optical cable should not be a problem. After all, an optical cable is similar to an HDMI cable, the only difference being that the optical audio cable cannot transmit video signals.

TOSLINK Vs. HDMI

That said, follow these steps to connect your soundbar to your Samsung TV using an optical cable:

Step 1 – Locate the Digital Audio Output and Input Ports

The latest soundbar models and Samsung TVs have several ports for enhanced connectivity. These ports are compatible with particular cables ranging from optical to HDMI cables. 

Locating the appropriate port for your optical cable will make your work less stressful. Check the back of the soundbar for DIGITAL AUDIO IN and the TV for DIGITAL AUDIO OUT or something similar.

Step 2 – Plug in the Optical Cable

Once you find the audio input and output ports, turn on your TV and soundbar. Next, plug one end of the optical cable into your TV’s DIGITAL AUDIO OUT port and the other into your soundbar’s DIGITAL AUDIO IN port. Ensure they are firmly in place to avoid connection or audio issues.

Step 3 – Set the Sound Output on the TV

The essence of connecting a soundbar to your TV is to enjoy the rich audio this all-in-one system offers. However, your soundbar or any external speaker won’t play sound from the TV unless you change the sound output setting. Doing so will also turn off the TV speakers so that you can use your soundbar.

Here’s how to do it:

Step 4 – Select the Input Source on the Soundbar

Similarly, your soundbar might not produce any sound from the TV unless you select the appropriate input source.

Here is how to go about it:

Troubleshooting Soundbar to TV Optical Connection Issues

As much as using an optical cable reduces transmission loss, this digital connection is not exempt from issues. You might have connected the optical cable correctly, but your TV does not recognize your soundbar, or you can’t hear sound on your external speaker.

Fortunately, you can use these troubleshooting tips to fix optical connection issues between your soundbar and Samsung TV.

Ensure Your TV and Soundbar Are Powered

Your soundbar won’t produce any sound if it is off. The first step is to check whether your TV and soundbar are on before connecting them via an optical cable. Press the power button on your TV and soundbar to turn them on.

Inspect Your Optical Cable

Connection issues might arise because of a faulty or damaged optical cable. Test the cable by trying it on another supported device. You can also use a replacement cable to determine if the current one is faulty. Inspect your optical cable for visible dents, bends, and breakages, and replace it if you notice any defects.

Alternatively, check both ends of the optical cable for a red light. Since the cable uses light pulses to transmit audio signals, it will light red if it is securely in place and works optimally.

Select the Appropriate Audio Input/Output

As stated, your soundbar will not produce sound if you select the incorrect audio output on your TV. Instead, the TV speakers will remain on until you change this setting. Equally, you must set the appropriate input source on your soundbar for optimum functionality. Use the outlined steps above to select the appropriate input source and audio output.

Adjust Volume Levels

If you cannot hear the TV’s sound on your soundbar, adjust the volume of either device using its remote control. The optical connection could be fine, but the audio output could be too low to hear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Connecting your soundbar to your Samsung TV via an optical cable ensures advanced audio clarity. After all, an optical cable uses light pulses to transmit digital audio between connected devices, resulting in lower transmission loss so that you can hear every detail.

It is much better than your TV speakers and offers a rich audio experience when plugged securely into the appropriate ports. Follow this guide to connect your soundbar to your TV using an optical cable.