How to Connect LG Soundbar to TV: All Methods

If crisp, clear, cinematic sound quality is what you’re after, then connecting a soundbar to your television is the way to go. So, if you’ve recently purchased an LG soundbar with Dolby Atmos, you’re in for an exuberant audio experience. 

But first, you need to know how to connect the LG soundbar to the TV. After all, this is the first step to getting your new home theater system up and running!

how to connect LG Soundbar to TV - featured image

In this guide, we will share with you various options with step-by-step instructions for setting up your LG soundbar. We will also teach how to pair the soundbar with your television using different methods. 

LG Soundbar Setup: What You Need to Know

Before you learn how to connect the LG soundbar to the TV, you need to determine first what kind of connection you’ll be using. This will depend on your television’s capabilities and its available ports. 

In newer smart TVs, you have the luxury of choosing between HDMI, Bluetooth, and Optical Digital Audio Output connection. Other options are Analog Audio Output connection or AV/RCA cables, which you would most likely use for older TV models.   

common TV connection ports
Common TV connection ports

1. HDMI

HDMI is the most popular connection method for newer TVs. It allows you to connect both audio and video and is your best option for superior sound quality. It looks like a thin, trapezoid-shaped port that’s usually located near the other ports at the back of your television. 

2. Bluetooth

This type of connection allows you to stream audio wirelessly from your soundbar to your television. It doesn’t require any additional cables, is very convenient, and comes built-in on newer models of smart televisions. 

3. Optical Digital Audio Output

If you’re connecting an older television, then you’ll likely need to use an Optical Digital Audio Output connection. This is a round port that looks similar to a headphone jack and is usually located near the other ports on the back of your television. 

4. Analog Audio Output/RCA Cables

You may have to use an analog connection if your television does not have an optical digital audio output. The most common analog cable connection is RCA cable. This is a composite of two color-coded cables (red and white) that you’ll need to connect to the television’s audio output ports. 

Note: an older television being paired with a new model of LG soundbar may require an additional digital audio adapter to work with the television’s audio output ports.

How to Connect LG Soundbar to TV Using Your Preferred Connection (Step-by-Step)

Now that you’re aware of the different connection types, let’s get into hooking your LG soundbar to your television. LG soundbar setup is relatively simple and straightforward, but here are the specific instructions for each connection type: 

LG soundbar connected to TV

1. How to Connect LG Soundbar to TV With HDMI

If you have a smart television with HDMI ports, then you’re in luck! HDMI offers the fastest response time with minimal loss in quality and supports high-resolution audio formats like Dolby Atmos.  

  1. Place your soundbar near your television, and make sure that it’s plugged into a power source. Turn on your television and the soundbar. 
  1. Plug one end of the HDMI ARC cable into the HDMI out port on the back of your LG soundbar, and the other end into the HDMI in port (labeled ARC) on the back of your TV.
HDMI arc port at the back of TV
  1. Now, on your TV, navigate to your sound settings and make sure that the sound is set to the HDMI ARC port on the TV.  
  1. Specifically using the HDMI Arc In port on the back of your TV will allow you to pair additional components like PS4/Xbox Series S/X to your soundbar, all via one cable. 

2. Connecting LG Soundbar With Bluetooth or Wi-Fi

If working with wires is not your thing, and you want a clean, minimal setup, then you may want to consider a wireless connection.  You can connect your LG soundbar via Bluetooth pairing, or over WiFi with SoundSync if you have an LG TV. 

Via Bluetooth:

Make sure there are no other Bluetooth-enabled devices connected to your television before going through these steps. 

  1. Navigate through your TV’s settings until you find the Bluetooth Menu. In some cases, you may need to go into “Remote Devices” and then click on Speakers – Add a Wireless Connection, as found on TCL TVs. You may also find the Bluetooth under the Connections Menu if you have that. 
  1. Click on the Bluetooth menu and let your TV start scanning for devices. 
  1. Now turn your soundbar on and use the function button on it (or the remote) to navigate through the settings on your soundbar. Once you see the Bluetooth icon or the letters B.T. tap into this. 
  1. From here, the Bluetooth light on your soundbar will begin flashing to denote that it has entered pairing mode. It may take quite a bit for your TV to recognize the connection. Once you see it in the Bluetooth list on your TV, click on it to pair it successfully. 

Have An LG TV? If you have an LG TV, you can use SoundSync to connect your soundbar wirelessly to your television. 

  1. Turn ON both your soundbar and television. 
  2. In your television settings, navigate to sound, and choose sound out. 
  3. Change the sound out from the TV speaker to LG SoundSync Wireless. 
  4. Now choose the device selection option and your TV will look for wireless devices.
  5. When your soundbar shows up in the menu, click on it. 
  6. Wait for it to pair. 

3. Connecting Via an Optical Cable

If you have an older television that does not support HDMI Arc or wireless connections, then connecting via an optical cable is the next best thing for your LG soundbar setup. 

An optical cable for connecting a soundbar to a television is typically a thin and flexible cable with two connectors. The connector on one end will fit into the soundbar, while the connector on the other end will fit into the back of a television. 

optical cable

The cable may be made of glass or plastic fibers, which are lit up by light signals that are used to transmit audio data from one device to another. You will need to change the source on your soundbar to D.IN to get the sound that comes out from your TV.

4. Connecting Via Analog Cables

If you have an older television that does not have any optical ports, then connecting via analog will be your next option. To connect the LG soundbar to your TV via analog, you will need a 3.5mm audio cable. This is typically a red and white cord with two connectors on both ends.

NOTE: RCA cables may also come in three cables set-up. In older TV models, the yellow connectors are used for the video, while the white and red are for the left and right audio output.

RCA cable

Plug the 3.5mm cable into the headphone jack port of your LG soundbar. Then, plug the other end of the cable into the audio out port (which is usually red and white) on the back of your television. You may need to adjust the sound settings on your television to get the sound coming from your TV.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you still struggling with connecting the LG soundbar to your TV? Or, if you have a few other questions on pairing, recognition, and connection, here are some of the most commonly asked questions and their answers. 

1. How Do I Put My LG Soundbar In Pairing Mode? 


To put your LG soundbar in pairing mode, press and hold the function button on the device until you see either a Bluetooth or Soundsync icon. If your soundbar has a remote, you can press and hold the pairing button on it to enter pairing mode. 

2. How Do I Get My TV to Recognize My Soundbar?


If your TV does not recognize your soundbar, you may need to navigate through the settings on your television and turn on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You can also try connecting the soundbar to your TV using a different type of cable. 

If you are still having trouble, make sure the TV is the only Bluetooth-enabled device in the room. Try turning off any other nearby devices. If that doesn’t work, you may need to restart your TV or soundbar and try connecting again.

3. Why Won’t My LG Soundbar Connect to my LG TV?


If your LG soundbar won’t connect to your LG TV, you may need to check the settings on both devices. Ensure that your soundbar is connected to the correct type of cable and that your TV has Bluetooth or Wi-Fi enabled.

If you are using an optical cable, make sure that it is securely connected to both devices. If you are still having trouble connecting, try restarting the TV and soundbar and try again. You may need to contact LG customer service for additional help if that doesn’t work. 

4. Why are my LG soundbar and subwoofer not working?


The most common issue when your LG soundbar and subwoofer are not working is incorrect pairing. But there could be other underlying problems such as outdated firmware, hardware malfunction, or loose or damaged connection. We have an article that specifically addresses this issue, which you can access by clicking the link we provided.

5. Why Is My Soundbar Not Pairing?


If your soundbar is not pairing with your TV, you may need to check the settings on both devices. Make sure that your soundbar is connected to the correct type of cable and that your TV has Bluetooth or WiFi enabled. Additionally, make sure that your soundbar is in pairing mode. 

6. Does It Matter Which HDMI Port I Use for The Soundbar?


If your soundbar is not pairing with your TV, you may need to check the settings on both devices. Make sure that your soundbar is connected to the correct type of cable and that your TV has Bluetooth or WiFi enabled. Additionally, make sure that your soundbar is in pairing mode. 

7. Is It Better to Hook Up My Soundbar With HDMI or Optical?


The best option for connecting your LG soundbar to your TV depends on the type of ports available on both devices. If your TV has an HDMI port, it is usually preferable to use that option, as HDMI provides better audio and video quality than optical cables. However, an optical cable can still provide good audio quality if your TV does not have an HDMI port. 

How to Connect LG Soundbar to TV, Answered!

The main thing you need to be aware of when connecting your LG soundbar to your TV is what type of cable connections you have. Moreover, you also have to go through the pairing process when using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. 

Beyond this, you need to go through your TV’s settings and make sure that you use your soundbar as the output device once you have it connected.

Let us know in the comments section below if this explainer guide helped you out, and please give us a share on socials if you found it helpful!

Leave a Comment