To connect a soundbar to a Vizio TV, use an HDMI cable plugged into the HDMI ARC/eARC port on both devices for the best audio quality and the ability to control volume with your TV remote. After setup, turn off the TV's internal speakers in the audio settings to prevent an echo.
Before you connect a soundbar to your Vizio TV
After you complete the physical connection and the soundbar is working, turn off the TV's internal speakers in the audio settings menu to prevent an echo. HDMI ARC is the recommended method for the best sound quality and single-remote control.
Method 1: HDMI ARC/eARC (best quality)
This method delivers the highest quality digital audio and lets you control the soundbar with your Vizio remote.
- Locate the HDMI port labeled "ARC" or "eARC" on your Vizio TV (often labeled HDMI 1) and the HDMI OUT (ARC) or eARC port on your soundbar.
- Plug one end of an ARC-compatible HDMI cable into the TV's ARC/eARC port and the other end into the soundbar's HDMI OUT (ARC) or eARC port.
- On your Vizio TV, go to the System settings menu, enable CEC and ARC functions, then select Device Discovery within the CEC settings to register the soundbar.
- Navigate to the TV's Audio settings and set the Digital Audio Format to Dolby Digital or Bitstream.
This setup provides the highest quality audio and allows single-remote control of both volume and power.
Method 2: Optical cable
Use this method if your TV or soundbar lacks HDMI ARC ports. It delivers digital audio but does not support single-remote volume control.
- Locate the Optical Out port on your Vizio TV and the Optical In port on your soundbar.
- Plug one end of the optical cable into the TV's Optical Out port and the other end into the soundbar's Optical In port.
- On your Vizio TV, go to the audio settings and set the audio output to PCM.
This connection is reliable and immune to electromagnetic interference, but you will need a separate remote to control the soundbar's volume.
Method 3: Bluetooth (wireless)
This wireless option eliminates cables, though it may introduce a slight audio delay.
- On your Vizio soundbar, press and hold the Bluetooth button on the soundbar or its remote for 3-5 seconds until a blue LED blinks, indicating pairing mode.
- On your Vizio TV, access the Bluetooth settings, enable Bluetooth, and search for available devices.
- Select your soundbar from the list of detected devices to pair.
Once paired, audio from the TV will play through the soundbar wirelessly. This method is ideal for connecting a soundbar without running cables across the room.
Method 4: 3.5mm auxiliary cable
For older TVs or soundbars, this analog connection is simple but offers lower audio quality and requires a separate remote for volume control.
- Locate the headphone or AUDIO OUT jack on your Vizio TV and the AUX IN port on your soundbar.
- Plug one end of the 3.5mm auxiliary cable into the TV's audio output and the other end into the soundbar's AUX IN port.
- On your Vizio TV, go to the audio settings and select the 3.5mm auxiliary output as the audio source.
This analog connection may introduce audio interference or degradation and lacks the quality of digital connections.
Troubleshooting: no sound or audio sync issues
If you have no sound after connecting via HDMI ARC or optical cable, set the TV's audio output to PCM. Alternatively, connect the source device (such as a Blu-ray player or streaming box) directly to the soundbar, as some TVs may not pass through digital audio properly. Always verify that all cables are securely connected. If you experience lip-sync problems, adjust the TV's audio sync or delay setting in the audio menu to match the video.
For users looking to connect a soundbar to a TV without HDMI ARC, the optical cable method is the best alternative. If you need to connect a surround sound system to a Vizio smart TV, use the HDMI ARC method for optimal multi-channel audio. To connect a Bluetooth speaker to a Vizio smart TV, follow the Bluetooth pairing steps above for a wireless connection.
For the wider topic, see connecting a soundbar.
