To achieve a proper Roku surround sound setup, you need a Roku player that supports surround sound formats like Dolby Digital or DTS, a surround sound system (AV receiver, soundbar, or speakers) that supports at least one of the same audio formats, and a Premium High-Speed HDMI cable to carry the audio and video signal.
Roku surround sound setup: what you need to get started
Before connecting anything, confirm that your Roku device and your sound system share at least one common audio format, such as Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, or DTS. Some Roku models also support Dolby Atmos pass-through. A Premium High-Speed HDMI cable is recommended for reliable performance. If you are using a Roku TV, all models include an HDMI ARC connection and a digital audio output, giving you flexible connection options.
Option 1: Connect Roku directly to your AV receiver or soundbar
This path sends audio and video from your Roku to your receiver or soundbar first, then to your TV. It is often the best option for surround sound because the audio is decoded by the receiver or soundbar directly.
- Plug your Roku player into an HDMI input on your Audio/Video Receiver (AVR) or soundbar.
- Connect an HDMI cable from the HDMI output on the soundbar or receiver to your TV.
- Turn on your TV and select the HDMI input that connects to your soundbar or receiver.
- On your soundbar or receiver, select the HDMI input where your Roku is connected.
When you connect this way, your Roku sends the audio signal directly to the surround sound system, which handles decoding for the best possible sound.
Option 2: Connect Roku to your TV and use HDMI ARC
If your TV and sound system both support ARC (Audio Return Channel), you can connect your Roku to the TV and then send audio back to the sound system through the same HDMI cable. This is a clean setup that also simplifies how to connect and control a soundbar, and the same principles apply when you connect a surround sound system to a Vizio smart TV.
- Connect your Roku player or streaming stick directly to your TV via HDMI.
- If your TV and sound system support ARC, connect the TV's HDMI-ARC port to your soundbar or receiver's HDMI-ARC port using an HDMI cable.
- Press Home on your Roku TV remote, scroll to Settings, select System, then select Control other devices (CEC).
- Ensure HDMI ARC (or eARC) is enabled on your Roku TV, and enable CEC so your Roku TV remote can control volume and mute on your home theater system.
Once ARC and CEC are active, audio from your Roku will play through your surround sound system automatically when the TV is on.
How to connect using an optical cable (S/PDIF)
If your Roku TV or sound system lacks HDMI ARC, you can use the digital audio output. This connection is typically labeled "Digital audio out" or "Digital output" and is sometimes referred to as S/PDIF or optical.
- Locate the digital audio output on your Roku TV.
- Use an optical cable (TOSLINK cable) for this connection.
- Remove the protective plastic cap from each end of the optical cable before inserting the connectors to avoid a faulty connection or damage.
- Connect one end to your Roku TV and the other to your surround sound system's optical input.
Optical cables can carry Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound, making them a reliable alternative when HDMI is not available.
Configure your Roku audio settings for surround sound
After connecting your hardware, you must adjust the audio settings to ensure your Roku sends the correct surround sound format.
- Press Home on your remote, scroll to Settings, then select Audio.
- Select S/PDIF and ARC and choose Auto passthrough. This delivers unmodified Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, or DTS audio when available and when your Roku TV detects your sound system supports the format.
- Go back to Audio and select Digital output format.
- Switch from Auto to Custom.
- Select the surround sound format your sound system supports, such as Dolby Digital or DTS.
These settings tell your Roku to send the raw surround sound signal to your receiver or soundbar, which then decodes it for your speakers.
Build a wireless surround sound system with Roku audio devices
Roku offers its own audio devices designed to work together for stereo or surround sound without extra cables between speakers. For a Roku TV (Select, Plus, or Pro Series), you can add 2 Roku Wireless Speakers for stereo sound, or add 2 Roku Wireless Speakers plus a Roku Wireless Subwoofer for fuller sound. Roku Plus and Pro TVs also support adding a Roku Wireless Soundbar with 2 Roku Wireless Speakers for surround sound, and even adding a Roku Wireless Subwoofer to that setup for true surround sound. For a Roku Streambar SE, you can use it alone for basic stereo or add a subwoofer for deeper sound, but no wireless speakers are supported. If you have Roku wireless speakers connected to a Streambar or Smart Soundbar, you can adjust surround sound settings with the expanded stereo setting. To change expanded stereo settings while streaming, press Star on your Roku remote, select Advanced sound settings or Sound settings, then choose from Movies and TV (makes stereo sound feel like surround sound), Music (uses all speakers to fill the room), or Off (stereo sound only from front speakers).
Troubleshooting: why you're not getting surround sound from your Roku
If you have completed the setup but are not hearing surround sound, try these verified fixes.
- In streaming apps, choose 5.1 audio when available (for example, in Netflix select English 5.1). Not all content has a surround sound track.
- Turn Roku Volume Modes Off, as this can force stereo output.
- Check that all cables are firmly connected, including HDMI and optical cables.
- Restart your TV and sound system by unplugging them for 30 seconds and plugging them back in.
If you are using a Roku surround sound system, you can also adjust sound modes during playback by pressing Star on your remote and choosing from options like Volume Leveling (maintains consistent volume), Night mode (increases quiet sounds and decreases loud sounds), or Dialogue mode (makes conversations easier to hear).
For the wider topic, see connecting a soundbar.
