Samsung makes outstanding equipment, and a Samsung soundbar is a great way to enhance your home theater, even if it’s your very first time jumping form built-in speakers to enhanced external audio solutions. That said, these soundbars only work if they’re set up properly, and many users stumble into a situation in which they simply can’t get sound out of their Samsung soundbar.
To fix a Samsung sound bar that isn’t working, first check the HDMI or Optical cable connection, or pair the soundbar via Bluetooth. After the device is connected, navigate to the TV’s audio settings to make sure the soundbar is selected as the audio output channel. Lastly, confirm the volume is up!
In the next section, we will look at the quickest ways to fix your Samsung soundbar, including checking your connections and audio output settings. After that we’ll also discuss how to perform a hard reset of your soundbar and provide some advanced troubleshooting tips around management of devices and using a subwoofer with your Samsung soundbar. Let’s get started!
First, Be Sure To Check The Volume
If you’re experiencing issues with your Samsung soundbar not working, don’t worry, first we think it’s best to start with a quick discussion on what the most common issues could be. And if happen to be using a different soundbar, we have a universal guide that you can use.
Before you do any troubleshooting around the soundbar itself, first confirm the TV’s volume is up and it’s not muted! Next, make sure the volume on the soundbar is turned up as well.
Pro Tip: Make sure your soundbar and TV’s volume settings aren’t muting the volume or simply keeping it too low to hear before doing any connection troubleshooting!
If that’s not your problem, then the next best thing to do is to start stepping through the connection troubleshooting in the following section. Be sure to check out our full write-up on connecting a soundbar to any TV, or a video on the same, if you need more support. But for now here are our Samsung-specific instructions:
Checking the Connection and Setting the TV’s Output
So, your Samsung soundbar may be connected to the TV via HDMI, optical (or SPDIF) cable, or Bluetooth. In this section, we’ll discuss how to confirm the connection is made properly and how to set the audio output to the soundbar on the TV. So, you can read through all of these, or skip to the connection you’re using.
The direct path to your audio settings menu may very my make and model of TV, but here are the generic steps to find these settings and adjust them:
- Navigate to the TV’s settings menu.
- Select the Sound or Audio option.
- Look for options to manage the Audio Output or Speakers.
- After your device is connected, you should see it as an option on this menu (if it doesn’t work automatically).
HDMI Connections
To check the HDMI connection, first, make sure the HDMI cable is securely connected to both the soundbar and TV. Then, on the TV, navigate to the audio settings and select the soundbar as the audio output. You may need to select the numbered HDMI port that you used.
If you’re using HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel), make sure that both the TV and soundbar support it and that it’s enabled in the TV’s settings.
Additionally, make sure the HDMI cable is plugged into the ARC port on both the TV and soundbar. We have more on HDMI ARC (comparing it to optical) in a separate article if you have more questions about this.
Optical (SPDIF) Cable Connections
To check the optical cable connection, make sure the cable is securely connected to both the soundbar and TV. Next, go to the TV’s audio settings and select the soundbar as the audio output.
If you need to purchase an optical cable, there are tons of great cheap options (on Amazon) that you can use, and in general we recommend these cables for their quality. Using fiber-optic is great for the audio, but these cables can be a bit ginger.
They’re fiber-optic, so, they’re made of glass. Remember to night tightly coil these or they’ll snap inside, reducing quality or preventing audio playback at all, so, if your cable has an obvious break in it, that could be your issue.
Bluetooth Connections
To check the Bluetooth connection, first, make sure that the soundbar is in pairing mode. Then, on the TV, navigate to the Bluetooth settings and select the soundbar as the audio output. If the connection is not working, try forgetting the soundbar on the TV and re-pairing it from scratch.
All things equal, an HDMI or Optical connection here is better, but if you want to use bluetooth, that doesn’t mean you can’t connect and use it just fine. Just watch out for bluetooth interference issues, which you can peruse this external resource on if you have audio issues like lip-syncing or audio cutting out on a Bluetooth connection.
How To Hard Reset a Samsung Soundbar
If you’re still experiencing issues with your Samsung soundbar, performing a hard reset may help. Keep in mind that the steps to reset your soundbar may vary depending on the model, so it’s best to check the manual or Samsung’s website for specific instructions.
Here are the general steps to perform a hard reset on most Samsung soundbars:
- First, make sure your soundbar is turned on.
- Locate the power button on your soundbar and hold it down for about 30 seconds. This should initiate the hard reset process.
- After holding down the power button, your soundbar should turn off and then turn back on again. This indicates that the reset process was successful.
- Once your soundbar has turned back on, you can set it up again as if it were new.
Now the soundbar is reset, head back to the last section to try connecting and setting it up again, depending on what connection method you’re using.
Working with Subwoofers
When it comes to Samsung soundbars, the subwoofer is an essential component that can significantly enhance your audio experience. However, it can be frustrating when the subwoofer doesn’t work as expected. If you got your soundbar working but you’re still having issues with the sub, we have a few notes for you.
First make sure the subwoofer is paired with the soundbar. If the subwoofer is not paired, it won’t work. To pair the subwoofer, follow the instructions in the user manual.
Usually, you need to press the ID Set button on the back of the subwoofer and then press and hold the Mute button on the soundbar until the display shows “ID Set.” Since there are lots of different ways to connect a soundbar to a sub, we have to push you to your specific Samsung soundbar’s manual to get more detailed instructions than that.
Next, you check the power and connections of the subwoofer. Ensure that it is plugged into a working outlet and that the cables are properly connected to the soundbar. To soft reset the subwoofer, turn off the soundbar and unplug the subwoofer from the power outlet. Wait for a few minutes and then plug it back in and turn on the soundbar.
Past that, you can have a look at our full article on how to add a subwoofer to a Samsung soundbar, and while you’re at it you may also want to look at how easy it can be to add more surround sound speakers to your Samsung soundbar after that.
Why Is My TV Still Not Recognizing My Soundbar?
Sometimes, a TV may not recognize a soundbar because of something worse than a simple connection our output setting issue. If you’re still experiencing this issue, you probably need to factory reset your TV and try again. You can also go ahead and open up a Samsung support ticket to try to get more detailed help right form the horses mouth.
Sound Decisions: Wrapping Up Your Samsung Soundbar Issue
Samsung’s reputation for delivering top-notch home theater equipment is unparalleled, but as we’ve explored, even the best of devices can sometimes face hiccups.
Whether it’s a simple volume check, connection troubleshooting, or diving deep into advanced settings, every solution is aimed at ensuring you get the best audio experience possible. Remember, a home theater is only as good as its sound. With the right knowledge and a bit of patience, your Samsung soundbar can be the star of your home audio show.
