Configure Soundbar audio and volume adjustment

To improve the sound of modern Smart TVs, more and more people decide to connect a soundbar, so as to obtain crystal clear and powerful sound with any content (movies, TV series, games, etc.).

The soundbar can be difficult to connect for a user who has never fitted anything like this before, as you need to pay attention to many details that can cause problems (from the cables to the correct settings to adopt on the TV).

In the following guide we have collected all the most common problems we can run into when connecting a soundbar to a TVso that we can identify our problem and fix it in no time.

READ ALSO -> How to connect TV speakers and audio systems to Smart TV

1) The soundbar does not connect to the TV

Assuming that the soundbar’s power cable is always properly connected to an outlet, the causes that prevent the soundbar from connecting to the TV are as follows:

• Audio cable not connected: whatever cable is used for the connection, check that it has been inserted correctly into the respective ports, fixing the ends of the cables with precision. The easiest cable to use for the connection is HDMI, but we can also use the Toslink cable or the AUX cable for effective connection.
• Wrong HDMI input: if we use HDMI for audio we will have to use a specific port of the Smart TV, identifiable with the label HDMI ARC o HDMI eARC. Only these ports can route audio back to the soundbar.
• Damaged audio cable: a worn cable can go unnoticed, especially if the external coating is intact. We only use new cables for connection, aiming for HDMI 2.1 cables e Toslink cables quality.
• Wrong audio output: access the TV settings and change the audio output from the TV speakers to digital audio out, Toslink output, uscita S/PDIF, digital optical output, uscita HDMI ARC or similar entries.
• Bluetooth connection failed: if we use Bluetooth for the connection we try to remove the association between the TV and the soundbar, deleting the name of the soundbar among the connected devices (on the TV) and resetting the soundbar in pairing mode.

These suggestions should be enough to resolve all connection issues between the soundbar and the TV.

2) The soundbar is silent, does not hear well or is noisy

If the soundbar is correctly connected but no sound comes out of it (or the sound seems disturbed or full of bangs or bangs) the problem could be with the TV settings, as seen below:

• Digital audio output format: to obtain maximum compatibility with all the sounds emitted by the TV (and any peripherals connected to it) we use as PCM digital audio format, the only truly compatible with any soundbar. If we have devices that support Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos or similar technologies we will first have to make sure that our soundbar supports these technologies, otherwise it will not emit any sound.
• Sorround: activation or deactivation of thesurround effect of your TV could be the difference between clean sound and noisy sound on your soundbar. Since the soundbar recreates the surround effect by itself, it is advisable to deactivate this item on the TV, configuring it only on the soundbar.
• Mute key: if we accidentally pressed the Mute button on the TV remote control, try pressing it again to restore sound from the soundbar; the latter could also have a dedicated mute key that we pressed by mistake (better check).
• Wrong volume level: as a general rule, the TV output volume must always be at maximum, otherwise it will not be heard well or we will hear sudden hisses or bangs when the TV is started. On modern TVs the output volume is muted automatically, leaving the soundbar to always manage this aspect.
• Noisy Bluetooth connection: if we use the wireless connection we eliminate any Bluetooth device between the TV and the soundbar, so as to minimize interference. If we hear the audio skip or full of disturbances, it is better to give up the wireless connection and immediately switch to a cable connection (HDMI, Toslink or AUX).

Also in this case we will have solved most of the problems generated by a modern soundbar when connected to a Smart TV.

3) Audio and video are out of sync

If we notice synchronization errors between audio and video, there can be many causes:

• Bluetooth connection: the Bluetooth connection may be too slow or noisy, causing a desynchronization between audio and video; we use cable connections to solve.
• HDMI eARC disabled: if the soundbar supports HDMI eARC, make sure you have connected it to the right HDMI socket on the back of the TV, then go to the TV settings and activate Lip Sync support (if available).
• Manual adjustment: many Smart TVs allow you to adjust the synchronization between audio and video through a special dedicated menu; we check the Audio menu or the connections menu to manually find the best possible sync.
• Adjustment via app: if the error is generated only when we use a specific streaming app, try opening the app settings and see if it is possible to adjust the audio synchronization.
• Generic error: If none of the previous suggestions worked try unplugging the TV and soundbar for 5 minutes then plug everything back in and see if the sync error is still there.

This error is quite rare but if it happens it is better to intervene on the software side, since the problem is almost certainly given by some incorrect, deactivated or not exploited setting properly.

4) Audio can also be heard from the TV speakers

Can you hear audio from both the soundbar and TV speakers? This unpleasant event can compromise the audio quality and the main causes are:

• Internal speakers on: on some TVs there is a “dual audio” or “external speakers” option, whichever audio output is selected. Let’s make sure to disable the internal speakers and not to let the sound come out of the TV as well.
• Automatic audio output setting: when we connect the soundbar we always select the right audio output to pass the audio from it, avoiding setting Auto o Automatic nel menu Audio of the television.
• HDMI-CEC disabled: If this setting is disabled, the TV may not “see” the connected soundbar, even playing audio from the internal speakers. We navigate through the Smart TV settings and activate HDMI-CEC on all the HDMI ports of the TV.

Now the audio should only come out of the soundbar, from the first start up of the TV.

5) I can’t change the soundbar volume

A very famous problem on soundbars is the inability to change the volume with the TV remote control, having to use that of the soundbar or the volume keys on it. The causes of this problem are:

• HDMI-CEC disabled: with this item activates the volume control switches to the soundbar, so you can use the TV remote control to adjust the volume of the soundbar.
• Using Toslink or AUX cable: if we use the Toslink or AUX cable we will have no external volume control, forcing us to use the soundbar remote control. We pass HDMI ARC to be able to send HDMI-CEC commands and control volume with just one remote (the TV’s).
• Digital audio output setting: if we use an HDMI cable connection, check that the audio output of the TV is set to digital audio out, digital output, HDMI ARC or similar items, avoiding items related to Toslink, AUX or S/PDIF.
• Wrong Bluetooth connection: let’s repeat the connection between soundbar and TV, as seen a few chapters ago.
• Conflict between HDMI-CEC devices: If other devices that can control audio are connected (for example Blu-Ray or DVD players) we disable HDMI-CEC for these devices, leaving this function active only for the soundbar.

6) The soundbar randomly disconnects from the TV

This problem is caused by power saving and mainly affects soundbars connected via Bluetooth. The causes are:

• TV out volume low: we always set the volume of the TV to maximum, adjusting only the volume of the soundbar; we will thus generate a powerful audio that leaves the soundbar always on until even a weak sound is emitted (with soundbar volume at minimum).
• Comfort Noise deactivated: if our TV supports Comfort Noise, activate it immediately, so as to generate an inaudible sound that always leaves the soundbar on as long as the TV is active.
• Faulty cablesAgain, worn out or faulty cables can cause audio to skip randomly, for no reason at all. If it happens often we change the cables and use only braided and strengthened cables, so as to solve any problem.

With these tips, the soundbar will always be connected to the TV, without sudden changes in sound or interruptions.

Conclusions

A soundbar really can improve the sound of a Smart TVbut if there is a problem, let’s remember this guide, so that we can immediately intervene at the origin of the problem and restore correct audio reproduction on the device.

To learn more, we can read our articles on how to choose the right HDMI cable for a soundbar come on how to place the soundbar near the tv.