Send LG TV sound to a soundbar: HDMI ARC/eARC or optical (2023–2025 webOS)

Use the HDMI (eARC/ARC) port, then set Sound Out

To play a 2023–2025 LG webOS TV’s sound through a soundbar, connect the soundbar to the TV’s HDMI (eARC/ARC) port and set All Settings → Sound → Sound Out → Use Wired Speaker → HDMI(ARC) Device. If the soundbar supports eARC, also set Sound → Advanced Settings → eARC Support to On.

If your soundbar has only an optical input, connect it to the TV’s optical digital audio output and choose Optical Out Device instead. LG says that option exists only on models with an optical port, and optical carries fewer sound formats than HDMI (see the format table).

This page covers getting the sound out. To control the soundbar or a set-top box with the LG remote, see LG TV SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC). For a 2014 LB-series TV, see connecting a soundbar to a 2014 LG LB-series TV.

Before you start

Turn off and unplug both devices before connecting an HDMI cable. LG’s 2025 owner’s manual says the TV and external devices should be off and unplugged, and to use a certified HDMI cable.
Find the port labelled eARC/ARC. LG’s sound settings output to an audio device connected to the TV’s HDMI (eARC/ARC) port, so an ordinary HDMI port won’t do. On the soundbar, use its ARC or eARC HDMI connection; check the soundbar’s manual for its label.
Keep the soundbar clear of the TV’s remote receiver. LG says a soundbar placed in front of the receiver can block the remote’s signal; keep it at least 10 cm away.

Connect over HDMI ARC or eARC

With both devices off and unplugged, connect the soundbar’s ARC/eARC HDMI connection to the TV’s HDMI (eARC/ARC) port.
Plug both in and turn them on.
Press the Settings (gear) button on the remote. You can also press and hold it to open All Settings directly.
Select All Settings (the gear icon on screen), then Sound → Sound Out → Use Wired Speaker → HDMI(ARC) Device.
For an eARC soundbar: go to Sound → Advanced Settings → eARC Support and set it to On. LG says eARC carries more sound information than ARC, for higher-quality sound through an eARC audio device.
Play something and check that the sound comes from the soundbar.

Choosing HDMI(ARC) Device turns SIMPLINK (LG’s HDMI-CEC) on automatically. If SIMPLINK is later turned off, LG says the TV switches its sound output back to the default so the sound doesn’t cut out. If the soundbar suddenly goes silent and the TV speakers play, check that SIMPLINK is still on.

Connect with an optical cable

Connect an optical cable from the TV’s optical digital audio output to the soundbar’s optical input.
Go to All Settings → Sound → Sound Out → Use Wired Speaker → Optical Out Device.
Play something and check that the sound comes from the soundbar.

Control the volume with the TV remote (LG Sound Sync soundbars): go to Sound → Advanced Settings → LG Sound Sync and set it to On. LG describes this for a soundbar that supports LG Sound Sync, connected to the optical output with Sound Out set to Optical Out Device. If that soundbar’s auto-power feature is on, it turns on and off with the TV.

Choose a Digital Sound Output format

Sound → Advanced Settings → Digital Sound Output appears only when Use Wired Speaker is set to Optical Out Device or HDMI(ARC) Device.

PCM sends everything as PCM.
Auto and Pass Through send the formats in the table below, depending on the connection. LG warns that with Pass Through, sound effects may not be output, and that with Dolby TrueHD or multi-channel PCM arriving over HDMI, Pass Through can output the audio as bypass.

LG adds that the format sent out may differ from what comes in, and that over eARC the output depends on what the connected device supports.

What each connection can carry

Summary of LG’s Digital Sound Output table (Auto / Pass Through):

Sound coming in	Optical	HDMI ARC	HDMI eARC
MPEG	PCM	PCM	PCM
Dolby Digital	Dolby Digital	Dolby Digital	Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby MAT
Dolby Digital Plus / Atmos	Dolby Digital	Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Atmos	Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby MAT, Atmos
Dolby TrueHD (HDMI input only)	Dolby Digital	Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Atmos	Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby MAT, Atmos
HE-AAC / AAC	Dolby Digital	Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus	Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby MAT
DTS / DTS Express / DTS-HD MA	DTS	DTS	DTS, DTS-HD MA
DTS-HD	DTS	DTS	DTS, DTS-HD, DTS-HD MA
DTS:X	DTS	DTS	DTS, DTS-HD MA, DTS:X

LG says Dolby TrueHD, HDMI eARC, Dolby Atmos and DTS aren’t supported on some models. So, on a model that supports them, Atmos needs HDMI (ARC or eARC), while Dolby TrueHD and the fuller DTS-HD formats come through only over eARC.

Keep the TV speakers on as well

Sound → Sound Out → Use External Speakers with TV Speaker plays sound through the TV and the soundbar together. LG says the options here depend on the model:

Optical Out Device + TV Speaker for a soundbar on the optical output.
HDMI(ARC) Device + TV Speaker for an LG soundbar with the WOW Orchestra function. LG says it connects automatically when connected to the HDMI (eARC/ARC) port; to stop it, set Sound Out back to Use TV Speaker or Use Wired Speaker.

If the soundbar plays no sound

Run LG’s sound test. LG suggests starting with Sound Self-diagnosis. Its place in All Settings depends on your TV’s user guide:
- 2024 and 2025 guides: Support → Sound Self-diagnosis.
- 2023 guide: General → OLED Care → Device Self Care → Sound Self-diagnosis.
Check the source volume. If you watch through a set-top box, LG says there’s no sound when the box’s own volume is 0 or muted; raise it with the box’s remote.
Test the TV speakers. Set Sound Out to Use TV Speaker and listen. If the TV speakers work, LG says to check the connection to the soundbar and the soundbar’s own settings.
Recheck the port and setting. Make sure the HDMI cable is in the HDMI (eARC/ARC) port, that Sound Out is HDMI(ARC) Device (or Optical Out Device for optical), and that SIMPLINK is still on for HDMI.
Unplug wired headphones. LG says the TV detects wired headphones plugged in while it’s on and sends the sound to them.
Try PCM (our suggestion, not a step LG lists). If a particular format doesn’t play, set Digital Sound Output to PCM and test again. We suggest it because LG’s table shows the PCM setting sends every input as PCM.

LG’s guides don’t describe the soundbar’s own input or ARC/eARC settings. If the TV side is set correctly and the soundbar is still silent, check the soundbar’s manual.

If the sound is out of sync with the picture

If only some programmes are affected, LG says the broadcast signal may be the cause. If everything is out of sync, adjust Sound → Advanced Settings → Match Screen and Sound. With Game Optimiser on, LG warns that a soundbar on HDMI(ARC) Device or Optical Out Device can lag; it suggests switching to the TV speakers or setting Sound → Advanced Settings → Select HDMI Input Audio Format to PCM.

Common questions

Can I change the soundbar volume with the LG remote?

With an LG Sound Sync soundbar on the optical output, yes, using LG Sound Sync as described above. LG’s guides don’t say whether the LG remote changes a soundbar’s volume over HDMI. The HDMI control feature is SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC), covered in LG TV SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC). For other soundbars, check the soundbar’s manual.

Should I use ARC or optical?

Use HDMI if both devices have it. LG’s table shows optical limited to Dolby Digital, DTS and PCM, while HDMI ARC adds Dolby Digital Plus and Atmos, and eARC adds lossless formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA on supported models. Choosing HDMI(ARC) Device also turns on SIMPLINK, so the TV can control a compatible soundbar over the same cable.