Practically every soundbar comes with one form of digital input, be it digital coaxial or digital optical. TVs usually have one or both of these outputs, so you’ll be able to hook yours up to your soundbar without any issue. If your video device (such as a Sky box, TV box or DVD player) is plugged directly into your soundbar, it’s possible for your sound to get ahead of (fall behind) the image on your TV. Many modern boxes have a feature to prevent this - you’ll find this in your audio settings menu.

If you have a soundbar connected via a 3.5mm cable, make sure your TV's volume is turned up as high as it can go. This means you only ever need to adjust the volume using your soundbar’s remote control and also means your TV is delivering a powerful enough signal to ensure your soundbar never goes to sleep when sound is playing. If you’re using a 3.5mm aux cable to connect to your soundbar, this is likely the culprit. First, ensure both ends of the cable are fully and securely inserted into your TV and soundbar. Many soundbars now come with wi-fi connectivity that allows them to form part of a multi-room music system. Generally speaking, these only work with other speakers of the same brand.

Try to keep the cable clear of other connectors (especially power) in the tangle of wires behind your TV. Simply moving the 3.5mm cable can sometimes solve this issue. The answer could be simply that your soundbar isn't actually producing any audio, meaning you'll still be listening to your TV's speakers. Ideally, your soundbar should have equal space to its left and right edges, so sound disperses evenly around the room.

Make sure it’s not too close up against a wall, as this will result in boomy bass. You can put it inside your TV cabinet as long as it doesn’t cause distracting vibrations. 2. Keep it centred On the hunt for a soundbar that can take pride of place in your living room? Discover the best soundbars that combine style with substance. The best way to connect a soundbar Most recent soundbars can connect wirelessly using Bluetooth. This allows you to play music through your phone or laptop, for instance. This is usually done through your device’s settings menu under 'Bluetooth'. The downside, of course, is that you are limited to the number of ports on your soundbar—many may only have one HDMI input—and it does not work for your TV's built-in apps or antenna tuner, which will require HDMI ARC or optical. Still, if you are having problems with one game console or Blu-ray player, try plugging it into the soundbar instead of the TV.For stereo sound, you should not have trouble finding the right setting, but this can get really complex if you are trying to use surround sound, so you will need to experiment with the settings. Depending on what kind of audio you are sending, HDMI ARC may be your only option, since it has more bandwidth for high-fidelity audio formats. HDMI cables can carry more data than optical ones, opening up the possibility for higher-quality sound formats including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound. HDMI CEC If you're using an HDMI connection, the soundbar might be listed using the manufacturer’s HDMI name. Look for: If you have any issues with your soundbar, see our expert guide to common soundbar problems . How to set up your soundbar You should also make sure there isn't a problem with any other components. Try a different cable or swap out your streaming box, just to eliminate variables. Remember that your game console also requires certain cables. Be sure you removed the plastic covering on the end of your cables—this can be easy to miss on optical cables, since the plastic piece is so tiny.

It’s rare to see these once-familiar red and white cables as a primary input for soundbars these days. Analogue cables are simple to set up by plugging the coloured plugs into the matching port. The setup process varies between models, but it usually involves connecting to your soundbar using an app. After this initial setup, you should be good to go. Finally, if none of the above options work, search your TV and soundbar's settings for an option to update the firmware, just in case a latent bug has been fixed by a recent release. If all else fails, try a factory reset on one or both devices.It must be used solely for domestic purposes. The guarantee will be rendered invalid if the product is re-sold or has been damaged by inexpert repair. Open your TV's menu, head to its audio settings, and make sure the TV is set to output audio to the correct place. This may require selecting the corresponding setting to the cable you are using—like HDMI Out, Digital Out, or something to that effect, rather than TV Speakers.