You want better computer audio through a soundbar, but you are unsure which cable to use or Windows keeps playing through the monitor or built-in speakers. This applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11 desktops and laptops using HDMI, optical, AUX, or Bluetooth.
Does This Affect You?
A soundbar connection is usually simple once you match the ports, but Windows still needs to send audio to the right output device. HDMI, optical, AUX, and Bluetooth can all work, with different quality and delay tradeoffs.
Connect the Soundbar
Use the best connection supported by both the PC and the soundbar.
- HDMI ARC/eARC: use this when both devices actually support ARC or eARC. Connect the HDMI ARC/eARC port on the soundbar to a compatible HDMI port in the chain. Not every PC HDMI port supports ARC, so check the manual if no audio appears.
- Standard HDMI: if routing video and audio together, connect through the soundbar or use a spare graphics-card HDMI output to the soundbar input.
- Optical/TOSLINK: connect the PC optical output to the soundbar optical input. This carries audio only, not video.
- 3.5mm/AUX: connect the PC headphone or line-out jack to the soundbar AUX input. This is the simplest and most universal wired option, though it does not carry modern surround formats.
- Bluetooth: put the soundbar in pairing mode, then open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device and select it.
Soundbar Connected but No Sound
If the cable is connected but nothing plays, check Windows output selection.
- Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and open the output selector or Sound settings.
- Under Output, choose the soundbar. HDMI devices may appear as Digital Audio, the monitor name, or the soundbar model.
- If it is missing, open More sound settings, right-click inside the Playback tab, and enable Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices.
- Right-click the soundbar and choose Test.
- Set the soundbar input selector to the matching HDMI, optical, AUX, or Bluetooth input.
- For Bluetooth dropouts, move the soundbar closer and reduce nearby Bluetooth congestion.
For surround formats such as Dolby Digital or DTS, open the soundbar device properties in the old Sound control panel and check the Supported Formats or Advanced tab. Windows will not send every format unless the device reports support and the setting is enabled.
Set the soundbar as the default playback device if you want Windows to keep using it after restarts. Bluetooth can add noticeable delay, so wired HDMI, optical, or AUX is better for gaming, calls, and video where lip sync matters.
Sources
- Sonos – Connecting a soundbar to a computer (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Fix audio problems in Windows (2025)
- Samsung – How to connect a soundbar via HDMI ARC (2024)