How to Connect Soundbar to PC

This wikiHow teaches you how to connect a soundbar speaker to a Windows PC.

Things You Should Know

  • If your Bluetooth soundbar doesn't enter pairing mode automatically, press and hold the button on the soundbar until you see a tone or flashing light.
  • Once Bluetooth is enabled on Windows, open the Action Center and click "Connect," then select the soundbar.
  • If your soundbar or PC doesn't support Bluetooth, you can usually connect using 3.5mm AUX or optical audio cable.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Bluetooth (Wireless)

  1. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 1
    1
    Power on the soundbar.
    • If the soundbar is battery-powered, insert the batteries, then press the power button.
    • If the soundbar requires a power source, plug its power cable into a wall outlet or power strip, then press the power button.
  2. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 2
    2
    Put the soundbar into pairing mode. The steps to do this vary by model, but you'll usually have to press a button somewhere on the soundbar to make it discoverable by your PC.[1]
    • Check your soundbar's instruction manual for steps unique to your model.
    • Some soundbars enter pairing mode automatically.
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  3. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 3
    3
    Open the Windows 10 Action Center. It's the square chat bubble to the right of the clock in the taskbar, which is usually at the bottom of the screen. There may be a small number over the icon.
  4. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 4
    4
    Turn on Bluetooth. Locate the "Bluetooth" tile, which contains a small icon that looks like a sideways bowtie.[2]
    • If the tile is a lighter color and says "Not Connected" (or shows the name of a connected device), Bluetooth is already on.
    • If the tile says "Bluetooth" and is dark in color, click it to enable Bluetooth.
  5. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 5
    5
    Click the Connect tile in the Action Center. It has an icon of a computer screen and speaker. Windows will now scan for devices.
  6. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 6
    6
    Click the soundbar when it appears. This connects the PC to the soundbar. Once connected, all audio will be routed to the soundbar.
    • Once the speaker is paired, your PC will automatically connect to it whenever it's in range.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using an AUX Cable

  1. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 7
    1
    Power on the soundbar.
    • If the soundbar is battery-powered, insert the batteries, then press the power button.
    • If the soundbar requires a power source, plug its power cable into a wall outlet or power strip, then press the power button.
  2. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 8
    2
    Plug one end of the AUX cable into your PC's sound port. Insert the 3.5mm jack into the port that displays a small icon of headphones. It's usually on the side of a laptop's keyboard, or on the front of a desktop unit.
  3. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 9
    3
    Plug the other end of the AUX cable into the soundbar. The location is varies by device, but the port will usually be labeled "AUX." Once the connection is made, Windows will automatically play audio through the soundbar.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using an Optical Audio (Toslink) Cable

  1. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 10
    1
    Power on the soundbar.
    • If the soundbar is battery-powered, insert the batteries, then press the power button.
    • If the soundbar requires a power source, plug its power cable into a wall outlet or power strip, then press the power button.
  2. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 11
    2
    Insert one end of a Toslink cable into the soundbar. If your soundbar has a Toslink (also known as optical audio) port, you can use an optical audio cable to connect it to your PC. The port is usually labeled "TOSLINK" or "OPTICAL."
    • Toslink is a standard optical audio cable typically used to connect home theater systems to digital electronics, such as DVD players.
  3. Image titled Connect Soundbar to PC Step 12
    3
    Insert the other end of the Toslink cable into your PC. The port is usually labeled "TOSLINK," "OPTICAL," or "DIGITAL AUDIO OUT." If you're using a desktop PC, it should be on the back panel. If you have a laptop, it's likely on one of the sides. Once connected, your PC will send all audio through to the soundbar.
    • Some slimmer laptop models may not have a TOSLINK port.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Can I hook my soundbar to my TV using a USB cable?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Possibly, but it depends on the model of your TV and the type of soundbar you have.
  • Question
    Can an LG soundbar be connected to a Sharp TV?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    As long as the TV has a port that can connect to the soundbar (ex. optical, digital audio, RCA, etc.).
  • Question
    How do I get sound to just come out of the soundbar and not my computer as well?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    I ran a cable (a 3-5 mm audio video extension cable, available on Amazon) from my audio jack (green, usually) on the back of my PC to the two (red and white) jacks on my RCA sound bar. That worked for me.
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References

  1. ↑ https://soundwiz.net/blog/connect-soundbar-to-windows-mac/
  2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/15290/windows-connect-bluetooth-device

About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 301,634 times.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: October 25, 2022
Views: 301,634
Categories: Setting Up Your Computer | Audio
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