For most conventional soundbars, connect the bar to a Roku TV’s HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC, then select the matching HDMI input on the soundbar. If your Roku is a separate streaming player, connect the player to the TV and use the TV’s ARC/eARC port to send audio back to the bar. The right setup depends on whether Roku is built into the TV, which ports your devices have, and the sound formats they support.
Identify your Roku setup first
“Roku” can mean a TV with Roku built in, a standalone Roku streaming player connected to a TV, or a Roku audio product. A conventional soundbar usually connects to the TV, not directly to the Roku interface: that lets it play sound from Roku channels and other sources attached to the TV.
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- Roku TV: Connect the soundbar to the TV’s ARC/eARC port, or use optical audio if both devices support it.
- Standalone Roku player: Connect the player to the TV by HDMI, then send TV audio to the soundbar over ARC/eARC or optical. Some sound systems also accept the player directly, as described below.
- Roku TV Wireless Soundbar: This is a special product for Roku OS TVs, not a general-purpose soundbar for any TV or a standalone player.
Choose the connection that fits your equipment
| Connection | When to use it | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC/eARC | The TV and soundbar both have compatible ARC or eARC ports | Usually the simplest way to route TV audio to the bar. eARC benefits require eARC support on both devices and an appropriate cable. |
| Optical (TOSLINK/S/PDIF) | Both TV and soundbar have optical ports, particularly when ARC is unavailable | A useful alternative, but audio-format support differs from ARC/eARC. Check both manuals. |
| Player to soundbar, then TV | The soundbar or receiver has an HDMI input and HDMI output, and supports this arrangement | Connect the Roku player to the audio device’s HDMI input and its HDMI output to the TV. Confirm supported formats and port functions in the manuals. |
Connect a conventional soundbar to a Roku TV with HDMI ARC or eARC
- Find the TV’s HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC. Roku says its TVs have an HDMI ARC connection, though labels and layouts vary by model.
- Connect that TV port to the soundbar’s HDMI ARC/eARC port with an HDMI cable. If the soundbar is Roku TV Ready, look for Roku’s certification mark on its packaging or check the product manual or manufacturer listing. Certification adds Roku integration; it is not required for every soundbar hookup.
- Turn on both devices and follow the TV’s on-screen setup. If prompted, enable HDMI-CEC or ARC-related options; available labels vary by TV.
- Set the soundbar to the HDMI input used for the TV connection. If another device is occupying the TV’s ARC port, move it to another HDMI input if possible.
ARC carries audio from the TV to the sound system, including sound from streaming channels, the built-in tuner, and devices plugged into the TV. eARC can support higher-quality advanced audio formats and built-in lip-sync features, but both the TV and soundbar must support eARC to use those benefits. Roku specifies a High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet or an Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable for eARC features; confirm cable and format requirements in both device manuals. An eARC soundbar can use a TV’s ARC port in standard ARC mode, and an ARC soundbar can use an eARC port in standard ARC mode.
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If the TV and soundbar both have optical ports, optical audio (also called TOSLINK or S/PDIF) may provide a workable connection. On Roku TVs, the port may be labeled “Digital audio out” or “Digital output.” Connect the TV’s optical output to the soundbar’s optical input, then select the optical input on the soundbar. Remove protective caps from the cable ends before inserting them; Roku warns that leaving caps on can cause a faulty connection or damage a port.
#1 Best Overall
- Exclusively for Roku TV: Roku TV Wireless Soundbar is designed to work seamlessly with any Roku TV
- Hearing is believing: Upgrade your entertainment with enhanced stereo sound, crisp, clear dialogue, and boosted volume
- Simple sound settings: Automatically lower loud commercials, boost the volume of voices, and optimize the sound for night listening, all in one place
- Clutter-free setup: Easy to set up with your Roku TV-just plug it into power to get started. The wireless connection makes it a suitable fit for any setup
- Place it anywhere: Plug in your Roku TV Wireless Soundbar, then place it below your TV or wall mount it for your desired setup
Optical does not have the same audio-format capabilities as ARC/eARC. Check the TV and soundbar documentation for formats supported over optical rather than assuming every format will pass through.
Roku Streambar and related audio products
For Roku Streambar, Streambar Pro, and Smart Soundbar setups, Roku’s instructions use the TV’s ARC port. If the TV has no ARC port, Roku describes using the included optical cable for TV audio alongside the HDMI connection used for video. ARC and CEC settings may need to be enabled on the TV; check the product and TV instructions for the relevant settings.
Rank #2
- Powerful, premium audio: With high frequencies and dynamic bass, Roku Wireless Surround Speakers are meticulously engineered to deliver full, clear sound and crisp dialogue with seamless audio/video sync to your Roku Smart Soundbar
- Immersive TV experience: Experience room-filling audio that moves with the action, conversations like you are in the room, and soundscapes that transport you to another world, it is cinematic sound for your entertainment
- Elevated music listening: Listen to your music come to life with clear highs and volume without distortion; simply tune into your favorite music channels on your Roku Smart Soundbar
- Simple audio settings: Easily boost the volume of voices with Speech Clarity, quiet loud commercials for consistent sound with Automatic Volume Leveling, and enjoy your TV without waking the house with Night Mode
- Built-in 4K streaming capability: Integrated Roku streaming media player provides access to thousands of streaming channels with stunning 4K picture quality directly through your soundbar
Connect a standalone Roku streaming player and soundbar
The usual arrangement is Roku player to TV by HDMI, then TV to soundbar by ARC/eARC or optical. This lets the soundbar receive TV audio without connecting the player directly to it. If your soundbar or receiver has an HDMI input and HDMI output, another possible arrangement is Roku player to that input, then the audio device’s output to the TV. This depends on the equipment’s ports and supported formats, so consult the device manuals before choosing the wiring.
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Rank #3
- Add cinematic sound to your Roku TV or surround sound to your Roku audio system. Requires Roku TV, Roku Streambar, Roku Streambar Pro, or Roku Smart Soundbar—sold separately. Only works with Roku TV or Roku Audio. Roku Streambar SE is not compatible.
- Powerful, premium audio: With high frequencies and dynamic bass, Roku Wireless Speakers are meticulously engineered to deliver full, clear sound and crisp dialogue with seamless audio/video sync to your Roku TV or Roku Smart Soundbar
- Be immersed in your TV: Experience room-filling audio that moves with the action, conversations like you’re in the room, and soundscapes that transport you to another world—it's cinematic sound for your entertainment
- Elevate your music: Listen to your music come to life with clear highs and volume without distortion—simply tune into your favorite music channels or stream via Bluetooth
- Fine-tune your sound: Easily boost the volume of voices with Speech Clarity, lower loud commercials for consistent sound with Volume Leveling, and enjoy your TV without waking the house using Night Mode
Know the Roku TV Wireless Soundbar limitation
Roku TV Wireless Soundbar is not connected like a conventional HDMI or optical soundbar. Roku says it pairs with a TV powered by Roku OS and does not work with other types of TVs or a standalone Roku streaming player. If you have a different TV platform, choose a conventional soundbar with inputs compatible with your TV instead.
Fix a Roku soundbar connection with no sound
Work through the basic checks before changing advanced audio settings:
- Confirm the soundbar is powered on, not muted, and at an audible volume.
- Check that its selected input matches the cable connection. For TV audio over HDMI, use the soundbar’s HDMI input rather than Bluetooth or auxiliary.
- For a Roku TV Ready soundbar, complete the Roku TV setup and verify the cable is plugged into the TV’s ARC/eARC port.
- Reseat both ends of the HDMI cable, then power-cycle the TV and soundbar.
- Check whether ARC and CEC are enabled if your devices require those settings. Roku notes that related features may be disabled by default on some TVs.
- On Roku TV Ready models, open Settings > System > Audio > S/PDIF and ARC and choose a format the soundbar supports. Roku identifies PCM stereo as a basic mode all soundbars can play. Menu wording can differ by device and software version.
If PCM stereo still produces no sound, Roku advises contacting the soundbar manufacturer. For a standalone Roku player, also check the cables and inputs, choose an available surround format supported by the audio system, and confirm that the app’s audio track offers 5.1 if you expect surround sound. Roku’s cited streaming-player instructions are from its UK support site, so the menu path may differ in other regions.
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Quick Recap
Check the relevant device instructions
- Roku: How to connect a surround sound system to your Roku TV
- Roku: How to set up your Roku TV Ready soundbar
- Roku: Why is there no sound on your Roku TV Ready soundbar?
- Roku: Optical audio and digital output guidance
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
