TCL TVs and soundbars can generally connect to compatible products from other manufacturers using HDMI ARC/eARC, optical, AUX, or Bluetooth. However, available features may vary depending on the models, connection type, audio format, and software version.

This article covers:

• A TCL TV connected to another manufacturer’s soundbar
• A TCL soundbar connected to another manufacturer’s TV

Common Issues

You may experience:

• No sound from the soundbar
• Sound that cuts in and out
• Audio that is delayed or does not match the picture
• The TV remote not controlling soundbar volume
• The soundbar not turning on or off with the TV
• Sound from some apps or devices but not others
• Surround sound or Dolby Atmos not working
• The TV or soundbar not detecting the HDMI ARC/eARC connection

Choose the section below that matches your setup.

TCL TV Connected to Another Manufacturer’s Soundbar

Step 1: Confirm the Connection Type

Check how the soundbar is connected to the TCL TV.

HDMI ARC or eARC

• Connect the TV’s HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC to the soundbar’s ARC/eARC port. On some soundbars, this port may be labeled HDMI OUT (ARC/eARC).

Optical

• Connect the TV’s Optical or Digital Audio Out port to the soundbar’s Optical In port.

Bluetooth

• Pair the soundbar through the TCL TV’s Bluetooth or accessory settings.

Why this is important: The TV and soundbar must support the same connection type. A standard HDMI port without ARC or eARC may not send TV audio to the soundbar.

Step 2: Check the Cable and Ports

• Make sure the cable is fully inserted at both ends.
• Confirm that the HDMI cable is connected to the ARC/eARC port on both devices.
• Remove any protective caps from an optical cable.
• Avoid sharply bending or pinching an optical cable.
• Try another compatible cable, if available.

Why this is important: Loose connections, incorrect ports, or damaged cables can cause no sound, audio interruptions, or device-detection problems.

Step 3: Select the Correct Soundbar Input

Use the soundbar’s remote or control buttons to select the input matching the connection:

• HDMI ARC or eARC
• Optical or Digital
• Bluetooth
• AUX

Why this is important: The soundbar cannot play TV audio when it is set to a different input.

Step 4: Select the TCL TV’s Audio Output

Open the TCL TV’s Audio or Sound settings and select the output that matches the connection:

• ARC or eARC
• Optical or Digital Audio Out
• Bluetooth
• External Speakers or Audio System

Menu names and locations vary by TCL TV model and operating system.

Why this is important: The TV may continue sending sound to its internal speakers unless the external audio output is selected.

Step 5: Enable ARC/eARC and HDMI-CEC

If using HDMI ARC or eARC:

• Turn on ARC or eARC in the TV’s audio settings.
• Turn on HDMI-CEC or T-Link.
• If available, enable System Audio Control.
• Restart both devices after changing these settings.

Why this is important: ARC/eARC carries sound through HDMI, while HDMI-CEC allows compatible devices to share volume, power, and input commands.

Step 6: Change the Digital Audio Format

In the TCL TV’s audio settings, temporarily set Digital Audio Output or Audio Format to PCM.

• Test the soundbar using PCM.
• If sound works, you can try Auto, Pass Through, or another supported format for surround sound.
• Return to PCM if the sound stops or becomes distorted.

Why this is important: PCM is widely supported and helps determine whether the original audio format was incompatible with the soundbar.

Step 7: Check Volume and Mute Settings

• Increase the soundbar’s volume using its remote.
• Make sure neither the TV nor the soundbar is muted.
• If using optical, use the soundbar remote to adjust the volume.

Why this is important: Some connections do not allow the TV to control the soundbar’s volume automatically.

Step 8: Test Different Content

Try audio from:

• A different streaming app
• A different TV channel
• A device connected by HDMI
• A built-in TCL TV app

Why this is important: If the problem only occurs with one app, channel, or device, the issue may be with that source or its audio format rather than the TV or soundbar.

Step 9: Restart the TV and Soundbar

• Turn off the TCL TV and soundbar.
• Unplug both devices for at least 30 seconds.
• Reconnect the HDMI or optical cable.
• Plug in and turn on the soundbar.
• Plug in and turn on the TV.
• Reselect the correct soundbar input.

Why this is important: Restarting both devices can reestablish the HDMI connection and clear temporary audio-handshake problems.

Step 10: Check for Software Updates

• Check the TCL TV for available system updates.
• Check the soundbar manufacturer’s instructions for available updates.
• Restart both devices after installing updates.

Why this is important: Software updates may improve compatibility and correct audio, HDMI-CEC, or ARC/eARC problems.

Step 11: Try Another Connection Type

If HDMI ARC/eARC still does not work, test the soundbar using optical, if supported.

Why this is important: An alternate connection helps determine whether the problem is specific to HDMI ARC/eARC, the cable, or compatibility between the devices.

TCL Soundbar Connected to Another Manufacturer’s TV

Step 1: Confirm the TV’s Available Audio Connections

Check the TV for one of the following outputs:

• HDMI ARC or eARC
• Optical or Digital Audio Out
• Bluetooth audio
• Headphone or Audio Out

Use HDMI ARC/eARC when available.

Why this is important: HDMI ARC/eARC generally provides the best support for audio formats, TV remote control, and synchronized power.

Step 2: Connect the TCL Soundbar Correctly

For HDMI ARC/eARC:

• Connect the TV’s ARC/eARC port to the TCL soundbar’s HDMI OUT (ARC/eARC) port.

For optical:

• Connect the TV’s Optical Out port to the TCL soundbar’s Optical In port.

Why this is important: The TCL soundbar’s standard HDMI input is intended for source devices. The ARC/eARC connection must use the specifically labeled ARC/eARC port.

Step 3: Select the Correct TCL Soundbar Input

Use the TCL soundbar remote or its control buttons to select:

• HDMI ARC/eARC
• Optical
• Bluetooth
• AUX

Why this is important: Selecting the correct source tells the soundbar where to receive the TV’s audio.

Step 4: Change the TV’s Audio Output

Open the TV’s Audio or Sound settings and select the output matching the connection:

• HDMI ARC/eARC
• Receiver or Audio System
• Optical or Digital Audio Out
• External Speakers
• Bluetooth

Why this is important: The TV may not automatically switch from its internal speakers to the TCL soundbar.

Step 5: Enable HDMI-CEC and ARC/eARC

If using HDMI:

• Enable HDMI ARC or eARC.
• Enable HDMI-CEC or HDMI Control.
• Enable System Audio Control, if available.
• Restart the TV and TCL soundbar.

Why this is important: These settings allow the TV to send audio to the soundbar and may allow the TV remote to control soundbar volume and power.

Setting names and locations vary. Refer to the TV’s user manual for model-specific instructions.

Step 6: Set the TV’s Audio Format to PCM

Temporarily change Digital Audio Output or Audio Format to PCM.

• Test sound from the TV and TCL soundbar.
• If PCM works, try Auto or Pass Through if you want to test compatible surround-sound formats.
• Return to PCM if audio stops, cuts out, or becomes distorted.

Why this is important: The TV may be sending an audio format that the soundbar or selected connection cannot decode.

Step 7: Restart Both Devices

• Turn off the TV and TCL soundbar.
• Unplug both devices for at least 30 seconds.
• Reconnect the audio cable.
• Plug in and turn on the TCL soundbar first.
• Plug in and turn on the TV.
• Select the correct soundbar input.

Why this is important: This refreshes the connection and can correct temporary ARC/eARC or HDMI-CEC communication problems.

Step 8: Test the TCL Soundbar Separately

If supported, connect a phone or tablet to the TCL soundbar using Bluetooth and play audio.

• If Bluetooth audio works, the soundbar can produce sound, and the issue may be with the TV’s settings, cable, or audio output.
• If the soundbar produces no sound from any input, troubleshoot the soundbar’s power, volume, and input settings.

Why this is important: Testing the soundbar with another device helps identify which part of the setup is causing the problem.

Step 9: Test Another Cable or Connection

• Try another compatible HDMI or optical cable.
• If HDMI ARC/eARC does not work, test the optical connection.
• If optical does not work, confirm the TV is producing an optical signal and test another cable.

Why this is important: This rules out a damaged cable, faulty connection, or ARC/eARC compatibility issue.

Step 10: Check for Software Updates

• Check the TV for available system updates.
• Check whether an update is available for the TCL soundbar.
• Restart both devices after updating.

Why this is important: Updates can improve audio-format support and communication between products from different manufacturers.

Troubleshooting Specific Symptoms

The TV Remote Does Not Control the Soundbar

• Use HDMI ARC/eARC instead of optical or Bluetooth.
• Enable HDMI-CEC and System Audio Control.
• Reconnect the HDMI cable and restart both devices.
• Use the soundbar remote if shared control is not supported.

Why this happens: TV remote control usually depends on HDMI-CEC. Optical and Bluetooth connections may not support shared volume or power control.

Sound Is Delayed or Does Not Match the Picture

• Look for Audio Delay, Lip Sync, or AV Sync in the TV or soundbar settings.
• Set the digital audio format to PCM for testing.
• Connect source devices directly to the TV.
• Disable unnecessary audio-processing effects temporarily.
• Avoid Bluetooth for TV viewing when possible.

Why this happens: Audio processing and wireless transmission can add delay before sound reaches the soundbar.

Sound Cuts In and Out

• Reseat or replace the HDMI or optical cable.
• Set the audio format to PCM.
• Restart the TV and soundbar.
• Disconnect other HDMI-CEC devices temporarily.
• Test another app, channel, or source.

Why this happens: An unstable cable, unsupported audio format, or HDMI-CEC conflict can interrupt the audio signal.

Surround Sound or Dolby Atmos Is Not Working

• Confirm that the TV, soundbar, source, connection, and content all support the desired format.
• Use HDMI eARC when required.
• Change the TV’s audio format from PCM to Auto or Pass Through.
• Test content specifically identified as supporting the desired audio format.

Why this happens: Advanced audio requires support throughout the entire connection. If one device or connection does not support the format, the system may use a simpler format instead.

Sound Plays from Both the TV and Soundbar

• Change the TV’s audio output to External Speakers, ARC/eARC, or Optical.
• Turn off the TV speakers if that option is available.

Why this happens: Hearing both speaker systems at slightly different times can create an echo effect.

If the Issue Continues

If the problem remains after completing the applicable steps:

• Test the TV using its internal speakers.
• Test the soundbar with another compatible audio source.
• Try another cable or connection type.
• Review both products’ specifications for supported audio formats and HDMI features.
• Contact the manufacturer of the product that does not work during separate testing.

Conclusion

TCL TVs and soundbars can work with compatible products from other manufacturers, but some features may vary. HDMI ARC/eARC with HDMI-CEC is generally the preferred connection because it offers the best opportunity for shared volume control, synchronized power, and advanced audio support. Optical provides a reliable alternative when HDMI compatibility issues continue.