Trying to get audio working through the optical connection on your TCL soundbar but not hearing anything? Don’t worry—we’ll walk you through the most common causes and fixes so you can enjoy your soundbar in no time.

🔌 Step 1: Check the Optical Cable Connection

Let’s start with the basics:

Make sure the optical cable is securely connected to the OPTICAL IN port on the soundbar and the OPTICAL OUT (or DIGITAL OUT) port on your TV or audio source.

Remove and reinsert each end to ensure a snug fit.

👉 Note: Optical cables use light to transmit sound, so avoid bending the cable sharply or pinching it—this can damage the internal fiber.

💡 Step 2: Look for the Red Light

When properly connected and the source is powered on:

You should see a faint red light emitting from the end of the optical cable (only on the side connected to the source).

If there’s no light, your source may not be outputting audio via optical or the cable may be faulty.

🎛️ Step 3: Select the Optical Input on the Soundbar

Make sure your TCL soundbar is set to the correct input:

Use the remote control or the INPUT button on the soundbar to switch to OPTICAL or DIGITAL IN.

Some models may indicate the input change with a light pattern, LED label, or tone.

📺 Step 4: Change the Audio Output Settings on Your TV or Source Device

Most TVs don’t automatically switch to optical output—you’ll likely need to change it manually:

Go to your TV’s Audio Settings.

Set Audio Output to Optical or Digital Out.

Set Audio Format to PCM (important!).
❗ Many soundbars, including TCL’s, do not support Dolby Digital or DTS over optical. Setting it to PCM ensures compatibility.

🔊 Step 5: Turn Up the Volume

Make sure the soundbar’s volume is turned up.

Some TVs don’t control optical output volume, so also check your soundbar’s remote or manual buttons.

🔁 Step 6: Power Cycle Everything

Sometimes a quick restart can clear up audio handshake issues:

Turn off the TV and the soundbar.

Unplug both devices for about 30 seconds.

Plug them back in, power them on, and reconnect the optical cable.

🧪 Step 7: Test with Another Cable or Device

If you're still not getting sound:

Try a different optical cable.

Connect a different device (like a game console or Blu-ray player) to the soundbar via optical to see if the issue is with the cable or the original device.

✅ Bonus Tips

Make sure you remove the protective caps on both ends of a new optical cable—this is an easy one to miss!

If your TCL soundbar has multiple inputs (HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, etc.), it might automatically switch sources. Manually reselect Optical if needed.