Did you know nearly half of TV owners try wireless audio before wired links? That choice can be quick, but it has trade-offs. You’ll get steps to pair your gear and clear signs to watch on both devices.
This short guide shows how to enter pairing mode, read prompts like BT READY and BT PAIRING, and finish the on-screen selection on Samsung TVs. You’ll learn when a wired option (HDMI ARC/eARC or Optical) makes sense to avoid lip-sync errors and signal limits.
You’ll also see common limits: distance, one-TV pairing at a time, and interference from Wi‑Fi, microwaves, or medical gear. If you need the official steps, follow Samsung’s detailed Soundbar Bluetooth Setup for model-specific guidance.
Before You Begin: Requirements, Placement, and Compatibility
A quick pre-check of compatibility, distance, and interference saves time and frustration.
What you need: make sure you have a Bluetooth-capable TV or source device, your powered-on soundbar, and the TV remote to navigate menus. You may need to enable the audio or wireless function on some TVs before the device appears.
Placement and interference: position the speaker within a practical range—about 10 meters (33 feet) for most home implementations—and avoid walls or office partitions that block signals.
Keep strong emitters, like microwaves or wireless LAN routers, away from the unit to reduce dropouts. If touching the chassis causes hum, reposition the speaker and avoid contact during pairing.
- Verify exact models for compatibility; older Samsung TVs may use TV SoundConnect (SoundShare), which differs from newer flows.
- When scanning, the device may appear by product name, brand, or model ID—confirm the correct entry in the device list.
- Remember only one TV can pair to the unit at a time; switching sources may require re-pairing.
Soundbar Bluetooth Setup
Follow this quick guide to place your speaker into pairing mode and connect it to a TV or other device.
Power on your TV and the speaker, then make sure the TV’s wireless audio is enabled so it can scan for nearby devices.
Enter pairing mode: if your remote has a Bluetooth PAIR button, press it once. The front panel should show BT PAIRING.
If you lack the remote, press the Source button on the unit’s top or right panel until BT READY appears. Then press and hold the source button for more than five seconds to switch to BT PAIRING.
Find and select the speaker on your device
- Open the TV or device Bluetooth menu and start a scan for nearby bluetooth devices.
- Look for the exact name or model identifier and select it to connect soundbar; follow any on-screen prompts.
- On Samsung TVs go to Home → Settings → Sound → Sound Output → Bluetooth Speaker List and choose the unit; messages may read Need Pairing or Paired.
- When linked, the display should confirm with [TV Name] → BT, indicating a stable connection.
Put Your Soundbar in Pairing Mode the Right Way
You can trigger pairing from the remote or directly at the unit; both methods work reliably. Follow the short steps below so the device becomes discoverable and the TV can finish the connection.
Using the Bluetooth PAIR button on the remote
If you have a compatible remote (2018–2020 models), simply tap the Bluetooth PAIR button. The display should show BT PAIRING, which means the unit is broadcasting and ready.
Using the Source button on the top/right panel
When the remote is unavailable, press the source button on the unit to cycle to BT. Wait until BT READY appears.
Then press and hold the same source button for more than five seconds. The display will change to BT PAIRING.
- Keep the unit near your TV during pairing to speed discovery and reduce interference.
- Watch the panel readout for status: BT → BT READY → BT PAIRING.
- If BT READY won’t change, try a longer press-hold or power cycle, then repeat.
| Method | Control | Expected Display |
|---|---|---|
| Remote | Bluetooth PAIR button | BT PAIRING |
| Panel | Source button (press, then press and hold 5+ sec) | BT → BT READY → BT PAIRING |
| Troubleshoot | Press-hold longer / power cycle | Retry sequence until BT PAIRING appears |
Connect to a Smart TV: Navigate Home, Settings, Sound, and Sound Output
From the Home screen, go into Settings and open the Sound area to change where audio plays. This guide shows the exact path so you can select sound to an external device with confidence.
Follow: Home → Settings → Sound → Sound Output. Then choose Select Bluetooth Speaker List to scan the device list and find the model name that matches your unit.
Select Bluetooth Speaker List and choose your soundbar name
Highlight the entry that shows your device name and use the remote to menu select it. If similar names appear, pick the one closest to you or match the model identifier to avoid a neighbor’s unit.
What you’ll see on-screen: Need Pairing or Paired messages
The on-screen list will show status labels such as Need Pairing or Paired. Confirm the correct line to finalize the connection.
Confirm the connection on the soundbar display ([TV Name] → BT)
When the TV confirms, check the unit’s display for the connected soundbar indicator: [TV Name] → BT. If the TV still plays internal speakers, return to Sound Output and select sound again.
“Select slowly and double-check the name on the screen to ensure the right device is chosen.”
Samsung-specific steps by model year (2014–2020)
Follow these model-year steps so you can pair your devices using the correct menu path on Samsung TVs. The exact menu select path depends on the TV and the speaker model; use the sequence that matches your year for fastest results.
2020–2018 models
Place the unit into BT PAIRING using the button remote or the source button on the panel. Then go to Home → Settings → Sound → Sound Output → Bluetooth Speaker List and menu select the correct name to complete pairing.
2017
Switch the unit source to BT. If the display shows BT READY, press hold the source button for 5+ seconds until BT PAIRING appears. Open the TV’s Bluetooth Speaker List and choose the device from the menu.
2016
Use the source button to reach BT READY or BT PAIRING. On the TV go to Home → Settings → Sound → Expert Settings → Wireless Speaker Manager → Bluetooth Audio Devices, then select your speaker from the on-screen list.
2015–2014
These models use TV SoundConnect (SoundShare). On the TV enable Add New Device in Speaker Settings under the Sound tab, set the unit to TV mode, and accept the pairing prompt when it appears.
- Tip: If menu names differ by firmware, look for similar entries like Wireless Speaker Manager or Bluetooth Audio Devices.
- Check both TV and speaker models; mixing year flows may be necessary when hardware versions differ.
Connect to Other Devices: Laptops, Tablets, and Phones
Pairing non-TV devices follows similar steps: enable wireless, search, and choose the correct entry from the device list.
On Windows 10, click the Start icon, open Settings, then go to Devices. Turn the wireless radio on and select Bluetooth & other devices.
Windows 10 example: quick path
Click Add Bluetooth or other device, choose Bluetooth, and wait while the PC runs a short search.
- When a list appears, find the soundbar by brand or model ID in the device list and choose it.
- If prompted, confirm pairing to complete the handshake.
- Open System → Sound and set the soundbar as the default output so all app audio follows the external speaker.
Phones and tablets
Open your device settings, enable wireless, start a scan, and pick the speaker from the list. If multiple devices appear, match the model ID to avoid the wrong connection.
| Device Type | Where to Open | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 PC | Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices | Add device → select from device list → System → Sound → choose output |
| Phone / Tablet | Settings → Bluetooth | Scan → select from list → set as default output (if required) |
| Desktop (no radio) | N/A | Use a USB Bluetooth adapter, then follow PC steps above |
“If another gadget reconnects automatically, power it down so you can finish pairing the correct device.”
Optimize Audio Output and Sound Quality
Small changes to your menus and placement give the biggest gains.
C. Small changes in your audio settings can sharply improve clarity and reduce lag after pairing.
Set the default output
After pairing, open your TV or device settings and select the external unit as the default output. This ensures video apps, live TV, and games all route to the right speaker.
Adjust modes and dialog clarity
Explore available sound modes such as Movie, Music, or Dialog. Enable dialog enhancement when voices feel distant.
Try night or adaptive options to smooth loud effects and keep dialogue clear across content types.
Keep firmware current
Check for updates on both your TV and the external device. Updated software often fixes dropouts, sync drift, and compatibility issues.
- Revisit audio settings after power cycles—some TVs revert to internal speakers.
- Center the unit and keep a clear line-of-sight to reduce wireless interference.
- For multichannel movies or low-latency needs, consider hdmi ARC/eARC or Optical cables for better consistency.
| Action | What it fixes | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Set default output | Routed audio to external unit | Always after pairing |
| Change sound mode / dialog | Improves clarity and balance | Watch movies or talk shows |
| Update firmware | Fixes dropouts and sync | If audio drops or lags |
| Use HDMI ARC/eARC or Optical | Lower latency, higher bandwidth | Multichannel or pro-quality listening |
For more quick tricks to boost perceived sound, see this practical guide to boost audio quality.
Bluetooth Limits and When to Choose Cables Instead
Wireless links are convenient, but they introduce limits you should know before relying on them for critical playback.
Potential timing and range issues: Expect some bluetooth audio delay with certain apps and broadcasts. Many TVs offer an audio delay control, but latency varies by model and environment.
Range can drop sharply through walls or near strong wireless gear. Keep the unit in the same room and maintain a clear line-of-sight for the most reliable connection.
Pairing limits: Samsung notes that one TV can pair to a single speaker at a time. If you switch devices often, you will need to re-pair the unit each time.
- Choose hdmi ARC/eARC when both devices support it for the simplest single-cable solution with system audio return and remote control integration.
- Use an optical cable when you want a steady digital output without wireless dropouts; it works well where ARC/eARC is not available.
- For the cleanest lip-sync and lowest processing overhead, favor a wired connection over wireless.
| Option | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI (ARC/eARC) | Single-cable integration | Low latency, CEC control, multichannel support | Requires compatible TV and speaker |
| Optical cable | Reliable digital output | No wireless interference, steady output | Limited to stereo/5.1 (no eARC features) |
| Wireless (Bluetooth) | Quick, cable-free use | Easy pairing, no visible cables | Latency, range limits, one-TV pairing at a time |
“For consistent lip-sync and control, wired connections usually outperform wireless options.”
Troubleshooting Pairing and Connection Issues
A few common causes explain why your speaker may not show up in the device list. Start with quick checks before trying deeper fixes.
If the unit doesn’t appear during search: confirm the panel reads BT PAIRING, not BT READY. Re-enter pairing mode and stand close during the first discovery.
If the soundbar doesn’t appear in the device list
Rescan the TV’s list after you force the speaker into pairing mode. Clear old entries from the menu so the list repopulates with current devices.
Resolving BT READY vs BT PAIRING confusion
When the screen shows BT READY, press hold the source button for more than five seconds until BT PAIRING appears on the panel.
Radio interference and multiple nearby devices
Turn off other bluetooth devices that may auto-reconnect. Move the speaker away from microwaves, routers, and cordless phones to reduce interference.
Resetting and retrying
Power cycle both devices: turn off, unplug for 30 seconds, then restart and re-enter pairing mode. If discovery still fails, update firmware on both units.
| Problem | Quick Fix | When to escalate |
|---|---|---|
| Not found in list | Re-enter pairing mode; rescan within 3–6 ft | Try power cycle and firmware update |
| Shows BT READY only | Press hold source button 5+ seconds to get BT PAIRING | Reset unit and try again |
| Interference / auto-reconnect | Disable other devices and move away from routers | Temporarily remove saved pairings on the other devices |
Advanced Bluetooth Features You Can Use
Some models let your unit switch roles, relaying sound from the TV to other wireless devices in the room.
To transmit, open the unit’s settings, choose Bluetooth Settings, change the mode to Transmitter, then pick a target from the device list.
Transmit to headphones or secondary speakers
Place the headphones in pairing mode first. Then use the unit’s menu or the button on the remote to select the correct entry from the device list. An icon or label will confirm the Transmitter role.
- Assign clear names to devices so you can spot them quickly in the list.
- Some models let you prioritize audio devices so your preferred headset auto-connects.
- Remember to switch back to Receiver mode when you want room audio returned to the speakers.
“If low latency matters, route TV audio via hdmi ARC/eARC to the unit, then transmit to headphones that support low‑latency codecs.”
| Action | Purpose | Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Switch to Transmit mode | Send TV audio to wireless headphones | Mode label + transmit icon |
| Select target from device list | Choose the correct headphones or speaker | Device name shown in list |
| Prioritize devices | Auto-connect preferred headphones | Priority flag or menu order |
For step-by-step pairing tips, see this guide on how to connect your soundbar to TV via wireless pairing.
Conclusion
Wrap up your pairing process with a quick check of the device list and on-screen indicators. Confirm the unit shows [TV Name] → BT and that the icon or status line reads Paired.
You can connect soundbar fast by entering BT PAIRING (via the remote PAIR button or press‑hold Source after BT READY), opening your TV’s wireless menu, and selecting the correct entry from the list.
Keep firmware current, minimize interference, and use the TV audio settings to set the external unit as default. For the best sync and multichannel performance, prefer HDMI ARC/eARC or Optical when available.
If problems persist, revisit pairing mode, rescan the devices, and power cycle both units. With these checks you’ll get a stable audio connection for movies, sports, and games.