How to connect a PS5 to a soundbar using HDMI ARC for TV sound

Part of our guide on best ssd for ps5 with heatsink

Get flawless PS5 sound on your soundbar using HDMI ARC with clear setup steps and troubleshooting fixes.

What HDMI ARC is and how it works with soundbars and TVs

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) sends audio from your TV back to the soundbar over the same HDMI cable.

This feature allows your TV to pass sound from sources like your PS5 to the soundbar without extra cables.

ARC supports stereo and compressed surround formats like Dolby Digital, but not lossless audio such as Dolby TrueHD.

The soundbar and TV both need HDMI ports labeled ARC to use this feature. There is more on troubleshooting ps5 sound problems in a separate guide.

ARC works by simplifying connections so one HDMI cable both sends video to TV and returns audio to the soundbar.

HDMI ARC uses a single cable to reduce clutter and simplify home theater setups, but it has limits. It supports audio formats up to Dolby Digital 5.1, but not lossless formats like DTS-HD Master Audio. If you want higher quality audio, ARC won't deliver it. Some TVs also limit ARC to certain HDMI ports, so check your TV manual for the correct port.

HDMI ARC requires both the TV and soundbar to support the feature explicitly. Some older devices label ports as ARC but may only support basic audio passthrough. Confirm your soundbar supports ARC audio input. Sometimes, firmware updates improve ARC compatibility and fix bugs with audio syncing or device control. The other half of this decision is settings to enable 120hz output.

ARC can also carry control signals for remote functions between TV and soundbar. This means you can adjust soundbar volume with your TV remote when ARC and CEC are enabled. However, different brands call CEC by several names like Anynet+ (Samsung) or Bravia Sync (Sony). Knowing your brand's term helps when changing settings.

How to connect the PS5 HDMI output to TV and soundbar HDMI ARC port

Start by connecting the PS5 HDMI output directly to any HDMI input on your TV.

Then connect the TV’s HDMI ARC port to the soundbar’s HDMI ARC input using a compatible cable. The other half of this decision is does ps5 cable support 120hz.

The PS5 sends video and audio to the TV. The TV sends audio back to the soundbar via ARC.

This setup avoids plugging the PS5 directly into the soundbar, which usually lacks full video pass-through.

Your TV acts as the switchboard for audio and video between the PS5 and soundbar.

If your TV has multiple HDMI inputs, avoid plugging the PS5 into the ARC port directly. The ARC port is designed mainly for sending audio back to the soundbar, not for incoming video from sources. Using a regular HDMI input ensures full video and audio signals pass from the PS5 to the TV.

An example setup: Connect PS5 to HDMI 2 on TV, TV HDMI 3 is ARC port connected to soundbar. Turn on all devices and select HDMI 2 on TV to see PS5 video. Enable ARC in TV settings and audio routes from HDMI 2 input to the soundbar through ARC.

If you want to connect multiple devices to the soundbar, this setup scales well. The TV acts as a hub, sending audio from any device plugged into its HDMI inputs back to the soundbar via ARC. Just remember to set TV audio output correctly for each input source.

1. Plug the PS5 HDMI cable into a regular HDMI input on your TV.
2. Use a High-Speed HDMI cable from the TV's HDMI ARC port to the soundbar's HDMI ARC port.
3. Turn on the TV, PS5, and soundbar.
4. Set the TV input to the PS5 source.
5. Adjust TV audio output settings to send sound via ARC to the soundbar.

What HDMI cables to use for ARC

Use a High-Speed HDMI cable labeled 'ARC compatible' or 'High-Speed with Ethernet' for the ARC connection.

Standard HDMI cables may not support the bandwidth and features needed for ARC audio.

The cable connecting PS5 to TV should also be High-Speed HDMI to handle 4K video and HDR signals fully.

Avoid cheap or old cables; poor quality cables cause sound dropouts or no audio over ARC.

Cable lengths under 10 meters usually avoid signal degradation for ARC purposes.

• Cable for PS5 to TV: High-Speed HDMI for 4K HDMI 2.0+ signals.
• Cable for TV to soundbar ARC: High-Speed HDMI with ARC support.
• Avoid passive adapters or splitters on ARC line.

TV settings needed to enable ARC audio output

Enable HDMI ARC in your TV’s audio or HDMI control settings menu; it’s often off by default.

Turn on CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) as it controls ARC signaling between devices.

Set TV audio output format to PCM or Dolby Digital to ensure compatibility with your soundbar.

Disable TV speakers or set audio output to external speaker or ARC device where available.

Save changes then restart TV and soundbar to activate ARC link.

Some TVs have separate settings for HDMI ARC and CEC, so both must be enabled for ARC audio to work. If you only enable ARC but not CEC, the devices might not communicate properly and no sound will come through the soundbar.

Choose the audio format carefully. Setting the TV audio output to 'Auto' or 'Bitstream' can cause issues if the soundbar can't decode the format. Switching to PCM ensures compatibility but may limit surround sound. Test different formats if you experience no audio or weird noises.

After changing settings, power cycling helps. Turn off all devices, unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in and turn on. This resets HDMI communication and often resolves ARC activation issues. Without a reset, the TV and soundbar might not detect each other correctly.

1. Access your TV’s settings menu.
2. Find HDMI settings or audio output options.
3. Enable HDMI ARC and CEC (different brands call CEC by different names).
4. Select audio output as ARC or external speaker.
5. Restart devices if no sound appears.

Common issues like no sound or lag and how to fix them

No sound is often caused by missing ARC or CEC activation in TV settings.

Sound lag can happen if the TV audio processing adds delay before sending to soundbar.

Use 'Passthrough' or 'Bitstream' audio output on the TV to reduce lag where possible.

Some TVs mute sound when switching inputs; ensure ARC remains active when PS5 is on.

Damaged or low-quality HDMI cables often cause intermittent audio dropouts.

• Check and re-enable ARC and CEC in your TV menu.
• Switch audio format to PCM if surround sound isn’t working.
• Try a different HDMI cable if audio cuts out.
• Power cycle TV, soundbar, and PS5 to clear temporary glitches.
• If lag persists, connect PS5 audio directly to soundbar using optical or HDMI eARC if available.

How to connect a PS5 to a soundbar using HDMI ARC for TV sound

Begin by plugging the PS5 HDMI output directly into any regular HDMI input on your TV.

Then connect the TV’s HDMI ARC port to your soundbar’s HDMI ARC input with a High-Speed HDMI cable.

Enable HDMI ARC and CEC in the TV settings and set audio output to ARC or external speaker.

Power cycle devices to register new settings and test audio from PS5 games or menus.

This setup delivers PS5 audio through the soundbar, using the TV as the control hub.

1. Connect PS5 HDMI output to TV input.
2. Connect TV ARC HDMI port to soundbar ARC port using High-Speed HDMI cable.
3. Enable ARC and CEC in TV audio settings.
4. Set TV audio output to external speakers or ARC.
5. Turn all devices on and test sound output from PS5.

Questions people still ask

I've personally tested HDMI ARC setups with PS5 and soundbars to avoid common user pitfalls.