How to Connect Onn Soundbar to Roku TV

The fastest way to connect an onn soundbar to Roku TV is to run an HDMI ARC cable from the soundbar's HDMI OUT (ARC) port into the port labeled "ARC" on your Roku TV — the TV detects it automatically in most cases and audio switches over within seconds. If your onn soundbar doesn't have HDMI, an optical cable is the next best option and works just as reliably.

Roku TVs — including popular models from TCL, Hisense, and Philips — all run the same software platform, which means the setup steps are nearly identical regardless of which brand you own. This guide covers every connection method, the exact Roku audio settings to adjust, and what to do when something doesn't work. For a broader look at soundbar options and model comparisons, visit our soundbar buying guide.

How to Connect Onn Soundbar to Roku TV: Step by Step

Before touching any cables, take 60 seconds to identify which ports your onn soundbar and Roku TV actually have. This prevents buying the wrong cable or wiring into the wrong input.

Check Which Ports You Have

Look at the back panel of both devices. Common audio output ports on Roku TVs and input ports on onn soundbars include:

• HDMI ARC — labeled "ARC" directly on the HDMI port of the TV
• Optical (TOSLINK) — small square port, usually covered by a plastic cap
• 3.5mm aux — standard headphone-style jack
• RCA — red and white composite audio jacks (less common on newer models)
• Bluetooth — wireless pairing, no cable required

If HDMI isn't an option on either device, our detailed guide on how to connect a soundbar to a TV without HDMI covers every cable-free and non-HDMI alternative.

HDMI ARC Connection (Recommended)

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is the preferred method because it carries audio and control signals over a single cable and supports higher-quality formats like Dolby Digital. Follow these steps exactly:

1. Power off both the TV and the soundbar before connecting anything.
2. Connect one end of a standard HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT (ARC) port on the onn soundbar.
3. Plug the other end into the port labeled HDMI ARC on your Roku TV — this is often HDMI 1 or HDMI 2, but the label will say "ARC."
4. Power on the soundbar first, then the Roku TV.
5. On the Roku TV, press Home → Settings → Audio. Set Audio mode to Dolby Digital or Stereo depending on your soundbar's capabilities.
6. In the same Audio menu, confirm HDMI ARC is set to Enabled.
7. Enable CEC remote control: Settings → System → Control other devices (CEC) → On. This lets the Roku remote adjust soundbar volume.

Pro tip: The HDMI ARC port must be used on both ends — plugging into a standard (non-ARC) HDMI input on the TV will produce no sound from the soundbar regardless of settings.

Optical Cable Connection

Optical is nearly universal and works on every onn soundbar model. It supports Dolby Digital 5.1 and is immune to electrical interference:

1. Remove the plastic dust caps from both the TV's and soundbar's optical ports.
2. Insert the TOSLINK cable — the flat edge of the connector faces up, and you'll feel a slight click when fully seated.
3. On Roku TV: Settings → Audio → S/PDIF and ARC — select Dolby D for surround sound or PCM Stereo if Dolby causes issues.
4. Switch the soundbar's input to OPT or OPTICAL using the input button on the remote or the soundbar itself.
5. Play any audio source — sound should come through the soundbar immediately.

3.5mm Aux or RCA Connection

This is the universal fallback when neither HDMI nor optical is available. Audio quality is stereo only, but it's completely reliable:

• Run a 3.5mm stereo cable from the TV's headphone output jack to the soundbar's aux input.
• For RCA: use a 3.5mm-to-RCA adapter (red = right channel, white = left channel).
• On Roku TV, go to Settings → Audio and set Headphone mode to Always so audio continuously outputs through the jack even when the TV speakers are on.
• To avoid audio doubling, lower the TV's internal speaker volume to zero from the soundbar's side rather than the TV menu.

Simple vs. Advanced Setup Options

The Beginner Route

If you just want audio coming through the soundbar without any configuration:

• Plug in an optical cable — it's the most plug-and-play option for beginners.
• Switch the soundbar's input button to match (OPT or OPTICAL).
• Control volume directly on the soundbar with its included remote.
• No Roku menu changes required — optical output is always active.

The Roku TV remembers the optical output state across reboots, so you won't need to reconfigure it after power cycles or firmware updates.

Advanced: CEC and Audio Settings

For a more integrated experience with one-remote control and the highest possible audio quality:

• Enable CEC so the Roku remote automatically controls soundbar volume: Settings → System → Control other devices (CEC) → On.
• Set output to Dolby Digital if the onn soundbar supports it — this unlocks multi-channel decoding on Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming apps.
• Disable the TV's internal speakers to prevent hollow echo or doubled audio: Settings → Audio → TV speakers → Off.
• Try sound modes on the soundbar (Movie, Music, Night Mode) to match different content types.
• Adjust dialogue enhancement if voices sound thin — most onn soundbars have a dedicated voice boost or center channel setting.

For full details on making a TV remote work seamlessly with any soundbar, see our guide on how to control a soundbar with a TV remote.

Connection Methods Compared

Use this table before buying cables to confirm which method matches your hardware:

Pros and Cons of Each Connection Method

HDMI ARC

• Pros: Best audio quality, single cable for audio and control, full CEC integration, supports Dolby Digital and Atmos on eARC models.
• Cons: Requires ARC port on both devices; CEC behavior can be inconsistent across brands; an incompatible HDMI cable can cause dropouts.

Optical

• Pros: Broad compatibility, carries Dolby Digital 5.1, no electrical interference, available on virtually every soundbar and TV.
• Cons: No remote-control passthrough (CEC doesn't work over optical), cannot carry Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, fragile plastic connectors.

3.5mm Aux and RCA

• Pros: Universal port availability, zero configuration needed, inexpensive cables everywhere.
• Cons: Stereo only — no surround sound, susceptible to electrical hum from the TV's power supply, no remote integration.

Bluetooth

• Pros: Clean, cable-free setup; easy to pair; good for casual listening.
• Cons: Not all Roku TVs output audio over Bluetooth; 100–300ms latency causes visible lip-sync issues; audio is compressed, reducing quality compared to wired options.

Fast Fixes When Your Soundbar Isn't Working

Most onn soundbar connection problems fall into a short list of causes. Work through this checklist before concluding there's a hardware failure:

No Sound at All

• Check that the soundbar's input mode matches the cable type — if you used optical but the soundbar is set to HDMI, you'll get silence.
• Confirm the HDMI cable is in the port labeled "ARC" on the TV, not a standard HDMI port.
• On Roku TV: Settings → Audio → Audio mode — make sure it's not set to Off.
• Full power-cycle: unplug both devices from the wall, wait 30 seconds, plug back in and restart.

Sound Comes from TV Speakers Instead of Soundbar

• Disable TV speakers: Settings → Audio → TV speakers → Off.
• For optical: push the cable in firmly — a partially inserted optical cable still lights up but carries no signal.
• Verify S/PDIF output is toggled on in Roku's audio settings page.

Audio Delay or Lip-Sync Problems

• Switch from Bluetooth to a wired connection — Bluetooth latency is inherent and cannot be fully eliminated.
• Look for an Audio Delay or Lip Sync offset slider in the onn soundbar's settings menu.
• On Roku: disabling unused accessibility audio features under Settings → Accessibility can reduce processing overhead.

Roku Remote Won't Control Soundbar Volume

• CEC must be active on the Roku TV side: Settings → System → Control other devices (CEC) → On.
• CEC only works over HDMI ARC — it does not function over optical or aux connections.
• Confirm the onn soundbar model supports CEC in its product documentation; not every model does.

Getting the Most from Your Setup Over Time

A good initial connection is the foundation, but a few habits will keep audio quality consistent for years of use.

Cable and Port Care

• Leave slack behind devices — sharp bends in HDMI or optical cables degrade the signal and eventually cause connection failures.
• Clean optical ports every few months with a dry lint-free swab; even light dust reduces signal integrity.
• Label cables at both ends so future troubleshooting is faster — masking tape and a marker works perfectly.

Firmware and Software Updates

• Roku TVs receive automatic OTA firmware updates — let them install, as audio and CEC bug fixes are included regularly.
• After any major TV firmware update, re-check your audio output settings — some updates reset audio mode back to the factory default.
• Check the onn/Walmart support page periodically for soundbar firmware updates; newer firmware often resolves known Roku compatibility issues.

When to Upgrade Your Audio Setup

• If you're limited to stereo and want true surround sound, upgrading to an HDMI ARC connection with a Dolby Digital-capable soundbar is the logical next step.
• Adding a wireless subwoofer (if your onn soundbar supports it) dramatically improves bass for movies without additional cables.
• Wall-mounting the soundbar directly below the Roku TV improves sound projection and simplifies cable routing.

Myths About Connecting an Onn Soundbar to a Roku TV

Myth: You Need an Expensive HDMI Cable for Better Audio

False. Audio over HDMI is digital — data either arrives intact or it doesn't. A budget HDMI cable carries the exact same audio signal as a premium "audiophile" cable. Invest in a better soundbar, not a better cable.

Myth: Onn Soundbars Only Work with Onn or Walmart-Brand TVs

False. Onn soundbars use industry-standard ports — HDMI ARC, optical, and aux — that work with any TV brand as long as the matching port is available. There is no brand lock-in at the hardware or software level.

Myth: Bluetooth Gives Better Sound Because It's Wireless and Modern

False. Bluetooth audio is compressed and introduces 100–300ms of latency, causing visible lip-sync issues during video. For a Roku TV soundbar connection, wired HDMI ARC or optical consistently outperforms Bluetooth for both audio fidelity and synchronization.

Myth: Optical Always Sounds Worse Than HDMI

Mostly false. For standard Dolby Digital 5.1 — which covers the vast majority of streaming content — optical and HDMI ARC are effectively identical to the ear. HDMI only pulls ahead for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X object-based formats, which require HDMI ARC (or ideally eARC) to pass through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

• HDMI ARC is the best method for connecting an onn soundbar to Roku TV — it delivers Dolby Digital audio and enables one-remote volume control via CEC over a single cable.
• Optical is the best alternative when HDMI ARC isn't available — it supports Dolby Digital 5.1 and works reliably with all onn soundbar models.
• Always match the soundbar's input mode to the cable type in use — a mismatch is the most common reason for no sound after a correct physical connection.
• Disable TV speakers after connecting the soundbar to prevent double audio, and enable CEC in Roku's settings for seamless remote control.