How to Connect Soundbar to LG TV With Optical Cable

Over 70% of soundbar owners report they never adjusted their TV's audio output settings after connecting — and dead silence is usually the result. If you're trying to figure out how to connect soundbar to LG TV with optical cable, you're already making the smarter choice: optical is stable, universally compatible, and doesn't depend on HDMI handshake quirks. Whether your LG TV is a few months old or several years, there's almost certainly a TOSLINK port on the back waiting to be used. This guide walks you through every step, clears up the biggest myths, and helps you get clean, clear sound in minutes. Browse our full soundbar buying guide if you're still choosing the right model.

What It Costs to Get Started With Optical Audio

One of the most underrated advantages of optical audio is how affordable the entry point is. You don't need to buy a new TV, upgrade your HDMI ports, or invest in any adapters. The only thing you might need to purchase is the optical cable itself — and those are cheap.

• Optical (TOSLINK) cable: $5–$20 for a quality cable up to 10 feet
• Longer runs (15–30 ft): $15–$35 — still significantly less than most HDMI cables
• Optical to 3.5mm adapter (if your soundbar lacks a TOSLINK input): $8–$15
• Soundbar with optical input: Most mid-range models ($80 and up) include one

Cable quality does matter somewhat for longer runs, but for the typical living room setup — under 10 feet — any reasonably built TOSLINK cable performs identically to a premium one. Don't let anyone upsell you on gold-plated optical connectors. Light doesn't corrode.

The real cost question is whether optical is the right connection at all. For most LG TV owners who don't have HDMI ARC or eARC, optical is the best wired option available. It carries Dolby Digital 5.1 without issue, which covers the majority of streaming content.

Optical Cable Myths You Should Stop Believing

A lot of misinformation floats around about optical audio. Before you second-guess your setup, here are the claims that simply aren't true.

Myth 1: Optical cable is outdated and inferior. Optical audio, technically called S/PDIF, has been a reliable digital audio standard for decades. It supports up to Dolby Digital 5.1 — more than enough for most home theater setups. The only thing optical can't carry is Dolby Atmos or DTS:X object-based audio, which require HDMI ARC/eARC.

Myth 2: You need to buy the soundbar brand's own cable. False. Optical cables are a universal standard. Any TOSLINK cable works with any device that has a TOSLINK port — LG TVs and third-party soundbars included.

• Myth 3: HDMI is always better. For basic stereo and 5.1 surround, optical performs identically to HDMI for audio quality.
• Myth 4: You can't control soundbar volume with the TV remote over optical. This is partially true — optical doesn't carry CEC signals. However, many LG TVs support a workaround through their Simplink or IR blaster settings.
• Myth 5: Optical cables break easily. They're actually quite durable under normal use. The connectors just need to be fully seated.

If you're curious about wireless alternatives, see our guide on how to connect a soundbar to a TV without HDMI for a full breakdown of your options.

How to Connect Soundbar to LG TV With Optical Cable: Step-by-Step

What You'll Need

• One TOSLINK optical audio cable (square connector on both ends)
• Your LG TV (confirm it has an optical audio output port — labeled "OPTICAL OUT" or "DIGITAL AUDIO OUT")
• A soundbar with an optical audio input (labeled "OPTICAL IN" or "OPT")
• Access to LG TV's Sound menu

The optical port on an LG TV is typically on the back panel, near the HDMI ports. It's a small square opening, sometimes covered by a plastic dust cap. Remove the cap before inserting the cable.

The Physical Connection

1. Power off both the TV and soundbar before connecting.
2. Remove the dust caps from both the TV's optical output and the soundbar's optical input.
3. Insert one end of the TOSLINK cable into the TV's optical output. The connector is keyed — it only goes in one way. Push until you feel a click.
4. Insert the other end into the soundbar's optical input with the same firm push.
5. Power on the soundbar first, then the TV.
6. Set the soundbar's input source to "OPT" or "Optical" using its remote or input button.

Configuring LG TV Audio Settings

This is the step most people skip — and it's why they get no sound. Simply plugging in the cable isn't enough. You need to tell the LG TV to route audio through the optical output.

1. Press the Settings (gear icon) button on your LG remote.
2. Navigate to Sound → Sound Out.
3. Select Optical (some models show "External Speaker (Optical)").
4. While in Sound settings, go to Additional Settings → Digital Sound Out.
5. Set Digital Sound Out to Auto or Dolby Digital for surround content, or PCM for guaranteed compatibility.

If you're unsure which digital audio format to pick, start with PCM — it works with every soundbar without exception. You can switch to Dolby Digital later once you've confirmed the connection works.

Casual Viewer vs. Audiophile: Different Setup Goals

Not everyone connecting a soundbar to an LG TV has the same expectations, and your configuration should reflect that.

For audiophiles who want more than optical can deliver — specifically Dolby Atmos or DTS:X — the limitation is the format itself, not your setup. Optical's bandwidth caps at Dolby Digital 5.1. If you own a newer LG OLED or NanoCell with HDMI eARC, that port is worth using for a high-end soundbar. But for the overwhelming majority of users, optical delivers excellent results with no perceptible quality difference in everyday listening.

For comparison, connecting a Samsung soundbar follows a similar process — see our walkthrough on how to connect a soundbar to Samsung TV using optical cable if you ever switch brands or help a friend set up their system.

Optical vs. Other Connection Methods

Understanding where optical fits in the connection hierarchy helps you make the right call if you ever upgrade your setup.

Advantages of optical cable:

• Works on virtually all LG TVs, including older models
• No interference from HDMI handshake issues or ARC negotiation failures
• Electrically isolated — eliminates ground loop hum common with analog cables
• Supports Dolby Digital 5.1, which covers most streaming content
• Plug-and-play once TV audio output is configured correctly

Disadvantages of optical cable:

• Cannot carry Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or lossless audio formats
• Does not pass CEC signals — TV remote volume control requires separate IR setup
• One-way audio only — no return channel for smart TV apps routed through the soundbar
• Cables can fail silently if the internal fiber is kinked sharply

For most living rooms with a mid-range soundbar and standard LG TV, optical is the most reliable and trouble-free connection available. HDMI ARC adds features, but also adds failure points. Bluetooth is convenient, but introduces compression and latency. Optical sits comfortably in the middle: simple, stable, and good enough for nearly everything.

Fast Fixes When Your LG TV Soundbar Has No Sound

If you've connected the cable and configured the settings but still hear nothing, work through this checklist before assuming hardware failure.

• Check the soundbar input: Make sure the soundbar is set to OPT/Optical, not HDMI or Bluetooth.
• Re-seat the cable: Pull both ends out and reinsert firmly. Optical connectors sometimes look connected but aren't fully clicked in.
• Confirm Sound Out in TV settings: Go back to Settings → Sound → Sound Out and verify Optical is selected. Switching inputs sometimes resets this.
• Test with PCM first: Under Digital Sound Out, switch to PCM. If sound appears, your soundbar doesn't support the format the TV was sending.
• Inspect the cable: Hold a phone flashlight to one end of the disconnected cable. You should see a red glow from the other end when the TV is on. No glow means the cable is broken or the TV port has failed.
• Check for mute: Obvious, but LG TVs mute the optical output when the TV's internal speakers are also muted via certain settings combinations.
• Power cycle everything: Turn off TV and soundbar, unplug both from power for 30 seconds, reconnect cable, power back on.

These seven steps resolve the problem in the vast majority of cases. If none of them work, the optical output port on the TV may be faulty — a less common but documented issue on some LG models. In that case, Bluetooth is the next best fallback.

Frequently Asked Questions

The right cable is already in your budget — the only thing standing between you and great sound is five minutes and the correct setting in your TV's audio menu.