What Is HDMI ARC — And How to Use It With Your Soundbar

If you have a soundbar connected to your TV, you may have noticed that your TV remote doesn't always control the soundbar's volume. That's frustrating — you end up juggling two remotes. HDMI ARC solves this problem.

ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. It's a feature built into many HDMI ports that allows your TV to send audio to a soundbar (or receiver) through the same cable that carries video. More importantly, it also lets the TV pass remote control commands — like volume up or down — through that same cable to the soundbar.

So when you press the volume button on your TV remote, your soundbar responds automatically. You don't need the soundbar's remote at all.

eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) is a newer, upgraded version. It supports higher-quality audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. If your TV and soundbar both support eARC, you get better sound. But regular ARC works fine for most people.

To use HDMI ARC, you need to connect your soundbar to the specific HDMI port on your TV that says "ARC" or "eARC" next to it. Not all HDMI ports support ARC — usually only one or two do. You also need to enable a setting on your TV called CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), which is what allows the devices to communicate commands with each other.

Different TV brands call CEC by different names. Samsung calls it Anynet+. LG calls it SimpLink. Sony calls it Bravia Sync. Vizio calls it CEC. The feature is the same regardless of the name.

Once ARC and CEC are enabled, your single TV remote should control the soundbar's volume. If it doesn't work right away, a quick power cycle (unplug both the TV and soundbar for 30 seconds, then plug back in) often fixes it.

HDMI ARC eliminates the need for a separate optical audio cable or a second remote. It's one of the most useful TV settings most people never turn on.