How to connect LG soundbar to PS5
Knowing how to connect LG soundbar to PS5 correctly can improve dialogue clarity, bass response, and positional audio in games.
The best setup depends on your TV, your soundbar’s ports, and whether you want the cleanest signal path or the simplest wiring.
This guide explains the main connection methods, the exact PS5 audio settings to use, and common troubleshooting steps if you run into no sound, delayed audio, or missing surround formats.
What you need before you start
- A PlayStation 5 console
- An LG soundbar with HDMI ARC, eARC, or optical input
- A TV with HDMI ARC or eARC if you want to route audio through the television
- High-Speed HDMI cables, preferably Ultra High Speed for modern HDMI 2.1 setups
- The LG soundbar remote or the LG ThinQ app for sound mode adjustments
Before changing settings, check the ports on both the TV and soundbar.
Most LG soundbars include HDMI IN, HDMI OUT (ARC/eARC), and optical input, while many LG TVs support HDMI ARC or eARC on at least one port.
Best connection methods for PS5 and LG soundbars
1. Connect through HDMI ARC or eARC
This is usually the best option if your TV supports it.
With ARC or eARC, the PS5 connects to the TV, and the TV sends audio back to the soundbar through the HDMI ARC port.
Why it works well:
- Supports cleaner cable management
- Can carry surround formats through compatible TVs
- Works well with LG TVs and LG soundbars designed for home theater use
How to set it up:
- Connect the PS5 to an HDMI input on the TV.
- Connect the TV’s HDMI ARC or eARC port to the soundbar’s HDMI OUT (ARC/eARC) port.
- Enable HDMI-CEC on the TV if needed.
On LG TVs, this is often labeled Simplink.
- Set the soundbar input to HDMI ARC/eARC.
If your TV supports eARC, it is usually better than standard ARC because it can handle higher-bandwidth audio formats more reliably.
2. Connect the PS5 directly to the LG soundbar
Some LG soundbars include HDMI IN and HDMI OUT.
In that case, you can connect the PS5 to the soundbar first, then send video from the soundbar to the TV.
Why choose this method:
- Can bypass older TV audio limitations
- May improve compatibility for certain audio formats
- Useful if your TV lacks ARC or has limited passthrough support
Basic wiring:
- Connect the PS5 HDMI output to the soundbar HDMI IN.
- Connect the soundbar HDMI OUT to the TV HDMI input.
- Set the soundbar to the correct HDMI input.
This is practical, but verify that your soundbar supports the video resolution and refresh rate you want.
For PS5 gaming at 4K and higher refresh rates, some soundbars can become a bottleneck if they do not support HDMI 2.1 passthrough.
3. Use optical audio
Optical is a reliable fallback when HDMI ARC is unavailable.
It is simple and stable, but it has more limitations than HDMI-based connections.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Works with many older TVs and soundbars
- Less dependent on HDMI-CEC behavior
Limits:
- Usually does not support advanced lossless audio formats
- May be limited to stereo or compressed surround formats
- No control over audio return through HDMI features like eARC
To use optical, connect the PS5 to the TV by HDMI as normal, then connect the TV’s optical output to the soundbar’s optical input.
Select the optical input on the soundbar and configure the PS5 audio settings accordingly.
PS5 audio settings to use
Once the cables are connected, the PS5 audio output settings matter as much as the physical setup.
Open Settings > Sound > Audio Output on the PS5.
Recommended settings for HDMI ARC or eARC
- Output Device: HDMI Device (AV Amplifier or TV, depending on setup)
- HDMI Device Type: AV Amplifier if your sound is handling audio directly; TV if routing through the television
- Number of Channels: 5.1 ch or 7.1 ch if supported
- Audio Format (Priority): Linear PCM for the most accurate output, or Dolby Atmos if your TV and soundbar support it
Linear PCM is often the safest choice for gaming because it avoids extra compression and tends to reduce lag.
If you use Dolby Atmos through a compatible LG soundbar and TV, check that both devices and the PS5 are configured to pass it correctly.
Recommended settings for optical audio
- Output Device: TV or AV Amplifier, depending on your routing
- Audio Format (Priority): Bitstream Dolby or Bitstream DTS if your soundbar supports it
- Number of Channels: Match the soundbar’s supported format
Optical often works best when you avoid unnecessary processing and stick to the formats your soundbar can decode reliably.
LG soundbar settings that matter
On the soundbar itself, the input and sound mode can change the listening experience more than many people expect.
- Input selection: Choose HDMI ARC/eARC, HDMI IN, or Optical based on your connection
- Sound mode: Use Game, Cinema, Standard, or AI Sound Pro depending on your preference
- Subwoofer level: Adjust bass so explosions and effects do not overpower dialogue
- Rear speaker settings: Tune rear channels if your LG soundbar includes wireless surround speakers
If your LG soundbar offers an app-based control system, such as LG ThinQ, use it to check firmware updates.
Updated firmware can improve HDMI ARC stability, lip sync, and device compatibility.
How to reduce lag and lip sync issues
Audio delay is one of the most common problems when setting up a soundbar with a PS5.
If dialogue or effects do not match the on-screen action, try these steps:
- Enable eARC if both the TV and soundbar support it
- Turn off extra audio processing features on the TV that may add delay
- Use Linear PCM on the PS5 for gaming when possible
- Check the soundbar’s AV Sync or Audio Delay setting
- Update the firmware on the TV and soundbar
Many LG TVs and LG soundbars include lip sync controls, so you may need to fine-tune the delay manually for the most natural match between picture and sound.
Common problems and fixes
No sound from the soundbar?
- Confirm the soundbar is on the correct input
- Check HDMI ARC or optical cable seating
- Make sure the TV audio output is set to external speakers
- Restart the PS5, TV, and soundbar after changing settings
Getting sound from the TV but not the soundbar?
- Verify the HDMI port on the TV is labeled ARC or eARC
- Enable Simplink or HDMI-CEC on the LG TV
- Try a different HDMI cable
- Confirm the soundbar supports the selected input
Surround sound not working?
- Check whether the TV supports passthrough for the chosen audio format
- Switch the PS5 audio format between Linear PCM and Bitstream
- Confirm the game actually includes surround sound support
- Test with a streaming app or a known multichannel title
Which setup is best for most PS5 gamers?
For most users, HDMI ARC or eARC through a compatible LG TV is the best balance of simplicity, sound quality, and convenience.
If your TV is older or lacks proper ARC support, optical is a dependable fallback.
If you want to bypass TV audio handling entirely and your soundbar supports it well, direct PS5-to-soundbar HDMI can also work.
The ideal choice depends on whether your priority is the cleanest cable setup, the highest audio quality, or the least troubleshooting.
Once connected, matching the PS5 audio format to your LG soundbar’s capabilities is what turns a basic setup into a strong gaming audio system.