You’ve just unboxed your JBL soundbar, ready to finally hear your favorite shows with crystal-clear audio. But instead of that sweet sound, you’re stuck staring at your Hisense TV with a soundbar that simply won’t connect. Frustrating doesn’t even begin to cover it.
This connection headache is more common than you might think. Many people run into this exact problem, and the good news is that most of these issues have simple fixes you can do yourself. We’ll walk through what’s actually causing the problem and show you exactly how to get your soundbar working with your TV.
Why Your JBL Soundbar Won’t Talk to Your Hisense TV
Connection problems between soundbars and TVs usually come down to a few key areas. Sometimes it’s about the physical connections themselves. Other times, it’s the settings on either device that aren’t quite right.
Your TV and soundbar need to “handshake” properly for audio to flow between them. This handshake happens through either HDMI cables using something called ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), or through optical cables. When this handshake fails, you get silence instead of sound.
The issue might also stem from software glitches. Both your TV and soundbar run on firmware, which is basically the software that controls how they operate. If this firmware is outdated or has a temporary bug, it can block the connection completely.
Here’s what makes this particularly annoying: sometimes everything looks connected. The cables are plugged in, the TV recognizes something is there, but still no audio comes through. This happens because the devices aren’t communicating properly at the software level, even though the hardware connection exists.
JBL Soundbar Not Connecting to Hisense TV: Common Causes
Several specific issues typically cause these connection problems. Let’s break down what’s probably happening with your setup so you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
1. Wrong HDMI Port or Cable Type
Not all HDMI ports on your Hisense TV are created equal. Only specific ports support ARC or eARC, which are essential for sending audio back from your TV to your soundbar. Most TVs label these ports clearly, usually as “HDMI ARC” or “HDMI eARC.”
If you’ve plugged your JBL soundbar into a regular HDMI port, it simply won’t work for audio. The port might look identical to the ARC port, but it lacks the necessary technology to send audio signals backward from the TV to the soundbar.
Cable quality matters too. Some older or cheaper HDMI cables don’t support ARC functionality. Even if the cable looks fine and fits perfectly, it might not have the internal wiring needed to carry audio signals both ways.
2. HDMI-CEC Settings Turned Off
HDMI-CEC is a feature that lets your devices control each other through the HDMI cable. Hisense TVs call this feature different names, sometimes “Anynet+” or just “CEC,” depending on your model. Your JBL soundbar relies on this feature to communicate with your TV.
When CEC is disabled, your devices can’t send control signals to each other. This means your TV won’t recognize the soundbar as an audio output device, even if everything is physically connected correctly. Many people don’t realize their TV has this setting turned off by default or that it got switched off during a software update.
3. Bluetooth Pairing Problems
If you’re trying to connect wirelessly through Bluetooth, the pairing process has its own set of potential failures. Your soundbar needs to be in pairing mode, which usually lasts only a few minutes. If your TV takes too long to search for devices, the soundbar might exit pairing mode before they connect.
Bluetooth also has range limitations and can suffer from interference. Other wireless devices in your home, like routers, cordless phones, or even microwave ovens, can disrupt the connection signal. This interference is invisible but very real.
4. Outdated Firmware on Either Device
Both Hisense TVs and JBL soundbars receive periodic firmware updates that fix bugs and improve compatibility. If either device is running old software, they might not communicate properly with each other.
Manufacturers often release updates specifically to address connection issues with other brands. Your soundbar might work perfectly with one TV brand but struggle with another until a firmware update bridges that compatibility gap. These updates can also fix specific bugs that prevent audio handshakes from completing successfully.
5. Incorrect Audio Output Settings
Your Hisense TV has multiple audio output options buried in its settings menu. It might be set to output through its internal speakers, headphones, or a different external device. If the TV isn’t explicitly told to send audio to your soundbar, it won’t do so automatically.
Some TVs also have an “auto” setting that’s supposed to detect external speakers and switch to them. This auto-detection doesn’t always work reliably. The TV might detect the soundbar but still choose to play audio through its built-in speakers anyway.
JBL Soundbar Not Connecting to Hisense TV: DIY Fixes
Now let’s get your soundbar actually working. These fixes are arranged from simplest to more involved, so start at the top and work your way down.
1. Check Your HDMI Connection and Port
Start by locating the ARC or eARC port on your Hisense TV. Look at the back or side panel where all the HDMI ports are. One should be labeled specifically as “HDMI ARC” or have an ARC symbol near it.
Unplug your HDMI cable from wherever it currently is and plug it firmly into this ARC port. Then check the soundbar end. Make sure it’s plugged into the HDMI OUT port on your soundbar, not HDMI IN. These ports serve different purposes, and using the wrong one will absolutely prevent connection.
Give both ends a firm push to ensure they’re fully seated. Sometimes cables sit loosely and make partial contact, which creates intermittent connection problems. If you have another HDMI cable available, especially a newer one, try swapping it out to rule out cable issues.
2. Power Cycle Everything
This sounds almost too simple, but power cycling fixes a surprising number of electronic issues. Turn off both your Hisense TV and JBL soundbar completely. Don’t just use the remote to put them in standby mode.
Unplug both devices from the wall outlet and wait a full 60 seconds. This pause lets all the capacitors discharge and clears any temporary data stored in memory. While you’re waiting, press and hold the power button on each device for about 10 seconds to drain any remaining power.
Plug everything back in, starting with the soundbar first. Let it fully boot up, then turn on your TV. This sequence matters because it helps the TV detect the soundbar during its startup process. Sometimes devices need this fresh start to recognize each other properly.
3. Enable HDMI-CEC on Your TV
Grab your Hisense TV remote and press the Settings button. The exact menu path varies by model, but you’re looking for something like Settings > System > HDMI-CEC or Settings > Connections > HDMI Control.
Turn on HDMI-CEC and any related options like “ARC” or “Audio Return Channel.” Some Hisense models require you to enable both CEC and ARC separately, so check for multiple related settings in that menu. Once enabled, your TV should prompt you to configure which devices can use CEC.
After enabling these settings, restart your TV one more time. The CEC handshake often needs a fresh boot to initialize properly.
4. Adjust Your TV’s Audio Output Settings
Press the Settings button on your Hisense remote and look for Audio Settings or Sound Settings. Find the option labeled “Audio Output,” “Speaker Settings,” or “Sound Output.”
Change this setting from “TV Speakers” or “Internal Speakers” to “External Speakers,” “ARC,” or “Audio System.” The exact wording depends on your Hisense model. Some models list connected devices by name, so you might see “JBL Soundbar” as an option.
Try these additional audio settings:
- Set “Digital Audio Output” to PCM or Auto
- Turn off any “Volume Leveling” or “Auto Volume” features
- Disable “Surround Sound” processing on the TV itself
- Check if “HDMI Audio Format” is set to a compatible option
Test the audio after each change. Sometimes one specific setting combination makes everything click.
5. Reset Bluetooth Connection
If you’re connecting via Bluetooth instead of HDMI, put your JBL soundbar into pairing mode. Most JBL models require you to press and hold the Bluetooth button for about 5 seconds until you see a flashing light. Check your specific model’s manual for the exact button combination.
On your Hisense TV, go to Settings > Bluetooth or Settings > Remotes & Accessories. If you see your soundbar listed there but marked as “Paired” or “Connected” with no audio, forget the device completely. Select it and choose “Forget” or “Unpair.”
Now search for devices again on your TV while the soundbar is still in pairing mode. When your soundbar appears in the list, select it immediately. Keep your TV remote ready because some TVs require you to confirm the pairing within a short time window. Once paired fresh, test the audio to see if this resolved your issue.
6. Update Firmware on Both Devices
For your Hisense TV, go to Settings > System > About > System Update or Settings > Support > Software Update. Select “Check for Updates” and let the TV search. If an update is available, download and install it. Your TV will restart during this process, which can take 10 to 15 minutes.
Updating your JBL soundbar requires a different approach depending on your model. Some newer JBL soundbars connect to WiFi and update through their companion app. Others need a USB drive with the firmware file downloaded from JBL’s website. Visit JBL’s support page, find your exact soundbar model, and follow their specific update instructions.
After updating both devices, set up the connection from scratch as if it’s the first time. Fresh firmware combined with a fresh connection often solves stubborn compatibility issues.
7. Contact a Professional Technician
If you’ve tried everything above and your JBL soundbar still won’t connect to your Hisense TV, you might be dealing with a hardware fault. This could be a damaged HDMI port, a faulty circuit board, or an internal component failure that requires professional repair.
Reach out to JBL customer support first, especially if your soundbar is still under warranty. They can run diagnostics and might offer a replacement. Similarly, contact Hisense support if you suspect your TV has a defective ARC port. Don’t attempt to open either device yourself, as this will void any existing warranty and could be dangerous.
Wrapping Up
Getting your JBL soundbar to work with your Hisense TV shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle. Most connection issues come down to simple settings or cable problems that you can fix in just a few minutes. The key is working through the solutions methodically.
Start with the basics like checking your cables and ports, then move into the software settings. Most people find their fix within the first three or four steps. Your patience will pay off when you finally hear that rich, clear audio pumping through your soundbar exactly as it should.