Samsung Soundbar Keeps Switching To TV Speakers? (Easy Fix)

Samsung soundbar keeps switching to TV speakers and you’re wondering why?

Well, this is the well-known “output cycling” of the Samsung soundbar,  which is a common problem across the Samsung forums and many soundbar products have it. 

This guide will discover all possible causes for the issue and review solutions for preventing the soundbar from being deselected as a default output device.

If your TV keeps switching to a different output, unplug other audio devices from the TV, plug the soundbar into a standard “HDMI” input, and disable “HDMI-CEC.”

If the problem persists, update the soundbar’s firmware and force a factory system reset.

Keep reading to discover the effective approaches from above in detail!

Why Samsung TV Keeps Switching From Soundbar to TV Speakers?

Here’s why the Samsung TV keeps changing the source from the soundbar’s output:

Keep reading to discover effective solutions for the Samsung soundbar!

Samsung Soundbar Keeps Switching to TV Speakers – Fixed

Note: Have you checked if the soundbar is securely connected to the Samsung TV over HDMI, Optical, or Bluetooth?

1. Select the Soundbar in “Sound Output”

The first step is to verify that the Samsung soundbar has been specified as the TV’s default audio device through the “Sound Output.”

The output menu is standard for most Samsung TV models, but if the instructions below are inaccurate, check online or consult the user manual!

How to Change Output On Samsung TVs from 2017?

1. Press “Home” on the remote and navigate to “Settings.”
2. Select “Sound” and enter the “Sound Output” section.
3. Select “Receiver (HDMI)” or “Soundbar” from the menu.
4. Bluetooth: Go to “Bluetooth Speaker List” and select.

How to Change Output On Samsung TV From 2016 (K Series)

1. Go to “Home” and open the “Settings” tab within the menu.
2. Navigate to the “Sound” tab and select “Speaker Settings.”
3. Select “Receiver (HDMI)” or choose “Samsung Soundbar.”
4. Bluetooth: Access the “Bluetooth Speaker List” to choose.

How to Change Output On Samsung TV From 2015 (J Series)?

1. Navigate to “Menu” → “Sound” → “Speaker List” on the TV.
2. Next, wait for all devices from the sound output menu to load.
3. Choose the “Samsung Soundbar” or “HDMI Output” option.
4. Bluetooth: Navigate to the “Bluetooth Speaker List” section.

Note: If you have an older TV that was released before 2015, refer to the user manual or check online for exact instructions.

2. Disable the Soundbar’s “DEMO” Mode

So, the next step is to ensure the Samsung soundbar’s output cycling is not influenced by the activation of the system’s “DEMO” mode.

All alterations to the soundbar’s wireless, audio, and output functions will be “reset-cycled” for as long as the “DEMO” mode is active.

If the mode is active, an announcement “DEMO” message will reappear on your soundbar’s display while the device is in use.

Here’s how to disable the “DEMO” mode on your Samsung soundbar:

1. Ensure the Samsung soundbar is powered on and running.
2. Wait for the “DEMO” message to appear on the front display.
3. Press and hold the “INPUT” and “Power” soundbar buttons.
4. Release the buttons after 10 seconds to turn off “DEMO.”
5. Finally, change the audio output of the soundbar and test.

Reminder: You may have to re-specify the Samsung soundbar as a default output through the respective menu, based on its HDMI, Optical, or Bluetooth connection.

3. Move the HDMI Cable into a Normal Input (HDMI)

If the Samsung soundbar is connected over HDMI, one way to solve the issue is to move the cable into one of the regular HDMI inputs – a non-ARC or eARC TV socket.

• Most Samsung TVs have up to 1 or 2 specialized HDMI inputs and the remaining are used for regular video/audio connections.

To verify the soundbar does not use an audio-return channel, check if there’s an “ARC” or “eARC” sticker on top of the port.

You can check the specifications and details for the HDMI inputs on your Samsung TV model by consulting with the user manual or checking online.

4. Inspect the Soundbar’s Power Supply

One of the leading reasons for the persistent output issues of the Samsung soundbar is an unstable power supply.

The Samsung TV could be switching off to a different output every time the soundbar turns off, reboots, or the power fluctuates momentarily.

Here are multiple tips to address issues with the soundbar’s power supply:

• Unplug the soundbar for 30 seconds and hold “Power.”
• Uninstall third-party equipment from the power setup.
• Connect the Samsung soundbar to a different outlet.
• Inspect the power cord of the soundbar for damage.

If there’s any visual wear or damage to the soundbar’s power cord, consider installing a replacement to solve issues with the power supply!

5. Disable the Samsung TV’s “HDMI-CEC”

While “HDMI-CEC” (Consumer Electronics Control) can have a great application in many setups, it can also cause conflicts with output devices connected over HDMI. 

So, if your soundbar is paired over Bluetooth, proceed with the next step, otherwise keep reading to learn how to disable “HDMI-CEC!”

How to Disable “HDMI-CEC” On Samsung TV?

1. Press the “Menu” button on your remote and head to “Settings.”
2. Next, navigate to the “System” tab, followed up by “HDMI-CEC.”
3. Open the “Device Auto Power” tab and go to “Device Power.”
4. Set the “Auto Power all” feature to “Off” within the TV’s options.
5. Exit the configuration of the Samsung TV and test the soundbar.

Note: Remember that disabling “HDMI-CEC” prevents all other devices connected over HDMI from being operated with a single remote control.

6. Update the Samsung Soundbar’s Firmware

Another solution is to upload the latest firmware version available for the Samsung soundbar.

While output cycling has been a long-term issue throughout the community, it might have been resolved with the most current firmware version available for your soundbar model.

How to Update Soundbar Via SmartThings App?

1. Ensure the soundbar is securely paired to the SmartThings app.
2. Next, access the app and navigate to the “Information” section.
3. Tap on “Firmware Update” and select the “Update Now” button.
4. Wait until the soundbar detects the update and starts the process.

How to Update Soundbar Via USB Flash Drive?

1. Download the latest update from Samsung’s Download Center.
2. Next, connect a flash drive to your computer or laptop’s USB port.
3. Open the drive’s directory and paste the installation file into the tab.
4. Eject the flash drive and plug it into the soundbar’s rear USB socket.

If the soundbar has successfully detected the flash drive update, it will enter a “hibernation” state until the firmware is applied.

Do not power off, unplug or restart the soundbar, before the device is ready for use!

7. Disconnect Third-Party Audio Devices (AV Receivers)

Third-party audio equipment, AV receivers, in particular, can conflict with the Samsung soundbar or cause the TV’s input to cycle periodically.

This is because most external audio devices use automatic input assignments, which can cause the TV to repeatedly switch the audio output.

So, ensure the only audio device connected to the TV is the Samsung soundbar and switch the audio output for a final time.

Wait for at least 30 seconds and play audio in the meantime to determine if the output selection will be reversed once again.

Note: This applies to both wired (HDMI, Optical) and wireless (Bluetooth) soundbar connections!

8. Restore the Soundbar to Factory Defaults

The final step is to conduct a factory reset on the Samsung soundbar to address underlying issues with the output selection.

There could be a misconfiguration fault, causing the soundbar to persistently become “discoverable” for the TV, causing the output to cycle continuously.

• Method #1 – Hold the “Power” button for 10 seconds until the “INT” message appears on the screen. 
• Method #2 – Unplug the soundbar, hold the “Power” while reconnecting the power cord, and wait for “INT” to appear on the screen.
• Method #3 – Press and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously while the soundbar is working and wait for the “INT” message.

Bonus Tip: Perform a factory reset on the Samsung TV to clear out existing output errors!

Quick Recap

If the Samsung soundbar keeps switching to TV speakers, re-select the soundbar in “Sound Output,” inspect the soundbar’s connection, and move the HDMI cable to a normal input.

Also, unplug any third-party audio devices and factory reset the Samsung soundbar.

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