Samsung Soundbar Keeps Disconnecting from Bluetooth (Do This)

Is your Samsung soundbar constantly disconnecting from Bluetooth? Are you wondering why it does this and how you can fix it?

Just like any other Bluetooth device, this is a common problem with Samsung soundbars when we connect them over Bluetooth to our TV or Smartphones (iPhone / iPad), etc.

So what actually happens is that the Bluetooth connection drops suddenly, and then after a few minutes, it automatically reconnects. However, the same happens again after some time and the connection drops again. 

I witnessed it when one of my friends with a Samsung soundbar reported it to me. Apart from automatic disconnection while watching something, Every time he turns off the television, his Samsung Soundbar automatically disconnects from Bluetooth. When he turns it back on, it doesn’t reconnect automatically and instead requires manually establishing the connection. 

While researching the issue across various platforms, I found that there were many other users experiencing similar problems with their Samsung Soundbar’s Bluetooth connection dropping.

While this can be a nuisance, there are several methods through which this can be sorted which we tried and tested on his soundbar.

Basically, there are two main scenarios with Samsung Soundbar over here:

• It loses Bluetooth connection automatically from the TV.
• It keeps disconnecting from iPhone/iPad or any other smartphone.

I have covered both of them below and the methods provided below will help you to get them sorted easily.

So without further ado, let’s dive into troubleshooting it.

What To Do When Samsung Soundbar Keeps Disconnecting Bluetooth Connection?

It can be incredibly frustrating when technology doesn’t work as it should, but luckily there are several methods through which you can troubleshoot it, I have outlined them below, and make sure you follow them exactly as mentioned.

Enable Anynet+

You must activate Anynet+ (HDMI CEC) in order to ensure that your Samsung soundbar is consistently connected to Bluetooth.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings menu on your device and go to General.
2. Select External Device Manager.
3. Find and select Anynet+.
4. Make sure it is Enabled.

Anynet+ is a feature that allows your device to communicate with other HDMI-connected devices, such as your soundbar, using the HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) protocol. 

By turning on Anynet+, you can help establish and maintain a stable connection between your soundbar and Bluetooth devices. 

This will be helpful if you’re having trouble with intermittent or unreliable connections on your Samsung Soundbar.

Note: Anynet+ (CEC) is present only on Samsung TVs. In case you have connected the Samsung Soundbar to another TV, you will need to activate the CEC functionality on that TV by going to its menu. 

Upgrade Soundbar Firmware

To upgrade the firmware on your Samsung soundbar without using a USB drive, follow these steps:

1. Connect your soundbar to the Wi-Fi network using SmartThings.
2. For 30 seconds, unplug the soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speakers.
3. Open the SmartThings app on your phone and select the soundbar to access its control menu.
4. Tap the 3 vertical dots in the top right corner of the screen.
5. Navigate to Information > Firmware Update > Update Now.
6. Follow the on-screen directions until the update is complete.

Note: Make sure your soundbar is connected to the Wi-Fi network before attempting to update the firmware. The update process may take some time to complete, so be patient. Do not unplug the soundbar or turn off the power during the update process.

You can get the firmware updated on your Samsung Soundbar via two methods, one is via Smartthings App as mentioned above and the other is via USB, you can check these steps in detail on Samsung’s official website.

Reset Soundbar

If your Samsung soundbar is experiencing temporary glitches that cause the Bluetooth connection to drop, a reset may help. It’s also a good idea to reset the soundbar after upgrading the firmware to ensure that the troubleshooting process is complete.

There are two ways to reset your Samsung soundbar:

1. Press the Settings button (which looks like a gear) until you see the “Init” message in the display.
2. Press the Play/Pause button on the remote for 5 seconds. “INIT” will appear on the display and then the soundbar will turn off.

After resetting the soundbar, try connecting to Bluetooth again and see if the connection is more stable.

Bonus Tip: Connect Soundbar Via HDMI

If your Samsung soundbar disconnects from Bluetooth automatically, consider an alternate method such as HDMI to connect your soundbar to the TV.

1. If the soundbar has an HDMI source, connect through HDMI instead of Bluetooth.
2. Go into the TV sound settings and change the output to either HDMI or External. Sometimes QLED TVs will automatically make this switch, but it’s always a good idea to double-check.

Make sure that the new HDMI cable has ‘Ethernet’ capability so it can work as a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Audio Return Channel (ARC) cable. 

The HDMI ARC allows audio signals to be sent from the television to an external audio device such as a soundbar and vice versa. If your current HDMI does not have this capability, then switching it for one with Ethernet will likely solve the problem of regularly disconnecting from Bluetooth when using your Samsung soundbar.

My Samsung Soundbar Bluetooth keeps disconnecting from my iPhone. What should I do?

If your Samsung soundbar is having Bluetooth connectivity issues and disconnecting from an iPhone 11 or 12, you need to update the firmware.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Visit the Samsung website and download the latest version of the soundbar’s firmware to a USB drive.
2. Connect the USB drive to your soundbar.
3. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the firmware update.
4. Once the update is complete, your devices should no longer disconnect from the soundbar after 30 seconds.

If updating the firmware doesn’t solve the issue, you can try resetting both the soundbar and your iPhone. 

• To reset the soundbar, you can press the Settings button (which looks like a gear) until you see the “Init” message in the display, or press the Play/Pause button on the remote for 5 seconds. “INIT” will appear on the display and then the soundbar will turn off. 

• To reset your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will erase all your settings and preferences, so make sure to back up your data before resetting. After resetting, try connecting to the soundbar again and see if the issue has been resolved.

Hopefully, these steps will help you get your Samsung soundbar working properly with Bluetooth again! If you’re still experiencing issues, I recommend reaching out to Samsung customer service.

Conclusion

Bluetooth disconnections between a Samsung soundbar and a TV or an iPhone/iPad can be inconvenient and frustrating, as it surely disrupts our viewing experience. There are several reasons why Bluetooth disconnects may occur, including interference from other devices, outdated firmware, and temporary glitches.

To solve Bluetooth disconnection issues with a Samsung soundbar, follow the below steps:

1. Make sure Anynet+ (HDMI CEC) is turned on, open the settings menu and go to General, External Device Manager, and then select Anynet+. Once selected, make sure that it is enabled or switched on.
2. Make sure the soundbar is within range of the device it’s connected to, as Bluetooth connections can be disrupted by obstacles or distance.
3. Check for any firmware updates for the soundbar and apply them.
4. Reset the soundbar and the device it’s connected to, as this often resolves temporary connection issues.
5. Try connecting the soundbar to the device using a different method, such as an HDMI cable or a wired connection.

By following these steps, you should be able to get your Samsung soundbar working properly again and keep it connected to Bluetooth.