In this article, let’s find out how to connect JBL speaker to TV. Connectivity via AUX cable, HDMI cable, and Bluetooth – we will walk you through those, along with the other methods mentioned.
Some ways will be suitable for a TV that doesn’t have Bluetooth adapter – so you can watch videos, regardless.
To answer the most popular question in advance – no, you can’t use your charging USB cable for this. Unfortunately, JBL speakers do not support USB connectivity for audio output.
Contents
Wi-Fi connectivity
If you are a proud owner of a smart TV, this section is for you. Depending on which TV model you have, the options may vary, but having those TVs would be advantageous when it comes to connecting the JBL speaker to TV.
The ways to connect we are talking about below are Wi-Fi-based – both your TV and JBL speaker have to connect to Wi-Fi (have a wireless connection) to use any of the methods below.
Making use of the Google Assistant/Chromecast
If you want to connect JBL portable Bluetooth speakers to a Samsung TV, usually such a TV comes with a Google Assistant installed.
Switch your JBL speaker on and follow the instructions on the screen to add another device.
After you finish following all the instructions, you should succeed and connect JBL speaker to TV.
Do a sound output check at the end. If everything is done correctly, you can enjoy the music and videos using the sound quality of JBL speakers connected and not TV audio.
Connecting through Alexa by Amazon
Another brand of TV may come with an Alexa built-in. If you have one of those, go to the Alexa App on your TV screen and tap “Add device“. The list of devices should appear. Choose the name of your JBL speaker. Continue following the commands on the screen, and the JBL speaker should be connected in no time!
Connecting JBL speaker via Bluetooth
Another option to connect JBL speakers, especially those that do not have Wi-Fi support, is using a Bluetooth connection.
Set up a JBL speaker as an output device
The majority of televisions nowadays already have a Bluetooth adapter built-in, thus the process should be pretty simple. If you are wondering if your TV is advanced enough for Bluetooth, you can do a simple check: does it have a Smart Remote? If so, TV Bluetooth support is a thing!
This is an example of how you can connect JBL Bluetooth speaker on a Samsung TVs that support Bluetooth functionality:
- Scroll to Settings, find the Sound amongst the options, and then choose Sound Output.
- In the opened menu, locate the Bluetooth Speaker List option. Click on it.
- Find your JBL speaker among the choices displayed.
- TV Bluetooth adapter connects to the speaker chosen and the Bluetooth connection should be established.
Tip: sometimes you may find out that your device is not visible and there is no sight of it on the Bluetooth speaker list. Don’t worry, it doesn’t necessarily mean your TV does not support Bluetooth.
To troubleshoot, ensure the JBL speaker you are interested in is in pairing mode beforehand. To make an audio device enter pairing mode, press a Bluetooth button on the JBL speaker and see whether the device appears on the Bluetooth speakers list.
Using the transmitter to connect
If you see no mention of wireless connection in the TV menu, most likely your TV doesn’t have a Bluetooth adapter installed – and you will have to get a Bluetooth transmitter.
Once you have bought the transmitter, you will have Bluetooth capability and may connect JBL speakers to it.
Find either RCA or a 3.5mm jack to connect the transmitter to the TV. If you are setting up the Bluetooth transmitter first time, to activate Bluetooth, press and hold the power button (or sometimes there can be a separate Bluetooth button) until the LED indicator starts flashing.
This means that the transmitter is in pairing mode. Afterward, you can proceed and pair JBL speaker to TV.
You can connect not only your JBL speakers to it but also a whole range of other Bluetooth devices.
Some transmitters have optical audio ports, too (TOSLINK).
Though this is not a wireless method, you can connect a Bluetooth device to a TV using a TOSLINK cable by plugging one end into the JBL speaker and the other one into the transmitter.
This is a great option for old yet powerful factory speakers, as optical audio cables help with noise reduction and provide a great transfer speed.
Tip: make sure the transmitter and Bluetooth speakers are in close proximity (within a meter), and the JBL speaker is in pairing mode.
Connecting via the AUX cable
A big advantage of using the aux cable – no extra hassle. You can forget about pairing mode, transmitters, or anything like that. Plus, the aux cables are very common so the situation where you need to go out shopping specifically for the aux cable is less likely.
Aux cable is an audio cable that allows you to play music on another device using a wired connection.
The Aux cable looks like a chord with a 3.5 mm jack on both ends. Plug one end into the audio output source, and the other one into your JBL portable speakers if you want to connect a JBL speaker to TV.
All JBL speakers should have an aux port on them, designed for the aux cable connections, but the location of it cannot be as obvious at first sight.
Sometimes the aux port is hidden under the back panel, which you will need to flip to get to the aux port and plug in the corresponding cable to connect the JBL speaker to TV.
If you are not sure whether your JBL speakers have an aux port or you can’t find it and connect JBL speaker to the TV using an aux cable, try to find a user manual or go to the official website to double-check it.
FAQS
How do I connect my JBL wireless to my TV?
If you just bought a new TV and it has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, or you have Chromecast connected to your TV, then use any of the methods above in the “Wi-Fi” or “Bluetooth” sections to connect JBL speaker to the TV. Don’t forget to check the audio output afterward to make sure everything works as expected.
How do I connect my JBL speaker to my TV without Bluetooth?
Try to find some AUX or HDMI cable. By the way, in the past JBL speakers did come with an aux cable in the box. Whether each speaker may differ, try to find the original box or recall whether yours had it.
For HDMI connection guidance, continue reading. Below, you will have all of your HDMI connection questions answered.
How do I connect my JBL to my TV with HDMI?
First of all, this may sound obvious, but turn off both devices.
Once done, find an HDMI ARC port on the TV. TVs nowadays have quite a few of those and you can find an HDMI port with ease either at the back or on the top of the TV.
Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the TV slot found and the other to the JBL soundbar’s HDMI port. Once connected, turn both devices back on.
The TV should pick up the JBL speaker automatically but have a search through settings if the audio output is still not there.
Tip: This method is the best for the quality of sound and the transmission speed. However, it may not be an option for some portable JBL speakers, as they do not support HDMI connectivity and do not have such a port.
Conclusion
Not all the ways described here are suitable for every JBL speaker in existence. To choose what’s right for you and the best guidance, refer to the user manual specifically designed for your JBL device.
