Samsung soundbar ‘Check device power’ message: how to fix

When a Samsung soundbar scrolls "Check the device power and the connection" (or just keeps searching), it's telling you something specific: it's set to an input where it can't find an active source. The bar is fine — it's looking for a signal on, say, the HDMI input, and there's nothing there. The fix is to point it at the right input and make sure the source is feeding it.

Fix it

1. Switch the soundbar to the right input. Press Source on the bar or its remote and cycle to the input that actually has a source:
   • D.IN for an optical connection,
   • HDMI / TV ARC for HDMI/ARC from the TV,
   • BT for Bluetooth. If it's set to HDMI but you're using optical (or vice-versa), you'll get this exact message.
2. Confirm the cable and port. If you're using the TV's ARC, the cable must be in the TV's HDMI-eARC/ARC port and the bar's HDMI-OUT (TV-ARC). Reseat both ends.
3. Turn on Anynet+ (CEC) and set the TV output. On the TV: Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) On, and Sound Output set to the soundbar. Without CEC, an ARC source won't wake the bar.
4. Power-cycle in order. Unplug the soundbar (and TV) for at least 30 seconds, power the TV first, then the bar, so it re-detects the source.

If it keeps scrolling on the right input

• The source isn't outputting. Make sure the TV (or device) is actually on and sending audio — a TV in standby, or with its audio off, leaves the bar searching. Play something.
• Auto Power Link / TV settings: if the bar should wake with the TV but doesn't, check that Anynet+ and any Auto Power option are on; toggle Anynet+ off and on to force a fresh handshake. If the bar is found but stays silent or drops out, Samsung soundbar no sound or cutting out over eARC sorts those symptoms.
• Optical format: on D.IN, set the TV's digital audio output to PCM or Dolby Digital — a format the bar can't read can leave it searching.

FAQ

What does 'Check the device power and connection' mean? The soundbar is set to an input with no active source. Switch it to the input that actually has your TV/device connected, and make sure that device is on.

It's set to HDMI but still says it. Confirm the cable is in the TV's ARC port (and the bar's HDMI-OUT), reseat both ends, and enable Anynet+ with Sound Output set to the bar.

It won't wake when I turn on the TV. Enable Anynet+ and any Auto Power option, and toggle Anynet+ off/on. The bar needs CEC to wake from the TV.

I'm using optical — which input? Set the soundbar to D.IN, and set the TV's digital audio output to PCM/Dolby Digital.

The bar connects but the subwoofer doesn't. That's a separate wireless link — see Samsung subwoofer not connecting to the soundbar.