How to Reset a Samsung Soundbar

Checks worth trying first

A factory reset puts every setting on the HW-Q600C back the way it came out of the box, including your sound mode and any levels you tweaked. We'd hold off on it until you've tried the checks below, because a no-sound problem that comes from the TV's output setting or a loose cable won't go away with a reset anyway.

If the soundbar is acting strangely, unplug its power cord, plug it back in and turn it on. If you're getting no sound, check the volume and mute on both the soundbar and whatever it's connected to, make sure the TV is set to play sound through the soundbar, and reconnect any audio cable that has worked loose.

If it's only the remote that has stopped working, point it straight at the soundbar and put in fresh batteries. You don't need the remote for a reset, since the reset uses the buttons on the soundbar itself.

These steps are for the HW-Q600C. If you have a different Samsung soundbar, search for its manual on Samsung's Manuals & Software page (opens in a new tab) before you press anything, since the buttons and lights described here are the HW-Q600C's.

Resetting the HW-Q600C

1. Turn the soundbar on.
2. Press and hold Volume minus and Volume plus (opens in a new tab) on top of the soundbar at the same time for at least 5 seconds.
3. Watch the front display for INIT OK. That's your confirmation that the reset went through.

Use the buttons on the soundbar itself for this. If INIT OK never shows up, jump to the Samsung contact details at the end.

Getting sound back after the reset

Pick your source, reconnect it and play something. We'd test the connection that was giving you trouble before restoring any sound settings. That way you'll know whether the reset actually fixed it.

Using HDMI ARC or eARC from your TV? On the HW-Q600C, the cable runs from the TV's ARC or eARC port to the soundbar's HDMI TO TV (eARC/ARC) port. With both turned on, press Source to select D.IN, and the display should change to TV ARC or TV eARC. If it doesn't, check the HDMI connection (opens in a new tab) again. If you're using eARC, make sure the TV's eARC setting is turned on too.

To pair a phone or tablet with the HW-Q600C over Bluetooth:

1. Bring the phone or tablet within about 3 feet (1 m) of the soundbar.
2. Press PAIR on the soundbar remote so the display shows BT PAIRING. No remote handy? Use the Source button on top to select BT, and if BT READY appears, hold that same Source button for more than 5 seconds until BT PAIRING shows up.
3. Choose [AV]Samsung Soundbar Q6C-Series in your device's Bluetooth list. Once it connects, the soundbar shows your device's name followed by BT. Play some music to check.
4. Still won't connect? Delete the soundbar from your device's Bluetooth list and pair it again.

On the display, BT READY reconnects a device the soundbar already knows, while BT PAIRING adds a new one.

The subwoofer is silent

On the HW-Q600C, check the light on the back of the subwoofer first. Solid blue means it's connected. Blinking blue means it's recovering the connection, so check the soundbar's power connection or give it about 5 minutes. Red can simply mean standby while the soundbar is off, but it can also mean the connection failed.

If the blue light keeps blinking, or red stays on while the soundbar is on, reconnect the subwoofer (opens in a new tab):

1. With the soundbar on, check that the soundbar and subwoofer power cables are both plugged in properly.
2. Hold ID SET on the back of the subwoofer for at least 5 seconds. The red light goes off and the blue light starts blinking.
3. Hold the Up button on the soundbar remote for at least 5 seconds. ID SET appears briefly on the soundbar's display.
4. Look for a solid blue LINK light on the subwoofer. That means they're connected again.

If the red and blue lights blink together, stop there and contact Samsung Service.

When to contact Samsung

If INIT OK never appears, or the problem is still there after the reset and the connection checks, turn the soundbar off, unplug the power cord and contact Samsung. In the US, Samsung's support line (opens in a new tab) is 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864).