Program Samsung Smart Remote to Control Sonos Soundbar

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Sonos soundbars can not only be controlled with the Sonos Controller App but can also be used with Samsung smart remotes. Don't want to use the app to adjust your sound? Don't want to see that annoying volume message when you adjust the volume using your Samsung remote? By programming your remote and telling the app what to expect, you can avoid both those issues.

In this guide, you will learn how to prepare your Samsung TV's remote control to successfully send commands to your Sonos devices, and how to configure your Sonos devices to accept such inputs from the Sonos app.

Tools You'll Need:

• Your mobile device
• Your TV remote (and its external IR emitter if using an F Series remote)

Supplies You'll Need:

• Zip ties
• Any other consumable supplies
• Comment out supplies section if no supplies are necessary

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Before You Begin:

Your Samsung Smart TV must be set up already

• How to Set Up Your Samsung Smart TV

You must have the Sonos Controller app installed

• How to Install the Sonos Controller App

2. Program the Remote to Control Sonos Speakers

To continue, we need to know which series Remote you have.

There are 2 types of Samsung Smart remote, the F series and the K series:

F Series

K Series

When you know which remote you have, you can select it below.

Samsung K Series Remote

1. Press the Home button on your remote.
   

1. Toggle to the left, and select Source. Then select Universal Remote.
   

1. Select New Device.
   

1. Select Home Theater System.
   

1. Type Sonos in the search box and select it.
   

1. Select Optical for the input.
   

1. Select Power Test to begin the testing process.
2. Select Yes when asked if the test completed successfully.
3. Select Done to complete the setup process.

Your input devices now need to be told that they must be controlled by this 'Home Theater System' that was just added.

1. Return to Universal Remote Setup.
2. Select an input device that is connected to your television, such as your cable box or Blu-ray player.
3. Select Use with Home Theater.
4. Repeat these steps for all the input devices connected to your television.

This process must be done to force your Samsung remote to output an IR (infrared) signal which your Sonos devices support.

Samsung F Series Remote

1. Connect the IR emitter to the IR Out port on the back of your TV.
   

1. Place the emitter itself in front of the IR sensor on your Sonos device.
   

1. Press the Menu or Guide button on your remote.
   

1. Select System.
   

1. Select Device Manager.
   

1. Select Universal Remote Setup.
   

1. Select Start.
   

1. Select Home Theater System.
   

1. Select Samsung as the brand.
   

1. Choose Optical for the connection type.
   

1. Select Function Test: Power to begin the testing process.
   

1. 
   
2. Nothing will happen during this test. This is normal.
3. Select Yes when asked if the test completed successfully.
   

1. Select Exit to complete the setup process.
   

 

3. Set the Sonos Speaker to Be Controlled by an External Remote

Now that your Samsung remote knows how to control Sonos speakers, we must use the Sonos Controller app to teach the appropriate speakers what external remote commands they can be controlled by:

Samsung K Series Remote

1. Open the Sonos Controller app.
   

1. Select the More tab.
   

1. Select Settings.
   

1. Select Room Settings.
   

1. Select the room your Sonos device is located in.
2. Select TV.
3. Select Remote Control Setup.
4. Follow the instructions that appear to program your remote to be able to control your Sonos speaker.
5. After the remote has been successfully programmed, if you're experiencing volume popups on your television when you're trying to control the volume of your Sonos speaker with that remote, your TV's built-in speakers must be disabled.
   
6. Disable the Volume Popup
7. How to Disable Your Television Speakers

Samsung F Series Remote

1. Open the Sonos Controller app.
   

1. Select Settings.
   

1. Select Room Settings.
   

1. Select the room your Sonos device is in.
2. Select TV Setup & Control.
3. Select Remote Control Setup.
4. Select Replace Current Remote.
5. Follow the instructions that appear to program your remote to be able to control your Sonos speaker.
6. After the remote has been successfully programmed, if you're experiencing volume popups on your television when you're trying to control the volume of your Sonos speaker with that remote, your TV's built-in speakers must be disabled.
   
7. Disable the Volume Popup
8. How to Disable Your Television Speakers

Because your Samsung remote is now only emitting IR (infrared) signals from the emitter that was connected to the back of your TV, finding the proper position for the IR emitter will be important. Any external device that the Samsung remote needs to control will need to have the IR emitter within clear view to receive the signals that it is sending.

This may require moving the emitter around a bit until the best position for your setup has been found.