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Controlling Playbar volume with Samsung solar remote

  • November 13, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 19 views
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Are there any updates about how to get a Samsung solar remote to control the volume of a Playbar?  I see from extensive searching that pairing a Samsung remote with a Playbar has been a problem for a long time. 

 

My TV is a Samsung QN75Q7FAAFXZA  if that makes a difference.  it runs eARC and doesn’t have an optical output so I’m using a converter to connect the TV to the Playbar.  This setup worked when I was using a Xumo remote and Xumo box.  I eliminated the box because it isn’t needed to run the TV.

Best answer by Airgetlam

That suggests the Xumo remote uses an optical (IR) signal. Calling Samsung remains your best bet, they should know more about your specific remote, and how to turn on IR than a Sonos rep would, I’d think. 

The issue you’re running in to is the Samsung remote currently is talking to the TV, there is no way for the TV to send volume commands across the optical connection like there is with ARC/eARC. The remote must emit IR (and the Sonos needs to be able to ‘see’ it) in order for volume commands can work.

At least you’ve got one remote that’s working. As long as the other remote is sending the same IR commands, Sonos won’t know which device is generating them. The challenge is, of course, there are no ‘codes’ to set up for Sonos, but you do have to ‘tell’ the Sonos which ‘codes’ to expect. 

3 replies

Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • November 13, 2025

You’d need to make the remote emit an IR signal, ARC/eARC signals are not transmitted across an optical cable. 
 

Check the TV’s manual for instructions, or see here. 

Bruce
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  • rx35285
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • November 13, 2025

Thank you for the input.  I have been through the TV “manual” and spent hours chatting with Samsung support.  Also, thank you for the Sonos link.  It appears to be slightly out of date, as there doesn’t appear to be an option for choosing “optical”. 

 

I have an eArc/optical converter that processes the signal.  The system works as it should with a Xumo remote.

Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • Answer
  • November 13, 2025

That suggests the Xumo remote uses an optical (IR) signal. Calling Samsung remains your best bet, they should know more about your specific remote, and how to turn on IR than a Sonos rep would, I’d think. 

The issue you’re running in to is the Samsung remote currently is talking to the TV, there is no way for the TV to send volume commands across the optical connection like there is with ARC/eARC. The remote must emit IR (and the Sonos needs to be able to ‘see’ it) in order for volume commands can work.

At least you’ve got one remote that’s working. As long as the other remote is sending the same IR commands, Sonos won’t know which device is generating them. The challenge is, of course, there are no ‘codes’ to set up for Sonos, but you do have to ‘tell’ the Sonos which ‘codes’ to expect. 

Bruce
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