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Unable to connect Sonos Playbar to PC, Optical cable not detecing anything

  • January 10, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 79 views

I recently Bought a used Sonos playbar on Facebook marketplace and am unable to connect to my PC. I bought optical to HDMI converter and the app doesn't seem to recognize it. I checked the cable and tried others ones regarding the optical and HDMI. I also provided the converter link I’m currently using down below. I also want to note that there is no light coming out of the optical when plugged into the play bar. It seems to be normal because I was able to get my hands a on another playbar and it did the same thing. So now I have no idea what the problem could be and would really appreciated some help on this. Also my PC doesn't have optical cable hence I'm using a converter.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQD1592R?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Best answer by craigski

As mentioned above, the adapter you have is not compatible with your use case, the adapter you have would be used FROM the display/TV HDMI ARC connector

I am using Cubilux USB S/PDIF TOSLINK  adapter with my Ray, will also work with the Playbar:

 

3 replies

Airgetlam
  • January 10, 2026

That converter is for ARC/eARC, neither which most computers have the ability to output. You’d need a much more simple HDMI switch to pull the audio from the HDMI signal, not an ARC/eARC signal. Something along the lines of this, but I have no personal experience with one, it isn’t a recommendation. 


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  • Senior Virtuoso
  • January 10, 2026

Note too that the Playbar receives from the tv, not the other way around. You need to get the light out of the optical cable when it’s connected (via the adaptor) to the PC. 
 

Have you got the Playbar installed on your network, and if so can you stream music to it? 


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  • Local Superstar
  • Answer
  • January 10, 2026

As mentioned above, the adapter you have is not compatible with your use case, the adapter you have would be used FROM the display/TV HDMI ARC connector

I am using Cubilux USB S/PDIF TOSLINK  adapter with my Ray, will also work with the Playbar: