How to Connect a Smart TV to WiFi

Most modern TVs are smart TVs with built-in WiFi. The menu layout differs slightly between brands but the process is the same on all of them.

  1. 1

    Press Home or Menu on your remote

    Look for a home icon or a button labelled Menu, Settings or Setup. On Samsung remotes it is the house icon. On LG it is the three lines or the wheel icon.

  2. 2

    Go to Settings → Network

    Navigate to Settings (sometimes called Setup). Then look for Network, Wireless or Internet depending on your brand.

  3. 3

    Select WiFi or Wireless Setup

    Choose the wireless option. The TV will scan for available networks.

  4. 4

    Select your network

    Find your WiFi name (SSID) in the list and select it. If you do not see it, make sure your router is on and within range.

  5. 5

    Enter your WiFi password

    Use the on-screen keyboard to type your password carefully — passwords are case-sensitive. Select Done or Connect when finished.

  6. 6

    Test the connection

    The TV will confirm the connection. Try opening an app like Netflix or YouTube to confirm it is working.

Brand-specific tipsSamsung: Home → Settings → General → Network → Open Network Settings. LG: Settings → All Settings → Network → WiFi Connection. Sony: Home → Settings → Network → Network Setup → Easy.

TV Not Connecting to WiFi? Try These Fixes

  • Restart both the TV and router — unplug both for 30 seconds, plug the router in first, wait 60 seconds, then turn the TV on.
  • Check you are on 2.4GHz not 5GHz — some older TVs only support 2.4GHz. If your router broadcasts both, try connecting to the 2.4GHz network.
  • Move closer to the router — WiFi signal drops off quickly. If the TV is far from the router, a WiFi extender or ethernet cable will give a much better result.
  • Re-enter the password — mistyped passwords are the most common cause. Delete the saved network and try again.
Pro tipFor streaming TV, a wired ethernet connection is always more reliable than WiFi. If your TV has an ethernet port and your router is nearby, use a cable — it eliminates buffering completely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Almost always a wrong password. Passwords are case-sensitive — make sure caps lock is off and you are entering it exactly. Also check whether your router uses MAC address filtering, which would block new devices.
Not directly, but you can plug in an Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast or Roku into the HDMI port. These devices connect to WiFi and turn any TV into a smart TV.
Streaming uses significant data — Netflix HD uses about 3GB per hour, 4K uses up to 7GB per hour. On an unlimited broadband plan this is not a concern, but on a metered connection it adds up quickly.