The Basic Steps to Get Your Samsung TV Online

Most Samsung TVs made in the last 10 to 15 years have built-in WiFi, but the connection process depends on which remote and menu system your model uses. The fastest way is to go to Settings on your TV, find the Network or WiFi option, select your home network from the list, enter your password, and wait for the connection to confirm. If your TV is very old or doesn't find your network, you may need a Samsung wireless adapter or an ethernet cable instead.

The exact menu names and button locations vary by year and model, so you'll navigate differently on a 2012 Samsung than on a 2018 one. This guide covers the most common paths and what to do when the standard method doesn't work.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Samsung TVs from 2010 onward have WiFi built in, but you access it through the Settings menu, not a separate WiFi button.
  • Your TV must be within reasonable range of your router—if it's in another room with thick walls, move it closer or use an ethernet cable instead.
  • If your TV doesn't show your network name in the list, restart both the TV and your router, wait two minutes, and try again.
  • Older Samsung models may require a USB wireless adapter or ethernet connection if the built-in WiFi is not working or not present.
  • Once connected, your TV will remember the network and reconnect automatically when you turn it on.

Finding the Network Settings on Your Samsung TV

The first step is to open the Settings menu. On most Samsung remotes, this is a button labeled "Menu" or "Settings"—look for a gear icon. Press it and look for options like "Network," "WiFi," "Internet," or "Connections." The exact wording changed over the years, but all of these lead to the same place.

If you have a newer Samsung remote with a microphone button (for voice commands), press the Home button instead, then navigate to Settings using the arrow buttons. Once you're in Settings, use the arrow buttons to scroll down until you see a Network or WiFi section. Highlight it and press Enter.

If you cannot find a Network option at all, your TV may be too old to have built-in WiFi. Check the model number on the back of the TV and search online for "[your model number] WiFi" to confirm. If it doesn't have WiFi, you'll need to use an ethernet cable or a separate wireless adapter.

Selecting Your Network and Entering Your Password

Once you're in the Network menu, select "WiFi" or "Wireless" (not Ethernet, unless you're using a cable). Your TV will scan for available networks and show a list of names. Find your home network name—this is the SSID your router broadcasts, usually printed on a sticker on the router itself or visible in your phone's WiFi settings.

Highlight your network name and press Enter. The TV will ask for your WiFi password. Use the remote's arrow buttons and number pad to type it in. Samsung remotes vary—some have a full keyboard on the back, some use a letter-by-letter on-screen keyboard. Take your time and double-check each character, because a single wrong letter will cause the connection to fail.

After you enter the password, press Enter or OK. The TV will attempt to connect. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. You'll see a message saying "Connected" or "Connection Successful" if it works. If you see "Connection Failed" or "Incorrect Password," go back and re-enter the password more carefully.

What to Do If Your Network Doesn't Appear in the List

If you don't see your network name in the list of available networks, the most common cause is that your TV is too far from the router or there's a physical barrier blocking the signal. WiFi works best when the TV and router are in the same room or separated by one wall. If your TV is in a bedroom and your router is in a closet on the other side of the house, move the router closer or move the TV temporarily to test the connection.

If distance isn't the issue, restart both devices. Turn off your TV completely, unplug it for 30 seconds, and plug it back in. At the same time, unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait two minutes for both to fully restart, then try scanning for networks again. This clears temporary glitches that often prevent the TV from seeing the network.

If your network still doesn't appear, check that your router is broadcasting the network name (SSID). Some routers have a setting to hide the network name. If yours is hidden, you can manually enter the network name instead of selecting it from the list—look for an option like "Add Network Manually" or "Enter Network Name" in the WiFi menu. Type in your exact network name and password, and the TV should connect.

Using an Ethernet Cable as an Alternative

If your TV won't connect to WiFi no matter what you try, an ethernet cable is a reliable backup. Run a cable from your router directly to the ethernet port on the back of your TV. The port looks like a larger version of a phone jack. Once the cable is plugged in, go back to the Network menu and select "Ethernet" instead of WiFi. The TV should detect the connection when ready and show "Connected."

Ethernet is actually faster and more stable than WiFi, so if your TV is in a fixed location and you don't mind running a cable, this is often the better choice. Ethernet cables are inexpensive—a 50-foot cable costs under $15—and you can run them along baseboards or behind furniture to hide them.

Adding a Wireless Adapter for Older Samsung TVs

If your Samsung TV is from 2009 or earlier and has no built-in WiFi, you can add WiFi using a Samsung wireless adapter. These are small USB devices that plug into a USB port on the back of the TV. Samsung made several models, including the WIS09ABGN and WIS10ABGN, which are no longer manufactured but sometimes available used online.

If you find a compatible adapter, plug it into the USB port, then go to Settings and look for a Network or WiFi option. The TV should recognize the adapter and let you scan for networks just as if WiFi were built in. However, these adapters are hard to find and can be expensive. In most cases, an ethernet cable is a simpler and cheaper solution for very old TVs.

Before buying an adapter, confirm that your TV model supports it by searching online for "[your model number] wireless adapter." If nothing comes up, the TV likely doesn't support external adapters, and ethernet is your only option.

Testing Your Connection and Troubleshooting Drops

Once your TV shows "Connected," test the connection by opening an app that requires internet—Netflix, YouTube, or a news app. If the app loads and plays video without buffering, your connection is working. If the app won't load or keeps buffering, your signal is weak or your internet speed is too slow.

If the connection drops frequently, move your router closer to the TV or remove obstacles between them. Microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can interfere with WiFi on the 2.4 GHz band. If your router supports it, try switching to the 5 GHz band in your router settings—this band is less crowded and often more stable, though it doesn't travel as far through walls.

If you've moved the router and the problem persists, restart the TV and router again. Unplug both for 30 seconds, plug them back in, and wait for them to fully boot. Most connection drops are caused by temporary glitches that a restart fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my Samsung TV has built-in WiFi?

Check the back of your TV for a WiFi symbol (usually looks like curved lines or a fan shape) near the ports. You can also search online for your model number and the word "WiFi"—the product page will list it as a feature. If your TV is from 2010 or later, it almost certainly has WiFi, but very budget models from that era sometimes didn't.

What if I forgot my WiFi password?

Log into your router's settings page on a computer or phone. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, then enter your router's admin username and password (usually printed on the router). Once logged in, look for WiFi settings or Security settings to view or reset your password. If you don't know the admin password, you can factory reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, but this erases all your settings.

Can I connect my Samsung TV to a mobile hotspot instead of home WiFi?

Yes, you can select your phone's hotspot network from the TV's WiFi list and enter the hotspot password just like any other network. However, this will use your phone's data plan, which can be expensive if you stream video. It's best used only as a temporary solution when your home WiFi is down.

Why does my TV keep disconnecting from WiFi?

The most common causes are weak signal (move the router closer), interference from other devices, or a router that needs restarting. Less often, the TV's WiFi chip is failing and needs repair. Start by restarting both the TV and router, then try moving the router. If the problem continues, try an ethernet cable to see if that connection is stable—if it is, the issue is WiFi-specific and may require service.

Do I need to reconnect every time I turn on the TV?

No. Once your TV connects to a network and you've entered the password, it saves that information. The next time you turn on the TV, it will automatically reconnect to the same network without asking for the password again. If the TV doesn't reconnect automatically, restart it and check that your router is on.