Connect Your Samsung TV Using WiFi or Ethernet

You can connect a Samsung TV to the internet in two ways: through WiFi or with an ethernet cable plugged directly into the back of the TV. WiFi is the most common choice for home use because it does not require running a cable across your room. An ethernet cable gives you a more stable connection if your TV is near your router or if WiFi signal is weak where your TV sits.

The steps are nearly identical whether you choose WiFi or ethernet. Your TV will walk you through the process on screen, and the whole setup takes about five minutes. You will need your WiFi password if you choose wireless, or just the cable if you go wired.

Key Takeaways

  • Press the Home button on your remote, go to Settings, then Network, and choose either WiFi or Ethernet depending on how you want to connect.
  • For WiFi, select your network name from the list and type in your password exactly as it appears on your router or bill.
  • For ethernet, plug the cable into the port on the back of your TV labeled "LAN" or "Ethernet" and your TV will detect it automatically.
  • Once connected, your TV will show a checkmark or "Connected" message, and you can then open apps like Netflix, YouTube, or your streaming service.
  • If your TV does not find your network, move closer to the router, restart both devices, or check that your WiFi password is typed correctly.

Connect Using WiFi on Your Samsung TV

Start by pressing the Home button on your remote control. This takes you to the main menu. Look for Settings — it usually appears as a gear icon in the top right corner of the screen. Select it and press Enter.

Once you are in Settings, scroll down and select Network. You will see two options: WiFi and Ethernet. Choose WiFi. Your TV will now search for available networks and display a list of all the WiFi networks it can detect in your area.

Find your network name (also called the SSID) in the list and select it. Your TV will then ask you to enter your WiFi password. Type it in carefully — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters and lowercase letters are different. If you are unsure of your password, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router, or look at your internet bill. Once you type the password correctly and press Enter, your TV will connect within a few seconds.

You will see a message that says "Connected" or a checkmark next to your network name. This means you are online. If the connection fails, double-check that you typed the password exactly right, including any numbers or special characters.

Connect Using an Ethernet Cable

An ethernet cable is a thick cord with a plastic connector on each end that looks similar to a phone jack but wider. One end plugs into your router, and the other plugs into your TV. Look on the back of your Samsung TV for a port labeled LAN or Ethernet — it is usually near the other ports where you plug in cables.

Plug the ethernet cable into that port firmly until you hear or feel a small click. Then go to Home on your remote, select Settings, choose Network, and select Ethernet. Your TV will detect the cable automatically and connect within seconds. You should see "Connected" on the screen.

Ethernet is more reliable than WiFi because the signal does not travel through walls or get interrupted by other devices. However, it requires you to have a cable running from your router to your TV, which may not be practical in every room. If your router is in a closet or far away, WiFi is usually the better choice.

What to Do If Your TV Will Not Connect

If your TV cannot find your network, the most common reason is that you are too far from the router. WiFi signal weakens through walls and distance. Try moving your router closer to the TV temporarily, or move the TV closer to the router if possible. Even moving a few feet can make a difference.

If your TV finds the network but will not connect, you likely typed the password wrong. Go back to the WiFi list, select your network again, and re-enter the password. Pay close attention to capital letters — for example, "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". If you are still stuck, restart both your TV and your router. Turn off the TV completely, unplug your router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and turn the TV back on. Then try connecting again.

If you are using ethernet and the connection is not working, make sure the cable is plugged in firmly on both ends. Try a different ethernet cable if you have one available, because the cable itself can be damaged. Also check that the port on your TV is not blocked by dust or debris — you can gently clean it with a dry cloth.

Test Your Connection and Start Using Apps

Once your TV shows "Connected", you can test the connection by opening an app. Press Home on your remote and look for apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, or Disney+. Select one and press Enter. If the app opens and loads, your internet connection is working.

If an app opens but will not load content, or if you see an error message, your connection may be too slow or unstable. This sometimes happens if many devices are using your WiFi at the same time. Try restarting your TV and router again, or move your TV closer to the router if you are using WiFi.

You can also check your connection speed directly on your TV. Go to Home, then Settings, then Network, and look for an option called Network Status or Connection Status. This will show you whether your TV is connected and sometimes displays your internet speed. Most streaming apps work fine with speeds of 25 megabits per second or higher.

Improve Your WiFi Signal If You Have Weak Connection

If your TV connects but apps load slowly or keep stopping, your WiFi signal may be weak. The easiest fix is to move your router to a more central location in your home, away from walls and metal objects. Routers work best when they are elevated — on a shelf or mounted on a wall — rather than sitting on the floor.

If moving the router is not possible, you can buy a WiFi extender, which is a small device that picks up your router's signal and rebroadcasts it to reach farther. Extenders are inexpensive and plug into any outlet. Another option is to switch to the 5 GHz band on your router if your router supports it — this band is faster but does not travel as far, so it works best if your TV is relatively close to the router.

If you have an older router, it may not support the latest WiFi standards. Newer Samsung TVs work best with WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 routers. If your router is more than five years old, upgrading to a newer model may solve connection problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to connect my Samsung TV to the internet?

No, you can watch cable or satellite TV without an internet connection. However, you will not be able to use streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+, and you will not receive software updates. Most people connect their TVs to use these features.

Can I use both WiFi and ethernet at the same time?

Your TV will use whichever connection is plugged in or turned on. If both are active, it typically prioritizes ethernet because it is more stable. You do not need both — choose one or the other.

What if I forgot my WiFi password?

Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — the password is usually printed there. If the sticker is missing, you can reset your router to factory settings by holding down the reset button for 10 seconds, but this will erase your WiFi network and you will have to set it up again from scratch. Contact your internet provider if you need help.

Why does my TV keep disconnecting from WiFi?

This usually happens if your TV is too far from the router, if the router is overloaded with too many devices, or if your router needs a restart. Try moving the TV closer to the router, unplugging other devices that use WiFi, or restarting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

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

Yes, you can connect to a mobile hotspot the same way you connect to regular WiFi — go to Settings, Network, WiFi, and select your phone's hotspot from the list. However, streaming video uses a lot of data, so this will quickly use up your phone's monthly data limit. It is better for occasional use only.