Connect Your Samsung TV Using WiFi or Ethernet
Samsung TVs connect to your network through the Settings menu, which takes about five minutes. You can use WiFi or plug in an ethernet cable — WiFi is simpler if your router is nearby, ethernet is more stable if you stream video constantly. Both methods start the same way: press the Home button on your remote, navigate to Settings, then Network, then choose your connection type.
The TV will search for available networks and display them on screen. Select your network name, enter your password if it's password-protected, and wait for the connection to complete. Once connected, your TV can access streaming apps, software updates, and any content you cast from your phone or computer.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings from the Home menu, go to Network, and choose WiFi or Ethernet depending on what you have available.
- For WiFi, select your network name from the list and enter your password — the TV will remember it for future use.
- For ethernet, plug a cable directly into the port on the back of the TV and the connection happens automatically.
- Once connected, test the connection in Settings to confirm the TV can reach the internet before using streaming apps.
- If the TV cannot find your network, restart your router and move closer to it, or check that your WiFi password is correct.
WiFi Connection Step by Step
Start at the Home screen by pressing the Home button on your remote. Navigate down to Settings — it usually appears as a gear icon at the bottom right of the menu. Open Settings, then select Network.
Choose WiFi from the options shown. The TV will scan for networks and display a list of available ones. Find your network name (also called the SSID) and select it. If your network is hidden, choose "Add Network" and type the name manually.
When prompted, enter your WiFi password using the on-screen keyboard. Use the remote arrows to highlight each letter or number, then press Select to confirm it. Once you've entered the full password, select Done or Connect. The TV will attempt to join the network — this usually takes 10 to 30 seconds.
After connection, you'll see a confirmation message. Go back to Settings and select Network Status to verify the connection is active. If the TV shows "Connected" and displays an IP address, you're ready to use streaming apps.
Ethernet Connection for Wired Networks
Ethernet provides a direct cable connection and is more reliable than WiFi if your router is far from the TV or if you experience buffering during video playback. Locate the ethernet port on the back of your Samsung TV — it's a rectangular jack labeled "LAN" or "Ethernet."
Plug one end of an ethernet cable into that port and the other end into an available port on your router or network switch. The TV should recognize the connection automatically within a few seconds. You may see a notification on screen confirming the connection.
To verify, open Settings, go to Network, and select Network Status. The TV should show "Connected" with an IP address assigned. If it doesn't, restart the TV and check that the cable is fully inserted into both the TV and the router.
What to Do If the Connection Fails
If your TV cannot find your network, the most common cause is that your router is too far away or the signal is blocked by walls or metal objects. Move the TV closer to the router temporarily to test the connection. If it works from a closer distance, you may need to relocate your router or use an ethernet cable instead.
If the TV finds your network but won't connect after you enter the password, double-check that you've typed it correctly — passwords are case-sensitive. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for the router to fully restart (usually one to two minutes) before trying again on the TV.
If you're still unable to connect, restart the TV itself. Press and hold the power button on the remote for 10 seconds until the TV turns off, then turn it back on. Go through the WiFi or ethernet setup again from the beginning.
Testing Your Connection and Troubleshooting Speed
Once connected, test the network to confirm the TV can reach the internet. Open Settings, go to Network, and select Network Status or Test Connection. The TV will run a quick check and report whether it can communicate with Samsung's servers.
If the test passes but streaming apps are slow or buffer frequently, the issue is usually bandwidth rather than connection. Check how many other devices are using your WiFi — phones, computers, and other smart devices all share the same network. If too many devices are active, disconnect some temporarily to free up bandwidth for the TV.
If you're using WiFi and experiencing consistent slowness, switch to ethernet if possible. Ethernet connections are not affected by interference from other wireless devices and typically provide faster, more stable speeds for video streaming.
Updating Your TV After Connecting to the Network
After your TV connects to the network, Samsung may prompt you to install a software update. These updates fix bugs, add features, and improve performance. Allow the update to complete — it usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, and the TV will restart automatically when finished.
If no update prompt appears, you can check manually. Open Settings, go to Support, then Software Update, and select Update Now. The TV will check for available updates and install them if found.
Do not unplug the TV during an update. If the power goes out or the TV loses internet connection mid-update, it may fail to restart properly. If this happens, unplug the TV for one minute, plug it back in, and try the update again.
Connecting Devices to Your TV After Network Setup
Once your TV is on the network, you can cast content from your phone or computer. On Android phones, open any app that supports casting, tap the Cast icon, and select your Samsung TV from the list. On iPhones, use AirPlay the same way — the TV must be on the same WiFi network as your phone.
You can also use the SmartThings app to control your TV remotely from your phone, even when you're away from home. read SmartThings from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, sign in with your Samsung account, and add your TV to the app. The app will find your TV automatically if it's connected to the network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung account to connect my TV to the network?
No. Your TV connects to your home WiFi or ethernet network without a Samsung account. However, you'll need a Samsung account to use some features like SmartThings remote control or to sign into streaming apps that require login.
Can I use both WiFi and ethernet at the same time?
Most Samsung TVs will use ethernet if both are connected, since it's faster and more stable. If you want to use WiFi instead, disconnect the ethernet cable or disable ethernet in the Network settings menu.
Why does my TV keep disconnecting from WiFi?
This usually happens if the TV is far from the router or if another device is interfering with the signal. Try moving the router closer, removing obstacles between the TV and router, or switching to a less crowded WiFi channel in your router settings. If the problem continues, use ethernet instead.
What's the difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi?
2.4GHz has longer range but slower speeds; 5GHz is faster but has shorter range. Most Samsung TVs support both. If your router broadcasts both, try connecting to 5GHz first for better streaming performance, then switch to 2.4GHz if the signal is too weak.
How do I forget a WiFi network on my TV?
Open Settings, go to Network, select WiFi, and find the network you want to remove. Select it and choose Forget or Delete. The TV will no longer connect to that network automatically. You can reconnect later by selecting it again and entering the password.