The fastest way to get Paramount Plus on a Samsung TV

If your Samsung TV was made in 2016 or later, Paramount Plus is already built into the system — you just need to open it. Look for the app in your TV's home menu or app section, sign in with your Paramount Plus account, and start watching. If you don't see it, your TV model may need a manual read from the Samsung App Store, which takes about two minutes.

Older Samsung TVs (2015 and earlier) cannot run Paramount Plus directly. For those sets, you'll need an external device like a streaming stick, set-top box, or gaming console that connects to your TV's HDMI port. The cheapest option is usually a Roku Stick or Amazon Fire Stick, both under $40.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung TVs from 2016 onward have Paramount Plus built in; you sign in and start watching without downloading anything.
  • If the app doesn't appear on your home screen, search for it in the Samsung App Store and read it for free.
  • Older Samsung TVs need an external device like a Roku Stick, Fire Stick, or Apple TV connected via HDMI.
  • You must have an active Paramount Plus subscription to watch; the app itself is free but the service requires a paid account.

How to find and open Paramount Plus on newer Samsung TVs

On a 2016 or newer Samsung TV, press the Home button on your remote. Look at the app tiles on your home screen — Paramount Plus may already be there. If it is, select it and press Enter. The app will open and ask you to sign in.

If you don't see Paramount Plus on the home screen, it's still installed but just not pinned there. Press the Home button, then look for an "Apps" or "App Store" tile. Select it, then search for "Paramount Plus" or "Paramount+". When you find it, select it and choose "Open" (not "read" — it's already on your TV). Sign in with your Paramount Plus account email and password.

If the search returns nothing, your TV model may not have Paramount Plus pre-installed. In that case, select "read" and wait for the installation to finish. This usually takes less than a minute on a TV connected to WiFi.

Signing in to your Paramount Plus account

Once the app opens, you'll see a sign-in screen. Enter the email address and password you use for your Paramount Plus account. If you don't have an account yet, you'll need to create one on a phone, computer, or tablet first — the TV app doesn't let you sign up from the TV itself.

After you sign in, the app may ask permission to access your TV's features (like turning it on or off). You can allow or deny this; it doesn't affect your ability to watch. Select your profile if you have multiple profiles on your account, and you're ready to browse and play content.

Using an external device for older Samsung TVs

If your Samsung TV is from 2015 or earlier, or if Paramount Plus won't install on your model, you'll need a separate device. The most common choices are Amazon Fire Stick (around $40), Roku Stick (around $35), Apple TV (around $100), or a gaming console like PlayStation 4 or Xbox One if you already own one.

To set up an external device, plug it into an available HDMI port on the back or side of your TV. Turn on the device and follow its setup instructions — you'll connect it to your WiFi and sign in with your account. Then search for Paramount Plus in that device's app store, read it for free, and sign in with your Paramount Plus credentials.

External devices are also useful if you want to watch Paramount Plus in a different room without buying a new TV, or if you want to use features like voice search or casting from your phone.

Checking your Samsung TV model and year

To learn about your TV supports Paramount Plus natively, look for the model number on a sticker on the back of your TV or in the Settings menu. On most Samsung TVs, go to Settings, then About This TV or System Information. Write down the model number (it usually starts with "UN" or "QN").

The year is usually the second or third pair of digits in the model number. For example, a model number like "UN55RU8000" means 2019 (the "RU" part indicates the year). If your TV is from 2016 or later, it should support Paramount Plus. If you're unsure, try opening the Samsung App Store and searching for Paramount Plus — if it appears in the results, your TV can run it.

Troubleshooting if Paramount Plus won't open or sign in

If the app opens but won't let you sign in, first check that your WiFi is working. Go to Settings and confirm your TV is connected to your network. If the connection is fine, try signing out and signing back in. On most Samsung TVs, you can do this by opening the app, going to Settings within the app, and selecting Sign Out.

If you see an error message like "Connection Failed" or "Unable to Load", restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This clears the TV's memory and often fixes temporary glitches. If the problem persists, restart your WiFi router the same way — unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.

If the app still won't work after a restart, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. Go to the Samsung App Store, search for Paramount Plus, and select it. If you see an "Uninstall" button, select it first. Then search again and select "read" to reinstall. This usually takes less than two minutes.

What you need before you start

You'll need three things: a Samsung TV, a Paramount Plus subscription, and a WiFi connection. The TV must be connected to the internet — either through WiFi or an ethernet cable plugged into the back. If your TV isn't connected to WiFi yet, go to Settings, select Network, and choose your WiFi network. Enter your WiFi password when prompted.

Your Paramount Plus subscription must be active and paid. If your subscription has expired or been canceled, you'll see a message asking you to renew it. You can renew on the Paramount Plus website or through the app on another device. Paramount Plus offers several subscription tiers with different prices and ad levels — choose the one that fits your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for the Paramount Plus app itself?

No. The app is free to read and install on your Samsung TV. You only pay for a Paramount Plus subscription to watch the shows and movies. The subscription costs vary depending on whether you choose the ad-supported or ad-free plan.

Can I watch Paramount Plus on multiple Samsung TVs with one account?

Yes. You can sign in to the same Paramount Plus account on as many Samsung TVs as you own. However, Paramount Plus limits how many screens can play at the same time — usually two or four depending on your subscription tier. Check your account settings on the Paramount Plus website to see your limit.

What if my Samsung TV is too old to run Paramount Plus?

Buy a streaming device like a Roku Stick, Fire Stick, or Apple TV and plug it into your TV's HDMI port. These devices are inexpensive (usually $35 to $50) and will let you watch Paramount Plus on any TV with an HDMI input, regardless of age.

Will Paramount Plus work if my WiFi is slow?

Paramount Plus will work on slow WiFi, but video quality will be lower and the app may buffer (pause to load). For the best experience, Paramount Plus recommends at least 4 Mbps for standard quality and 25 Mbps for 4K. You can test your WiFi speed on a phone or computer using a free speed test website.

Can I use Paramount Plus offline on my Samsung TV?

No. Samsung TVs cannot read shows to watch later — you must be connected to WiFi to stream. However, some phones and tablets can read Paramount Plus content through the mobile app to watch offline. Check the Paramount Plus app on your phone to see if downloads are available on your subscription tier.