Unpack and connect the TV to power first

Take the TV out of the box and place it on a stable, flat surface or mount it on the wall. Remove all plastic wrapping and protective film from the screen and frame. Locate the power cable in the box—it plugs into the back or side of the TV and into a wall outlet. Plug it in now, but do not turn it on yet.

Samsung TVs come with a remote control in the box. Install the two AA batteries that should also be included, following the diagram on the battery cover. Point the remote at the TV and press the power button. The TV will take 30 to 60 seconds to start up the first time.

Key Takeaways

  • The TV will walk you through language, network, and Samsung account setup the moment you power it on for the first time—follow each screen in order.
  • You must connect to Wi-Fi during setup so the TV can read software updates and reach streaming apps.
  • Creating a Samsung account is optional but required if you want to use Samsung TV Plus, SmartThings, or cloud features.
  • After setup completes, you can add streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, or YouTube from the TV's app store without leaving your couch.

Choose your language and country during the welcome screen

When the TV powers on, the first screen will ask you to select your language and country or region. Use the remote's arrow buttons to highlight your choice, then press the center button (Select) to confirm. This setting affects which apps are available, what channels appear in the TV guide, and which customer support number the TV will show you.

Take your time here—you can change the language later in Settings, but the country setting is harder to change. If you selected the wrong one, go back now rather than continuing.

Connect to your home Wi-Fi network

The TV will next ask you to connect to Wi-Fi. A list of nearby networks will appear on screen. Find your home network name (called the SSID) in the list and select it with the remote. The TV will then ask you to enter your Wi-Fi password using the on-screen keyboard.

Use the remote's arrow buttons to highlight each letter or number, then press Select to choose it. This is slow the first time—most remotes have a text-entry mode that lets you type faster once you get used to it, but the arrow method always works. After you enter the password and press Done, the TV will connect to your network. This usually takes 10 to 20 seconds. If the connection fails, double-check that you entered the password correctly and that your router is powered on.

Sign in to your Samsung account or skip to a guest setup

Once Wi-Fi is connected, the TV will offer you the option to sign in with a Samsung account. If you already have one (from a Samsung phone, tablet, or previous TV), enter your email address and password. If you do not have one, you can create a new account on this screen or skip this step entirely and set up a guest account instead.

A Samsung account lets you save your app preferences, use voice commands with Bixby, and access Samsung TV Plus (a free streaming service built into the TV). You can create an account later from the Settings menu if you change your mind. For now, choose whichever option feels right—the TV will work either way.

Allow the TV to read updates and agree to terms

The TV will check for software updates and read them automatically if any are available. This can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on your internet speed. Do not unplug the TV during this step. You will see a progress bar on screen.

After updates finish, the TV will show you terms of service and privacy policies. Read through them if you wish, or scroll to the bottom and select Agree to continue. Some screens will ask about data collection and ad personalization—you can turn these off if you prefer, and change them later in Settings.

Set up voice control and finish the welcome screens

Samsung TVs come with Bixby, a voice assistant built into the remote. The setup screen will ask if you want to use voice commands. If you do, hold down the microphone button on the remote and speak a command like "Open Netflix" or "What's on tonight?" If you do not want voice control, you can skip this and use the remote buttons instead. You can turn Bixby on or off anytime in Settings.

The TV will then show you a few more optional screens about picture settings and app recommendations. You can accept the defaults or customize them now. Once you reach the home screen (which shows your apps and a guide to what is on), the setup is complete. You are now ready to add streaming apps and start watching.

Add your first streaming apps from the app store

On the home screen, look for an icon labeled "Apps" or "Samsung Apps Store"—it usually looks like a grid or a shopping bag. Select it with the remote. You will see a list of available apps including Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, Hulu, and others. Find the app you want and select it, then choose Install or read. The app will read and install in the background, usually within one to three minutes.

Once installed, the app will appear on your home screen. Select it to open it, and you will be prompted to sign in with your account for that service (your Netflix password, Disney+ login, and so on). The TV does not store these passwords—you enter them once per app, and the app remembers them.

Adjust picture and sound settings to your preference

Now that the TV is set up, you may want to fine-tune how it looks and sounds. Press the Menu button on the remote and select Picture Settings. Here you can adjust brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness. Samsung TVs come with preset picture modes like Standard, Dynamic, and Movie—Movie mode is usually the most accurate for watching films and shows.

For sound, go to Sound Settings in the Menu. You can adjust volume, bass, treble, and choose between stereo and surround sound if you have external speakers connected. If you are using a soundbar or home theater system, look for an option called HDMI-eARC or Optical Audio Output and enable it so the TV sends sound to your external speakers instead of its built-in speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have a Samsung account and do not want to create one?

You can skip Samsung account setup entirely and use the TV as a guest. You will still be able to read apps, watch streaming services, and use most TV features. You just will not be able to use Bixby voice commands or access Samsung TV Plus without signing in later.

Can I change my country or region after setup is done?

Yes, but it requires a factory reset in most cases. Go to Settings, then Support, then Reset. This erases all your apps and settings and returns the TV to its original state, so only do this if you absolutely need to change the region. It is easier to set it correctly the first time.

My Wi-Fi password is very long—is there an easier way to enter it?

Some Samsung TVs let you scan a QR code from your router instead of typing the password. Check your router for a QR code sticker, or look in your router's settings app to generate one. If your TV supports this, a QR code option will appear on the Wi-Fi password screen.

Do I need to plug in an antenna or cable box to watch TV?

No. Samsung Smart TVs are designed to work with streaming apps over Wi-Fi. If you want to watch cable or broadcast TV, you will need to connect a cable box or antenna to one of the HDMI ports on the back of the TV, then switch to that input using the remote's Input button. Streaming apps like Netflix do not need any external hardware.

How do I know if my TV is fully updated?

Go to Settings, then Support, then Software Update. The TV will check for new updates and tell you whether you are on the latest version. If an update is available, select Update and let the TV restart—this usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Do not unplug the TV during an update.