What Split Screen Does and How to Turn It On

Split screen on a Samsung TV lets you watch two programs or inputs at the same time, side by side on the same display. One half of the screen shows one channel or app, the other half shows another. You turn it on through the Picture Size menu, and it works with cable, satellite, streaming apps, and HDMI inputs depending on your TV model and what you're trying to watch.

The exact steps depend on whether your Samsung TV is a 2015 model or newer. Older models may not have split screen, or may call the feature by a different name like "Picture by Picture" or "Dual View." Check your TV's manual if you have it, or try the steps below—if your remote doesn't have the buttons mentioned, your TV likely doesn't support the feature.

Key Takeaways

  • Split screen works on most Samsung TVs made in 2015 or later, but not all models support it with every input type.
  • You access split screen through the Picture Size menu, usually by pressing the Menu button on your remote and navigating to Picture.
  • Both programs must be coming from compatible sources—two cable channels work, but some streaming apps may not work in split screen mode.
  • Split screen shrinks both images, so text and small details become harder to read on smaller TVs.
  • If split screen is grayed out or missing from your menu, your TV model does not support it, or the current input does not allow it.

Steps to Turn On Split Screen Using Your Remote

Start with your TV on and displaying the first program or input you want to see. Press the Menu button on your Samsung remote. Navigate to Picture using the arrow buttons, then press Enter. Look for an option called Picture Size, Split Screen, or Dual View—the exact name varies by model year.

Once you find it, press Enter to open the submenu. You should see options like Off, Picture by Picture, or Side by Side. Select Side by Side if you want the two screens next to each other horizontally, or Picture by Picture if your TV offers a vertical split. Press Enter to confirm.

Your screen will now split in half. The program you were watching stays on one side. A new input selector will appear on the other side—use your remote's arrow buttons to choose which input or channel you want on that half. Press Enter to lock it in. You now have two programs running at once, each with its own volume control.

Controlling Volume and Switching Between the Two Screens

When split screen is active, you can adjust the volume of each side separately. Press the Volume Up or Volume Down button on your remote, and a small indicator will show which side you are controlling. If you want to switch to the other side, press the left or right arrow button on your remote to move focus, then use volume as normal.

Some Samsung remotes have a dedicated button to swap which side is "active" for volume control. Check your remote's buttons—it may be labeled Swap, PIP, or have an icon showing two rectangles. If you cannot find it, the arrow buttons will always let you switch focus between the two halves.

Which Inputs and Programs Work in Split Screen

Split screen works best with cable, satellite, and broadcast TV—you can watch two channels at once without any problem. HDMI inputs (like a cable box, gaming console, or streaming device) usually work, but some streaming apps built into the TV may not. Netflix, YouTube, and other apps sometimes block split screen to protect their content.

If you try to select an input and it appears grayed out or does not respond, that input does not support split screen on your TV. Try a different combination—for example, cable on one side and an HDMI device on the other often works when two streaming apps would not. Your TV's manual lists which combinations are supported on your specific model.

Turning Off Split Screen

To return to full-screen viewing, press Menu, go to Picture, find Picture Size or Split Screen, and select Off. The TV will return to showing only the program that was on the side you were last controlling. The other program will stop displaying, but it will still be running in the background if you want to switch back to split screen later.

You can also press the Exit button on your remote multiple times to close the menu and return to normal viewing, but this does not turn off split screen—it only closes the menu. Always use the Picture Size menu to actually disable the feature.

Common Problems and Why Split Screen Might Not Work

If split screen is not showing up in your Picture menu at all, your TV model does not support it. Samsung added split screen to most TVs starting in 2015, but some budget models and older sets do not have it. Check your TV's model number (usually on a sticker on the back) and search the Samsung support website to confirm whether your specific model includes the feature.

If split screen is in the menu but appears grayed out, the input you are trying to use does not support it. Try switching one side to a cable or broadcast channel instead of a streaming app. If both sides are set to streaming apps, try moving one to an HDMI input or cable channel. Some TV models also disable split screen when the TV is in certain picture modes—try switching to Standard or Dynamic picture mode if split screen remains unavailable.

If the image on one side is frozen or not updating, press the arrow button to switch focus to that side, then press the channel up or down button to refresh it. If it stays frozen, turn off split screen, select that input normally, and turn split screen back on.

When Split Screen Makes Sense and When It Does Not

Split screen is useful when you want to keep an eye on two things at once—a game and a sports score, a news channel and the weather, or two different streaming services while you decide what to watch. It is less useful on TVs smaller than 43 inches, because the text and details on each half become small and hard to read.

Keep in mind that both programs are running and using bandwidth at the same time. If your internet connection is slow, streaming two apps in split screen may cause buffering or stuttering. Wired internet (ethernet) is more stable than Wi-Fi for split screen streaming. Also, some apps charge per stream—if you are watching the same streaming service on both sides, check your account terms to see whether that counts as two simultaneous streams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use split screen with two different streaming services at the same time?

It depends on the app and your TV model. Netflix, Disney+, and most major services block split screen to protect their content. You can usually watch cable on one side and a streaming app on the other, or two cable channels together. Try the combination you want—if one side goes blank or shows an error, that app does not support split screen.

Does split screen work with gaming consoles?

Yes, if your console is connected via HDMI. You can have a game on one side and a cable channel or streaming app on the other. Some games may not display correctly in split screen mode, so test it with the game you want to play. The game will run at a lower resolution on half the screen, which may affect performance.

Why does my split screen keep turning off by itself?

Some Samsung TVs disable split screen automatically when you switch inputs or change the picture mode. Check whether you accidentally changed the picture mode or switched to a different HDMI input. Also, if your TV goes into standby or sleep mode, split screen turns off. Turn the TV back on and reactivate split screen if needed.

Can I save my split screen setup so it comes back the same way next time?

Most Samsung TVs do not save split screen settings between power cycles. When you turn the TV off and back on, split screen will be off. You will need to turn it back on and select your inputs again. Some newer models may remember the last input you used on each side, but this varies by year and model.

What if one side of the split screen has no sound?

Press the arrow button on your remote to switch focus to the silent side, then press Volume Up to make sure it is not muted. If it still has no sound, that input may not be outputting audio. Check the cable or HDMI connection for that input, or try a different input on that side of the split screen. Some inputs (like certain HDMI devices) may need audio settings adjusted in their own menus.