Samsung TV Plus outages happen, but you can usually tell within minutes whether the service itself is down or whether the problem is on your end

Samsung TV Plus is a free streaming service built into Samsung smart TVs. When it stops working, the cause is usually one of three things: your internet connection, your TV's software, or an actual outage affecting Samsung's servers. The fastest way to know which one is the problem is to test your connection and check Samsung's status page before you spend time troubleshooting your TV.

If Samsung TV Plus is truly down, you will see the same error on any device connected to your home network. If it works on your phone but not your TV, the problem is almost certainly your TV or its connection, not Samsung's service.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your internet connection first by opening another app on your TV or visiting a website on your phone while connected to the same Wi-Fi.
  • Visit Samsung's support status page or Twitter account to see whether other users are reporting outages in your area.
  • Restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in — this fixes most temporary glitches.
  • If Samsung TV Plus works on your phone or tablet but not your TV, the issue is your TV's software or connection, not Samsung's servers.
  • Samsung TV Plus outages are usually resolved within a few hours, but you can stream from other free services while you wait.

Test your internet connection first

Before assuming Samsung TV Plus is down, confirm that your TV has a working internet connection. Open any other app on your TV — Netflix, YouTube, or your TV's web browser — and try to load something. If other apps work, your internet is fine and the problem is specific to Samsung TV Plus.

If no apps work, your TV has lost its connection to Wi-Fi or your home network is down. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, waiting for all lights to stop blinking, then plugging it back in. This usually takes two to three minutes. Once the router is back online, try Samsung TV Plus again.

You can also test your connection from another device. Open a web browser on your phone or computer while connected to the same Wi-Fi network and visit any website. If the website loads, your internet is working. If it does not, restart your router before troubleshooting your TV.

Check Samsung's official status and social media

Samsung publishes outage information on its support website and on Twitter. Visit Samsung's support page for Samsung TV Plus or search "Samsung TV Plus status" to see whether Samsung has posted a known issue. The page will say whether service is degraded, down in specific regions, or fully operational.

You can also check Samsung's Twitter account (@SamsungSupport or @SamsungTV) for recent posts about outages. If many users are reporting the same problem at the same time, Samsung's servers are likely down and you will have to wait for Samsung to fix it — usually a few hours.

If you see no posts about an outage and other users are not reporting problems, the issue is almost certainly on your end, not Samsung's.

Restart your TV to clear temporary glitches

Most streaming problems on Samsung TVs are fixed by a full restart. Do not use your remote to turn the TV off — instead, unplug the TV from the wall outlet completely. Wait 30 seconds (count them out), then plug it back in. The TV will take a minute or two to fully restart.

Once the TV is back on, open Samsung TV Plus and try to load a channel. A full restart clears temporary software glitches that can block streaming without affecting your settings or saved information.

If restarting does not work, try opening Samsung TV Plus again after waiting another minute. Sometimes the app needs extra time to reconnect after a restart.

Update your TV's software if an update is pending

Samsung TV Plus sometimes stops working if your TV's software is out of date. Check whether an update is waiting to be installed. On most Samsung TVs, go to Settings, then Support, then Software Update. If an update is available, install it and restart your TV.

Software updates can take 10 to 20 minutes to install. Do not unplug your TV during an update. Once the update is complete, try Samsung TV Plus again.

If your TV shows that your software is already up to date, skip this step and move on to checking your account.

Sign out and sign back into your Samsung account

Samsung TV Plus is free and does not require a password, but your TV must be signed into a Samsung account to use it. If your account connection has dropped, Samsung TV Plus will not load. Sign out of your Samsung account on your TV, wait 30 seconds, and sign back in.

Go to Settings, then your account name, then Sign Out. After you sign out, go back to Settings and select Sign In. You will need your Samsung account email and password. Once you are signed back in, open Samsung TV Plus and try again.

Test Samsung TV Plus on another device

If you have a Samsung phone or tablet, open the Samsung TV Plus app on that device and try to stream a channel. If it works on your phone but not your TV, your TV's software or connection is the problem, not Samsung's servers. If it does not work on your phone either, Samsung's service is likely down.

You can also visit Samsung TV Plus through a web browser on your computer at samsungtv.plus.com (or the URL shown in your TV's app). If the web version works but your TV does not, the problem is definitely your TV, not the service.

What to do while you wait for service to return

If you have confirmed that Samsung TV Plus is actually down and not a problem with your TV, you have several free streaming options while you wait. Tubi, Pluto TV, Freevee, and The Roku Channel all offer free live TV and on-demand shows without a subscription. Most Samsung TVs have these apps built in or available in the app store.

Samsung TV Plus outages are usually brief — most are resolved within a few hours. Check back every 30 minutes or so, or wait until the next morning if the outage happens late in the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if Samsung TV Plus is down in my area?

Visit Samsung's support website or check Samsung's Twitter account for outage announcements. If you see no posts about an outage and other users are not reporting problems online, the issue is on your end, not Samsung's servers.

Why does Samsung TV Plus work on my phone but not my TV?

If the app works on your phone but not your TV, your TV's software, connection, or account sign-in is the problem. Restart your TV, check that it is signed into your Samsung account, and make sure your TV's software is up to date.

Will restarting my TV erase my settings or saved shows?

No. Unplugging your TV and plugging it back in is a soft restart that clears temporary glitches without erasing any settings, apps, or saved information. Your TV will look and work exactly the same after it restarts.

How long do Samsung TV Plus outages usually last?

Most outages last between one and four hours. Samsung's support page will say whether they are aware of the problem and working on a fix. If an outage is widespread, Samsung usually posts an update within 30 minutes.

What free streaming services work if Samsung TV Plus is down?

Tubi, Pluto TV, Freevee, The Roku Channel, and Plex all offer free live TV and on-demand content. Most Samsung TVs have these apps built in or available in the app store, so you can switch to one of them while you wait for Samsung TV Plus to return.