Your Samsung TV loses WiFi for a few common reasons: the router is too far away, the TV's WiFi module needs a restart, your network password changed, or the TV's software is outdated

Most connection problems fall into one of three categories: something between the TV and router is blocking the signal, the TV itself needs to reset its network settings, or there's a mismatch between what the TV thinks your network is and what your network actually is. The good news is that you can test and fix most of these without calling Samsung support.

Start by checking whether your TV can see your network name at all. Go to Settings > General > Network > Open Network Settings and look at the list of available networks. If your network name appears, the TV can reach your router—the problem is authentication or settings. If your network name does not appear, the TV cannot hear the router, and you need to move the router or TV or remove obstacles between them.

Key Takeaways

  • If your network name does not show up in the available networks list, move your router closer to the TV or remove large metal objects and microwaves between them.
  • If your network name appears but the TV will not connect, restart the TV completely by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then try entering your password again.
  • If the TV was connected before and suddenly stopped, your router may have restarted and changed its settings—check whether other devices are still connected to the same network.
  • Samsung TVs older than three years may need a software update to connect to modern routers using WPA3 security, which you can do through Settings > Support > Software Update.
  • If none of these steps work, factory reset the TV's network settings only by going to Settings > General > Reset and selecting Reset Network.

Check the distance between your TV and router

WiFi signals weaken over distance and through walls. If your router is in a bedroom and your TV is in a living room two rooms away, or if the router is on the opposite side of a thick wall, the signal may be too weak for the TV to detect or maintain a connection.

Move your router to a central location in your home, ideally on a shelf or table rather than on the floor or inside a cabinet. If moving the router is not practical, move the TV closer to the router temporarily to test whether distance is the problem. If the TV connects when it is closer, you know the signal strength is the issue.

Metal objects, microwaves, and cordless phones also interfere with WiFi. If your router sits next to a microwave or metal filing cabinet, move it a few feet away. This is a common cause of connection problems that people overlook.

Restart your TV completely, not just the remote

A full power cycle clears the TV's network memory and forces it to reconnect from scratch. This fixes most temporary connection glitches. Do not use the remote's power button—that puts the TV in standby mode, not a true restart.

Unplug the TV from the wall outlet and wait 30 seconds. While it is unplugged, also unplug your router. After 30 seconds, plug the router back in first and wait for it to fully restart (usually one to two minutes—you will see lights stabilize). Then plug the TV back in. Once the TV boots up, go to Settings > General > Network > Open Network Settings and try to connect again.

When you enter your password, make sure you are typing it exactly as it appears—WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, and a single wrong character will cause the connection to fail. If you are unsure of your password, check the label on the back of your router or log into your router's admin page from a computer or phone.

Verify your network password has not changed

If your TV was connected before and suddenly stopped working, your router may have restarted and reset to factory settings, or someone may have changed the network password. Check whether other devices in your home—a phone, laptop, or tablet—are still connected to the same network. If they are not, your network settings have changed.

Log into your router's admin page from a computer or phone to see the current network name and password. The router's IP address and login instructions are usually on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router. Once you are logged in, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network to find the current password. Write it down and enter it into your TV.

If you do not remember the admin password for the router itself, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding down the reset button (usually a small hole on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds. This will erase all your settings, so you will need to set up the network again from scratch on all devices.

Update your TV's software

Samsung TVs older than three years may not support the latest WiFi security standards that newer routers use. If your router uses WPA3 encryption (common on routers made after 2021) and your TV is older, the TV may not recognize the network as find and refuse to connect.

Check for a software update by going to Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now. The TV will check Samsung's servers for a newer version. If an update is available, the TV will read and install it—this usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, and the TV will restart on its own. Do not unplug the TV during an update.

If the TV cannot read the update because it has no internet connection, you can update it using a USB drive. Go to the Samsung support website on a computer, search for your TV model number, and read the latest firmware file. Copy it to a USB drive, plug the drive into your TV's USB port, and follow the on-screen instructions. This is slower but works when WiFi is not available.

Reset the TV's network settings only

If restarting and updating have not worked, reset only the network settings rather than the entire TV. This clears out any corrupted connection data without erasing your apps, accounts, or picture settings.

Go to Settings > General > Reset and select Reset Network. The TV will ask for your PIN (the default is 0000 if you have not set one). After the reset, the TV will restart and forget all saved networks. Go back to Settings > General > Network > Open Network Settings and connect to your network again, entering your password carefully.

If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name (called band steering), try connecting to the 2.4 GHz network specifically. Older Samsung TV WiFi modules sometimes struggle with 5 GHz. You can usually split the networks in your router settings so they have different names, then connect the TV to the 2.4 GHz version.

When to contact Samsung support

If your TV still will not connect after a full restart, a network reset, and a software update, the TV's WiFi module may be failing. This is a hardware problem that you cannot fix yourself. Contact Samsung support with your TV model number (found in Settings > Support > About This TV) and describe what you have already tried. They can walk you through additional troubleshooting or arrange a repair.

As a temporary workaround, you can connect the TV to the internet using an ethernet cable plugged into an ethernet adapter (some Samsung TVs have a USB-to-ethernet adapter available separately). This will let you stream and update while you arrange a repair, though it requires running a cable from your router to the TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Samsung TV connect to WiFi but then disconnect after a few minutes?

This usually means the signal is weak or the router is dropping the connection. Move the router closer, restart both the TV and router together, and check whether your router's WiFi channel is crowded. Many routers default to channel 6 or 11, which overlap with neighbors' networks. Log into your router and try switching to channel 1 or 13 to reduce interference.

Can I use a WiFi extender to improve the connection?

Yes, but it may slow your connection slightly. A WiFi extender picks up your existing signal and rebroadcasts it, which can help if your TV is far from the router. Place the extender halfway between the router and TV for best results. Make sure the extender is set to broadcast the same network name as your main router so the TV connects seamlessly.

What if my TV connects to WiFi but has no internet?

The TV is connected to the router but the router itself has no internet. Restart your modem (the device that connects to your internet service provider) by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait two to three minutes for it to fully restart. If other devices still have no internet, contact your internet service provider.

Does my Samsung TV need a specific type of router?

No, Samsung TVs work with any standard WiFi router. However, very old routers using only the 802.11b or 802.11g standard may not work with newer TVs. If your router is more than 10 years old, upgrading to a modern router will likely solve the problem.

Can I connect my TV using Bluetooth instead of WiFi?

Bluetooth is for pairing accessories like soundbars and remotes, not for internet. Your TV needs WiFi or an ethernet cable to connect to the internet and stream content. There is no Bluetooth alternative for internet connectivity.