Start with the simplest fixes first
Most Samsung TVs that won't connect to WiFi are actually working fine—something in the setup just needs to be reset or checked. Before you assume the TV is broken, restart both the TV and your WiFi router, then try connecting again. Power off your TV completely (not just standby), wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. At the same time, unplug your router for 30 seconds and plug it back in. This clears temporary connection errors that block most TVs from seeing or staying on your network.
If that does not work, check that your WiFi network is actually broadcasting. On your phone or laptop, look for your network name in the available networks list. If you do not see it, your router may have the broadcast setting turned off, or the router itself may be malfunctioning. If your network does appear on other devices but not on the TV, move to the next section.
Key Takeaways
- Restart your TV and router completely—unplug for 30 seconds each—before trying anything else, because most connection failures clear this way.
- Check that your WiFi password is entered correctly on the TV, character by character, because Samsung TVs do not show what you typed.
- Move your router closer to the TV or remove obstacles between them, since Samsung TVs have weaker WiFi receivers than phones and laptops.
- If your router uses a 5 GHz network only, your TV may not see it—most Samsung models need the 2.4 GHz band, which you may need to enable separately.
- Forget the network on your TV and reconnect from scratch, because corrupted saved connection settings often prevent reconnection even when the network works.
Verify your WiFi password and network name are correct
Samsung TVs do not display the characters you type when entering a WiFi password, which makes it straightforward to make a mistake without realizing it. Go to your TV's WiFi settings, select your network name, and re-enter the password one character at a time. If you are unsure of your password, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router—it usually lists both the network name and the default password. If you changed your password and cannot remember it, you can reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, which will restore the default password on the sticker.
Also confirm that you are selecting the correct network name. If you have multiple networks showing up (for example, your main network and a guest network), make sure you are choosing the one you actually use. Some routers broadcast both a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz network with similar names—your Samsung TV may only connect to the 2.4 GHz version, even if both are available.
Check whether your router is using 5 GHz only
Many newer routers broadcast on the 5 GHz band because it is faster, but older Samsung TV models do not support 5 GHz WiFi. If your router is set to 5 GHz only, your TV will not see the network at all. Log into your router's settings (usually through a web browser or an app) and check which bands are enabled. You need to turn on the 2.4 GHz band, or set your router to broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at the same time—this is often called dual-band mode.
If you do not know how to access your router settings, check the manual that came with it or search for your router model number plus "how to enable 2.4 GHz". Most routers have a web address printed on the back (often something like 192.168.1.1) that you type into a browser to reach the settings page. Once you enable 2.4 GHz, your TV should see your network within a few seconds.
Move your router closer to the TV or remove obstacles
Samsung TVs have weaker WiFi receivers than phones or laptops, so they need a stronger signal to connect reliably. If your router is in another room or behind a wall, move it closer to the TV temporarily to test whether distance is the problem. Walls, metal objects, and other electronics can also block the signal—try placing the router in a clear line of sight with the TV, at least a few feet away from microwaves, cordless phones, or baby monitors, which broadcast on the same frequency.
If moving the router is not practical, you can also try repositioning the TV's antenna or moving the TV itself a few feet in any direction. Sometimes a small change in position makes a significant difference. If the TV connects when the router is close but loses connection when you move the router back, you may need a WiFi extender or a mesh network system to reach that part of your home reliably.
Forget the network and reconnect from scratch
If your TV has connected to your network before but suddenly will not connect anymore, the saved connection settings may be corrupted. Go to your TV's WiFi settings, find your network name in the list of saved networks, and select the option to forget it. Then restart your TV, go back to WiFi settings, and reconnect to the network as if it were the first time—re-enter the password and complete the connection process from the beginning.
This step often works because it clears out any stored connection data that may have become corrupted. Even if the TV appeared to be connected before, the saved settings can prevent it from connecting again. After you forget and reconnect, the TV should establish a fresh connection to your network.
Check for software updates on your TV
Samsung releases software updates that sometimes fix WiFi connection problems. Go to your TV's settings menu, look for "Support" or "About This TV", and select "Software Update". If an update is available, your TV will read and install it automatically. This process can take several minutes, and your TV may restart during the update. Do not unplug the TV while an update is in progress.
After the update finishes, try connecting to WiFi again. If you cannot reach the WiFi settings to check for updates because the TV is not connected, you can also update your TV by connecting it to your router with an Ethernet cable (if your model has an Ethernet port), which will allow it to read the update without relying on WiFi.
Use an Ethernet cable if your TV has a port
If your Samsung TV has an Ethernet port on the back, you can connect it directly to your router with a cable instead of using WiFi. This bypasses any WiFi connection problems and gives you a stable, fast connection. Run an Ethernet cable from your router to the TV, then go to your TV's network settings and select the wired connection option. This approach works when ready and does not require entering a password.
A wired connection is also useful for troubleshooting: if your TV works fine over Ethernet but not over WiFi, you know the problem is with the WiFi connection, not with the TV itself or your internet service. You can then focus on fixing your router or WiFi signal. If the TV still does not work even with an Ethernet cable, the problem may be with your internet service or the TV's network hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Samsung TV connect to WiFi but then disconnect after a few minutes?
This usually means your TV is too far from the router or the signal is weak. Move the router closer, remove obstacles between them, or check whether your router is overheating—routers that get too hot will drop connections. You can also try changing your router's WiFi channel in the settings, since interference from nearby networks on the same channel can cause disconnections.
My TV says it cannot find any WiFi networks at all. What does that mean?
Your TV's WiFi receiver may be turned off, or your router may not be broadcasting. First, check your TV's settings to make sure WiFi is enabled. Then confirm that your router is powered on and broadcasting—you should see your network name on your phone or laptop. If your router is broadcasting but your TV still does not see it, your TV's WiFi hardware may be faulty and may need service.
Can I use a WiFi extender or mesh network with my Samsung TV?
Yes. WiFi extenders and mesh systems broadcast networks the same way a regular router does, so your Samsung TV will connect to them just like it would to your main router. Make sure the extender or mesh node is broadcasting on 2.4 GHz, since older Samsung models do not support 5 GHz.
What if I forgot my WiFi password and cannot find it?
Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router—the default password is usually printed there. If you changed the password and cannot remember it, you can reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This will restore the default password, though it will also erase any custom settings you made to the router.
Does my Samsung TV need a specific type of WiFi to work?
Most Samsung TVs need a 2.4 GHz WiFi network. Newer models may support 5 GHz as well, but they will not connect to a 5 GHz-only network. Check your TV's manual or search for your specific model number to confirm which bands it supports, then make sure your router is broadcasting on at least the 2.4 GHz band.