Start with the simplest fixes first

Most Samsung TVs that won't connect to WiFi are blocked by something straightforward: the router is too far away, the WiFi password was entered wrong, or the TV's WiFi module needs a restart. Before you assume the TV is broken, try moving closer to the router, restarting both the TV and router, and double-checking that you typed the password correctly — capital letters and special characters matter.

If those steps don't work, the problem is usually one of a few specific things: your router doesn't broadcast on the frequency your TV uses, your TV's software is out of date, or there's a conflict between your TV and your network settings. Each of these has a straightforward fix.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your TV and router completely (unplug for 30 seconds), then try connecting again — this solves most connection problems.
  • Check that your WiFi password is entered exactly right, including capital letters and special characters, because Samsung TVs reject even small typos.
  • If your router broadcasts only on 5 GHz, your TV may not see it — most Samsung TVs need 2.4 GHz, though newer models support both.
  • Update your TV's software through the Settings menu, because outdated firmware often breaks WiFi connections.
  • If nothing works, forget the network on your TV and reconnect from scratch, which clears corrupted connection data.

Restart your TV and router completely

A full restart — not just turning the TV off — fixes the majority of WiFi problems. When you use the remote to turn off your Samsung TV, it goes into standby mode and keeps some systems running. To do a real restart, unplug the TV from the wall outlet, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears the TV's memory and resets the WiFi module.

Do the same with your router: unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. While the router is restarting, you'll see lights blinking on the front — wait until they settle into their normal pattern before you try to connect the TV. This usually takes two to three minutes. Once both devices are fully restarted, go to your TV's WiFi settings and try connecting again.

Check your WiFi password and network name

Samsung TVs are strict about passwords. If you type even one letter wrong, the TV will reject the connection silently — it won't tell you the password is incorrect, it will just say "Connection failed" or "Unable to connect." The easiest way to avoid this is to look at your router's label (usually on the bottom or back) and copy the password exactly as it appears, including uppercase and lowercase letters.

If you don't have the router label, log into your router's settings from a computer or phone. For most home routers, you can type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser to access the settings page. Look for the WiFi password (sometimes called "passphrase" or "pre-shared key") and copy it word-for-word. Then go back to your TV, forget the network, and reconnect using the exact password you copied.

Make sure your router broadcasts on 2.4 GHz

Routers broadcast WiFi on two frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Older Samsung TVs (roughly 2018 and earlier) only connect to 2.4 GHz. If your router is set to broadcast only on 5 GHz, your TV won't see the network at all. Newer Samsung models support both frequencies, but if your TV was made before 2019, check your router settings.

Log into your router's settings page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and look for the WiFi settings. You should see an option to choose which frequency to broadcast on. Change it from "5 GHz only" to "2.4 GHz" or "Dual Band" (which broadcasts both at once). Save the settings and restart the router. Your TV should now see the network.

If you want to keep your 5 GHz network for other devices, most routers let you create a separate 2.4 GHz network with a different name. Check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions — the exact steps vary by brand.

Update your TV's software

Samsung releases software updates that fix WiFi bugs. If your TV hasn't been updated in a while, an old version of the software might be preventing it from connecting. Go to your TV's Settings menu, find "Support" or "About This TV," and look for a "Software Update" option. Select it and let the TV check for updates.

If an update is available, the TV will read and install it automatically — this usually takes five to ten minutes. The TV may restart several times during the update. Don't unplug it or turn it off while it's updating, because an interrupted update can damage the TV's software. Once the update is done, try connecting to WiFi again.

Forget the network and reconnect from scratch

Sometimes your TV stores corrupted connection data that prevents it from reconnecting, even though the password and network are correct. The fix is to erase that data and start over. Go to Settings, then Network, then WiFi, and look for a list of saved networks. Find your network name in the list, select it, and choose "Forget" or "Delete."

Once you've forgotten the network, go back to the WiFi settings and scan for networks again. Your network should appear in the list. Select it, enter your password carefully, and try connecting. This time the TV will create a fresh connection profile instead of trying to use the old corrupted one.

Check for interference and signal strength

WiFi signals travel through walls and furniture, but they weaken with distance and are blocked by certain materials. If your TV is far from the router or separated by multiple walls, the signal might be too weak to connect. Try moving the TV closer to the router temporarily to see if it connects — if it does, you know the problem is signal strength, not a software issue.

Microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors broadcast on the same 2.4 GHz frequency as WiFi and can cause interference. If any of these devices are near your router or TV, move them away and try connecting again. You can also try moving your router to a higher shelf or more central location in your home, which usually improves signal strength throughout the house.

When to contact Samsung support

If you've tried all of these steps and your TV still won't connect, the WiFi module inside the TV may be damaged. This is a hardware problem that you can't fix yourself. Contact Samsung support through their website or call their customer service line — they can walk you through a few more diagnostic steps and tell you whether the TV needs repair.

Before you call, have your TV's model number ready (you'll find it in Settings > Support > About This TV). Also write down what you've already tried, because Samsung support will ask. If the TV is still under warranty, repair or replacement may be covered at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my TV connect to WiFi but then disconnect randomly?

Random disconnections usually mean the signal is weak or there's interference. Try moving the router closer to the TV or away from microwaves and cordless phones. If the problem continues, restart the router and update your TV's software. If one specific device (like a laptop) is using a lot of bandwidth, it can also cause other devices to drop — try disconnecting that device temporarily to test.

Can I connect my Samsung TV to WiFi using a hotspot from my phone?

Yes, most Samsung TVs can connect to a phone's hotspot the same way they connect to a home router. Go to your TV's WiFi settings, find your phone's hotspot name in the network list, and enter the password. Keep in mind that streaming video through a phone hotspot uses a lot of data, so check your phone plan before doing this regularly.

My router is new and my TV still won't connect. What should I do?

New routers sometimes have different default settings than old ones. Check whether your new router is broadcasting on 2.4 GHz — if it's set to 5 GHz only, your older Samsung TV won't see it. Also make sure the router's WiFi is turned on (some routers have a physical switch or a setting to disable it). If both of those are correct, restart the router and TV, then try connecting again.

Do I need to use Samsung's SmartThings app to connect my TV to WiFi?

No. You can connect your TV to WiFi directly through the TV's Settings menu without using any app. SmartThings is optional and is used for controlling the TV remotely from your phone, not for the initial WiFi connection. If you're having trouble connecting through Settings, the SmartThings app won't help.

What if my TV says "Connected" but I can't stream anything?

The TV is connected to the network but can't reach the internet. Check that your router itself has internet — try opening a website on your phone or computer. If your phone has internet but the TV doesn't, restart the TV and router. If that doesn't work, check your router's settings to make sure the TV isn't blocked by a firewall or parental control filter.