The fastest way to sign in on most TVs
Most TVs let you sign in by visiting a code page on your phone or computer, entering a short code shown on your screen, and confirming the sign-in there. You do not type your password on the TV itself. This method works on Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, and most other platforms.
The process takes about two minutes. Your TV will display a blue screen with a code — usually eight characters — and a web address. You visit that address on any device with a browser, enter the code, and your TV signs in automatically. After that, your account stays signed in unless you manually sign out.
If your TV does not show this code screen, or if you are using an older model, you may need to enter your email and password directly on the TV using the remote. That method is slower but works the same way.
Key Takeaways
- Most modern TVs show a code on screen that you enter on your phone or computer to sign in without typing a password on the remote.
- Visit the web address displayed on your TV, enter the code shown, and confirm the sign-in on your phone or computer.
- If your TV does not show a code option, you can enter your email and password using the remote, though this is slower.
- After you sign in once, your account stays signed in on that TV until you manually sign out.
- If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to approve the sign-in on your phone as well.
How to use the code method on your TV
Open the YouTube app on your TV. If you are not signed in, you will see a blue screen with a code and a web address — usually something like youtube.com/tv/signin or youtube.com/set up. Write down or remember the eight-character code.
On your phone or computer, open a web browser and go to the address shown on your TV screen. You will see a box asking for the code. Type the code from your TV into that box and select the button to continue.
You will then be asked to sign in with your Google account. Enter your email address and password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your account, you will receive a prompt on your phone asking you to approve the sign-in — tap yes or approve it.
Once you approve, your TV will sign in automatically and take you to the YouTube home screen. You do not need to do anything else on the TV itself.
Signing in by entering your password on the remote
If your TV does not show a code screen, or if the code method is not working, you can sign in the traditional way. Open the YouTube app and look for a Sign In button, usually at the top or bottom of the screen.
Select Sign In with your remote. You will see a keyboard on your screen. Use your remote to navigate and select letters to spell out your email address. This is slow — most remotes move one letter at a time — but it works on all TVs.
After you enter your email, select Next. You will then be asked to enter your password the same way. Once you enter it and select Sign In, your TV will sign in to your account.
If you have two-factor authentication on, your phone will receive a sign-in request. You must approve it on your phone before the TV will finish signing in.
What to do if the code is not working
If you enter the code on your phone but nothing happens on the TV, first check that you are using the exact code shown on the screen — codes are case-sensitive and must match exactly. Wait a few seconds after entering the code; sometimes the TV takes a moment to respond.
If the code still does not work, try unplugging your TV for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Then open the YouTube app again and request a new code. Each code expires after about 15 minutes, so if you waited too long, you will need a fresh one.
If your TV shows an error message like "Sign-in failed" or "Could not connect", check that your TV is connected to the internet. Go to your TV's network settings and make sure it is connected to your Wi-Fi. Then try the code method again.
If nothing works, try the password method instead. It is slower but does not depend on the code system working.
Signing in on older or less common TV models
Some older TVs and less common brands do not support the code method. These TVs usually ask you to enter your email and password using the remote. The process is the same as described above — use your remote to select letters and numbers on an on-screen keyboard.
If your TV is very old and does not have a YouTube app built in, you may need to add it first. Check your TV's app store or app menu. Search for YouTube, select it, and choose Install or Add. Once the app is installed, open it and follow the sign-in steps.
Some smart TVs let you sign in through your TV's main settings instead of through the YouTube app. If you see a Sign In with Google option in your TV's settings menu, you can use that instead. It will sign you into YouTube and any other Google services at the same time.
How to stay signed in and manage your account
Once you sign in, your account will stay signed in on that TV unless you manually sign out or clear the app's data. You do not need to sign in again every time you open YouTube.
If you want to sign out, open the YouTube app, go to your profile icon (usually in the top right corner), and select Sign Out. Your account will be removed from that TV.
If multiple people use the same TV, you can add multiple accounts. Open YouTube, go to your profile, and look for an option to Add Account or Switch Account. Each person can then sign in with their own Google account, and you can switch between them without signing out.
If you forget your Google password, you can reset it on any computer or phone by going to accounts.google.com and selecting Forgot password? Once you reset it, use your new password to sign in on your TV.
Troubleshooting common sign-in problems
Your TV says "Invalid credentials": This means your email or password is wrong. Double-check that you are typing them correctly. If you are not sure of your password, reset it on a computer or phone first, then try signing in on your TV with the new password.
Your TV says "Could not connect to the internet": Your TV is not connected to Wi-Fi or the connection is too weak. Go to your TV's network settings, make sure Wi-Fi is on, and try connecting to your network again. Once connected, open YouTube and try signing in again.
You see a message about two-factor authentication: Your Google account has two-factor authentication turned on. When you sign in on your TV, you will receive a prompt on your phone asking you to approve the sign-in. Open that prompt and select yes or approve. Your TV will then finish signing in.
The YouTube app keeps asking you to sign in: The app may have lost your sign-in information. Try signing out completely, closing the app, waiting 10 seconds, and then opening the app again to sign in fresh. If that does not work, go to your TV's app settings, find YouTube, and select Clear Data or Clear Cache. Then open YouTube and sign in again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to sign in on YouTube on my TV?
Yes. YouTube is owned by Google, so you need a Google account to sign in. If you do not have one, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com. You can use any email address, or you can create a new Gmail address at the same time.
Can I use the same account on multiple TVs?
Yes. You can sign in to the same Google account on as many TVs as you want. Your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists will sync across all of them. If you want to keep watch histories separate, create a different Google account for each TV.
What if I do not have my phone with me to approve two-factor authentication?
You will not be able to sign in without approving the two-factor prompt on your phone. If you do not have your phone, wait until you do, or turn off two-factor authentication on your Google account first. You can do this at accounts.google.com under Security settings.
Will signing in on my TV sign me in on other devices?
No. Signing in on your TV only signs you in on that TV. Your phone, computer, and other devices stay separate. You will need to sign in on each device individually if you want to use your account there.
How do I sign out of YouTube on my TV?
Open the YouTube app, select your profile icon in the top right corner, and choose Sign Out. Your account will be removed from that TV. If you want to sign in again later, follow the same steps as the first time.