Table of Contents
Introduction
Internet connectivity in smart TVs is one of their most significant aspects, as they rely on a viable connection for running apps and streaming services.
That said, the functionality of smart TVs is rather compromised if the TV does not connect to the internet, and as a user, it can be very distressing.
There may be a few reasons your TV won’t connect to Wi Fi. One obvious reason for not connecting could be a problem with the internet connection. If the Wi Fi network is erratic, the TV won’t connect or will be unable to maintain a connection.
Similarly, there could be an underlying problem with the TV, causing connectivity issues. For instance, the modem may not let the TV connect to Wi Fi, or there could be a configuration issue hindering the connection.
The good news is that quick and easy fixes exist to resolve the problem. Read this space to learn how to restore a viable internet connection for your TV.
Power cycle your TV and Router
Sometimes, all you need is to restart the TV to refresh its settings and clear the memory to get rid of bugs, if any. To power cycle the TV, unplug it from the power source and wait for at least 30 seconds before plugging the power cable back in the mains.
If a bug had hampered the software controlling the internet connection, power cycling might help restore the connection.
You can also do the same for your internet router. Turn it off and wait at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
Check the Wi Fi connection
The next fix you can try is checking if the connectivity issue is with the TV only or other devices connected to the router as well.
Check to see if the Wi Fi is working on other devices like your mobile device. If not, you may need to contact your internet service provider to check the internet service status in your vicinity.
However, if the internet works properly on other devices but not your smart TV, you need to employ other troubleshooting actions.
If there is an urgency, you can turn on mobile data and create a mobile hotspot to get the internet working on the TV, but that is a short-term solution, and you need a permanent fix.
You may also want to check the Wi Fi password and ensure you have entered the right password to connect. Moreover, if you have a new Wi Fi network, you may need to add it to your smart TV to restore your TV’s internet connection.
You can also try connecting your TV to a different network to check if it connects. However, if you also have trouble connecting to the other network, it may indicate a problem with your TV. But more on that later; let’s first address Wi Fi network issues.
Here are some other checks you can run for your Wi Fi network.
Check the signal strength
Often the router’s signal strength may be weakened and impact connectivity with devices. If you want to check your TV’s signal strength, here is what you must do.
Open the settings menu from your remote and navigate to general settings. It is usually depicted by a gear icon. Now open the network settings and go to wireless.
You will see Wi Fi bars on your TV. If the smart television displays full bars, signal strength is not the reason for the TV not connecting to Wi Fi. However, if you see only one or two bars, it indicates a signal issue. Here is what you can do in this case.
Relocate your router
In this case, check the location of your router. Try moving it close to the TV. If it is placed in a closed space like a cabinet or behind a couch. Move it to an open space to see if the signal strength improves. You could also restart the router to try and restore the Wi Fi connection.
Use an ethernet cable to connect the smart TV to the router
If the signal strength is an issue or you have concerns about the router’s broadcasting ability, you can use an ethernet cable to connect the Wi Fi router to the smart TV. However, for this to work, you will need to set up the Wi Fi router as close to the TV as possible, and your TV should have an ethernet cable port as well.
To use the ethernet cable, connect one end to your TV’s ethernet port and the other to the port at the back of the Wi Fi router.
If the ethernet cable works, it could indicate a problem with the smart TV’s Wi Fi adapter or the router’s broadcasting ability.
Check the internet settings
Sometimes the TV’s internet settings may be the cause of the TV not connecting to the Wi Fi network. This can be a common occurrence if the smart TV is in use by kids. If the kids have been playing around with the internet settings, they may have unknowingly changed a number in the DNS server settings, consequently misconfiguring the internet settings.
To rule out the probability or resolve the issue, you may need to do a network reset. While the steps for resetting the internet settings are more or less similar, they may vary depending on the smart TV brands.
For instance, if you have a Samsung smart TV, here is how you can reconfigure internet settings on your Samsung TV.
Use your remote control to open the settings menu via the Source button.
Scroll to the General tab and select Network settings
Now reset the network and tap yes to confirm the action.
Check the Network Status
In most TVs, you can check the network status to eliminate the likelihood of Wi Fi network issue being the reason for no internet connection. Check your smart TV’s network settings and ensure the feature is enabled and there is no error message.
You can also reset the network and restart the TV to see if that resolves the problem. For instance, if you have a Samsung TV, open settings, go to general, tap on network, and tap on reset. Once done, connect to the internet and see if the connection is restored.
However, before attempting this, ensure that the network information is readily available to connect to Wi Fi, as the previous settings will be erased.
Check the DHCP settings on the TV
In some smart televisions, a dynamic host configuration protocol, commonly referred to as DHCP, is used to get a unique IP address for connecting to the internet.
For instance, if you have a Vizio TV, you can toggle via DHCP, enabling the TV to get a unique IP address when connected.
Try turning the feature off and then on to fix the problem. Open your network settings and scroll to DHCP to check if it is enabled. If the feature is already enabled, turn it on; if it is off, enable it.
Set Manual IP
Sometimes a manual setup of IP may solve the problem. You can check the IP settings under the internet settings. Mostly, selecting Automatic for IP settings works well, but if your internet is not working on the TV, you can manually set an IP.
Manual IP may also let you open ports on the router for other TV services.
Update TV software
If your smart TV still does not have internet access despite trying the tips suggested above, you may require a software update. However, for a software update, your TV requires an internet connection. For this, you can use an ethernet cable to link the router with the Smart TV and download the requisite updates.
Alternatively, you can update your TV via a USB if you do not have an active internet connection. Download the software from the manufacturer’s site via your computer, transfer it to a USB drive, and transfer it to the TV by choosing update from USB in the TV update settings. However, the availability of this option would depend on the TV model.
If connected to the internet, your TV will automatically scan for the latest available firmware updates and install them. Once done, the TV will restart and attempt connecting to Wi Fi.
Factory Reset Your Smart TV
If you have exhausted all the above options to fix the network troubles but to no avail, you may try a factory reset as a last resort. However, it is important to consider that this will erase all the data, and you will need to configure and install all the TV apps from scratch.
Most Smart TVs have similar instructions for a factory reset. Depending on the television model and manufacturer, you may need to use the smart remote control or refer to settings for accessing the device. Whether you have a Samsung, an LG smart TV, or a Sony TV, refer to their respective site support sections for instructions on factory reset.
For instance, if you have a Samsung smart TV, here is how you can apply a factory reset.
Go to settings using your smart remote,
Tap on General under All settings.
Select reset and enter your PIN to complete the reset process.
FAQs
Why my smart TV won’t connect to Wi Fi?
There may be several reasons for the TV not connecting to Wi Fi. The internet connection may be down; there may be a problem with the router or your TV’s network settings. You may also need to update the TV’s firmware or apply a factory reset if other troubleshooting steps do not help restore the network connection.
Can I use my smart TV with mobile data?
Yes, you can use your smart TV with mobile data. However, you must keep the mobile hotspot turned on consistently for an uninterrupted internet connection.
Do I need to reboot my smart TV?
If your TV is constantly on, it is advised to restart it at least once a day. However, we usually do not keep the TV on all the time, so the downtime between when the TV is on and turned off should be sufficient.
Conclusion
The reason for smart TVs having internet connectivity issues, in most cases, can be quite basic, and a few simple steps can help resolve the problem. You may assume the worst, but usually, it is due to a faulty internet connection. Restarting the TV or the Wi Fi router can solve the problem in other instances.
However, even if there is a more significant problem like the network setting or outdated firmware issue, there is a solution. Otherwise, a factory reset can help restore the TV to its initial settings and resolve the problem. If a reset does not fix the issue, you can contact your TV brand’s customer support for professional assistance.