Samsung is hands-down the top TV brand out there. What makes Samsung TVs so loved? They boast superior image quality, top-notch sound, and great versatility.
I mean, nothing beats kicking back and watching movies on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video on a Samsung TV!
But what if you’re geared up for a chill weekend movie night, and whoops… your Samsung TV just refuses to connect to Wi-Fi!
I get how frustrating that could be. But hey, cheer up! You’re not the only one facing this issue, and what’s better, you can troubleshoot it right in your living room.
In this handy guide, I’ll walk you through why your Samsung TV might not be connecting to Wi-Fi and what you can do to get it fixed.
The Clever Fix
Perform a soft reset by pressing the remote’s power button until the Samsung logo pops up. If that didn’t help, unplug the TV while it’s on, let it chill for 60 seconds, and then press the TV’s Power button for 30 seconds. Wait for another 60 seconds before plugging it back in.
Why won’t my Samsung TV connect to Wi-Fi?
Software bugs and a finicky Wi-Fi card are often the culprits when your Samsung TV decides to play hard to get with Wi-Fi.
Sometimes, Samsung TVs can get a bit buggy, messing up network settings and making Wi-Fi connection a mission impossible. Besides, Samsung TVs are known to accumulate static charges from other plugged-in devices, which can lead to a misbehaving Wi-Fi card.
But hey, let’s not jump to conclusions. There might be other factors at play. Your TV’s software might be outdated, your DNS settings might be incorrect, there might be IP setting hiccups, router troubles, a blocked MAC address, or even issues with your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
How to troubleshoot a Samsung TV that won’t connect to Wi-Fi
Don’t sweat it. The issue becomes a piece of cake to solve once you’ve pinpointed the problem.
If your Samsung TV’s not connecting to Wi-Fi, the culprit could be the TV itself, your router, or your ISP.
Here’s how to check your Samsung TV’s Network Status to find what’s going wrong:
- Get your remote and press the Home button.
- On your TV, go to Settings.
- Go to General, then Network.
- Then select Network Status.
Your Network Status will show you how your TV, router, and the internet are interacting. A blue dot means you’ve got a connection, while a nasty red X tells you there’s no connection.
Seeing a red X between your TV and router? That’s your sign to start troubleshooting there.
But if you spot the red X between your router and the internet, your ISP might be the party pooper, and you’ll likely need to get in touch with them.
How to fix a Samsung TV that won’t connect to Wi-Fi
If your Samsung TV is playing hard to get with Wi-Fi, a soft reset might just be the charm.
Hold down the power button on your remote until the Samsung logo shows up.
If that doesn’t get you anywhere, unplug your TV while it’s still on. Let it sit unplugged and idle for about a minute. In the meantime, press and hold the Power button on the TV itself for half a minute. After waiting for another minute, go ahead and plug your TV back in.
But if it doesn’t, don’t fret – there are other tried-and-true solutions in the bag.
If it’s a Samsung TV issue
1. Update your TV’s software
Samsung frequently rolls out software updates for their TVs, squishing bugs, enhancing performance, and showcasing new features.
In most cases, software updates install themselves. You won’t have to lift a finger. But every now and then, an update might need a little nudge. In such cases, you’ll need to download and install the update manually.
Since your TV isn’t playing nice with the internet, you’ll need to download the update on a different computer and then transfer it using a USB stick.
- On your computer’s browser, go to the Samsung Download Center.
- Enter your model number or click TVs & Home Theater to find your TV model.
- Find and download the correct update under Firmware.
- After downloading, locate the file and unzip it.
- Copy or move the file to a USB (don’t place them inside a folder).
- Make sure your TV is powered off.
- Connect the USB to a USB port of your TV.
- Turn your TV on and get your remote.
- Press the Home button on the remote.
- Using the remote, navigate your TV to Settings > Support > Software Update > Update now.
- Select Yes.
Your TV will now use the files on your USB stick to update. Be sure to follow the instructions that show up on your TV screen. The software update typically takes only a few minutes. Once it’s wrapped up, your TV will restart on its own.
After the restart, give connecting to Wi-Fi another shot to see if it’s working.
2. Manually change your DNS settings
Think of DNS as the internet’s phonebook. It’s where domain names meet IP addresses.
For example, if you punch “cleverfixes.com” into a browser, the browser will ring up the DNS server.
If the domain (cleverfixes.com) is on the DNS’ list, the DNS will answer with the IP address of the domain so you can surf the website.
If the DNS settings aren’t in tip-top shape, it can result in a sluggish or incomplete connection.
Samsung TVs come with a built-in system that automatically picks the best settings for internet connection. But, it’s not foolproof. Sometimes, you might need to roll up your sleeves and tweak your DNS settings manually.
Before diving in, do a quick check to see if your other devices can connect to the internet. If it’s only your Samsung TV that’s acting up, it’s time to tweak your DNS settings.
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings > General > Network > Network Status > IP Settings (if a connection test appears, cancel it, then proceed to IP Settings).
- Go to DNS Settings and select Enter manually.
- Then go to the DNS Server and enter 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4.
- Select OK.
Both 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 are Google’s public DNS servers.
Once you’ve made the change, your TV should be back on speaking terms with Wi-Fi.
3. Check your IP settings
Your IP address is like your device’s ID card, handed out by your ISP. But it’s not set in stone – it tends to change.
For instance, rebooting your router can trigger a change in your IP address. So can your ISP, who might change it from time to time.
If your Samsung TV’s IP setting is set to Obtain manually, you’ll have to key in your IP address each time to connect to the internet.
That’s one laborious task you can skip, and it might just be the reason why your TV isn’t connecting to Wi-Fi.
To change it, go to your Samsung TV’s IP Settings.
- Press your remote’s Home button.
- Navigate to Settings > General > Network > Network Status > IP Settings.
- In IP Setting, select Obtain automatically.
4. Reset your TV’s network
Another solid fix for Samsung TV connection woes is hitting the reset button on the network.
When you reset the network, it’s like you’re giving your connection a fresh, invigorating shower. But note, all your saved Wi-Fi networks and their passwords will be gone, so jot them down if you haven’t already.
To perform this:
- On your remote, press the Home button.
- Go to Settings > General > Network > Reset Network.
- In the prompt, select Yes.
Once that’s done, reboot your Samsung TV. After it’s back on, have it search for networks. Get your password at the ready, and then reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.
5. Use your Samsung TV’s Device Care feature
Device Care is like a personal doctor that lives in your Samsung TV. It checks up on your TV, diagnoses it, and keeps it running at its best.
Nested under Device Care’s Self Diagnosis menu is the Smart Hub Connection Test. This handy test focuses on diagnosing wireless network connections and runs through the Gateway, DNS, ISP blocking, and other tests in just a matter of minutes.
To use Device Care:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings, then All Settings.
- Go to Support, then select Device Care.
- Choose Self Diagnosis, then Smart Hub Connection Test.
- Wait for your TV to finish running the tests.
- After the tests, select Close.
Once that’s all wrapped up, see if your TV can finally connect to the Wi-Fi.
6. Perform a factory reset
If none of the previous fixes worked, it might be time to go for a factory reset.
Executing a factory reset is like winding back the clock to when you first unboxed your TV – it reverts your TV back to its original factory settings. Just remember, it’ll also sweep away all your downloaded apps, so take a moment to consider that before diving in.
To factory reset your Samsung TV:
- Press your remote’s Home button.
- Go to Settings > General.
- Navigate down to Reset.
- Enter your PIN code (the default is “0000”).
- Select Yes, then OK.
Forgot your PIN after changing it? Don’t sweat it; you can reset it to “0000” using just your remote before hitting the factory reset button.
Using a Samsung Smart Remote or Remote Control:
- Turn your TV on and press the Volume button.
- Press Volume Up, then press Return.
- Press Volume Down, then press Return.
- Press Volume Up again, then press Return again.
Using a standard Remote Control:
- Turn your TV on and press the Mute button.
- Press the Volume Up, then press Return.
- Press Volume Down, then press Return.
- Press Volume Up again, then press Return.
Your TV will then reboot automatically after confirming a factory reset. Once it’s back on, you’ll have to add your Wi-Fi network back and key in your password.
If it’s a router issue
7. Restart your router
Sometimes, the roadblock stopping your Samsung TV from connecting to Wi-Fi is your very own router.
Check out the LED lights on your router to see if it’s behaving as it should. If the lights suggest something’s awry with your router, your go-to move should be to restart it.
Unplug your router and chill out for 15 minutes. After that, plug your router back in, switch it back on, and give it time to fully boot up before trying to reconnect your Samsung TV.
Normally, a quick restart clears out any router hiccups. If it doesn’t, you might need to rope in your ISP.
8. Bring the router closer to your TV
Using a wireless router? If your router’s set up in a room far from your Samsung TV, that might be why you’re having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi signals start losing their mojo the farther they travel from the router. Solid concrete walls and metal appliances can gulp down and ricochet Wi-Fi signals, weakening their strength.
And don’t forget about signal interference from the likes of microwave ovens or a gaggle of Bluetooth devices.
To squash this issue, cozy up your router closer to your Samsung TV. If that’s not feasible, try to at least set your router up smack dab in the middle of your home.
Make sure your router’s signals aren’t playing dodgeball with thick walls. Elevating your router can also help. And keep your router at arm’s length from anything that can cause interference.
If you’ve tried all of this and your Wi-Fi signal is still more of a whisper than a shout, it might be time to invest in a Wi-Fi signal booster or repeater.
9. Remove other connected devices
Most home Wi-Fi routers can juggle numerous devices simultaneously. But, if too many devices are vying for its attention, your router might start dragging its feet.
This is especially true today, where more and more gadgets are coming with built-in Wi-Fi.
To figure out if an overcrowded network is why your Samsung TV is on the outs with Wi-Fi, try clearing the air by temporarily disconnecting your other devices.
Once you’ve done that, give connecting your Samsung TV another whirl.
If it’s an ISP issue
10. Check if your MAC address is blocked
A Media Access Control (MAC) address is like a unique name tag for devices in a network. Unlike your ever-changing IP address, your MAC address stays put. That’s why MAC addresses come into play when devices try to connect to Wi-Fi networks.
If your Samsung TV’s Wi-Fi connection is on the fritz, MAC filtering could be the culprit. MAC filtering acts as a bouncer, specifying which devices are on the guest list for your Wi-Fi network. It’s a way to make sure no unknown devices crash the party.
Try hooking up your Samsung TV to your phone’s mobile hotspot. If your TV can connect to the hotspot, your router might be the one giving it the cold shoulder.
To get your TV’s MAC address back in your router’s good books, you’ll need to reach out to your ISP.
11. Check if there’s an ISP outage
If your Samsung TV is still not connecting to Wi-Fi after all that troubleshooting, take a look at your other devices to see if they’re online.
If all your devices are also offline, you might be dealing with an ISP outage. In that case, all you can do is sit tight and wait. ISP outages don’t happen often, but when they do, ISPs are usually quick to put things right.
Keep an eye on your ISP’s social media accounts for any updates on when your internet might be back up and running.
Wrapping up
It’s not just you – a Samsung TV refusing to connect to Wi-Fi is a common issue. But the good news is, it’s usually something you can sort out at home.
If your Samsung TV isn’t connecting to Wi-Fi, try a soft reset initially. With your TV on, press and hold the power button on your remote until the Samsung logo pops up. The red LED light on your TV should also start flashing. Once your TV comes back on, try reconnecting it to your Wi-Fi.
A solid Plan B for a reset is unplugging your Samsung TV while it’s turned on. Leave it unplugged for 60 seconds. In the meantime, press the power button on your TV (not the remote) for 30 seconds. After the minute’s up, plug your TV back in, power it up, and take another stab at connecting to Wi-Fi.
If neither of those reset methods do the trick, don’t fret. Here are 11 dependable fixes you can try:
- Update your TV’s software.
- Manually change your DNS settings.
- Select Obtain automatically in your IP Settings.
- Reset your TV’s network settings.
- Use the Device Care feature.
- Do a factory reset.
- Restart your router.
- Bring your router closer to your TV.
- Remove other connected devices.
- Check if your MAC address is blocked.
- Find out if there’s an ISP outage.
If none of these solutions solve the problem, it’s time to get in touch with Samsung support. You can call their customer service by phone at 1-800-7267864. Or contact them through chat, Facebook Messenger, or Twitter.