Connecting Your TV to a New Wi-Fi Network: Instructions for All Models (2026)

Changing your home router or Wi-Fi password is a routine procedure that often turns into a headache: your TV suddenly loses internet access, and your favorite streaming services stop working. Unlike smartphones or laptops, where connecting to a new network takes just a few clicks, TVs require separate setup — especially when it comes to models older than 5 years or devices with non-standard firmware.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions for all types of TVs - from modern Smart TV on Android TV to legacy models with proprietary OSes. We'll explore why a TV might not recognize a new network, how to enter a password without a remote (spoiler: it's possible!), and what to do if the internet works after connecting, but YouTube or Netflix give an error. And also - A unique WPS connection method that works even if you've forgotten your Wi-Fi password..

Don't have time to read the entire article? Scroll down to the "Quick Fix" section—it contains the most effective methods for popular brands. If your TV stubbornly refuses to connect, check FAQ at the end of the article: there are typical mistakes and non-obvious reasons, for example, why Samsung may block some networks due to regional restrictions.

1. Preparation: What to check before connecting

Before messing with your TV settings, make sure the problem isn't with your router or ISP. Here's 4 key points, which are worth checking in advance:

• 🔌 The router is turned on and distributing Wi-Fi.: The wireless network indicator should be green or blue (on some models it may blink). If the indicator is red or missing, reboot the router using the button. Reset on the back panel.
• 📶 The network is visible to other devices: Try connecting to this Wi-Fi from your smartphone or laptop. If this doesn't work, there's a problem with your router settings (the "Wi-Fi" mode may be disabled). 802.11n/ac or MAC address filtering is enabled).
• 🔒 The password is entered correctly.TVs often swallow the first characters of a password when entered using the remote control. Try entering it on another device to ensure it's correct.
• 🕒 No time limitSome providers block internet access for new devices for the first 10–15 minutes after changing the password. Please wait and try again.

If the TV was previously connected to a different network, delete old saved networks in its settings. On LG And Samsung This is done in the menu Network → Wi-Fi Settings → Remove NetworkOn . Android TV (For example, Sony Bravia or Xiaomi Mi TV) the path will be different: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Saved Networks.

⚠️ Attention: If your router uses hidden network (SSID hidden), the TV won't be able to detect it automatically. In this case, you'll need to manually enter the network name (SSID) in the connection settings. Instructions for hidden networks are provided in Section 4.

2. Quick solution: connection in 3 steps (for modern Smart TVs)

If you have a TV 2018 or newer (on Android TV, Tizen, webOS), use the universal instructions:

1. Open network settings:
   • On Samsung: click Home → Settings (gear) → General → Net → Open network settings.
   • On LG: Settings (gear button) → Net → Connecting to Wi-Fi.
   • On Android TV (Sony, Philips, Xiaomi): Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.

Select your network from the list. If it's not there, click Refresh the list or Other networks (on some models Samsung).

Enter your password using the on-screen keyboard. Use the buttons ↑↓←→ on the navigation remote control. On Android TV You can connect a Bluetooth keyboard for convenience.

After a successful connection, the TV should automatically renew its IP address (DHCP) and check the connection. If an error occurs "Unable to obtain IP address", reboot your router and try again.

3. Connecting via WPS: If you don't know the Wi-Fi password

Few people know, but Most TVs support WPS connection. — a technology that allows you to connect a device to a router without entering a password. This is especially useful if:

• You forgot your Wi-Fi password, but you have physical access to the router.
• The TV's on-screen keyboard is broken or inconvenient for entering long passwords.
• Your TV does not see the network in the list (for example, due to incompatibility of standards) 802.11).

Instructions for connecting via WPS:

1. On your TV, go to the Wi-Fi connection menu and select the option WPS (PBC) (on Samsung this can be called Easy connection).
2. Press the physical button on the router WPS (It's usually labeled and located on the back panel.) Press and hold the button for 2-3 seconds until the WPS indicator starts flashing.
3. For 2 minutes The TV should connect to the network automatically. If the timer expires, repeat the process.

⚠️ WPS limitations:

• Not all routers support WPS (especially newer models with enhanced security).
• Some providers disable WPS by default (for example, Rostelecom or Beeline).
• If the router is in the mode WPS Lock (brute force protection), connection may be blocked.

4. Manual connection to a hidden network (SSID hidden)

If your router is configured to hide the network name (option Hide SSID), the TV won't be able to detect it automatically. In this case, you'll have to enter the information manually. Here's how to do it on different platforms:

If after manual connection the TV shows an error "Authentication failed", check:

• 🔠 SSID case sensitivity: The network name is case sensitive (e.g. MyWiFi ≠ mywifi).
• 🔐 Security type: if it is enabled in the router WPA3, and the TV does not support it, select WPA2-PSK.
• 📡 Wi-Fi channel: Some older TVs don't work on higher channels 11 (set the channel in the router 6 or 11).

⚠️ Attention: On routers with firmware OpenWRT or DD-WRT support for older standards may be disabled 802.11b/gIn this case, the TV will not be able to connect even with the correct password. Solution: Enable compatibility mode in the router settings (Legacy Mode).

5. Connecting without a remote control: alternative methods

A broken remote control or dead batteries are not a reason to give up Internet access on your TV. Here 3 working methods Connect to Wi-Fi without a traditional remote:

Method 1: Use your smartphone as a remote control

Install the official app from your TV manufacturer:

• 📱 For Samsung: SmartThings (available for Android And iOS).
• 📱 For LG: LG ThinQ.
• 📱 For Android TV (Sony, Xiaomi): Google TV or Android TV Remote Control.

In the application, select your TV (it must be on the same network as your phone via Bluetooth or IR ports) and go to the network management section.

Method 2: Connect a keyboard or mouse via USB

Most modern TVs support USB input devices. Connect a wired or wireless (via a USB receiver) keyboard to the port. USB on TV. This will allow you to:

• 🖱️ It’s convenient to enter your Wi-Fi password (especially if it’s long).
• 🔍 Navigate quickly through menus without the delays typical with the remote control.
• 📝 Copy password from notes on your smartphone (if the keyboard supports it) OTG).

Method 3: Control via HDMI-CEC

If the TV is connected to the device via HDMI (for example, to the prefix Apple TV or game console), you can use the function HDMI-CEC to manage the network. Activate it in the TV settings (Settings → General → HDMI-CEC or Anynet+ For Samsung). After this, some functions of the remote control will be duplicated on the connected device.

What should I do if my TV doesn't respond to the remote control?

Check the batteries or connect the remote to another device to ensure it is working. If the remote is a touch-sensitive one (e.g. LG Magic Remote), try rebooting it by holding the button Home 10 seconds. On some models Samsung You can reset the remote to factory settings by pressing 1 → 2 → 3 → Power.

6. Troubleshooting: Why the TV won't connect to Wi-Fi

Even after entering the correct password, the TV may stubbornly ignore the new network. Here top 5 reasons and ways to eliminate them:

If none of the methods helped, try reset network settings on TV:

1. On Samsung: Settings → Support → Self-diagnosis → Network reset.
2. On LG: Settings → General → Factory Reset → Reset Network Settings.
3. On Android TV: Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings.

⚠️ Attention: On some models Sony Bravia 2019-2020 models may require reactivation of services after a network reset. Google PlayTo do this, you will need to enter your account details. Google.

7. Connection features for older TVs (before 2016)

TVs released before 2016 often have outdated Wi-Fi modules, which don't support modern safety or frequency standards. Here's what to consider:

• 📅 Check your maximum Wi-Fi speed: older models (eg Samsung Series 5 or LG LB650V) can only operate at speeds up to 54 Mbps (standard 802.11g). This is not enough for 4K streaming, but enough for YouTube V 720p.
• 🔄 Turn it off WPA3 on the router: Many TVs before 2018 do not support this standard. Switch to WPA2-PSK in the router settings.
• 📡 Use range only 2.4 GHz: range 5 GHz Not supported by most budget models before 2017.
• 🔌 Check ports and cables: on some TVs (eg. Philips 2014) The Wi-Fi module was connected via a separate connector on the rear panel. Make sure the antenna is not disconnected.

If your TV stubbornly refuses to connect, try alternative ways to access the Internet:

• 🔗 Connection via cable (Ethernet): even if the TV doesn't have a port LAN, can be used USB-Ethernet adapter (supported on most Android TV).
• 📱 Sharing Internet from a smartphone: turn it on on your phone Wi-Fi hotspot and connect the TV to it. This is a temporary solution, but it works 90% of the time.
• 🖥️ Using external devices: connect Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV or Android set-top box to the TV through HDMIThey will use their own Wi-Fi module.

For TV owners Samsung Series 6–8 (2012–2015) There is a separate trick: if the TV does not see the network, try manually update the firmware via USB. Download the latest software from the website. Samsung (specify the exact model!) and follow the instructions:

1. Unzip the archive with the firmware to a flash drive (FAT32).
2. Insert the flash drive into the TV.
3. Go to Settings → Support → Software Update → Update Now.
4. Select a source USB and wait for it to complete.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting your TV to Wi-Fi

🔍 Why does the TV see the network but not connect?

The most common reasons:

• Incorrect password (check the case!).
• Incompatibility of security standards (switch the router to WPA2-PSK).
• Blocking by MAC address (add the TV's MAC address to the whitelist on the router).
• Weak signal (move the router closer or use a repeater).

If nothing helps, try connecting via WPS or reset the network settings on your TV.

📱 Is it possible to connect a TV to Wi-Fi without a remote control?

Yes, there are several ways:

1. Use mobile application from the manufacturer (SmartThings, LG ThinQ etc.).
2. Connect USB keyboard or a mouse to the TV.
3. If the TV supports HDMI-CEC, control it using the remote control from your set-top box or game console.
4. On some models it can be used buttons on the body (usually Menu, Volume, Channel) for navigation.

For old TVs Samsung (2012–2015) is available for purchase universal remote control with support Anynet+.

🔒 How do I find my Wi-Fi password if I forgot it?

There are 4 ways:

1. View on the router: usually the password is indicated on the sticker on the back (field Wi-Fi Key or Password).
2. Find out via smartphone:
   • On Android: Settings → Wi-Fi → Network name → Share password (device PIN required).
   • On iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → Tap the "i" next to the network → "Password" field.

Log in to the router's web interface (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and see the password in the section Wi-Fi.

Reset the router: press and hold the button Reset 10 seconds. After this, the network will be named by default (for example, TP-Link_1234), and the password is on the sticker.

📺 Why don't YouTube/Netflix work after connecting to Wi-Fi?

The reasons may be different:

• Provider restrictions: Some operators block streaming services (often seen with MTS or Tele2). Solution: Use VPN on the router or TV.
• Applications need to be updated: go to Google Play (on Android TV) or App Store (on LG/Samsung) and update YouTube/Netflix.
• DNS issues: enter DNS from in the TV network settings Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
• Regional restrictions: on Samsung Sometimes geo-blocking works. Solution: change the region in the TV settings (Settings → General → Language and Region).

If the problem is only with Netflix, check whether your subscription has expired or whether your account password has changed.

🔄 How do I reset network settings on my TV?

Instructions vary by platform:

Platform	Path to reset
Samsung Tizen	Settings → Support → Self-diagnosis → Network reset
LG webOS	Settings → General → Factory Reset → Reset Network Settings
Android TV (Sony, Philips, Xiaomi)	Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings
Old models (before 2015)	Often a full reset is required (Settings → Support → Reset).

After the reset, the TV will forget all saved networks, and you will have to connect again.