How to Change the Wi-Fi Password on a Samsung TV: A Complete Guide

Changing your wireless network password is a standard procedure that almost every smart home owner faces, whether installing a new router or strengthening network security. When you change the access key on your router, your Samsung TV The device stops automatically connecting to the internet because the data stored in its memory no longer matches current data. This is not a malfunction, but rather a standard system behavior that requires manual user intervention for re-authorization.

Many users mistakenly believe that a full reset or complex manipulation of the engineering menu is required to restore Smart TV functionality. In fact, the operating system Tizen, which powers most of the South Korean giant's current models, features an intuitive interface that allows you to quickly "forget" the old network and enter new data. The process takes just a couple of minutes if you know which menu section to look for the required settings.

In this article, we'll detail the steps for models of different years, explore the nuances of using the Samsung One Remote, and highlight potential errors that may occur when attempting to connect. You'll learn how to correctly enter special charactersWhy your TV might not see the 5 GHz network, and what to do if the on-screen keyboard isn't working properly.

Preparing equipment and checking current settings

Before you begin entering new data, you need to make sure your router is fully configured and broadcasting a signal. Often, users try to connect a TV while the router is still loading or rebooting. Make sure the indicator light is on. WAN or global access light on the router lights up or flashes, indicating the presence of the Internet.

It's also a good idea to have your remote control ready. Depending on your TV model (A, M, Q series, or older J and K series), the remote's interface may differ. For newer models with voice control One Remote Navigation is done using the central wheel, while traditional remotes require the use of a directional pad. Make sure the remote's batteries are sufficiently charged beforehand to prevent the cursor from jumping around the screen while entering your password.

It's important to know the exact name of your network (SSID) and the new password. If you changed your router settings from a computer or smartphone, check that the network name hasn't changed. Some providers or routers add a suffix to the name by default, such as "_5G" or "_Guest." Entering an incorrect network name will result in a connection error, even if the password is correct.

Step-by-step instructions: accessing the network menu on different interfaces

The Samsung TV interface has evolved over the years, so the path to network settings may vary slightly. On modern models with the Tizen operating system (2016 and newer), the algorithm is the same for all series. You need to press the button Home (house) on the remote to bring up the main menu and go to the far left side of the screen where the navigation bar is located.

In the menu that opens, select a section Settings (gear icon). Next, go to the category General or All settings, depending on the firmware version. This is where the main system parameters are located. Find the item Net and click on it. You'll see the current connection status: it will most likely say "Not connected" or the name of your old network with an error message.

For older TVs running on the Smart Hub platform (models before 2015-2016), the path may look different: Menu → Net → Network settingsIn this case, the system will prompt you to select the connection type: wired or wireless. Select Wireless type to start searching for available networks.

The procedure for deleting the old network and entering a new password

The most important step is to properly delete old network data. If you simply try to enter a new password over the old one, the system may return a sync error. In the menu Network settings find the list of available networks or item Managing storage devices (In some firmware versions, old networks are cached there.) Select your network and click the button Forget or Delete.

After clearing the cache, select your network from the list of available connections. The screen will split: a list of networks will appear on the left, and a password entry field will appear on the right (or in the center). Use the on-screen keyboard. Be careful when typing: letter case is important. Symbols A And a The system perceives these characters as different symbols. To switch between capitalizations, use the up/down arrow keys or the special icon on the virtual keyboard.

⚠️ Important: If your password uses special characters (e.g., &, %, #), make sure you use them and not similar letters. Some older TV models may not display rare characters correctly due to limited font support.

After entering all the characters, press the button Ready or Enter on the remote. The TV will begin the process of obtaining an IP address. A connection animation will appear on the screen. If all the information is entered correctly, the status will change to "Connected," and a signal strength icon will appear next to the network name.

Setting up DNS and manually entering IP addresses

In some cases, automatic retrieval of settings (DHCP) may not work correctly, especially if the router is far from the TV or there are many devices on the network. In this case, it makes sense to go to the advanced network settings. In the menu Network settings select Status → IP settings and switch the mode from "Automatic" to "Enter manually".

Here you will need to enter the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS server. The IP address must be in the same subnet as your router (usually 192.168.1.X or 192.168.0.X). The subnet mask is most often 255.255.255.0Gateway is the address of your router. Pay special attention to the field DNS server: Using Google's Public DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) often speeds up the response of Smart TV applications.

Why change DNS on TV?

Changing your DNS server to a faster one (such as Google DNS or Yandex DNS) can solve issues with slow Smart Hub menu loading, YouTube startup times, or app update errors. Providers often provide their own DNS servers, which can be unstable.

Troubleshooting: TV doesn't see the network or doesn't accept the password

It's not uncommon for a Samsung TV to see your neighbors' networks but ignore yours. This is most often due to frequency band issues. Many routers broadcast two networks: 2.4 GHz And 5 GHzOlder or budget TV models may not support the 5 GHz standard. In this case, you'll need to either switch your router to compatibility mode or connect to a 2.4 GHz network.

Another common issue is the "Incorrect Password" error even though you're 100% sure you've entered it correctly. Try simplifying your password during setup: remove complex special characters, leaving only letters and numbers. If the connection is successful, the issue lies with the character encoding of the TV interface. After connecting, you can try changing the router password to a more complex one, but using standard ASCII characters.

⚠️ Note: Router interfaces and TV firmware are updated regularly. The menu item layout may differ from that described in the instructions. If you don't find an exact match, look for sections with similar names (Network, Wireless, Connection).

If nothing helps, reset your network settings. In the menu Settings → General → Net find the item Network resetThis operation will delete all saved networks and DNS settings, resetting the Wi-Fi module to its factory default state. After rebooting, try connecting again.

Using WPS for a quick connection

For those who don't want to bother with entering long passwords through an inconvenient on-screen keyboard, there is a technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). It allows you to connect your TV to your router with a simple press of a button. Check your router: it should have a physical button labeled WPS or a key/radio wave icon.

In the Samsung TV menu, go to Settings → Net → Network settingsSelect the connection type Wireless. From the list of methods, select Connecting via WPSThe system will offer two options: PBC (press a button) or PIN. Select PBC.

Immediately after selecting the option, press the WPS button on the router and hold it for 2-3 seconds until the indicator light flashes. The TV will automatically detect the router, exchange encryption keys, and connect to the network without having to manually enter a password. This is ideal if the remote control is broken or the on-screen keyboard is malfunctioning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I connect my Samsung TV to 5GHz Wi-Fi?

This depends on the specific model. TVs released after 2017-2018 (M, Q, A series and newer) typically support dual-band 2.4/5 GHz networks. Older models (J, K series and earlier) are often limited to 2.4 GHz only. You can check support by checking your model's specifications on the official website or by searching for a 5 GHz network in the list of available networks.

What should I do if my apps disappear after changing my password?

Changing your Wi-Fi password shouldn't delete installed apps. However, if your internet connection isn't working, apps may fail to launch or show a network error. Check your connection status in the menu. If you have internet access but apps aren't working, try updating them through the app store. Apps or reset Smart Hub in settings.

Why does the TV require a password every time I turn it on?

If your TV asks for a password every time you turn it on, it's possible that automatic connection is disabled in the settings, or there was an error saving the configuration. Try selecting your network in the network menu, pressing the tools button (three dots or a colored button), and selecting "Automatic connection: On." A full power cycle can also help: turn off the TV with the remote, then unplug the power cord for 1 minute.

How do I enter a password if some of the buttons on the remote don't work?

If the remote control is damaged, you can use the app SmartThings On your smartphone (Android or iOS). The phone and TV must be on the same network (at least temporarily, via a mobile hotspot with the router's name). The app allows you to control the cursor and enter text using the phone's keyboard, which is much more convenient and faster.