How to Increase Internet Speed ​​via Wi-Fi on Your TV: A Complete Guide

Is your Smart TV connected to Wi-Fi, but video is constantly freezing, pages take forever to load, and online games on Android TV are lagging? The problem isn't always your ISP—in 80% of cases, speed is limited by router settings, interference from neighbors, or outdated TV firmware. In this article, we'll look into these issues. 7 Proven Ways to Speed ​​Up Your Internet on TV without purchasing new equipment.

We tested the solutions on models Samsung QLED 2020–2023, LG OLED C1/C2, Sony Bravia X90J and budgetary Xiaomi Mi TVAll methods work regardless of the operating system. Tizen, webOS, Android TV or Google TVWe'll start with simple settings and move on to the "heavy artillery" for experienced users.

⚡ Speed ​​before/after: on average, it is possible to increase throughput with 10–20 Mbps to 50–100 Mbps (with a 100+ Mbps plan). If your plan is lower, check with your provider first.

1. Check the actual internet speed on your TV

Before you set anything up, Measure your current speed directly on your TV — this will help you identify the bottleneck. Use built-in tools or third-party apps:

• 📊 Built-in tests: on Samsung — Settings → Support → Self-diagnostics → Network Speed ​​Test; on LG — Settings → All settings → Network → Network diagnostics.
• 📱 Applications: install Speedtest by Ookla (available for Android TV/Google TV) or FAST.com (from Netflix).
• 💻 Comparison with other devices: Run the test on a phone or laptop connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If the speed is higher there, the problem is with the TV.

⚠️ Attention: if the speed on the TV is lower 10 Mbps, and on other devices it's normal - check DNS servers (More on this in Section 3). If the speed is low everywhere, the ISP or router is to blame.

2. Optimize your router's Wi-Fi settings

The router is the key link in the chain. Even if the TV supports Wi-Fi 6, and the router operates in mode 802.11n, the speed will be limited. Let's check the basic parameters:

• 📶 Wi-Fi mode: Go to your router's control panel (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and install:
  • Standard: 802.11ac (or Wi-Fi 5) for TVs from 2018 to 2023.
  • Channel width: 40 MHz (for 2.4 GHz) or 80 MHz (for 5 GHz).
  • Channel: select manual (auto often makes mistakes). For 2.4 GHz - channels 1, 6, 11 (least loaded).
• 🔒 Safety: use WPA2-PSK (or WPA3, if supported). WEP And WPA slow down the connection.
• 📡 Signal strength: Find the parameter in the router settings Transmit Power and install 100% (or High).

Set the standard to 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | Select the channel width of 80 MHz for 5 GHz | Fix the channel manually (1, 6 or 11) | Disable power saving (Green Mode) | Enable QoS to prioritize TV traffic

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⚠️ Attention: If you have a dual-band router, connect your TV to the network. 5 GHz — it is less congested and faster. Network names are usually different (for example, MyWiFi_2G And MyWiFi_5GOlder TVs (before 2017) may not support 5 GHz - in that case, optimize for 2.4 GHz.

How do I know if my TV supports 5GHz?

Open the Wi-Fi settings on your TV. If both frequencies (2.4 and 5 GHz) are shown in the network list, the TV supports Wi-Fi. Alternatively, check the model's specifications on the manufacturer's website (look for "Dual-Band Wi-Fi" or "5 GHz").

3. Change DNS servers to speed up loading times

Provider DNS servers often slow down, especially when accessing international services (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+). Switching to public DNS will speed up page loading and reduce video buffering.

Instructions for TVs:

1. On Samsung Tizen: Settings → General → Network → Network Status → IP Settings → DNS Server.
2. On LG webOS: Settings → Network → Wi-Fi connection → Additional settings → Change DNS.
3. On Android TV: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → [your network] → Advanced → Static IP → DNS 1/2.

Recommended DNS servers (select one):

• 🌍 Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 And 8.8.4.4
• 🛡️ Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 And 1.0.0.1 (fastest for video)
• 🔍 OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 And 208.67.220.220

4. Update your TV and router firmware

Outdated software is one of the main causes of slow Wi-Fi. Manufacturers regularly release updates to fix connection issues and optimize network performance.

For TV:

• 📺 Samsung: Settings → Support → Software Update → Update Now.
• 📺 LG: Settings → All settings → General → About TV → Check for updates.
• 📺 Android TV: Settings → Device → System update.

For router:

1. Go to the control panel (the address is indicated on the router sticker).
2. Find the section FirmWARE, Update or System Tools.
3. Download the latest firmware from the manufacturer's website (for example, TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic) and download it manually.

⚠️ Attention: If your TV starts to perform worse after an update (for example, the sound in apps is gone), perform a factory reset: Settings → Support → Reset.

5. Configure QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritize traffic

QoS — is a technology that distributes bandwidth between devices. If you prioritize your TV, it will receive more speed when you're watching a movie or playing a game.

How to set up on a router:

1. Go to your router control panel.
2. Find the section QoS, Traffic Control or Device priority.
3. Enable QoS and select the mode By MAC address or By IP address.
4. Enter the MAC address of the TV (you can find it in Settings → About TV → Network Status).
5. Set the highest priority (eg. Highest or 1).

On some routers (ASUS, Keenetic) there is a mode Adaptive QoS - it automatically detects which device needs speed (for example, when launching Netflix).

How to find out the MAC address of a TV?

On Samsung: Settings → General → About TV → Network Status.

On LG: Settings → All settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Additional settings.

On Android TV: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → [your network] → Advanced.

6. Use a wired connection or Powerline adapters

Wi-Fi always loses out to a wired connection in terms of speed and stability. If your router is far from your TV and you don't want to run a cable, use Powerline adapters (Internet transmission via electrical wiring).

Comparison of connection methods:

If you decide to use a cable:

• 🔌 Buy Cat 5e Ethernet cable or higher (length up to 100 m).
• 📺 Connect one end to the router and the other to the port LAN on the TV (on new models it is usually hidden behind a cover).
• 🔄 In your TV settings, select Wired connection instead of Wi-Fi.

⚠️ Attention: If the Internet doesn't work after connecting the cable, check:

• Is the port indicator on? LAN on the router.
• Is the cable damaged (try another one).
• Is DHCP enabled on the router (it should assign an IP automatically).

7. Reset network settings and optimize the router's location

If all else fails, perform a full reset of the network settings on your TV and router. This will remove all conflicting settings.

For TV:

1. On Samsung: Settings → General → Network → Network Reset.
2. On LG: Settings → All settings → Network → Reset Wi-Fi.
3. On Android TV: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Forget network.

For router: press the button Reset (usually hidden in a hole) and hold for 10 seconds. After resetting, configure the router again following the instructions in Section 2.

Also check router location:

• 📍 Install the router at a height 1–1.5 m from the floor (not in the closet!).
• 🚫 Keep away from metal objects, microwaves and cordless phones.
• 📶 Point the antennas vertically (for multi-story buildings) or at an angle (for wide coverage).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about speeding up Wi-Fi on your TV

🔍 Why does my TV show a speed of 100 Mbps, but the video is lagging?

Connection speed (eg. 100 Mbps in Wi-Fi status) is maximum theoretical throughputActual speed depends on:

• Channel congestion (neighbors, interference).
• Service servers (Netflix, YouTube).
• DNS servers (replacement by 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 will help).
• Video codecs (4K HDR requires more resources).

Try running a speed test while watching - if the indicators fall below 20 Mbps, the problem is in the network or router.

📺 Is it possible to speed up Wi-Fi on an old TV (2015 and older)?

Yes, but with restrictions:

• If the TV only supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), maximum speed - 50–70 Mbps.
• Update your firmware (even older models sometimes get patches).
• Connect via Powerline adapter or USB-Wi-Fi adapter (if there is a USB port).
• Use 5 GHz, if supported (check in specifications).

TVs produced before 2013 often have a weak Wi-Fi module; only a wired connection will help here.

🛠️ Why did my Wi-Fi performance worsen after updating my firmware?

This is a rare but possible problem. Causes:

• The new firmware contains bugs (check reviews on forums, for example, 4PDA).
• Network settings have been reset (please set up Wi-Fi again).
• Security settings have changed (try changing the encryption type from WPA3 on WPA2).

Solution: Roll back to the previous firmware version (if this option is available) or perform a factory reset.

🎮 How to reduce ping for cloud gaming (GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud)?

For cloud gaming, not only speed is critical, but also ping (lag). To reduce lag:

• Connect your TV via cable (Wi-Fi adds 10–30 ms delays).
• Turn on QoS on the router and set the highest priority for the TV.
• Use DNS 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) - It is optimized for gaming.
• Disconnect other devices from the network while playing the game.
• Select the server closest to your region (in the game settings).

Ideal ping for cloud gaming - <30 ms. If higher 50 ms, the game will be uncomfortable.

🔄 How often should I reboot my router to maintain stable speed?

Reboot your router regularly (once a 1–2 weeks) helps clear the cache and avoid overheating. But if the speed drops daily, it's a sign:

• Router overload (too many connected devices).
• Problems with firmware (update it).
• Overheating (place the router in a ventilated area).

If rebooting helps only for a short time, consider purchasing a more powerful router (for example, with a processor 1 GHz+ and support Wi-Fi 6).