Smart TV owners often encounter a situation where, after successfully entering the wireless network password, the screen suddenly goes blank or displays a message about the inability to connect. Error 137 on an LG TV — This is a classic symptom of traffic routing issues or malfunctioning DNS servers. The system attempts to connect to update or content provider servers but is refused or times out, interrupting the network authorization process.
Most often, the problem lies not in a hardware failure of the Wi-Fi module, but in a software conflict between the router and TV settings. WebOS, the operating system of modern LG panels, is very sensitive to channel stability and addressing accuracy. If your router is assigning addresses via DHCP incorrectly or your ISP has blocked certain ports, the device simply won't be able to complete the initial handshake.
In this article, we'll examine all possible causes of the failure and provide a step-by-step solution. You'll learn how to manually change network settings, whether you should reset your router, and why simply changing DNS addresses can sometimes help. It is critical to understand that code 137 often indicates an inability to resolve the LG server's domain name, rather than a lack of physical signal.
Causes of Error Code 137 in WebOS
The appearance of a digital malfunction indicator always has a specific technical cause. In the case of error 137 This is a network communication issue. The TV sends a request to the gateway but doesn't receive a response within the allotted time. This could be due to a router buffer overflow, when too many devices are attempting to connect to the network at the same time, or due to outdated firmware on the TV itself that doesn't support new encryption protocols.
Another common cause is IP address conflicts. If two devices on your local network have the same static address, or the DHCP server has assigned an address that is already in use, a conflict will occur. Smart TV In this situation, the system switches to standby mode and informs the user that it is impossible to continue working online. It's also important to consider whether antivirus software is running on connected computers, as it may block unknown devices on the local network.
Temporary outages on the provider's end shouldn't be overlooked either. Maintenance or failures on backbone lines can lead to lost data packets, which the TV interprets as a connection error. In some cases, the problem stems from overheating of the Wi-Fi module inside the TV, especially if the device is installed in a niche with poor ventilation.
⚠️ Warning: If error 137 appears immediately after updating your TV's firmware, the new software version may contain a bug. In this case, we recommend rolling back the system or waiting for a patch from the manufacturer, temporarily using a wired connection.
Initial diagnostics and equipment reboot
Before delving into complex settings, it is necessary to perform basic diagnostics. Complete reboot It's not as simple as turning off the device with the remote control button, as many processes continue to run in the background in standby mode. It's necessary to completely power down the device to clear the RAM and reset temporary network configurations.
Start with the router. Unplug it from the power source for 30-60 seconds. This time is necessary for the capacitors to discharge and the device's cache to be completely cleared. While the router is off, perform the same procedure with your LG TV. Unplug the power cord, wait a minute, then plug in the router and wait for its operating system to fully load (usually 2-3 minutes) before turning on the TV.
☑️ Basic hardware reboot
After turning it on, try connecting to Wi-Fi again. If error 137 persists, the problem is deeper and requires changing your network settings. A simple power cycle often resolves a frozen DHCP client issue on a TV.
Also check if the internet is working on other devices in the house. If websites load normally on your smartphone or laptop, the problem lies with the TV and router connection. If there's no internet connection anywhere, call your internet provider, as TV repair won't help.
Setting up static IP and DNS servers
The most effective way to bypass error 137 is to disable automatic network settings and instead enter them manually. Automatic mode (DHCP) sometimes fails, assigning the TV an address that isn't routed correctly. You'll need to go to the network settings menu. The path usually looks like this: Settings → All settings → Network → Wi-Fi connection → Advanced Wi-Fi Settings (Advanced Wi-Fi settings).
In the menu that opens, find the "Change" or "Edit" button. Here, you need to switch the mode from "Automatic" to "Manual." Registering DNS servers is key. ISPs often provide their own default DNS, which can be slow or block Smart TV requests. It is recommended to use public servers from Google or Cloudflare.
Please enter the following values in the appropriate fields:
- 🌐 DNS server 1:
8.8.8.8(Google) or1.1.1.1(Cloudflare) - 🌐 DNS server 2:
8.8.4.4or1.0.0.1 - 🔗 Gateway: the address of your router (usually
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1) - 📡 IP address: Select an address outside the router's DHCP range (e.g.
192.168.1.150)
Why Google DNS?
Google's public DNS servers (8.8.8.8) offer high fault tolerance and response speed. They are less likely to block media service requests and allow you to bypass some ISP restrictions that can cause error 137 on LG devices.
After entering all parameters, save the settings and click "Connect." The TV will attempt to connect with the new settings. If error 137 disappears and the message "Connected to the Internet" appears, the issue was caused by incorrect DNS functionality from your ISP.
Changing the date and time on your TV
Paradoxically, an incorrect date and time can cause serious errors when connecting to secure HTTPS protocols. Security certificates used by LG servers and streaming services expire. If your TV's date is set to, say, 2015, current certificates will be considered invalid, and the connection will be terminated with an error code.
Check your current time settings. Go to Settings → General → Time and DateMake sure automatic network synchronization (NTP) is enabled. If automatic synchronization is not possible due to lack of internet access, set the date and time manually, as accurately as possible. After adjusting the time, be sure to reboot the TV.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on error 137 |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Current (automatic) | High (SSL certificates) |
| Time | Current (by time zone) | Average |
| Time zone | Your region (GMT+3, etc.) | Low |
| Daylight Saving Time | Auto/On | Low |
This procedure is often ignored by users, but is critical to operation. Smart TVEncryption protocols require time synchronization for a successful handshake with the server.
Reset network settings and Quick Start+
Quick Launch Function (Quick Start+) on LG TVs allows the device to boot up in a few seconds, leaving it in deep sleep mode instead of completely shutting down. However, over time, this mode accumulates cache errors, which can interfere with network modules. Try disabling this feature.
Find the item in the settings menu General → Advanced Settings → Quick Start+ and turn the switch to the "Off" position. After this, the TV will take longer to boot up, but every time it's turned on, all systems, including the Wi-Fi module, will be fully initialized. This often helps resolve error 137 if it's caused by a software glitch.
You can also try a complete network reset. In the network menu, find the "Delete Profile" or "Forget Network" option for your Wi-Fi hotspot. Delete all saved networks. Then, re-discover your network and enter the password. This will prevent the connection from being reused, possibly corrupted.
⚠️ Note: Disabling Quick Start+ will increase the TV's startup time and prevent background app updates when the TV is off. However, this will improve system stability.
Router compatibility issues and frequency ranges
Modern routers often operate in two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Some LG TV models, especially those released several years ago, may not work correctly with the 5 GHz band or with certain encryption standards (such as WPA3). If your router combines both bands under a single name (SSID), the TV may attempt to connect to an inappropriate frequency.
Try temporarily separating the networks by giving them different names (eg. HomeWiFi And HomeWiFi_5G). Connect your TV to a 2.4 GHz network, as it has better penetration and is more compatible with older devices. Also, change the security type in your router settings to WPA2-PSK (AES), avoiding mixed modes or legacy TKIP.
If you have a dual-band router, make sure the channels aren't overcrowded by neighboring routers. Use apps on your smartphone to analyze Wi-Fi channel congestion and select the least crowded channel in your router settings (usually 1, 6, or 11 for the 2.4 GHz band).
When should you contact your provider or service center?
If none of the above methods help and error 137 persists, the issue may lie with the hardware or specific ISP limitations. Some ISPs use specific PPPoE settings or MAC address binding that the TV cannot handle without configuring the router to the appropriate mode.
Contact your provider's technical support. Let them know you're experiencing issues connecting to your Smart TV. They can check whether your device's traffic is being blocked by filters and suggest the correct DNS or MTU settings for your region.
In rare cases, error 137 indicates a faulty Wi-Fi module inside the TV. If the device detects networks, attempts to connect, but immediately returns an error, and the Ethernet cable (if it has a port) is working properly, there's a high probability of a hardware fault with the wireless adapter.
Can an antivirus on a computer block a TV?
Yes, if a computer connected to the same network has an aggressive antivirus or firewall installed, it may perceive the TV's attempts to access local resources as an attack. Try temporarily disabling the network protection in your antivirus for diagnostic purposes.
Will buying a new router help?
If your router is more than 7-10 years old, it may not be able to handle the load of modern Smart TVs and the number of devices it supports. Upgrading to a modern model that supports AC or AX standards can dramatically improve connection stability.
What if there is no LAN port to test with a cable?
If your TV does not have an Ethernet port, you can purchase a USB-LAN adapter (your LG model requires driver support) or use a Wi-Fi repeater with an Ethernet port and connect your TV through it.
Factory reset - a last resort?
Yes, full reset (Settings → General → Factory Reset) will delete all your apps and logins. Use this method only if all else fails, and remember any important data first.