The fastest way to change inputs on a Samsung TV
Press the Input button on your Samsung remote. A menu will appear on screen showing all the inputs your TV has available — HDMI 1, HDMI 2, TV, Component, etc. Use the arrow buttons to highlight the input you want, then press Enter. The TV will switch to that input immediately.
If you cannot find the Input button on your remote, look for a button labeled Source instead — some Samsung remotes use that name. Both buttons do the same thing. The Input or Source button is usually located in the upper half of the remote, often near the power button or the channel buttons.
If your remote is lost or not responding, you can also change inputs using the buttons on the TV itself. Look for a small button on the side or bottom edge of your TV frame labeled Menu, Input, or Source. Press it the same way you would press the remote button, and the input menu will appear.
Key Takeaways
- The Input or Source button on your remote opens a menu showing every input your TV can receive.
- Use the arrow buttons to select the input you need, then press Enter to switch to it.
- If your remote is missing, the TV itself has physical buttons on its frame that control input the same way.
- HDMI inputs are the most common connection type for modern devices like streaming boxes, game consoles, and soundbars.
- Your TV will remember which input you were last using, so you may not need to switch every time you turn it on.
Finding the right HDMI port for your device
Most devices you connect to a Samsung TV use HDMI cables — streaming devices, game consoles, soundbars, and cable boxes all plug into HDMI ports. Your TV likely has between two and four HDMI ports on the back or side. If you are not sure which port your device is plugged into, look at the cable itself and trace it to the TV, or check the back of the TV where the cables connect.
Once you know which HDMI port your device uses, press Input or Source on the remote and select the matching input from the menu. If your device is plugged into the second HDMI port on the left side of the TV, you would select HDMI 2 from the input menu. The TV will then display whatever that device is sending — a streaming app, a game, a cable channel, etc.
If you have multiple devices plugged in and you are not sure which is which, you can switch between them one at a time using the input menu. Each input will show you what is connected to it, or you can see a blank screen if nothing is plugged in to that port.
What to do if an input does not appear in the menu
If you plug in a device but its input does not show up in the input menu, the cable may not be fully connected. Unplug the HDMI cable from both the TV and the device, wait five seconds, and plug it back in firmly. Make sure the cable is pushed all the way in — HDMI connectors can look seated when they are actually loose.
If the cable is fully connected and the input still does not appear, try a different HDMI port on the TV. Some ports can fail over time, and switching to another port will tell you whether the problem is the port or the cable. If the input appears when you use a different port, the original port may need service.
For older Samsung TVs, you may also need to turn the TV off and back on after connecting a new device. Modern Samsung TVs detect new connections automatically, but some older models require a restart to recognize a newly plugged-in device.
Switching between cable, antenna, and streaming inputs
If your Samsung TV has a cable box or antenna connected, those inputs will appear in the input menu as TV or Cable rather than HDMI. Press Input or Source, select TV or Cable from the menu, and the TV will show whatever channel or program that source is sending. This is different from HDMI inputs because cable and antenna are broadcast signals, not devices you control directly.
You can switch between cable and streaming devices as often as you want. For example, you might watch cable news on the TV input, then switch to HDMI 1 to watch a streaming app on a Roku or Apple TV, then switch back to cable. The input menu makes this switching instant — there is no waiting or setup required.
If you have both a cable box and a streaming device, you will see both inputs in the menu. Some people label their HDMI cables or use a small sticker on the TV to remember which device is plugged into which port, especially if they have three or four devices connected.
Using the input menu to find a specific device
When you press Input or Source, the menu shows you a list of all possible inputs on your TV. Next to each input name, you may see a small icon or label showing what is connected — for example, a game controller icon for a gaming console, or the name of a streaming device. This label helps you find the right input without guessing.
If an input shows a blank icon or no label, nothing is currently plugged into that port. You can still select it, but the TV will show a blank or "No Signal" screen. This is normal and does not mean anything is broken.
Some Samsung TVs also show the input name you assigned to each port. If you have named HDMI 1 "Nintendo Switch" and HDMI 2 "Soundbar," those names will appear in the input menu instead of just the port numbers. You can change these names in the TV's settings if you want to make them more descriptive.
Troubleshooting when the input menu does not open
If you press Input or Source and nothing happens, the remote batteries may be dead. Replace the batteries in your remote and try again. Most Samsung remotes use two AA or AAA batteries located in the back panel.
If the remote has new batteries and the input menu still does not open, try pointing the remote directly at the TV from a few feet away. Sometimes the remote signal does not reach the TV if you are too far away or if something is blocking the path between the remote and the TV's sensor.
If the remote still does not work, use the physical buttons on the TV itself. Look for a button on the TV frame labeled Menu or Input, usually on the bottom edge or the side. Press and hold it for two seconds until the input menu appears on screen. This method works even if the remote is completely dead or lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my TV keep switching back to the cable input?
Some Samsung TVs are set to return to the last input you used when you turn the TV back on. If you turned off the TV while watching cable, it will go back to cable the next time you power it on. You can change this in the TV's settings by looking for an option called "Last Input Memory" or "Power On Default Input" and turning it off, which will make the TV always start on the same input.
Can I rename the inputs so I remember which device is which?
Yes. Go to your TV's Settings menu, find the Input or Source settings, and look for an option to edit or rename inputs. You can change "HDMI 1" to "Nintendo Switch" or "HDMI 2" to "Soundbar" so the input menu is easier to read. The exact menu path varies by Samsung TV model, but it is always in the Settings area.
What if I have a Samsung TV remote that does not have an Input button?
Older Samsung remotes sometimes use different button layouts. Look for a button labeled Source, or try pressing the Menu button and navigating to Input from there. If neither works, use the physical buttons on the TV frame itself — every Samsung TV has at least one button on the TV body that can open the input menu.
Does changing inputs affect the volume or picture settings?
No. Volume and picture settings stay the same when you switch inputs. If you adjusted the brightness or volume while watching one input, those settings remain when you switch to another input and then switch back. Each input remembers its own settings separately on most Samsung TVs.
Why does one of my HDMI inputs say "No Signal" even though something is plugged in?
The device may not be turned on, the cable may be loose, or the cable itself may be damaged. Check that the device is powered on and the HDMI cable is fully inserted into both the TV and the device. If the cable looks damaged or bent, try a different HDMI cable. If a different cable works, the original cable is faulty.