The fastest way to get your TV online

Most modern TVs connect to the internet through your home WiFi network the same way your phone does. You'll need your WiFi network name and password, and the TV will walk you through the rest. The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes, and you only do it once — the TV remembers the connection.

If your TV is brand new or you've never connected it before, you'll see a setup screen when you turn it on. If your TV is already set up but not online, you can find the network settings in the TV's menu. The exact location varies by brand, but it's always under Settings or Network.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your WiFi network name and password before you start, so have that information ready.
  • Most TVs prompt you to connect during first setup, but you can also add a network connection anytime through the Settings menu.
  • If your TV won't connect, move closer to the router or restart both the TV and router before troubleshooting further.
  • Some older TVs need a separate streaming device or adapter to connect to WiFi, so check your TV's manual if the Settings menu has no network option.

Finding your WiFi network name and password

Before you touch the TV, write down your WiFi network name and password. The network name is what you see when you search for WiFi on your phone — it's not the same as your internet provider's name. If you don't know the password, you can find it on the sticker attached to your router, or you can change it through your router's settings page.

If you've lost the password and can't find the sticker, log into your router's admin page. Open a web browser on your computer or phone, type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), and sign in with the username and password printed on the router. From there you can see or reset your WiFi password. If you're not sure how to do this, call your internet provider — they can walk you through it or reset the password for you.

Connecting during the TV's first setup

When you turn on a new TV for the first time, it will ask you to select a language and then offer to connect to WiFi. A list of available networks will appear on the screen. Find your network name in that list and select it.

The TV will then ask you to enter your WiFi password. Use the remote to navigate the on-screen keyboard and type the password exactly as it appears — passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter. Once you've entered it, select Connect or OK. The TV will test the connection and let you know if it worked. If it fails, double-check that you typed the password correctly and try again.

Adding WiFi to a TV that's already set up

If your TV is already turned on and working but not connected to the internet, go to the Settings menu. On most TVs, you'll find this by pressing the Settings button on the remote or by looking for a gear icon on the home screen. Once you're in Settings, look for Network, WiFi, or Internet Connection.

Select the option to add a new network or connect to WiFi. The TV will scan for available networks and show you a list. Select your network name, enter your password, and wait for the connection to complete. Some TVs will ask if you want to test the connection — say yes so you know it worked before you close the menu.

What to do if the TV won't connect

If the TV finds your network but won't connect, the most common cause is a password typo. Go back and re-enter the password, paying close attention to uppercase and lowercase letters. If you're not sure you have it right, check the password on your router's sticker or log into the router to confirm it.

If the password is correct but the TV still won't connect, restart both the TV and the router. Turn off the TV completely, unplug the router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart (usually two to three minutes). Then turn the TV back on and try connecting again. If the TV still can't find your network at all, move the TV closer to the router — thick walls and distance can block the signal. Once it connects, you can move it back.

If you've tried all of this and the TV still won't connect, the TV's WiFi hardware may be damaged. Check your TV's manual to see if it supports a wired connection using an ethernet cable plugged directly into the router. Some TVs have an ethernet port on the back, and a wired connection is more reliable anyway. If your TV has no ethernet port and no working WiFi, you may need a separate streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick to get the TV online.

Using a wired connection instead of WiFi

If your TV has an ethernet port on the back, you can plug it directly into your router with an ethernet cable. This is faster and more stable than WiFi, and it eliminates password problems. Plug one end of the cable into the ethernet port on the TV and the other end into an available port on the router.

The TV should recognize the connection automatically and show you that it's online. If it doesn't, go to Settings and look for Network or Internet Connection. The TV should detect the wired connection and confirm that it's working. Wired connections don't require any password or setup — once the cable is plugged in, you're done.

What to do if your TV has no WiFi option

Older TVs sometimes have no built-in WiFi and no network settings menu at all. If you look through the entire Settings menu and find nothing about WiFi or network, your TV doesn't have WiFi hardware. This doesn't mean you can't get it online — you just need a separate device.

A streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast plugs into your TV's HDMI port and connects to WiFi on its own. Once it's set up, you can use it to watch streaming services, and some devices can also mirror content from your phone to the TV. These devices have their own setup process, but it's the same as connecting a TV — you'll select your WiFi network, enter the password, and you're done. Check your TV's manual to confirm it has no network option before you buy a separate device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use WiFi or can I use a wired connection?

If your TV has an ethernet port, a wired connection is actually better — it's faster and more reliable than WiFi. Plug an ethernet cable from your router directly into the TV's ethernet port. The TV will recognize it automatically and you won't need to enter any password.

What if I don't remember my WiFi password?

Check the sticker on your router — the password is usually printed there. If you can't find the sticker, log into your router's settings page from a computer or phone by typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser. You can also call your internet provider and they'll help you reset it.

Why does the TV say it found my network but won't connect?

The most common cause is typing the password wrong. Passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters have to match exactly. Try entering it again slowly, or reset your WiFi password through the router and use the new one. If that doesn't work, restart both the TV and router and try again.

Can I connect my TV to a mobile hotspot instead of home WiFi?

Yes, you can select a mobile hotspot the same way you'd select any other WiFi network. The TV will see it in the list of available networks. Keep in mind that streaming video uses a lot of data, so this will quickly use up your phone's data plan if you have a limit.

My TV is too far from the router and won't connect. What should I do?

Move the TV closer to the router temporarily to get it connected. Once it's online, you can move it back — the TV will remember the connection and stay online as long as the signal is strong enough. If the signal is still too weak at the TV's final location, consider moving the router, using a WiFi extender, or switching to a wired ethernet connection if your TV has an ethernet port.