The fastest way to change inputs on your Samsung TV

Press the Input button on your Samsung remote. A menu will appear on screen showing all available inputs — HDMI 1, HDMI 2, TV, USB, and others depending on your model. Use the arrow buttons to highlight the input you want, then press Enter or Select. The TV will switch to that input when ready.

If you cannot find the Input button on your remote, look for a button labeled Source instead — older Samsung remotes use this name for the same function. The button is usually in the upper left area of the remote, sometimes near the power button.

Once you switch to an input, the TV remembers it. If you turn the TV off and back on while that input is selected, it will return to the same input the next time you power on.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Input or Source on your remote to see all available connections, then use arrow keys to select the one you need.
  • HDMI inputs are where you connect cable boxes, gaming consoles, and streaming devices — TV input is for antenna or cable without a box.
  • If your remote is lost or broken, you can access inputs through the TV's physical buttons or through the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone.
  • The TV will stay on your chosen input until you manually switch it, even after powering off and back on.

Understanding which input you actually need

Your Samsung TV has multiple inputs because different devices plug into different ports. HDMI inputs are the most common — these are where you connect a cable box, satellite receiver, gaming console, streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick, or a Blu-ray player. Most Samsung TVs have at least two HDMI ports, often labeled HDMI 1 and HDMI 2.

The TV input (sometimes called Antenna or Cable) is for connecting an antenna directly to the TV, or for a cable connection that does not go through a separate box. If you have a cable box sitting on top of your TV or next to it, you are using HDMI. If the cable cord goes straight into the TV, you are using the TV input.

USB and Component inputs exist on most models but are rarely used now. USB lets you plug in a flash drive with photos or video files. Component is an older connection type that you might use with very old DVD players or gaming systems, but HDMI has replaced it for nearly everything made in the last ten years.

What to do if the Input button does not work

If pressing Input or Source on your remote does nothing, the remote batteries may be dead. Replace them with fresh ones — use AA or AAA depending on your remote model — and try again. Point the remote directly at the TV from a few feet away, not at an angle.

If new batteries do not fix it, you can change inputs without the remote. Most Samsung TVs have physical buttons on the side or bottom of the TV itself. Look for a button labeled Menu, Input, or Source on the TV frame. Press it the same way you would press the remote button — the input menu will appear on screen.

If your TV has neither a working remote nor accessible physical buttons, you can use the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone. read it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV, and the app will show a remote control on your phone screen with an Input button you can tap.

Switching between multiple devices plugged in at once

If you have a cable box on HDMI 1 and a gaming console on HDMI 2, you switch between them by pressing Input and selecting the one you want to watch. You do not need to unplug anything — both devices stay connected all the time.

When you switch inputs, the device you are switching away from does not turn off. If you are watching a game on your console and switch to the cable box to watch TV, the console stays on and paused where you left it. When you switch back to HDMI 2, the game will still be there.

If you have a device plugged into an HDMI port and it is not showing up in the input menu, try unplugging it and plugging it back in. Wait a few seconds for the TV to recognize it. If it still does not appear, the HDMI port itself may be damaged — try a different HDMI port on the TV.

Why your TV might switch inputs on its own

Some Samsung TVs have a feature called HDMI Auto Input Change that automatically switches to an HDMI input when you turn on a device plugged into it. If your TV keeps switching away from what you are watching, this feature is likely turned on.

To turn it off, press the Menu button on your remote, navigate to Settings, then look for a section called External Device Manager or HDMI settings. The exact name varies by model year, but you are looking for anything that mentions HDMI or auto input. Find the toggle for Auto Input Change or HDMI Auto Input and turn it off.

If you cannot find this setting, check your TV's manual — you can find it by searching online for your exact model number, which is printed on the back of the TV or in the Settings menu under About TV.

Connecting a new device to the right HDMI port

When you plug a new device into an HDMI port for the first time, the TV may automatically switch to that input and ask you to name it. You can name it Cable Box, Nintendo Switch, Roku, or anything else that helps you remember what is plugged in there. This makes it easier to find the right input later when you have multiple devices.

If the TV does not ask you to name it, you can name it manually. Press Input to open the input menu, highlight the HDMI port you just plugged into, and look for an option to rename or edit. Not all Samsung models have this feature, but newer ones do.

Write down which device is on which HDMI port if you have more than two. A straightforward note on your phone or a sticky note on the TV remote saves time later when someone else in your house asks which input the gaming console is on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a remote from a different brand to change Samsung TV inputs?

Most universal remotes can control Samsung TVs, but you may need to program them first. Check your universal remote's instructions for the Samsung code, or try pressing the Input button anyway — many universal remotes have the same button layout. If it does not work, use the physical buttons on the TV or the SmartThings app instead.

What does it mean when an input says "No Signal"?

The TV is looking at that input but nothing is plugged in or turned on. Check that the cable is firmly connected to both the TV and the device. If the device is plugged in, turn it on — some devices like cable boxes take a few seconds to show a picture after powering on. If it still says No Signal, try a different HDMI cable.

Why does my TV show a black screen when I switch inputs?

The device on that input may be off or not sending a picture yet. Wait five to ten seconds — some devices take time to start up. If it stays black, turn the device off and back on. If the screen stays black and the input menu is gone, press Input again to bring the menu back and try a different input.

Can I set a default input so the TV always starts on the same one?

Most Samsung TVs do not have a default input setting, but they do remember the last input you used. If you always watch cable, leave the TV on the TV input when you turn it off, and it will return to that input the next time you power on. If you want a true default that works even after unplugging the TV, check your Settings menu under External Device Manager — some newer models have this option.