What the Onn. On a TV Mate does and where it plugs in

The Onn. On a TV Mate is a small streaming device made by Walmart's Onn. brand that connects to your TV's HDMI port. Once plugged in, it lets you stream apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and others without needing a smart TV — so if you have an older TV or one without built-in streaming, this device adds that capability. It also includes a remote control and requires a power outlet nearby.

The device itself is about the size of a deck of cards. You'll need an available HDMI port on your TV (most TVs have at least two), a power outlet within a few feet, and a Wi-Fi network to connect to. Setup takes about 10 to 15 minutes and involves plugging it in, turning on your TV, and walking through a few on-screen prompts.

Key Takeaways

  • The Onn. On a TV Mate plugs into an HDMI port on your TV and requires power from a nearby outlet.
  • You will need to connect it to your Wi-Fi network during setup, which happens on your TV screen.
  • The remote that comes with the device controls both the Onn. On a TV Mate and your TV's volume and power.
  • Once set up, you sign into your streaming apps using the on-screen keyboard and can start watching when ready.

Step-by-step installation process

Start by locating an HDMI port on the back or side of your TV. Most TVs have multiple ports labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, and so on. Plug the Onn. On a TV Mate into any available port — it does not matter which one. Then plug the power cable into the device and into a nearby wall outlet or power strip.

Turn on your TV and use your TV remote to switch to the HDMI input where you plugged in the device. You should see the Onn. startup screen appear. If you do not see anything, try a different HDMI port — occasionally one port may not be working. Once the startup screen appears, pick up the Onn. remote that came in the box and follow the on-screen instructions.

The device will ask you to select your language and then connect to Wi-Fi. Use the remote's arrow buttons to highlight your network name and press the center button to select it. Enter your Wi-Fi password using the on-screen keyboard — this is where most people slow down, since typing with a remote takes a few extra seconds. Once connected, the device will check for updates, which may take a few minutes.

Connecting to your Wi-Fi network

During setup, the Onn. On a TV Mate will show you a list of available Wi-Fi networks. Scroll through the list using the remote's up and down arrows until you find your network name (also called the SSID). Highlight it and press the center button on the remote.

A keyboard will appear on your screen. Use the remote to move the cursor to each letter of your Wi-Fi password and press the center button to select it. If you make a mistake, use the back button on the remote to delete characters. Once you have entered the full password, select the "Connect" button. The device will verify the connection — this usually takes 30 seconds to a minute.

If the connection fails, double-check that you entered the password correctly. Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive, so capital letters matter. If you are unsure of your password, check the sticker on the back of your router or log into your router's settings from a computer or phone to see the password.

Setting up your streaming apps and accounts

After Wi-Fi setup completes, the device will show you a home screen with app tiles. You will see some apps pre-installed, like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. To use any of these, select the app and you will be prompted to sign in with your account credentials.

Select the app you want to use, then use the on-screen keyboard to enter your email address or username. Press the center button on the remote to move to the password field and enter that as well. Once you sign in, the app will remember your account, and you can start watching when ready the next time you open it.

To add more apps, look for an "App Store" or "Get More Apps" option on the home screen. Browse the available apps, select one you want, and the device will read and install it. You can then sign into that app the same way you did with the pre-installed ones.

Using the remote and adjusting TV settings

The Onn. remote has buttons for power, volume, and input selection that control your TV directly, plus arrow buttons and a center select button that control the device. The power button turns your TV on and off. The volume buttons adjust your TV's volume. The input button lets you switch between different HDMI inputs if you have other devices connected.

The arrow buttons navigate through menus on the Onn. device, and the center button selects items. The back button returns to the previous screen. The home button takes you back to the main home screen from anywhere in the device. Most remotes also have a dedicated Netflix button or other app shortcuts — pressing these takes you directly to that app.

If the remote does not control your TV's volume or power, you may need to program it to recognize your TV model. Look for a setup or pairing option in the Onn. settings menu — this varies by remote version, but the on-screen instructions will walk you through it if needed.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If the device does not appear on your TV after plugging it in, first check that the power cable is fully inserted into both the device and the outlet. Then make sure you have switched your TV input to the correct HDMI port. Use your TV remote to cycle through the input options until you see the Onn. startup screen.

If the device connects to power but the screen stays black, try unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If that does not work, try a different HDMI port on your TV — some ports may not be active or may have a problem. If you still see nothing, the HDMI cable inside the device may be loose; contact Walmart support for a replacement.

If Wi-Fi connection fails repeatedly, move closer to your router if possible, or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If your network uses a 5 GHz band, try connecting to the 2.4 GHz band instead — older streaming devices sometimes have trouble with 5 GHz. You can usually find both band options in your Wi-Fi network list with different names, like "NetworkName-5G" and "NetworkName-2.4G".

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a smart TV to use the Onn. On a TV Mate?

No. The device works with any TV that has an HDMI port, whether the TV is smart or not. If your TV is already smart and has built-in apps, you can still use the Onn. device as an alternative — some people prefer it because the remote is simpler or because they want access to different apps.

Can I use the Onn. remote to control other devices like a soundbar?

The Onn. remote is designed to control your TV and the Onn. device. Some soundbars can be controlled through the TV's volume buttons, which the Onn. remote does control, but the remote cannot be programmed to operate a soundbar directly. You would need to use your soundbar's own remote for soundbar-specific settings.

What should I do if an app keeps crashing or freezing?

First, try closing the app and reopening it. If that does not work, go to the device settings menu, find the app in the list of installed apps, and select "Clear Cache" or "Uninstall and Reinstall". If the problem continues, restart the entire device by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

Can I move the Onn. On a TV Mate to a different TV?

Yes. straightforward unplug it from the current TV, plug it into an HDMI port on the new TV, and plug in the power cable. You do not need to set it up again — your apps and accounts will still be there. If the new TV is in a different room with a different Wi-Fi network, you may need to update the Wi-Fi connection in settings.

Is the Onn. On a TV Mate the same as other streaming devices like Roku or Amazon Fire?

No. The Onn. On a TV Mate is Walmart's own streaming device and runs its own operating system. Roku and Amazon Fire are different devices with different app selections and interfaces. All three do the same basic job — let you stream apps on your TV — but they have different remote designs, app availability, and settings menus.