What you need to connect internet to your TV
Your TV needs three things to use the internet: a connection to your router (either wired or wireless), a streaming app or built-in smart TV system, and an account with a service if you want to watch paid content. Most modern TVs have Wi-Fi built in, so you can connect wirelessly without any extra equipment. If your TV is older or the Wi-Fi signal is weak where it sits, you can use an ethernet cable plugged directly into the TV's network port instead.
The physical connection is just the first step. Your TV also needs to know how to talk to the services you want to watch — Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, or others. This happens through apps that either come pre-installed on the TV or that you read from the TV's app store. Some TVs run their own operating system (like Samsung's Tizen or LG's WebOS), while others run Android TV or Roku, which work similarly to how apps work on a phone.
Key Takeaways
- Most TVs connect to Wi-Fi the same way a phone does: go to Settings, find your network name, enter your password, and wait for the connection to confirm.
- If Wi-Fi is slow or unreliable, plug an ethernet cable directly from your router into the TV's network port for a faster, more stable connection.
- Streaming apps come pre-installed on newer TVs, but you may need to read additional apps from your TV's app store or sign into apps that are already there.
- Your internet speed needs to match what you want to watch: 5 Mbps for standard video, 15 Mbps for HD, and 25 Mbps for 4K.
- If your TV is more than five years old and doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi, a streaming device like Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick can add internet capability without replacing the TV.
Connecting via Wi-Fi (wireless)
Wi-Fi is the easiest route if your TV has it built in. Go to your TV's Settings menu — usually accessed through the remote's menu button or a dedicated settings button. Look for Network, Wi-Fi, or Internet settings. The TV will show you a list of available networks. Find your home network name (the one your phone connects to) and select it.
When you select your network, the TV will ask for your Wi-Fi password. Type it in carefully — passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter. Once you enter the password, the TV will try to connect. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. You'll see a confirmation message when it's connected, and the TV will remember this network so you don't have to enter the password again.
If the TV can't find your network, make sure your router is turned on and broadcasting (most routers have a light that shows this). If your router is in another room and the signal is weak, you may need to move closer temporarily to complete the setup, or consider using an ethernet cable instead.
Connecting via ethernet cable (wired)
An ethernet cable gives you a faster and more stable connection than Wi-Fi, especially if your TV is far from the router or if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. You'll need an ethernet cable long enough to reach from your router to your TV — these are inexpensive and come in lengths from 3 feet to 100 feet. Plug one end into the ethernet port on the back of your router and the other end into the network port on the back of your TV.
Once the cable is plugged in, go to your TV's Settings and look for Network or Internet settings. The TV should detect the wired connection automatically within a few seconds. You won't need to enter a password — the connection is when ready. If the TV doesn't detect it, restart the TV and check that the cable is fully inserted into both the router and the TV.
Wired connections are particularly useful if you're streaming 4K video, which requires a steady 25 Mbps or more. Wi-Fi can work for 4K, but it's more prone to buffering if other devices are using the network or if the signal is weak.
Setting up streaming apps on your TV
Once your TV is connected to the internet, you need apps to actually watch anything. Most TVs come with some apps pre-installed — Netflix, YouTube, and others are often already there. Look for an Apps, Home, or Library button on your remote. This takes you to a menu where you can see what's already installed and read more.
If you want an app that isn't installed, go to your TV's app store. Samsung TVs use Samsung TV Plus, LG TVs use LG Content Store, Roku devices use the Roku Channel Store, and so on. Search for the app you want, select it, and choose read or Install. The app will read and appear on your home screen within a minute or two. You'll then need to open the app and sign in with your account — for Netflix, that's your Netflix username and password; for YouTube, your Google account; and so on.
Some apps come pre-installed but require you to sign in before you can use them. If you see an app on your home screen that you haven't used yet, open it and look for a Sign In or Log In button. You'll use the same account credentials you use on your phone or computer.
Checking your internet speed for streaming
Your internet speed determines what quality video you can watch without buffering. You can check your speed on any device connected to your network by visiting speedtest.net in a web browser. The test takes about a minute and shows your read speed in Mbps (megabits per second).
Here's what you need for different types of streaming: standard definition video (like older YouTube videos or basic streaming) needs 5 Mbps, HD video (1080p) needs 15 Mbps, and 4K video needs 25 Mbps or more. If you have multiple people streaming at the same time, add those speeds together. If your speed is lower than what you need, move your TV closer to the router, switch to a wired ethernet connection, or contact your internet provider about upgrading your plan.
Adding internet to an older TV without built-in Wi-Fi
If your TV doesn't have Wi-Fi or an ethernet port, you can add internet capability with a streaming device. The most common options are Roku (which makes standalone players and is built into many TVs), Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast. These devices plug into your TV's HDMI port and connect to your router via Wi-Fi or ethernet. They cost between $30 and $200 depending on the model and features.
To set up a streaming device, plug it into an HDMI port on your TV, switch your TV to that HDMI input, and follow the on-screen setup. The device will ask you to connect to Wi-Fi and sign into your account (Amazon, Google, or Roku depending on the device). Once that's done, you can read apps just like on a smart TV. The remote that comes with the device controls both the streaming service and basic TV functions.
Streaming devices are also useful if your TV's built-in apps are slow or outdated. You can plug in a newer device and use its apps instead of the TV's, without replacing the TV itself.
Troubleshooting common connection problems
If your TV connects to the internet but apps won't load or video keeps buffering, the problem is usually either your Wi-Fi signal, your internet speed, or the app itself. First, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This clears temporary glitches. If that doesn't work, go to your TV's Settings, find Network or Internet, and look for an option to restart the connection or forget the network. Then reconnect to Wi-Fi as if it's the first time.
If restarting doesn't help, restart your router the same way — unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart before trying to stream again. If you're still having trouble, check your internet speed using speedtest.net on another device. If the speed is lower than what you need, try moving your TV closer to the router or switching to an ethernet cable.
If one app won't work but others do, the problem is usually with that specific app or service, not your connection. Try signing out of the app and signing back in, or uninstall and reinstall it. If the app still won't work, check the service's website or social media to see if there's a known outage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special internet plan to stream on my TV?
No, you use the same internet plan you already have. Streaming uses bandwidth the same way any other internet activity does. If you're streaming 4K video regularly, you may want a plan with higher speeds (25 Mbps or more), but you don't need a separate TV-specific plan.
Can I use my phone's hotspot to connect my TV to the internet?
Yes, if your phone has a hotspot feature. Go to your phone's Settings, turn on Personal Hotspot or Mobile Hotspot, and set a password. Then connect your TV to that network like you would any other Wi-Fi network. Keep in mind that this uses your phone's data plan, so streaming will count against your monthly data limit.
Why does my TV keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi?
This usually happens if the Wi-Fi signal is weak, if your router is overloaded with too many devices, or if your TV's Wi-Fi hardware is failing. Try moving the TV closer to the router, reducing the number of devices connected to Wi-Fi, or switching to an ethernet cable. If the problem continues, your TV's Wi-Fi component may need repair.
What's the difference between a smart TV and a regular TV with a streaming device?
A smart TV has apps built in and connects to the internet directly. A regular TV with a streaming device (like Roku or Fire Stick) does the same thing, but the streaming device handles the apps and internet connection instead of the TV itself. Both work equally well — the streaming device approach is sometimes better because you can upgrade the device without replacing the TV.
Can I connect my TV to the internet through my computer?
Not directly. Your TV needs its own connection to the router. However, some computers can stream video to a TV wirelessly using Miracast (Windows) or AirPlay (Mac), which mirrors what's on your screen. This is different from the TV connecting to the internet itself, and it requires your computer to be running the whole time you're watching.