The two ways to connect your Samsung TV

Your Samsung TV can reach the internet through either an ethernet cable plugged directly into the back, or through your home WiFi network. The ethernet connection is faster and more stable — it's the choice if your router is close enough to run a cable. WiFi is simpler if your router is in another room, though the connection speed depends on how far away it is and what walls are between them.

Both methods do the same thing: they let your TV reach streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, and Samsung's own apps. The TV itself handles the connection once you've plugged in the cable or entered your WiFi password. You don't need any extra equipment beyond what you probably already have.

Key Takeaways

  • An ethernet cable plugged into the back of your TV gives you the fastest, most reliable internet connection.
  • WiFi is easier to set up if your router is far away, but the signal weakens through walls and distance.
  • Your Samsung TV's settings menu walks you through entering your WiFi password or confirming the ethernet connection.
  • Once connected, your TV automatically remembers the network and reconnects each time you turn it on.
  • If the connection fails, restart your TV and router, then check that your WiFi password is correct.

Connecting with an ethernet cable

Look at the back of your Samsung TV for a port labeled "Ethernet" or showing a cable symbol. It's a rectangular socket slightly wider than a phone jack. Plug one end of an ethernet cable into that port and the other end into your router — the box your internet company gave you, usually in a closet or on a shelf.

Turn on your TV and go to Settings (usually a gear icon on the remote). Navigate to Network or Connection — the exact name varies by model year. Your TV should automatically detect the cable and show "Connected" within a few seconds. If it doesn't, unplug the cable from both ends, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in.

The ethernet method is done. Your TV now has internet and will stay connected as long as the cable remains plugged in. This is the most reliable setup because the cable doesn't compete with other devices for signal the way WiFi does.

Connecting through WiFi

Go to Settings on your TV remote and find Network or WiFi. Select Wireless or WiFi (not Ethernet). Your TV will scan for networks and show a list of the WiFi names it finds — these are called SSIDs. Find your own network name in that list. If you don't recognize any of them, check the sticker on the bottom or back of your router; the network name is printed there.

Select your network name and enter your WiFi password. The password is also on the router sticker, or you can find it in your router's settings by opening a web browser on your computer and typing the router's IP address (usually printed on the sticker too). Type the password exactly as it appears — capitals, numbers, and special characters all matter. Your TV will connect within a few seconds and show "Connected".

Your TV now remembers this network. The next time you turn it on, it will automatically reconnect without asking for the password again. If you move the TV to a different room far from the router, the signal may weaken; moving the router closer or removing obstacles between them usually fixes this.

What to do if your TV won't connect

Start by restarting both your TV and your router. Turn off the TV completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. For the router, unplug the power cable, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears temporary glitches that prevent connection.

If you're using WiFi, double-check that you entered the password correctly. Go back to Settings > Network > WiFi and select your network again. Delete the saved network (usually an option when you highlight it), then re-enter the password. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword".

If you're using ethernet and the TV still won't connect, try a different ethernet cable if you have one — the cable itself can fail. Make sure the cable is fully inserted into both the TV and the router; a loose connection looks plugged in but doesn't work. If the TV still shows no connection, restart the router again and wait a full two minutes before checking.

If nothing works, check whether other devices in your home can reach the internet. If they can't, your internet service is down and you'll need to contact your internet provider. If other devices work fine, the problem is specific to your TV, and you may need to reset the TV's network settings by going to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis and looking for a reset option.

Ethernet versus WiFi: which should you choose

Use ethernet if your router is within 50 feet of your TV and you can run a cable without it being a tripping hazard. Ethernet is faster, never drops the signal, and doesn't slow down when other people in your house are using WiFi. The downside is the cable itself — it has to be physically routed from the router to the TV.

Use WiFi if the router is in another room or if running a cable isn't practical. WiFi is convenient and works from anywhere in your home, but the signal weakens through walls and distance. If your TV is more than 30 feet from the router or separated by multiple walls, you may notice buffering when streaming video. Moving the router to a more central location or upgrading to a newer router with stronger signal usually solves this.

Some people use both: they connect via ethernet for everyday use, then switch to WiFi if they need to move the TV temporarily. Your TV remembers both connections and lets you choose which one to use in the Network settings.

Testing your connection

Once your TV shows "Connected", test it by opening a streaming app like YouTube or Netflix. If the app loads and plays video without buffering, your connection is working. If video stutters or takes a long time to load, your connection is either slow or unstable.

For a more detailed test, go to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis (the exact path varies by model). Look for an option called Internet Speed Test or Network Status. This shows your actual read speed. If it's below 10 Mbps, streaming may buffer; if it's above 25 Mbps, you should have smooth playback. If the speed is much lower than what your internet plan promises, the problem is usually WiFi signal — try moving the router closer or switching to ethernet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special router for my Samsung TV?

No. Your TV works with any standard WiFi router. You don't need to buy anything new. If your router is very old (more than five years), a newer one may have stronger signal, but that's optional, not required.

Can I use both ethernet and WiFi at the same time?

Your TV will use whichever connection you set as primary in the Network settings. It won't use both simultaneously. If you want to switch between them, go to Settings and choose which one you prefer.

What if I don't know my WiFi password?

Check the sticker on the bottom or back of your router — the password is printed there. If you've changed the password since you set up the router, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings (usually a small button you hold for 10 seconds) or log into the router's settings page from a computer to change the password back to something you remember.

Will connecting my TV to the internet use up my data plan?

Only if your internet service has a data cap. Most home internet plans are unlimited, so streaming on your TV doesn't count against anything. Check your internet bill or contact your provider to confirm whether your plan has a cap.

Why does my WiFi connection keep dropping?

This usually means the signal is weak or something is interfering with it. Move the router closer to the TV, remove obstacles like metal filing cabinets between them, or switch to ethernet if possible. If the problem persists, restart the router and TV, then check whether other devices have the same problem — if they do, contact your internet provider.