Learning how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi is the first step to unlocking everything a modern television can do, from streaming films and catch-up television to software updates and voice control. Without a wireless connection, an LG Smart TV is essentially just a display; with one, it becomes a complete entertainment hub. This guide explains how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi step by step, using the standard webOS menus found on most recent models, and then covers what to do when the network does not appear, the password is rejected, or the connection keeps dropping.
Before you begin, it helps to gather two things: your WiFi network name and its password. The network name is the SSID your router broadcasts, and the password is usually printed on a sticker on the router itself or recorded in your broadband account. If you are unsure of either, check the router label or ask the person who set up your home broadband. You will also want your television’s remote control to hand, and it is worth knowing roughly where your router sits in relation to the television, since distance and walls affect signal strength. Once you have those details, the process of learning how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi should take only a few minutes.
How to Connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi: The Standard Method
On most LG Smart TVs running webOS, the route to the wireless settings is the same. Press the Settings button on your remote — on many remotes this is a small gear icon — or press the Home button and then select the settings gear in the top-right corner of the home screen. From there, choose All Settings, then Network, and then WiFi Connection. Your television will scan for nearby wireless networks and display a list. Select your home network from that list, enter your WiFi password carefully using the on-screen keyboard, and select Connect. Within a few seconds, the television should confirm that it is connected, and you should see a message such as “Connected to the internet” or a WiFi icon in the network settings.
Take care with the password entry, because this is where most attempts at how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi fail. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so a capital letter typed as lower case will be rejected. Watch out for characters that look similar on an on-screen keyboard, such as the digit zero and the capital letter O, or the digit one and a lower-case L. If your password contains spaces, include them exactly. If the television rejects the password repeatedly, retype it slowly rather than assuming the television is faulty. It is also worth confirming that you selected the correct network: many homes have two networks with similar names, such as a standard 2.4 GHz network and a faster 5 GHz network, and each may have a different password.
Once you have followed the steps for how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi, it is sensible to test the connection straight away. Open a streaming app or the television’s built-in web browser and try playing a short video. If it loads promptly, the connection is working. You can also check the connection status in the same Network menu, where many LG models show signal strength and connection speed. A strong signal and a stable connection mean you are ready to sign in to your streaming services and enjoy the full range of smart features. If anything fails at this stage, the troubleshooting sections below will help you isolate the problem.
How to Connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi on Older Models
Older LG televisions, particularly those running earlier versions of webOS or the older NetCast platform, use slightly different menu names, but the logic is identical. On these models, press the Home or Menu button, navigate to Settings, then Network, and then Network Connection. Choose the wireless option, sometimes labelled “WiFi” or “Wireless”, and wait for the scan to complete. Select your network, enter the password, and confirm. Some very old models may ask whether you want to use a wired or wireless connection first; choose wireless.
If your older television does not find any networks at all, check whether its wireless function is switched on. Some models have a separate wireless setting, or the television may need a software update before it recognises newer routers. It is also possible that an older television only supports the 2.4 GHz band, in which case a 5 GHz-only network will simply not appear in its list. In that situation, enabling the 2.4 GHz band on your router — most routers broadcast both bands by default — will solve the problem. Understanding how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi on an older set therefore means being flexible about menu names while following the same sequence: settings, network, wireless, select, password, connect.
Choosing Between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Networks
Most modern routers broadcast two WiFi bands, and choosing the right one can make a noticeable difference when you are learning how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi to streaming quality. The 2.4 GHz band travels further and passes through walls more easily, which makes it the better choice when the television is in a different room from the router or on another floor. The 5 GHz band is faster and less congested, which makes it better for high-definition and 4K streaming when the television is relatively close to the router. If your television is in the same room as the router, try 5 GHz first. If it is further away, or if the connection keeps buffering, try 2.4 GHz instead.
Some routers combine both bands under a single network name, a feature often called band steering or smart connect. In that case, the router decides which band your television uses, and you will see only one network name in the list. This is convenient, but it can occasionally assign a distant television to the faster, shorter-range band, causing dropouts. If you experience that problem, you can usually split the bands into two separately named networks in your router’s settings, giving you manual control. This is an advanced step, but it is worth knowing about, because it explains why two neighbours with identical televisions can have very different streaming experiences.
Connecting with WPS: The Button Method
If typing a long password on a television keyboard feels tedious while working out how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi, many LG televisions and routers support WPS, or WiFi Protected Setup. With this method, you select the WPS option in the television’s WiFi settings, then press the WPS button on your router within a couple of minutes. The two devices exchange credentials automatically, and the television connects without you typing anything. This is a convenient shortcut, and it eliminates password typos entirely.
There are two caveats. First, not every router has a WPS button, and some broadband providers disable WPS for security reasons. Second, security guidance has long recommended disabling WPS once it is no longer needed, because older WPS implementations have known weaknesses. If you use WPS to get connected, consider it a one-time convenience rather than a permanent arrangement, and check your router’s settings afterwards. For most households, typing the password once is perfectly manageable, and the television will remember it afterwards, so you will not need to repeat the process unless the password changes or the television’s network settings are reset.
Troubleshooting: When Your LG Smart TV Will Not Connect
When an attempt at how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi fails, work through the possible causes in order, starting with the simplest. First, confirm that other devices in your home, such as a phone, can connect to the same network. If they cannot, the problem lies with your broadband or router, not the television, and restarting the router is the sensible first step. Unplug the router, wait about thirty seconds, plug it back in, and allow a couple of minutes for it to restart fully before trying the television again. If other devices connect fine but the television does not, the problem is specific to the television or its position.
Second, check the distance and obstacles between the television and the router. A television tucked behind a metal stand, inside a closed cabinet, or at the far end of a large house may receive a weak signal. Moving the router a short distance, raising it off the floor, or moving it away from thick walls and large metal objects can improve reception noticeably. Third, restart the television itself: switch it off fully, unplug it for thirty seconds, and switch it back on. This clears temporary software glitches that can prevent a connection even when the password and network are correct. Fourth, if the television previously connected but now refuses, forget the network in the television’s settings and reconnect from scratch, which clears any corrupted saved credentials.
Finally, check for software updates. LG releases webOS updates that fix connectivity bugs, and a television running very old software may struggle with newer routers. If the television cannot connect at all, you may need to update it by another route, such as a wired Ethernet connection or a USB update, following LG’s official guidance for your model. If none of these steps resolves the problem, the television’s wireless module may be faulty, in which case contacting LG support or a qualified repair service is the next step. Readers sorting out broader home connectivity may also find it useful to check internet and TV service providers in their area and which internet providers are available at their address, since a weak broadband service can masquerade as a television fault.
The table below summarises the most common problems encountered when learning how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi and the first fix to try for each.
| Symptom | Likely cause | First thing to try |
|---|---|---|
| Network does not appear in the list | Out of range, 5 GHz-only network on an older TV, or wireless switched off | Move closer to the router; check the 2.4 GHz band is enabled |
| Password rejected | Typo, wrong case, or wrong network selected | Retype slowly; check capital letters and similar-looking characters |
| Connects but streaming buffers | Weak signal or congested band | Try the other band; move the router; reduce interference |
| Connection drops repeatedly | Interference, router fault, or outdated TV software | Restart both devices; check for a webOS update |
| Other devices work but the TV does not | Saved credentials corrupted or TV software glitch | Forget the network and reconnect; restart the TV fully |
| Nothing connects in the house | Broadband outage or router fault | Restart the router; check with your broadband provider |
Fixing Buffering and Weak Signals After You Connect
Getting connected is only half the battle when you learn how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi; a weak connection that buffers constantly is almost as frustrating as no connection at all. Start by checking where the television sits relative to the router. Thick walls, floors, large aquariums, and metal furniture all weaken WiFi signals. If moving either device is impractical, a WiFi extender or a mesh WiFi system can bring a strong signal into the television’s room. Mesh systems are particularly effective in larger homes, because they create a single network with multiple access points rather than a separate extended network that devices must switch between manually.
A wired Ethernet connection is another option worth considering, especially for 4K streaming. If your router is near the television, or if you can run a cable discreetly, Ethernet eliminates WiFi variability entirely and usually delivers the most stable picture. Many LG Smart TVs have an Ethernet port on the back, and connecting a cable automatically takes priority over WiFi in most cases. Powerline adapters, which carry the network signal through your home’s electrical wiring, offer a middle ground when a direct cable run is impossible. Each of these options trades convenience against stability, and the right choice depends on your home’s layout and how demanding your viewing habits are.
It is also worth reducing interference from other devices. Microwave ovens, baby monitors, and neighbouring WiFi networks can all crowd the 2.4 GHz band. If your router allows it, switching the television to the less congested 5 GHz band, or changing the router’s WiFi channel, can improve performance. Finally, remember that streaming quality also depends on your broadband speed itself: a connection that is adequate for one person browsing on a phone may struggle when a household streams 4K video while others work or game online. If buffering persists on every device, the broadband package itself may need upgrading rather than the television’s settings.
These questions cover the points people ask most often about how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi.
Frequently Asked Questions About Connecting an LG Smart TV to WiFi
Where is the WiFi setting on an LG Smart TV?
Press Settings on the remote, then go to All Settings, Network, and WiFi Connection. On older models the path may be Settings, Network, and Network Connection instead.
Will I need to reconnect every time I switch the TV on?
No. Once connected, the television remembers your network and password and reconnects automatically when switched on, unless the password changes or the network settings are reset.
Can I use WiFi and Ethernet at the same time?
The television will normally use one connection at a time, with Ethernet taking priority if a cable is plugged in. There is no benefit to having both active simultaneously.
What if I have forgotten my WiFi password?
Check the sticker on your router, or look in your broadband provider’s app or account pages, where the password is often shown. If it was changed and the new one is lost, your provider can help you reset it.
Conclusion: How to Connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi
To sum up, how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi comes down to a short sequence: open Settings, go to All Settings and Network, choose WiFi Connection, select your home network, and enter your password carefully. Choosing the right band, testing the connection immediately, and knowing the basic troubleshooting steps — restarting the router and television, forgetting and re-adding the network, and checking for software updates — will resolve the great majority of problems. Once you know how to connect an LG Smart TV to WiFi confidently, you can get back to what matters: enjoying films, shows, and apps on the big screen without worrying about the connection underneath them.
