Why Smart TV’s Disconnect from Wi-Fi and How to Fix It

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Everyone can relate to the dreadful feeling of the television losing signal in the middle of an important season finale, playoff game, or any important series moment! When you’ve invested in a Smart Television and lose signal, it can be even more frustrating as you’ve invested in a top-of-the-line device.

Why do smart TVs disconnect from Wi-Fi and how can the problem be fixed?  The primary cause is a connection issue between the cable, DSL modem, or your router. To fix it, first restart the router and all devices attached to it, including your television.  Next, disconnect your power and plug the equipment in again.  If those don’t work, you’ll have to try something another method.

S&B Global Market Intelligence projects that the percentage of home’s automated by smart devices is “forecasted to grow to 28% by 2021.”

With smart televisions taking over the market and customers submitting or reporting a plethora of service issues, technicians are stretched thinner than ever.  Because of this, consumers need to know how to solve their own troubleshooting issues.  You also need to be able to recognize when it’s time to call the customer service line.

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This guide will instruct you on how to remedy the situation and restore your signal to its rightful setting of ‘on!’

Why Smart TV’s Disconnects from Wi-Fi and How to Fix It

First, I want you to test whether this an issue of your Smart TV device or if this is a connection issue coming from your router and/or network.

  • You can test this by taking out your laptop or cell phone and seeing if everything functions properly.
  • If your phone is acting wacky, nothing can connect, and your music player is giving you sassy backtalk – it’s a connection issue.
  • However, if everything is working properly and your television is the sole culprit – your device is the root of the problem.

If it is your television causing the commotion, it will likely be an issue with your cable modem, the router, or the ISP. If you’re not sure what those are, you can read more about them in this article by Actiontec.

Often these are issues that can be solved by taking simple steps, but there comes a point when it is probably a product deficiency. In this case, your manufacturer or distributer is usually more than happy to replace a defective product.

In a day and age where customer service is king, they will understand the value of your rating and how ‘taken care of,’ you feel. If you complain to them directly by taking a kind and empathetic voice to vocalize that you are not satisfied with what you’ve paid for, your smart television supplying company should aim to remedy the issue.

They will often replace the part of send a technician to address the issue directly. Before calling for backup, take the following steps to see if you can’t troubleshoot for yourself! This will save you a day waiting for a technician and perhaps some stressful energy that doesn’t have to be wasted on this issue.

Initial Steps to Take

The steps to take after narrowing down the source of your issue are as follows:

  1. Check that the Wi-Fi is on and that everything is stating something along the lines of ‘connected’ or ‘secure.’
  2. Unplug everything. This will reset the network settings, and everything needs to be restarted, includes the router, modem, and television. Don’t unplug anything from the devices themselves, only the plugs which go into the wall. There is no specific order in which the unplugging needs to occur, so long as you give everything 10-30 seconds to pause and rest.
  3. Once you’ve waited at least 10 seconds, plug everything back in and begin to reboot.
  4. You will see lights flashing on your router box–this is normal.

Usually, this will fix the issue. If you need backup information on different devices, reference Google Support, which is applicable to a variety of brands and devices.

Another technique to Try

  1. There are a few codes you can try that link to the DNS of the Tv (the manual setting). Go on your TV to – Settings > Wi-Fi > Find your signal/network.
  2. Check that your Status says ‘on,’ and then for DNS server, type ‘8.8.8.8.’
  3. If this doesn’t work, try typing, ‘8.8.4.4.’
  4. If this doesn’t work, try, ‘208.68.222.222,’ or try matching the number to the ISBN number on the side of your router.

Try your apps and see if the program doesn’t work after altering the network code.

If These Don’t Work

If not, try the following:

  • Check that you’re under the right network. Confirm you’re not on your neighbors or an external source’s Wi-Fi code. This can be managed by keeping your code simple, such as, ‘Dave’s Wi-Fi,’ to be certain you are utilizing your own.
  • Check that your router box is around 10-20 feet from the television. Perhaps your box is out of range and having trouble finding it’s connection. Narrow the gap.
  • Remove the memory attached the TV (meaning any USB hard drive or anything that could be causing interference. This even includes your microwave, other phones, or child monitors).

Check the Date and Time

This sounds like a solution which is easy to underestimate, however recalibrating simple factors like the date and time can alter the factory setting to its proper state.

The steps to take are:

  1. Press, ‘Settings’
  2. Find, ‘Date & Time’
  3. Confirm it’s on the proper date and time zone.

If there is a lease or expiration in your contract/date, this could be the reason behind your lack of connectivity.

Verify Your Software is Updated

Smart televisions are updating rapidly and require more updates than your standard television. Being more similar to your cellular phone in many ways, frequent updates are your new norm.

The tricky thing with this step is that you will require signal to update your software. It cannot happen while you’re offline.

Therefore, if this is the root of your troubles, it may require calling the customer service line of your specific Wi-Fi carrier and having a professional come troubleshoot the issue.

If you are able to get on network and logged in, check your updates through the following steps:

  1. Press ‘Settings’
  2. Go under, ‘General’
  3. See something along the lines of, ‘About this device,’ ‘About this TV,’ ‘Updates,’ or, ‘Check for Updates’
  4. After clicking, it will notify you that everything is up-to-date, or prompt you for an update.

If Your Problems STILL Persist

You are welcome to utilize this guide from the infamous electricity and energy brand LG called, Troubleshooting Your Internet Connection – TV.

However, if you aren’t fixing it in a few simple reboot and reset buttons, it could potentially beyond your capabilities. This is right about the time you should know your limitations and call an expert.

Admit defeat and realize that this might be more than your standard issue.

No shame in calling someone that fixes TVs for a living and really knows how to find the heart of the problem (most likely much faster and easier than you can).

Be Patient

Forbes predicts that there will be “more than 45 million smart home devices will be installed in U.S. homes.” With the huge increase in our home automation, we will all need to adapt to these ever-changing machines.

The only question left is, are you willing to wait for a perfectly functioning smart TV, or can you settle for an almost perfect machine that offers an incredible amount more flexibility than your standard picture box?