I’m having trouble connecting my LG TV to WiFi. It was working fine before, but now it won’t connect. I’ve tried restarting the TV and router, and still nothing. Any suggestions on what else I can do?
Seriously, another LG WiFi issue? Aren’t these TVs supposed to be “smart?” This happens ALL the time. It’s ridiculous that a tech company can’t figure out WiFi on a simple TV. They love to blame the router, but maybe the TV just sucks?
Here’s a checklist of annoying steps you might try if you haven’t already:
- Ensure the TV’s firmware is updated. Sometimes they sneakily push out updates that fix bugs.
- Try connecting the TV to a different WiFi network to see if it’s your network or the TV.
- Check the WiFi antenna in the TV (shockingly, they might fail or get loose).
- Forget the network on your TV and reconnect—basically start fresh.
- Manually set the DNS to something like Google’s DNS (8.8.8.8).
And don’t let their support fool you into thinking it’s always your router. Competitors like Samsung or Sony rarely have these stupid WiFi problems, at least not this often. LG support might be decent if you can tolerate the hold times, but who has time for that?
As a last resort, consider getting an ‘’ and connect via Ethernet. Sure, it’s more hassle, but at least it’s stable. Quite frankly, if you have to keep dealing with this, why not just switch brands next time?
Happens to the best of us, unfortunately. LG TVs, as ‘smart’ as they claim to be, are notorious for their WiFi issues. Even pricey models don’t seem to escape this quirk. However, don’t toss the blame solely on the TV just yet.
That list from @techchizkid is solid, but here’s a different angle. WiFi issues can stem from overlooked settings both on the TV and router:
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Router Settings: Many modern routers use dual-band technology. Make sure your TV is connected to the correct band. Sometimes old settings are not compatible with the newer firmware LG pushes out. If it’s on the 5GHz network, try switching to the 2.4GHz band and see if it stabilizes.
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DHCP Server: Ensure that your router’s DHCP server is enabled and working correctly. Assigning a static IP for your TV from the router’s control panel (usually accessed via a web browser) can sometimes resolve the connection dropout issues.
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WiFi Channel: Another thing to try is switching your WiFi channel to an unobstructed one. Neighboring networks can sometimes cause interference, especially if you’re in a densely populated area.
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Microwave interference: Believe it or not, household appliances like microwaves can disrupt WiFi signals. Do you have your router near such devices? Relocate it if so.
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Power Cycle suggestion: Power cycling isn’t just restarting. Unplug your TV and router from the power outlet for a full minute, then plug them back in. It sounds silly but sometimes it’s the hard reset both devices need to re-sync.
Disagree on the Ethernet suggestion slightly, as it turns your smart TV into an even smarter toaster (less hassle but at the cost of placement flexibility). Instead, if possible, use a WiFi extender close to your TV. This can give a stronger WiFi signal to devices that are far from the main router.
If all else fails and you can’t stand the LG WiFi roulette, I’d say definitely look into other brands, but each has its quirks. Samsung TVs, for example, tend to have excellent connectivity yet sometimes suffer from firmware bloat. You just can’t win fully it seems.
So before setting the TV on Craigslist and jumping ship, try to isolate the issue a bit more. Switch up network settings, relocate some equipment, and maybe learn a bit about the best practices for home WiFi optimization.
Good luck! (You’ll need it, as frustrating as this tech can be!).
It seems like this LG WiFi issue is a recurring nightmare for many people. One thing that often gets overlooked is the quality of the WiFi modules themselves. LG has been known to use cheaper components to cut costs, and sometimes these don’t hold up over time.
You’ve tried the basics like restarting the TV and router, which is a good first step. But here’s some advanced tinkering you might try:
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Check Channel Bandwidth: Modern routers offer bandwidth options like 20MHz or 40MHz. Make sure your router is set to the same bandwidth your TV supports. This can sometimes make a significant difference.
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Signal Strength: Use a WiFi analyzer app on your phone to check the signal strength near your TV. If the signal is weak, you might need a WiFi extender or a mesh system to improve coverage.
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QoS Settings: Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router can prioritize traffic for certain devices. Make sure your TV isn’t deprioritized.
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Network Mode: Set your router to “mixed” mode instead of a fixed mode like N-only or AC-only. This allows devices to connect using the best available protocol they support.
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Network Isolation: Some routers have a network isolation feature that prevents devices from communicating with each other. Make sure this isn’t enabled.
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Proxy Settings: Sometimes, proxy settings on the TV can interfere with WiFi connections. Go into the network settings on your TV and make sure no proxy is enabled.
One unusual but sometimes effective tip is to change your WiFi SSID (network name). This might force the TV to recognize the network as a new connection and resolve any issues caused by cached settings.
Oh, and while I generally agree with the idea of using Ethernet for stability, it’s worth mentioning that this approach isn’t feasible for everyone. If your TV is far from the router, stringing an Ethernet cable across your living room isn’t exactly ideal. In such cases, a Powerline adapter might be worth considering. It uses your home’s electrical wiring to extend your network and can be a reliable alternative to WiFi.
Another aspect is the TV’s location. Make sure it’s not stuck inside a cabinet or surrounded by metal objects, which can interfere with the WiFi signal.
As for firmware, while it’s important to keep it updated, there’s also a risk that a new firmware update might introduce new bugs. If the TV recently stopped connecting after a firmware update, look up whether others have had similar issues following that update. Sometimes rolling back firmware (if possible) might offer a temporary fix until LG releases a more stable update.
If you couldn’t roll back firmware and suspect it to be the problem, contact LG support, even if it feels futile. Document the issue with clear, concise details to give them a better shot at diagnosing the problem. Although, be prepared for the typical “it’s your router” rhetoric.
Also, don’t discount the idea of WiFi interference from other electronics. Make sure devices like baby monitors, cordless phones, and other WiFi devices aren’t crowding the same frequency.
In summary, you’ve gotten some good advice from others but diving deeper into router settings, ensuring optimal signal, and even considering unconventional solutions like changing the SSID or using Powerline adapters might be the magic combo you need. If the problem persists and LG support can’t help, maybe it’s time to reassess brand loyalty for your next TV purchase.
By the way, calling out the potential inferiority of the LG’s WiFi module might feel like a cheap shot, but there’s a kernel of truth to it. Sometimes, these problems are hardware-level issues that software fixes can’t mask. If it comes to that, nobody would blame you for jumping ship to a different brand next time.