How to Connect Samsung TV to Wi-Fi Without an Adapter


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The newer Samsung Smart TV models come with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, but they don’t always connect automatically. Older Samsung TV models will not have the built-in Wi-Fi adapter, so you will need to use other options. 

If you want to connect your Samsung TV to Wi-Fi without an adapter, follow the steps below. 

Can You Connect a Samsung TV to Wi-Fi Without An Adapter?

Yes, there are a number of options for connecting a Samsung TV to Wi-Fi without a built-in Wi-Fi adapter on the TV. Options include using an Ethernet cable and a LAN adapter to connect to the TV

There is one LAN adapter option that’s specifically made for Samsung TVs, the Samsung LinkStick Wireless LAN USB Adaptor

How to Connect Samsung TV to Wi-Fi

Let’s first go over how to connect a Samsung TV to Wi-Fi, because many of the models will have similar instructions once you’ve given it wireless internet capabilities. 

The first thing you’ll need to have on hand is the Wi-Fi network’s name (SSID) and password to be able to connect to it. 

  1. Select Settings on the TV
  2. Select General
  3. Select Network
  4. Select Open Network Settings
  5. Select your Wi-Fi network’s name from the list of wireless networks
  6. Enter the password 
  7. Select OK

Note: Not all models will support all Wi-Fi frequencies. The 2018 models NU7100/NU710D, NU7200, and NU7300/NU730D models will only support 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi networks. They are not compatible with 5 Ghz wireless networks, so you won’t be able to see any 5 Ghz Wi-Fi networks in the list. 

How to connect your TV to a Wi-Fi Network | Samsung US

How to Connect Samsung TV to Wi-Fi Without An Adapter

You can easily connect your Samsung TV to Wi-Fi by using a LAN adapter or with an Ethernet cable for a wired connection. 

Samsung Wireless LAN Adapter for TV

For a Samsung TV without wireless capabilities, you can give it wireless connectivity capabilities with a Samsung LinkStick Wireless LAN USB Adapter. It doesn’t just work with Samsung TVs either, it’ll work with other Samsung devices. 

Once you connect the LinkStick to a USB port on the TV, the TV will be able to connect to Wi-Fi networks. The instructions are then similar to the ones above. 

  • Plug the Samsung LinkStick to an available USB port
  • Go to the TV’s Settings 
  • Select Network Settings
  • Select your Wi-Fi network’s name from the list of wireless networks
  • Enter the password 
  • Select OK

Connect to the Internet Using a Wired Ethernet Cable

Using a wired Ethernet cable from the wireless router to the Samsung TV is another easy way to give your TV internet access. 

  • Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN ports on your internet router to the TV’s Ethernet port
  • Go to Settings on the TV
  • Select General
  • Select Network
  • Select OK

If your Samsung TV doesn’t have an Ethernet port, you can use a USB to Ethernet adapter like this one on Amazon

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Connection Issues

If you’re having issues connecting to a Wi-Fi network, there are several things you should check before giving up. For a full list of troubleshooting steps, check out the in-depth Samsung Smart TV Not Connecting to Wi-Fi.

Here are the most common issues:

Double-Check Wi-Fi Settings

Check if the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password are correct. Make sure they are typed correctly into the TV settings.

Reboot Samsung Smart TV

Powering down your Samsung TV and turning it back on could reset any issues that’s disrupting the Wi-Fi connection. 

Here is how to power cycle a Samsung TV: 

  • Power down the Samsung TV
  • Unplug the TV’s power cable
  • Wait 5 minutes and Plug the TV in
  • Start the TV up and see if the problem is fixed

Reboot Wi-Fi Router

Sometimes rebooting the Wi-Fi router can fix problems with Wi-Fi connections.

First, check to see if your mobile phone or tablet has an internet connection through the Wi-Fi router. If your phone has access to the internet, then it’s not an issue with the Wi-Fi router, and you can skip this step. 

Rebooting the Wi-Fi router is very simple: 

  • Unplug the Wi-Fi router
  • Wait 5 minutes and Plug in the Router

Check to see if the problem has been fixed and the TV has an internet connection. 

Move Wi-Fi Router Closer to Samsung TV

If the Wi-Fi signal isn’t strong enough, moving the Wi-Fi router closer to the TV may help improve the Wi-Fi connection between them. 

The best place to put the Wi-Fi router depends on where you live, and the distance between the Wi-Fi router and the Samsung TV. The distance between the two might be too far away.

Try moving the Wi-Fi router closer to the Samsung TV.

Connect Samsung TV to Wi-Fi Final Thoughts

All in all, connecting a Samsung TV to Wi-Fi without using an adapter is pretty straightforward. You don’t need anything special to get started. Once connected, you can enjoy streaming content from Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube and more on your smart TV.

If you still cannot get an internet connection after trying all these steps, try contacting Samsung support.

For more on smart TVs, check these articles out:

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Written by:

Greg Randall
Greg Randall is deeply immersed in Smart Home Technology, with years of experience in home automation, from smart displays to TVs. He enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge with like-minded enthusiasts. Beyond smart homes, Greg loves snowboarding and exploring new culinary scenes with friends, bringing a zest for adventure and fine dining to his tech-savvy lifestyle.