How to Set Up a Smart TV Step by Step

From unboxing to streaming your first show, here is how to connect a new smart TV to Wi-Fi and your apps.

At a Glance

Plug in the TV and turn it on

~15s

Plug the power cord into the wall. Put batteries in the remote. Press the red Power button on the remote or the small button on the back or bottom of the TV. A welcome screen appears in about 10 seconds.

Pick your language and country

~15s

Use the up, down, and OK buttons on the remote to highlight English and United States. Press OK to confirm each one.

Connect to your home Wi-Fi

~15s

The TV scans for Wi-Fi networks and shows a list. Use the arrow buttons to highlight your home network, press OK, then type your Wi-Fi password using the on-screen keyboard. Passwords are case-sensitive.

Accept the terms and sign in (or skip)

~15s

The TV asks you to agree to the manufacturer's terms. Scroll down and select Agree. If asked to create or sign in to a Samsung, LG, or Google account, pick Skip if you want to come back to this later.

Let the TV update itself

~15s

Most new TVs install a software update as soon as they get online. This takes 10 to 20 minutes. The screen may go black a couple of times — that is normal. Do not unplug the TV during the update.

Install your streaming apps

~15s

After setup finishes, press the Home button on the remote. Look for an App Store (or "Apps," "Smart Hub," or "Play Store"). Search for Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, or whatever you use. Tap Install for each.

Sign in to your streaming accounts

~16s

Open each app for the first time. It will show a code on screen and ask you to visit a website (like netflix.com/tv8) on your phone or computer to type the code. This avoids having to type a long email and password with the TV remote.

Set a simple home screen

~15s

On the Home screen, most TVs let you rearrange the app icons so your most-used app (say, Netflix or YouTube) sits first. This makes everyday use much easier — one click to the app you watch most.

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A smart TV is a television that can connect to the internet so you can watch Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and other streaming apps without a separate box. You buy the TV, plug it in, connect it to your home Wi-Fi, sign in to the apps you want, and that is it. No cable box needed.

The most popular brands in the US are Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense, Vizio, and Amazon Fire TVs. They all set up in about the same way, and the setup takes 30 to 45 minutes if you have your Wi-Fi password and your streaming service passwords handy.

Before you start, put the TV where you want it permanently and make sure the power cord reaches the outlet. Open the box carefully — the TV is heavy and the screen is fragile, so have someone else help you lift it. Do not touch the screen with your fingers. A soft dry cloth is the only thing that should touch it.

You will need a few things: your Wi-Fi network name and password, the passwords for any streaming services you subscribe to (like Netflix or Prime Video), and the remote that came with the TV. Make sure the remote has fresh batteries. They usually come in the box separately.

Most smart TVs also want you to create or sign in to a free account with the TV maker (Samsung, LG, etc.) during setup. This is optional for most features. If you want to skip it, look for a "Skip" or "Maybe later" button. You can always add the account later under Settings.

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