A smart TV is an excellent investment, but it doesn’t come without its fair share of problems. The most common problem that most people face with that smart TV is that it keeps disconnecting from the Internet. It can happen either routinely, occasionally, regularly, or even sporadically.
And if this has ever happened to you, then you know the frustration of your TV losing signal while your team is about to score or you’re engrossed in your favorite show’s season finale.
So what causes your smart TV to disconnect from the Internet? And what can you do to fix the problem? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Smart TV?
A smart TV is a step ahead of your traditional TV and comes with integrated Internet and features that allow you to browse the Internet and stream videos and music right from your TV. Apart from internet connectivity, smart TVs also feature intuitive software and powerful processors. As a result, they’re more like tablets and smartphones instead of your traditional TV.
Since smart TVs support various apps, there are a plethora of entertainment options like Hulu and Netflix that you can enjoy. You can also play games and even control your smart gadgets!
Why Your Smart TV Keeps Disconnecting From the Internet
In most cases, the smart TV disconnects from the Internet because of a connection problem caused by the router and not the smart TV. However, this doesn’t mean that the smart TV can never be the cause.
Here are the likely causes of your smart TV disconnecting from the Internet and how you can fix them.
Reason #1: Router Is Far Away
Most routers these days have a commendable range, and generally, even if your router is far away from the TV, everything works just fine. However, if you have an older Wi-Fi router, then it could be the problem. Your old Wi-Fi might not have a long range, and your TV might be too far to get a solid connection.
Solution
Make sure your router is in the correct place. It shouldn’t be too far from the smart TV, especially if you want to stream shows and movies in HD.
If your TV disconnects because it keeps losing the internet signal, then moving the router closer can improve the signal strength and solve the problem.
Problem #2: An Obstruction Between Your TV and Router
Your smart TV might not be able to connect to the router because there’s an obstruction between them. While a Wi-Fi router can send internet signals through walls and other obstacles, it can slow down the signal. And too much interference can prevent a good internet connection between your smart TV and router.
Solution
Take a look around and if you see any big obstructions between the router and TV, make sure to remove them. We also recommend moving the Wi-Fi closer to your TV. After making these changes, check if your TV is still having problems with staying connected to the Internet.
Some routers are sensitive to other wireless devices. So if your router is close to a wireless device, it might cause a connection problem. Examples of such wireless devices include wireless toys, garage door openers, baby monitors, cordless phones, and microwave ovens. If one of these devices is close to your router, simply move it away and check the TV’s internet connection. You can also completely turn off the device to prevent interference.
Problem #3: Slow or No Internet Connection
A subpar internet connection can also cause your TV to disconnect from the router. In some cases, your Wi-Fi might just not be strong enough to maintain a solid connection. If you have slow Internet, then you will notice your TV disconnecting, especially while streaming in 4k. This is because 4k requires more bandwidth than 1080p.
Solution
Check the speed of your Wi-Fi to know if your Internet is fast enough for streaming movies and shows. It’s very easy to check your Wi-Fi speed, and there are numerous websites for it, too. Here are some guidelines to give you an idea of how fast your Internet should be so that your smart TV stops disconnecting:
- Generally, your internet speed should be 3Mbps for standard definition viewing.
- If you want to stream movies and shows in HD, your internet speed should be 5 Mbps.
- For ultra HD, or if you want to stream on multiple TVs without any lags, you need something around 200 Mbps.
All these speeds are download speeds. Since streaming is just downloading, your Internet’s uploading speed isn’t really that important.
So check your Wi-Fi’s internet speed and if it’s not fast enough, then restart your router. If it doesn’t work even after rebooting, call your service provider.
Alternatively, you can try using a wired Ethernet connection since it is stronger than a wireless Wi-Fi connection and eliminates signal interference. You just need an Ethernet cable to set up a wired connection. These are inexpensive, and you can get them in different lengths.
Summary
Your TV disconnecting from the Internet isn’t that much of an issue. It’s pretty standard, and there are many easy fixes for it. If the tips mentioned above don’t work, restart your router and connected devices, including the television.
If you still face any problems, get in touch with the technical support team. They will help you diagnose the problem and guide you through the solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Connection issues between your TV and router could be because of several reasons, such as a pending software update for your TV, connection buffering, or unauthorized devices wandering your Wi-Fi. In some cases, more complex reasons like MAC address failing or incorrect router DNS settings can also be the cause.
Yes, you can quickly improve your internet connection by getting more bandwidth, moving your router closer to the TV, closing background applications, and switching broadband providers if your current one is very slow.
