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How to Connect a Smart TV to Wi-Fi Without a Remote

Without a remote, you can still reach the TV’s network settings with the buttons on the TV itself, a USB keyboard or mouse, or an Ethernet cable. Once it’s online, your phone’s TV app (Google TV, SmartThings, LG ThinQ, Roku) can work as a remote.

Updated
Time
15 minutes
Difficulty
Medium
Applies to
Android, iPhone

By Published Oct 6, 2026

Quick answer

  1. 1 Plug a USB keyboard or mouse into the TV, or use the TV’s physical control button/joystick.
  2. 2 Open Settings > Network > Wi-Fi and join your network.
  3. 3 No luck? Connect the TV to the router with an Ethernet cable.
  4. 4 Once online, install the TV maker’s app on your phone and use it as a remote.
  5. 5 Trick: a phone hotspot with your old Wi-Fi name and password lets the TV reconnect automatically.
On this page
  1. Before you start
  2. Use the TV’s own buttons
  3. Plug in a USB keyboard or mouse
  4. Connect with an Ethernet cable, then use your phone
  5. Troubleshooting
  6. Frequently asked questions

Before you start

  • Your Wi-Fi password
  • A USB keyboard/mouse or an Ethernet cable (helpful)

Method 1 Use the TV’s own buttons

  1. Step 1: Find the controls

    Look under the bottom edge or on the back/side of the TV for a single control button or joystick, or a row of buttons (Menu, Input, Volume, Channel).

  2. Step 2: Navigate

    A short press usually moves through options; a long press selects. On joystick TVs, push to move and press in to select.

  3. Step 3: Open network settings

    Go to Settings > Network (or General > Network) > Wi-Fi and choose your network. Typing the password is slow, but possible.

Method 2 Plug in a USB keyboard or mouse

  1. Step 1: Connect it

    Plug a wired USB keyboard or mouse into the TV’s USB port. Most Samsung, LG, Android/Google TV and many other smart TVs support them.

  2. Step 2: Navigate and type

    Use arrow keys and Enter, or the mouse pointer, to open Wi-Fi settings and type the password.

Method 3 Connect with an Ethernet cable, then use your phone

  1. Step 1: Plug in Ethernet

    Connect the TV to your router with a network cable. Most smart TVs connect automatically.

  2. Step 2: Install the remote app

    On a phone on the same network: Google TV app (Google/Android TVs), SmartThings (Samsung), LG ThinQ (LG), Roku app, Amazon Fire TV app, Vizio Mobile.

  3. Step 3: Set up Wi-Fi

    Use the app as a remote to join Wi-Fi, then unplug the cable if you like.

Troubleshooting

The phone app can’t find the TV

Both must be on the same network, and some TVs need remote control by mobile or network standby enabled in settings.

USB keyboard does nothing

Try another USB port or a basic wired keyboard; some TVs don’t support certain wireless dongles.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my phone’s infrared as a remote?

Some Android phones (Xiaomi, some older Samsung/Huawei) have an IR blaster and can control TVs without Wi-Fi using a remote app.

Can a Roku be set up without a remote?

Roku’s mobile app needs Wi-Fi; Roku TVs with Ethernet ports can connect by cable first.

Summary

Use the TV’s buttons or a USB keyboard/mouse to open Wi-Fi settings, or plug in Ethernet and use your phone’s TV app as a remote. The hotspot-with-old-name trick helps when you’ve changed routers.

Sources

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Written by

James Chambo

Founder

James is the Founder and Senior Editor of OnlineHow with more than 20 years of experience in internet publishing.