15 Best Ways To Speed Up A Slow Samsung Smart TV (2023) (2024)

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Is your Samsung TV turning on slow?

Or does it lag whenever you’re watching a movie?

I know, I know…

It can be pretty embarrassing, especially if you have guests over.

So, here’s how you can speed up your Samsung smart TV fast and easy!

Read on to learn:

• How to change DNS server.
• How to factory reset smart TV.
• How to cold boot Samsung TV.
• Why ethernet connection is better.
• 15 ways to speed up Samsung smart TV.
• And much much more…

How can I speed up my Samsung smart TV?

You can speed up your Samsung smart TV by placing your router closer, using a Wi-Fi extender or ethernet connection, updating software and apps, or changing your DNS server. If the memory is the issue, you can close background apps, stream in lower quality, or do cold booting or factory resetting.

15 ways to speed up your Samsung smart TV

#1: Remove electronic gadgets and devices nearby

Did you know that certain electronics can interrupt your internet connection?

Electronic gadgets, devices, and home appliances that use electromagnetic waves can disrupt your Wi-Fi frequency. This can be a cordless phone, microwave oven, alert system, radio, or even an electric fan.

Two or more electronics that operate at similar frequencies can clash and create overcrowding of wireless signals. As a result, the connection of your Samsung TV to your internet will weaken.

Plus, electronic interference (EMI) can also cause color distortion on your TV display.

So, remove any electronic gadgets or devices nearby your Wi-Fi router and Samsung TV.

Move those devices at least 6 ft. (1.8m) away.

#2: Place router next to your smart TV

The closer the Wi-Fi router to the device, the stronger its signal.

According to a study, Wi-Fi signals travel faster and easier in free and undisrupted space.

Meaning, your Samsung TV will receive stronger signals if it’s placed in the same room with the router.

If you think that your Samsung TV receives weak signals, try to place your Wi-Fi router closer to it.

The general rule is to place your smart TV within a 49-ft. (15-m) radius from the router.

Reading recommendation: Do Router Antennas Make a Difference? The Surprising Truth

#3: Use a Wi-Fi extender

If moving your Samsung TV close to your router is not possible, then using a Wi-Fi extender is your next best option.

Wi-Fi extender is a great device for homes that uses several wireless gadgets and devices.

Its purpose is to distribute stable Wi-Fi signals to other parts of your house.

For lag-free streaming sessions, install a Wi-Fi extender to the same room where your Samsung TV is. You won’t have to worry about anything as it’s super easy to use and install.

You should get a Wi-Fi extender if:

• You live in a huge house.
• You use two or more smart TVs.
• You live in a multi-story house.
• Several people in the household use the internet.

#4: Remove other connected devices

Smart TVs eat up more data compared to other gadgets and devices.

So, when there are too many gadgets in use at the same time, your Samsung TV will lag and slow down.

It’s because Wi-Fi signals and bandwidth are distributed to every device. Making it hard for your smart TV to receive a stable and strong connection.

Disconnecting phones and laptops that are not in use at the moment will help your Samsung TV to speed up. With this, you can expect faster and smoother streaming and gaming sessions.

#5: Shift to using an ethernet connection

Have you tried every hack already and yet your Samsung TV still receives weak signals?

Then, you might want to consider using an ethernet connection.

As mentioned, distance affects Wi-Fi signals. And so, what happens if your Samsung TV is directly connected to your internet modem?

One thing is for sure: You’ll experience fast and uninterrupted streaming sessions!

A wired connection is so much better than a wireless connection. For once, you won’t have to worry about lost signals.

Unlike with Wi-Fis, ethernet connection provides consistent speed, low latency, and higher security.

Plus, it’s hassle-free and easy to use. You just have to plug in the ethernet cable to your Samsung TV and modem.

I bet you won’t miss the hassle of connecting your smart TV to your Wi-Fi.

Learn more: How to connect a smart TV to WiFi hotspots?

#6: Upgrade internet plan

Smart TVs need more data when streaming. So, if you have a low internet plan, expect that your streaming will lag.

Upgrading your internet plan increases your internet speed and monthly data limit.

In case you didn’t know, your internet provider (ISP) sets a monthly data limit on your plan. And yes, even if you’re subscribed to an “unlimited” Wi-Fi package.

Data limits are barely felt when you’re only using smartphones and laptops. But since smart TVs consume more data, it’s more possible for you to reach your data limit.

So, if you’re a movie geek or a gamer, upgrade your internet plan for faster and lag-free streaming every day.

#7: Stream in lower quality

Once you’ve reached your monthly data limit, your ISP will throttle your internet. That means, your Wi-Fi speed will slow down and so your streaming will buffer and lag.

One thing you can do to avoid reaching your data limit faster is to manage your data usage.

Instead of streaming in 4k or full HD, you may want to watch movies in HD instead.

Streaming in lower quality consumes fewer data. So, it would be a great way to save data without decreasing your streaming time.

You may also wonder: Should a smart TV be on 5G or 2G?

#8: Close background apps

Are you the type of person who opens several apps at once?

Well, it may seem harmless but it definitely contributes to your Samsung TV slowing down.

Background apps consume data even if you don’t actually use them.

So, when you’re watching a movie or playing games, you are more likely to experience lagging. As these background apps consume portions of data your Samsung TV receives.

Aside from that, background apps take up random-access memory (RAM).

Most smart TVs have 4GB of RAM. When it becomes full, your TV will experience lagging.

Streaming movies and gaming consume huge RAM as well. So, make sure to close background apps before streaming to avoid lagging issues. Restart your Samsung TV if you think it’s necessary.

#9: Use an external hard drive

“I have a great internet connection, but my Samsung TV still lags…”

Then, maybe it isn’t about your internet at all.

Some Samsung TVs slow down because of storage issues.

Like your phone or laptop, smart TVs have limited memory capacity. It gets full once there’s too many apps installed.

As you may know, devices with full memory get laggy and slow.

If you’re a gamer, then you should get an external hard drive for extra storage.

Unlike before, you can now install games on hard drives.

So, to save space on your Samsung TV, move some of your games to your hard drive. Whenever you want to play, you can just plug in your device to your smart TV and not consume more storage.

Note: Most smart TVs can only support external hard drives with up to 2TB capacity.

#10: Update its software

Like smartphones, Samsung TV software updates from time to time.

Developers make updates to enhance its performance and security features and fix bugs. That’s why it’s important that you keep your smart TV up-to-date.

“What happens if I don’t update?”

Well, your smart TV will run into several problems. As some features might not run without the new updates. Plus, it may further cause a weak server connection.

To update Samsung TV software:

1. Go to settings.
2. Proceed to “Support”.
3. Select “Software Update”.
4. And click “Update Now”.

Samsung often notifies users if there’s an update available. But if not, you can always check your settings.

#11: Update specific streaming app

Try opening other apps and see if they lag and buffer as well. If not, there must be a problem with your streaming provider.

Most often, streaming apps slow down when there’s a new update available. It’s because new updates might not be compatible with the previous version.

Note: Samsung TV software and streaming apps update separately.

Go to your settings and check whether it has an available update. If yes, update it as soon as possible.

You can also auto-update all the apps on your Samsung TV. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press home.
2. Navigate to “Apps”.
3. Click the settings icon on the top-right corner.
4. Select “Auto Update”.

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#12: Uninstall and reinstall the app

If there isn’t an update available, try uninstalling and reinstalling a specific app.

Uninstalling and reinstalling an app may help speed up your Samsung TV. As it frees up your storage by deleting unnecessary files and data.

Warning: Uninstalling will delete auto-saved data and history searches. So, only do this if you’re okay with losing those.

To uninstall app on Samsung TV:

1. Press home.
2. Navigate to “Apps.”
3. Click the settings icon on the top-right corner.
4. Select your preferred app and click “Delete.”
5. Click “Delete” once more to confirm.

To reinstall app on Samsung TV:

1. Press home.
2. Go to “Apps.”
3. Click the search icon on the top-right corner.
4. Search desired app.
5. And click “Install.”

#13: Discharge or cold boot

Does your Samsung TV take forever to load or to turn on?

Then the problem might be in the actual smart TV this time.

If you often stream movies and play games on your Samsung TV, it’s normal for it to run a little slow and laggy. It’s because your TV stores caches, cookies, and other data whenever you’re streaming.

Once your smart TV memory gets full, the apps and the actual TV may slow down. This is when you should do discharging or cold booting to your Samsung TV.

It helps speed up your Samsung TV back to normal by clearing out memory caches through hard resetting.

There are two ways you can cold boot your Samsung TV.

Using a Samsung TV remote:

1. Turn your Samsung TV on.
2. Press and hold the remote power button.
3. Continue holding until the TV turns off and on once.

Without using a Samsung TV remote:

1. Turn your Samsung TV on.
2. Unplug the TV’s power cord from the outlet.
3. Hold for 30 seconds.
4. Plug the power cord back in.
5. Turn the TV back on.

#14: Factory reset

If you’ve tried everything already, yet it remains laggy, then try factory resetting.

Factory resetting is deleting all the caches, cookies, data, and apps on your Samsung TV. It will also return all your settings to default.

You should perform factory resetting when:

• Your memory is already full.
• Your Samsung TV is too laggy.
• You can’t update apps and software anymore.
• You’re having unresolved internet connection problems.

Tip: Before you factory reset, make sure to backup all important personal data first. Or at least sync your smart TV to your Samsung account.

To factory reset Samsung TV:

1. Press home.
2. Go to setting.
3. Proceed to “Support.”
4. Select “Self-Diagnosis.”
5. Click “Reset.”
6. And enter your security PIN.

#15: Change DNS server

Domain Name System (DNS) is a computer system that translates domain names to IP addresses. Its sole purpose is to lead users to the correct websites or pages.

Many internet users change their DNS servers to improve their internet experience. While it doesn’t directly affect your internet speed, it influences how fast a web page will load on your device.

Several Samsung TV users change their DNS server as some ISPs’ default DNS are slow.

If all the other possible ways to speed up your Samsung TV didn’t work, try changing your DNS server as well.

There are plenty of DNS servers in the market. But the most trusted ones are the Google Public DNS, OpenDNS, and Cloudflare.

Here are their DNS server IP addresses:

• Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8. and 8.8.8.4.
• OpenDNS: 208.67 222.222. and 208.67. 220.220
• Cloudflare: 1.1. 1.1

To change the DNS server on your Samsung TV:

1. Press menu.
2. Go to “Network.”
3. Proceed to “Network Status.”
4. Select “IP Settings.”
5. Click “DNS setting.”
6. Choose “Enter Manually.”
7. Fill in your preferred DNS server address.
8. Then save.

Watch this video to see how to change the DNS server on your Smart TV: