A smart TV is easy to plug in, but the default settings are not always in your favor. These are the ones worth checking on day one.
Get a solid connection
If the TV is near your router, a network cable is the most reliable choice. If it uses WiFi, check the signal where the TV sits. Most buffering and blurry streams come from weak WiFi, not the TV. See why WiFi gets slow.
Review the privacy settings
Many smart TVs can recognize what is on the screen and use it to show you ads. You can usually turn this off in the privacy settings. Look for something like “viewing information” or “viewing data”, since the name varies by brand. While you are there, turn off ad personalization, and voice features if you will not use them.
Fix the picture
- Choose a Movie, Cinema or Filmmaker picture mode for more natural color.
- Turn off motion smoothing if movies look oddly smooth, like a soap opera.
Keep it secure
- Leave automatic updates on.
- Use strong, different passwords for your streaming accounts.
- Set up profiles and parental controls if kids use the TV.
Watch out for activation scams
When you set up a streaming app, it may show a code to enter on the service's website. Type the address shown on your TV screen yourself. Fake sites that show up in search results may say you must pay or call a number to activate. Activating a streaming app is free.
We can set up your TV, streaming apps, soundbar and voice assistant so everything works together. See our smart home setup service.