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Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Home networking, Wi-Fi routers, mesh systems, smart TV setup, DNS & IP configuration, ISP troubleshooting

Fix “LG TV Wi-Fi Not Detected” — LG Smart TV not connecting or saying Wi-Fi is turned off

Technician avatar Technician
Hi! We’ll get your LG TV Wi-Fi not detected issue sorted so streaming apps work again instead of showing network errors. I just need a quick picture of your setup so we can target the right fixes.

Which LG Smart TV model or year do you have (webOS, NanoCell, OLED, etc.) and does it show a specific message like “Wi-Fi is turned off”, “No wireless networks found”, or “Wi-Fi not connected” in the Network settings?

Is the TV using Wi-Fi only or do you also have an Ethernet cable nearby you could test with? And on the router side, do you know if you’re using a single combined SSID for 2.4/5 GHz or separate network names? Finally, do phones and laptops see your Wi-Fi network and connect normally in the same room where the LG TV is located?
Customer
It’s an older LG webOS TV. In the network menu, the Wi-Fi option is greyed out and sometimes it says “Wi-Fi is turned off” or “Wi-Fi not detected”. My router is in the same room and all my phones and a laptop connect to the home Wi-Fi just fine. The TV used to connect but recently it stopped seeing any wireless networks at all. I don’t use Ethernet with it right now.
Technician avatar Technician
Got it, that helps. On LG Smart TVs, a Wi-Fi not detected / Wi-Fi is turned off problem usually comes from a few places:

• A glitch in the TV’s network module or webOS software that leaves the Wi-Fi adapter stuck “off” until we reset it.
• The TV saving bad wireless settings (old SSID, wrong password, static DNS/IP) so it stops showing available networks.
• Router changes like new Wi-Fi name, different security mode (WPA2/WPA3), band steering between 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz, or MAC filtering that blocks the LG TV’s Wi-Fi.
• In a few older LG models, the Wi-Fi module cable can get slightly loose or crimped, making the TV randomly lose its wireless connection.

We’ll start with easy software resets in the LG TV network settings and router, then if needed we’ll look at DNS/IP, band settings and the physical Wi-Fi module so your LG TV can see wireless networks again.
Customer
I did a normal reboot of the TV and router but it didn’t help. In Network > Wi-Fi Connection, sometimes it briefly shows my home SSID and then it disappears, and other times it just says “Turn on Wi-Fi to see available networks” but the toggle won’t stay on. I haven’t changed anything big on the router apart from my ISP sending a new modem/router combo a couple of months ago.
Technician avatar Technician
Perfect, that gives us a clear path. Let’s first make sure it isn’t just a software or settings glitch on the TV.

Step A — Power cycle & reset LG TV network settings
1) Unplug the LG TV from power completely for at least 60 seconds. While it’s unplugged, press and hold the power button on the TV (not just the remote) for ~10 seconds to drain any residual power.
2) Plug it back in, turn it on, then go to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi Connection and see if the Wi-Fi toggle comes back to life.
3) In the same menu, use Advanced Wi-Fi settings > Delete / Forget to remove any saved networks so we can start fresh.
4) If your menu has it, choose “Reset to Initial Network Settings” or similar. This wipes old IP/DNS data that can cause LG TV Wi-Fi not detected or “Connected but no internet” issues later.

If you have an Ethernet cable handy, plug it from the router to the TV just for a moment and confirm that wired internet works. That tells us the smart TV features and apps are OK and the issue is isolated to the Wi-Fi adapter / wireless settings.
Customer
I unplugged the TV and did the power button trick, then reset the network settings. With an Ethernet cable connected, the TV goes online and Netflix works, so the smart features are fine. As soon as I unplug Ethernet and go back to Wi-Fi, it again says “Wi-Fi is turned off” and won’t list any wireless networks, even though my phone sitting next to it shows several.
Technician avatar Technician
Good — that confirms the TV itself and apps are OK, and we can focus on the wireless side. Older LG sets in particular can be picky about Wi-Fi bands and security settings.

Step B — Make your Wi-Fi easier for the LG TV to detect
• Log into your router and confirm that 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is enabled. Many LG TVs see 2.4 GHz more reliably than 5 GHz, and “Wi-Fi not detected” sometimes means they only scan one band.
• Temporarily separate the SSIDs so 2.4 and 5 GHz have different names, e.g. “Home-2G” and “Home-5G”. On the TV we’ll test with the 2.4 GHz network first.
• Make sure the security mode is set to WPA2-PSK (AES), not WEP or enterprise modes. Some older LG Wi-Fi chips don’t like pure WPA3-only networks.
• Disable MAC address filtering or “Access Control” briefly, in case the LG TV MAC address was blocked when you changed routers.
• Keep the router in the same room, in open air (not inside a cabinet), and test with the TV’s Wi-Fi menu open for a full minute to see if networks appear.

After saving router changes and rebooting it, go back to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi Connection on the LG TV and see if it now detects your 2.4 GHz SSID consistently.
Customer
I split the Wi-Fi into “Home-2G” and “Home-5G” and set security to WPA2-PSK. Other devices reconnect fine. On the LG, when I go into Wi-Fi Connection it now sometimes shows “Home-2G” but the list keeps refreshing and it disappears or I get a quick “Wi-Fi is turned off” pop-up again. When I try to connect, it fails and goes back to saying it can’t find any wireless networks.
Technician avatar Technician
That flaky behavior is classic for an LG TV Wi-Fi not detected problem where the adapter is half-working but confused. Let’s give it a cleaner configuration and check software.

Step C — Set manual DNS and check LG software updates
1) In Settings > Network > Wired Connection, with the Ethernet cable connected, run a software update (General > About This TV > Check for Updates) so the webOS firmware and Wi-Fi drivers are current.
2) Disconnect Ethernet, go back to Wi-Fi Connection, pick your “Home-2G” network, and when you get to the IP/DNS section choose Advanced or “Edit”.
3) Set IP assignment to Automatic / DHCP, but change DNS to Manual and enter a known good server like 8.8.8.8. Some LG TVs stop listing networks if DNS repeatedly fails.
4) Save, then let the TV search for networks again and try connecting. Watch if the signal strength bars stay stable or jump around when the “Wi-Fi not detected” message appears.
5) If your model has a “Quick Start+” or “Fast Start” power saving option, disable it. That feature can sometimes prevent the Wi-Fi module from fully resetting between power cycles.

After these changes, test streaming in YouTube or Netflix to see if the LG TV Wi-Fi not detected / Wi-Fi turned off issue calms down.
Customer
I updated webOS while on Ethernet, disabled Quick Start+, and set DNS to 8.8.8.8. Now the TV consistently shows the “Home-2G” network and actually connects, but occasionally it still drops and says “Wi-Fi not detected” for a few seconds before reconnecting. It’s better than before, but streaming still cuts out sometimes.
Technician avatar Technician
Great, that means the LG TV Wi-Fi adapter is alive, we just need to make the connection more stable so it stops dropping out.

Step D — Reduce interference so Wi-Fi stays detected
• In your router’s 2.4 GHz settings, pick a fixed channel like 1, 6 or 11 instead of Auto. A noisy neighbor’s router can make your LG TV think Wi-Fi networks disappeared for a moment.
• Move the router as far as you can from thick walls, big metal objects, and other electronics (microwave, cordless base, baby monitor) that sit near the TV and cause Wi-Fi interference.
• Make sure the LG TV isn’t too close to the router either; sometimes sitting right on top of it can be as bad as being too far away. Aim for a few feet of open space between them.
• If you previously hid the SSID, unhide it. Some LG models struggle with hidden Wi-Fi networks and treat them as “not detected”.
• Keep 5 GHz enabled for your other devices, but for now leave the TV locked to 2.4 GHz, which usually has stronger range for living-room setups.

After you apply these changes and reboot the router, let the TV sit on a streaming app for 10–15 minutes and note whether the Wi-Fi not detected message still pops up.
Customer
I set the 2.4 GHz channel to 6 and moved the router out from behind the TV stand so it’s more in the open. Now the LG TV sees the Wi-Fi right away and stays connected much longer. I watched a show for about 20 minutes and only saw one brief network drop. Is there anything else I can do so it doesn’t lose Wi-Fi at all?
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a big improvement — we’re very close. For the last bit of stability, we can either make Wi-Fi rock-solid or bypass it entirely.

• If running a cable is possible, the most reliable fix is to leave the LG TV on Ethernet permanently or use a small powerline adapter or Wi-Fi extender with Ethernet near the TV. Then the “Wi-Fi not detected” issue becomes irrelevant because apps use wired internet.
• If you prefer to stay wireless, keep the TV on the 2.4 GHz SSID, leave the DNS at 8.8.8.8, and occasionally power-cycle both router and TV to clear minor glitches.
• On some older LG models, technicians will open the back cover and reseat or straighten the thin Wi-Fi module ribbon cable. If you’re not comfortable doing that, it’s something a repair shop can check if drops continue.

For many people, the combination of reset network settings, updated firmware, manual DNS, fixed 2.4 GHz channel and better router placement keeps the LG TV connected without further Wi-Fi errors.
Customer
I actually had a spare Ethernet cable and ran it along the wall. With wired internet, everything is flawless. When I switch back to Wi-Fi as a test, it mostly works now but I still like having the cable as a backup in case the LG TV wireless acts up again. At least the TV can see Wi-Fi networks now instead of saying they don’t exist.
Technician avatar Technician
Perfect — that’s exactly where we want to be: Wi-Fi working again and a solid Ethernet backup.

Summary: To fix an LG TV Wi-Fi not detected problem, reset the TV’s network settings, disable Quick Start+, and update webOS. On the router, enable 2.4 GHz with WPA2-PSK, set a fixed channel, and avoid hidden SSIDs or strict MAC filtering. Then set manual DNS (8.8.8.8) on the LG, improve router placement, and, where possible, provide an Ethernet or powerline connection for maximum stability. If you ever get stuck again — random “Wi-Fi is turned off” messages or missing networks — you can open a chat with an expert and we’ll walk through the settings live with you.
Customer
Thanks, that was really helpful. Now I actually understand my LG TV network settings and router better. I’ll keep it on Ethernet most of the time and know what to check if Wi-Fi ever disappears from the list again.
Technician avatar Technician
Any time! If a friend or family member says their LG Smart TV can’t detect Wi-Fi, keeps showing “Wi-Fi is turned off”, or won’t connect to their home wireless network, you can share this checklist — and if you’d like someone to click through LG and router menus with you in real time, just start a chat with an expert and we’ll take it from there.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when an LG TV shows “Wi-Fi not detected” or “Wi-Fi is turned off”: power-cycle the TV, reset LG network settings, disable Quick Start+, update webOS, then connect to a 2.4 GHz WPA2 Wi-Fi with manual DNS (8.8.8.8), fixed channel and better router placement, or use Ethernet for maximum stability.

Why LG TVs show “Wi-Fi not detected” or “Wi-Fi is turned off”

Most LG TV Wi-Fi not detected issues come from the TV’s network module or from router settings that the TV doesn’t like. When the Wi-Fi adapter inside the TV gets stuck or confused, webOS treats it as if wireless is disabled, so you’ll see greyed-out Wi-Fi menus, “Wi-Fi is turned off” warnings, or a blank list of networks.

Router changes can also trigger the problem: moving to a new ISP modem/router, switching to WPA3-only security, hiding the SSID, or combining 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under one name. LG Smart TVs generally behave best with a simple 2.4 GHz WPA2-PSK network on channel 1, 6 or 11, visible SSID, and clean DNS, plus the TV’s network settings reset after major changes so it can scan and connect again properly.

How to tell if LG TV Wi-Fi problems are the TV, router, or internet

To narrow down an LG TV Wi-Fi not detected problem, test each part separately:

First, plug the TV in with Ethernet. If apps like Netflix and YouTube work smoothly, your internet connection and LG account are fine, and the issue is limited to wireless. Next, check whether phones and laptops see the Wi-Fi network and stay connected in the same room — if they also randomly lose Wi-Fi, your router or wireless environment is the main suspect. When other devices are stable but the LG Smart TV cannot find Wi-Fi or drops it, focus on TV-side fixes: reset network, update firmware, adjust DNS, and simplify router security so the LG Wi-Fi adapter has an easier job.

LG TV Wi-Fi not detected — quick troubleshooting tips

Reset LG network settings, simplify Wi-Fi, then fine-tune channel and DNS.

Fast path: unplug and power-cycle your LG Smart TV → reset network settings and disable Quick Start+ → update webOS using a temporary Ethernet connection → on the router, enable a simple 2.4 GHz WPA2-PSK Wi-Fi with a visible SSID and fixed channel → set manual DNS 8.8.8.8 on the TV → move the router into the open and test streaming again.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your LG TV model, router and ISP, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.

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FAQ

Why does my LG TV say “Wi-Fi not detected” or “Wi-Fi is turned off”?

An LG TV Wi-Fi not detected message usually means the TV’s wireless adapter isn’t initializing correctly or can’t see a compatible network. Common causes are webOS glitches, corrupted network settings, Quick Start+ preventing a full restart, hidden SSIDs, or router security modes the TV doesn’t support. In some older models, a loose Wi-Fi module cable can also make the TV randomly think Wi-Fi is turned off.

How do I fix LG TV Wi-Fi not detected and get it to see my network?

Start by unplugging the TV for 60 seconds and holding the power button, then reset LG network settings, disable Quick Start+, and update webOS while temporarily using Ethernet. On your router, enable a visible 2.4 GHz SSID, set WPA2-PSK (AES), pick channel 1, 6 or 11, and turn off MAC filtering. Back on the TV, connect to that network and set manual DNS 8.8.8.8. This combination fixes most cases where an LG Smart TV can’t detect or hold a Wi-Fi connection.

Should I use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz for my LG Smart TV Wi-Fi?

Many LG TVs support both, but 2.4 GHz usually gives better range and wall penetration in living rooms, which helps if your router isn’t right beside the TV. If your model supports stable 5 GHz and the router is nearby, 5 GHz can provide higher speeds for 4K streaming. For TVs that show Wi-Fi not detected on 5 GHz, it’s often more reliable to keep them on a simple 2.4 GHz WPA2 network while other devices use 5 GHz.

When should I consider repair or replacement for LG TV Wi-Fi issues?

If you’ve reset network settings, updated firmware, simplified Wi-Fi security, tried different channels and DNS, and your LG TV still can’t detect any wireless networks while other devices work, the internal Wi-Fi module might be failing. At that point, using Ethernet, a powerline adapter, or a streaming stick can be a cost-effective workaround. For out-of-warranty sets with severe Wi-Fi faults, a repair shop can inspect the module and cable, but in some cases upgrading the TV is more economical.

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