Network troubleshooting technician providing live chat help

Joe B.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Home networking, Wi-Fi routers, mesh systems, Smart TV setup (Samsung / LG / Sony / TCL), DNS & IP configuration, ISP setup

Fix “Smart TV Wi-Fi not working after update” — TV won’t connect, apps say no internet

Technician avatar Technician
Hi! We’ll get your Smart TV Wi-Fi not working after update problem fixed so streaming apps work again instead of showing random network errors.

I’ll walk you through this like we’re on a call. First I need a quick picture of what changed:

• What brand and model of Smart TV do you have (Samsung TV, LG webOS, Sony Bravia, TCL Roku / Google TV, Hisense, etc.)?
• Right after the software / firmware update, what exactly happens — does the TV say “unable to connect to wireless network”, “connected, but no internet”, or “network error, check your connection”?
• Can your phone and laptop still connect to the same Wi-Fi network with internet working?
• Did anything else change at the same time (new router, different Wi-Fi password, router firmware update), or literally only a Smart TV software update?

With Smart TVs, “Wi-Fi stopped working after update” usually means the update changed network drivers or reset some wireless settings, so we’ll confirm whether it’s really the TV, the router, or both.
Customer
It’s a Samsung Smart TV. It installed a new firmware update last night, and since then the Wi-Fi on the TV stopped working. In the network settings it sometimes shows my home Wi-Fi but won’t connect, and other times it just says “Unable to connect to wireless network. Check your network settings.” My phone, tablet and laptop all connect to the same Wi-Fi with internet fine. I haven’t changed the router or password, this started right after the TV update.
Technician avatar Technician
That timing is very telling — classic Samsung TV Wi-Fi not working after update scenario.

A TV update can:
• Glitch the Wi-Fi module driver, so the TV sees networks but fails to properly authenticate.
• Reset hidden options like DNS, IP or MAC settings, so the TV gets stuck on “connected, no internet”.
• Change how the TV handles 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz Wi-Fi and certain channels, so it suddenly dislikes your router’s settings even though your phone is fine.
• Corrupt saved network profiles, so the TV keeps trying bad cached data instead of your real password.

We’ll first prove the TV’s Wi-Fi hardware still works using a quick hotspot test. If the TV connects to your phone but not your router, we’ll focus on router compatibility after the update and a full network reset on the Smart TV.
Customer
The router is in the same room, a couple of meters away. Other devices show full bars, so signal shouldn’t be a problem. The TV used to connect to this Wi-Fi network for years. Now after the Smart TV software update it either won’t connect, or it connects and then apps like Netflix and YouTube say “no internet connection”. My phone is still on Wi-Fi streaming fine during all of this.
Technician avatar Technician
Got it — that fits Smart TV Wi-Fi not working after firmware update more than a router outage.

Step A — Hard reset TV & router + mobile hotspot test
1) Power-cycle the TV and router properly.
  • Turn the Smart TV off, unplug it from the wall for at least 60 seconds. This fully reboots the Wi-Fi chipset, which is important after an update.
  • Unplug the modem and router for 30–60 seconds, then plug the modem back in. Wait until all its lights are stable, then plug the router back and wait for Wi-Fi to come up.
  • Plug the TV back in, power it on and go straight to Settings > Network > Wireless and try connecting again.

2) Use your phone as a temporary test network.
  • On your phone, create a mobile hotspot called “Test-TV-Wifi” with a simple password.
  • On the TV, scan for wireless networks and see if it can connect to that hotspot.

If your Smart TV connects to the phone hotspot but not your home Wi-Fi, its Wi-Fi hardware survived the update. That means we need to clean out bad network settings and adjust the router so it plays nicely with the new firmware.

Tell me what happens: does the TV see and join the hotspot, and what message do you get when trying your normal home Wi-Fi?
Customer
After unplugging everything, the TV still wouldn’t connect to my home Wi-Fi. It sees the network name, I enter the password, and it says “unable to connect to network”. When I turned on a hotspot called “Test-TV-Wifi” on my phone, the TV saw it immediately and connected with no issues. So Wi-Fi works on the Smart TV with my phone hotspot, just not with my normal router after the update.
Technician avatar Technician
Perfect test — that confirms this is a Smart TV Wi-Fi compatibility problem after the update, not a dead Wi-Fi chip.

Many TVs handle a phone hotspot easily because it’s a simple 2.4 GHz WPA2 network. But home routers might be using mixed 2.4/5 GHz, special channels, or WPA3 that your updated TV doesn’t like.

Step B — Make the router “Smart TV friendly” again
1) On a phone or laptop, log in to your router admin page (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). Go to Wireless or Wi-Fi settings.

2) For the 2.4 GHz band:
  • Ensure 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is enabled and broadcasting — some updates or router optimizations disable it in favor of 5 GHz only.
  • Use a simple SSID like Home-2G-TV with no emojis or special symbols.
  • Set security to WPA2-PSK (AES) or “WPA2/WPA3 mixed”, not WPA3-only or WEP.
  • Choose channel 1, 6 or 11, with channel width 20 MHz for stability.

3) If your router uses one combined name for 2.4 and 5 GHz (“Smart Connect” / band steering), create a separate 2.4 GHz SSID for the TV. A lot of Smart TV Wi-Fi issues after updates disappear once the TV connects to a clean 2.4 GHz network.

4) Make sure “Hide SSID” / “Broadcast off” is disabled so the TV can see the network name.

Save changes, reboot the router, then on the TV forget the old network and try connecting to Home-2G-TV. Let me know if it connects or still says the password is wrong or “unable to connect”.
Customer
I logged into the router and saw that 5 GHz was the main thing turned on. 2.4 GHz was enabled but on auto channel and using WPA3 only. I changed it to WPA2/WPA3 mixed, channel 6, 20 MHz, and renamed it to “Home-2G-TV”. After the reboot, the Smart TV Wi-Fi list shows “Home-2G-TV”, but when I pick it, it sometimes says “incorrect password” and other times “could not obtain IP address”.
Technician avatar Technician
Good — progress. Now we’re seeing Smart TV won’t connect to Wi-Fi after update because of cached network settings and maybe IP/DHCP confusion.

Step C — Reset the TV’s network settings and refresh IP/DNS
1) On your Samsung TV, go to Settings > General > Network > Reset Network (or Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset Network, depending on model). Confirm the reset — this clears all saved Wi-Fi networks, IP and DNS settings.

2) Turn the TV off for 30–60 seconds, then back on. Go again to Settings > Network > Open Network Settings > Wireless and pick Home-2G-TV from the list.

3) Carefully re-enter your Wi-Fi password. If it still says “incorrect password”, consider temporarily changing the router password to something simple like “Test12345!” and test again. Once the TV connects, you can switch back to a stronger password and reconnect other devices.

4) After it says “connected”, run the TV’s Network Status test. If it shows an X between TV and Router, that’s pure Wi-Fi / password / signal. If the X is between Router and Internet, that’s usually DNS or IP after the update.

5) In the same Network Status screen, open IP Settings. Leave IP on “Obtain automatically” but set DNS to “Enter manually” and use 8.8.8.8. This often fixes Smart TV internet not working after update when everything else looks connected.

Once you’ve done that, try Netflix or YouTube again and tell me whether you still see “no internet connection” or if streaming starts to work.
Customer
I ran Network Reset, rebooted the TV, and connected to “Home-2G-TV” with a simpler password. This time it connected without errors. In Network Status I initially saw an X between the router and internet. After changing DNS to 8.8.8.8 like you said, the test now shows green checkmarks from TV to internet. Netflix and YouTube started playing, but once or twice I still saw a brief “network error” message. It feels like the Smart TV Wi-Fi connection is a bit unstable after the update.
Technician avatar Technician
Nice work — we’ve turned “Smart TV won’t connect to Wi-Fi after software update” into “it connects but occasionally drops”. That’s usually signal quality or router firmware catching up after the change.

Step D — Stabilize Wi-Fi so it stops dropping after the update
• On the router, make sure firmware is up to date. Updates often fix bugs where Smart TVs drop or lose Wi-Fi after the TV itself updates.
• Move the router so it’s in more line-of-sight with the TV — not inside a cabinet, behind a TV or next to thick walls. This reduces interference and makes disconnects less likely.
• If your router has a “Smart Connect” or band steering feature, keep the TV pinned to the 2.4 GHz SSID so it doesn’t hop back and forth between bands.
• On the TV, make sure there isn’t a power saving mode that turns off Wi-Fi when the screen goes dark, especially on some Samsung and LG TVs after updates.
• If possible, test a wired Ethernet cable from the router to the TV for a few minutes. If everything is rock solid over Ethernet, you know the remaining issue is pure Wi-Fi, not the internet connection.

After these tweaks, watch a full episode on Netflix or YouTube. If you can get through 20–30 minutes with no Wi-Fi dropping after update, we’ve stabilized it.
Customer
I updated the router firmware and moved it out from behind the TV so it’s more in the open. I also made sure the TV is only on the 2.4 GHz network and turned off any eco Wi-Fi saving mode. I watched Netflix for about 40 minutes and didn’t see any more “network error” messages. So it looks like the Smart TV Wi-Fi issue after the update is basically fixed. Anything else I should do so this doesn’t come back next time there’s an update?
Technician avatar Technician
Great — that’s exactly what we want to see.

To prevent Smart TV Wi-Fi not working after future updates:

• Keep a simple, stable Wi-Fi setup for the TV: visible 2.4 GHz SSID, WPA2 or WPA2/WPA3 mixed, normal channel.
• Avoid changing your Wi-Fi name or password too often. When you must, immediately reconnect the Smart TV and run Network Status so problems show up before movie night.
• Every couple of months, check for new Smart TV software updates manually and apply them when you have time to test, not right before you need the TV.
• Consider leaving the TV connected to Ethernet if that’s an option — it bypasses most “Wi-Fi stopped working after update” cases entirely.
• Take a quick photo of your current router Wi-Fi settings (SSID, security, channel) and the TV’s working Network Status screen. If a future update breaks Wi-Fi again, you’ll know exactly what “good” looked like before.

With this setup, your Smart TV Wi-Fi should stay reliable even when future firmware updates roll out.
Customer
Makes sense. I’ll keep the 2.4 GHz network around just for the TV and avoid touching the Wi-Fi settings too much. Right now the Smart TV connects to Wi-Fi and streams fine after the update, so I’m happy. Thanks for explaining what was going on behind the scenes.
Technician avatar Technician
You’re very welcome — glad we could get your Smart TV Wi-Fi working again after the update.

Summary: When Smart TV Wi-Fi is not working after update, the quick path is:
• Prove the Wi-Fi hardware is OK using a phone hotspot.
• Adjust the router to broadcast a simple 2.4 GHz WPA2 SSID that the TV likes.
• Run a full Network Reset on the TV, reconnect to that SSID and fix DNS with 8.8.8.8 if needed.
• Update router firmware, place it in line-of-sight and keep the TV on a stable band so it stops disconnecting.

If you ever install another update and your Smart TV won’t connect to the internet again, you can open a chat with an expert and we’ll go through these steps live with your exact TV and router models.
Customer
Awesome. I’ll save this checklist in case the Wi-Fi stops working after a future Smart TV update. For now everything’s smooth. Thanks again for the help!

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when Smart TV Wi-Fi is not working after an update: verify the TV can join a phone hotspot, enable a simple 2.4 GHz WPA2 Wi-Fi network on your router, run a full Network Reset on the TV, reconnect it to that SSID with the correct password, then set DNS to 8.8.8.8 until Network Status shows TV → Router → Internet all green and streaming apps work again.

Why Smart TV Wi-Fi stops working after updates (firmware, bands, channels, security)

Most Smart TV Wi-Fi not working after update issues are caused by a mix of new firmware and existing router settings. After an update, the TV might handle 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz bands differently, drop support for certain channels, or tighten security requirements. If your router is broadcasting only 5 GHz, using WPA3-only security, or sitting on unusual channels, the Smart TV may suddenly fail to connect even though phones and laptops still work.

Updates can also corrupt saved network profiles or reset DNS and IP configuration, which is why you see messages like “connected, but no internet” or “unable to obtain IP address”. Making the router broadcast a simple 2.4 GHz WPA2 network, then doing a full Network Reset on the Smart TV and pointing DNS to a reliable server like 8.8.8.8 usually fixes Samsung TV Wi-Fi not working after update, LG TV internet not working after update, and similar problems across brands.

How to tell if the Wi-Fi problem is the Smart TV, router, or update

To narrow down a Smart TV Wi-Fi issue after software update, compare three things: other devices, a mobile hotspot, and the TV’s own network test.

First, check if your phone and laptop can still reach the internet on the same Wi-Fi network. If they can’t, the router or ISP is the problem, not the TV update. If they work, create a phone hotspot and see whether the Smart TV can connect to that Wi-Fi. When the TV joins the hotspot but refuses your router, it almost always points to router settings vs new TV firmware rather than a dead Wi-Fi chip.

After you’ve cleaned up settings and reconnected, use the TV’s Network Status or Network Test screen. A red X between TV and router means basic Wi-Fi (password, signal, encryption) is still wrong. A red X between router and internet signals DNS or WAN problems. Fixing those steps is what turns “Smart TV won’t connect to Wi-Fi after update” into a stable connection again.

Smart TV Wi-Fi not working after update — quick troubleshooting tips

Prove the Wi-Fi chip works, simplify the router network, then reset TV network settings and DNS.

Fast path: unplug the Smart TV and router for a full reboot → connect the TV to a simple phone hotspot to confirm Wi-Fi hardware still works → on the router, enable a visible 2.4 GHz WPA2 SSID with a short name → run Network Reset on the TV and reconnect it to that SSID → use Network Status to set DNS to 8.8.8.8 until the TV shows a full connection from TV to Internet and apps stop throwing errors.

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

Getting Started Is Easy

Ask for help, 24/7

Members enjoy round-the-clock access to 12,000+ verified Experts for Smart TV Wi-Fi not working after update, TV won’t connect to internet, router & Wi-Fi issues, and more.

Expert will respond in minutes

We match you with a networking specialist who knows Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Roku and Google TV Wi-Fi menus, router bands and channels, and DNS/IP fixes for post-update problems.

Save time & money

Stop wrestling with “Smart TV Wi-Fi not working after software update” and guessing at settings. Get a clear step-by-step Smart TV Wi-Fi fix in chat and avoid unnecessary service calls or new hardware.

FAQ

Why is my Smart TV Wi-Fi not working after an update?

A Smart TV Wi-Fi not working after update issue usually means the new firmware no longer likes your existing router setup or corrupted the TV’s saved network profile. Common causes are changes to how the TV handles 2.4/5 GHz bands, new security requirements, or reset DNS/IP settings. The TV ends up seeing your network but failing to authenticate or reach the internet.

How do I fix Smart TV Wi-Fi that stopped working after a software update?

First, power-cycle the TV and router. Then prove the TV’s Wi-Fi works by connecting it to a simple phone hotspot. On the router, enable a visible 2.4 GHz WPA2 network and connect the TV to it after running Network Reset on the TV. Finally, use the TV’s Network Status to set DNS manually (for example 8.8.8.8) until streaming apps work again.

Why does my Smart TV say “connected to Wi-Fi but no internet” after updating?

That “connected, but no internet” status usually means the TV has a local connection to the router but cannot resolve websites or reach servers. After an update, DNS, IP, or gateway settings may be wrong. Leaving IP on automatic while manually setting DNS to 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1 often restores internet access without changing your entire network.

Should I use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz for my Smart TV after an update?

5 GHz can be faster at short range, but most Smart TV Wi-Fi issues after firmware updates are solved by putting the TV on a stable 2.4 GHz WPA2 network. It has better range through walls and is more compatible with older or pickier TV Wi-Fi chipsets. You can keep phones and laptops on 5 GHz for speed while the TV stays on 2.4 GHz for reliability.

Sources

Matt Verified Icon
Matt ● replies in < 1 min
Technician Expert
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted by 27,000+ customers
Avatar
Alex · Expert's Assistant
5 Tech Support Specialists are online right now.