How To Set Up an LG Smart TV | Simple On-Screen Steps

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To set up an LG smart TV, connect it, select your language, join Wi-Fi, sign into accounts, then run a channel or app scan.

Unboxing a new LG smart TV feels great, but the cables, menus, and login screens can slow you down if you are not ready. A clear LG smart TV setup plan saves time, avoids wrong picture or sound settings, and gives you instant access to your apps on day one.

This guide walks through how to set up an LG smart TV from the first cable connection to streaming a show. The steps fit most WebOS models, though names on your screen may vary slightly by year. When something differs, you can still follow the same order: power, language, Wi-Fi, accounts, apps, and fine-tuning.

How To Set Up An LG Smart TV From Scratch

Before you turn the screen on, a short round of preparation makes the rest of your LG smart TV setup smoother. You need a safe spot for the TV, working cables, and the remote set up correctly.

  • Check The Box Contents — Make sure you have the stand or wall-mount parts, remote, batteries, power cord, and any quick paper booklet that came with the TV.
  • Place The TV Safely — Set the LG smart TV on a stable stand or attach the wall mount, giving enough airflow behind the panel and space to reach the ports.
  • Insert Remote Batteries — Open the battery cover on the remote, insert the batteries in the marked direction, then close the cover firmly.
  • Connect The Power Cord — Plug the cord into the TV and then into a surge protector or wall outlet that can handle the TV’s load.
  • Attach HDMI Devices — Plug consoles, streaming sticks, Blu-ray players, or a set-top box into HDMI ports before the first power-on so the TV can detect them.

Once the basics are ready, you can move on to the first-time LG smart TV setup wizard. That is where you choose language, region, and basic options that shape how menus and apps behave.

Run The LG Smart TV First-Time Setup Wizard

When you press the power button for the first time, LG WebOS usually shows a setup wizard. The order can change slightly between WebOS versions, yet the core steps stay similar.

  1. Turn On The TV — Press the power button on the remote or the button on the TV itself and wait for the WebOS splash screen.
  2. Choose Your Language — Use the remote to highlight your language and press the OK or wheel button so menus and on-screen text match what you prefer.
  3. Select Country Or Region — Pick the country where the TV is used so app choices, broadcast settings, and some services follow local rules.
  4. Accept Terms You Agree With — Read through the on-screen terms. Some services or smart features appear only if related boxes are ticked.
  5. Pick Home Use Instead Of Store Demo — If the wizard asks, choose Home mode so brightness, sound, and demo loops suit a living room rather than a showroom.
  6. Choose Antenna Or Cable Input — If you use an antenna or direct cable feed, select the matching option so the TV can later scan for channels.

If you ever tap the wrong choice, do not worry. You can revisit language, region, and home versus store mode later in the All Settings menu under General.

Connect Your LG Smart TV To The Internet

LG smart TV setup feels half-done until the screen joins your home network. A network link unlocks streaming apps, firmware updates, and content sharing from phones or laptops. You can use Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet cable; both work well when they are stable.

Wi-Fi Setup On LG WebOS TVs

Most people connect an LG smart TV over Wi-Fi because the router sits in another room. The exact menu path shifts by WebOS version, yet the pattern stays familiar.

  1. Open All Settings — Press the gear or settings icon on the remote, then scroll to and select All Settings for the full menu.
  2. Go To Network — Move to the General or Network section (name varies by WebOS version), then select Network if needed.
  3. Select Wi-Fi Connection — Choose Wi-Fi Connection or Wireless, then wait while the TV scans for nearby Wi-Fi networks.
  4. Pick Your Network Name — Highlight your home network name (SSID) from the list and press OK.
  5. Enter The Password Carefully — Use the on-screen keyboard to type your Wi-Fi password and confirm it with OK.
  6. Confirm Successful Connection — Look for a check mark or confirmation message that the LG smart TV is now online.

If your router offers a WPS push button, you may see a WPS option on the TV. That method pairs devices with a short button press window as described in the Wi-Fi Protected Setup standard, though many people prefer a normal password entry for more control.

LG maintains step-by-step WebOS Wi-Fi instructions with screenshots on its own LG TV Wi-Fi guide, which can help if menu names on your screen differ a little by model year.

Wired Internet Connection With Ethernet

When your router sits near the TV, a wired Ethernet cable often gives a steady link for high bitrate streams and gaming.

  • Plug In The Ethernet Cable — Insert one end of a network cable into the router and the other end into the LAN port on the back of the LG smart TV.
  • Open Network Settings — Press the settings icon, enter All Settings, and move to the Network section.
  • Choose Wired Connection — Select Wired Connection so the TV requests an IP address from the router and finishes the link.

In many homes the TV detects a wired link automatically as soon as the cable is plugged in. If you do not see a connection, a quick router reboot or a different cable often fixes the issue.

Wi-Fi Versus Ethernet At A Glance

Method Best Use Case What To Expect
Wi-Fi TV far from router or no cable route Flexible placement with more chance of signal drops in crowded networks
Ethernet TV close to router or easy cable run Steady speed for 4K streaming and cloud gaming with less interference

Sign In And Install Apps On Your LG Smart TV

Once your LG smart TV is online, you can sign in with an LG account and download streaming apps. This part of LG smart TV setup is where the screen turns from a blank canvas into your main entertainment hub.

Create Or Sign In To Your LG Account

An LG account keeps purchased apps, some settings, and device preferences together. The menu path may vary by WebOS version, yet these steps cover the general flow.

  1. Open The User Menu — Press the settings icon or profile icon on the remote and look for a section related to accounts or users.
  2. Choose Sign In Or Create Account — Pick either to log in with an existing LG ID or create a new one on screen.
  3. Enter Email And Password — Type the email address you want associated with the TV and set a strong password that you can remember.
  4. Confirm Through Any Extra Prompts — Finish any email checks or on-screen prompts if the TV asks you to verify the account.

If you do not feel like creating an account right away, many apps still install and run, though some features such as cross-device app lists may stay limited.

Use The LG Content Store To Get Apps

The LG Content Store is the central app catalog on WebOS. This is where you grab streaming services, music apps, and tools for things like fitness or kids content.

  1. Open The LG Content Store — Press the dedicated button on the remote if present, or choose the Content Store tile from the home bar.
  2. Browse Or Search For Apps — Use the categories on the left or the search box to find services such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, or your regional options.
  3. Select An App Tile — Highlight the app you want, press OK, and open its detail page.
  4. Install The App — Choose Install or Download. Wait until progress reaches 100 percent.
  5. Launch And Sign In — Open the app, enter your streaming account details, and confirm that video loads correctly.

Repeat this sequence for each streaming service you use. Once set, most apps stay signed in across reboots unless you log them out manually or reset the TV to factory defaults.

Hook Up Consoles, Soundbars, And Other Devices

A big part of LG smart TV setup is linking your external devices. Placing each cable in the right port sets you up for good picture, low delay in games, and clear sound from the speakers or a soundbar.

Basic HDMI Connections

  • Identify The HDMI Ports — Look at the labels near the HDMI inputs; many LG smart TVs mark one port as eARC or ARC for audio return to receivers or soundbars.
  • Assign Consoles And Boxes — Plug a game console into a port marked for higher refresh rate or gaming features if your model lists one, and plug cable or satellite boxes into other ports.
  • Switch Inputs From The Remote — Use the input or home button to move between HDMI sources until you see the device output on screen.
  • Rename Inputs For Clarity — In the input settings, rename HDMI1 to “Console” or “Player” so you and your family always know which source is which.

For receivers and soundbars that use HDMI eARC or ARC, connect that device to the TV’s eARC/ARC port, then pick the correct sound output mode in the audio settings so sound travels down the HDMI cable in the right format.

Turn On SIMPLINK HDMI-CEC For One-Remote Control

SIMPLINK is LG’s name for HDMI-CEC, a feature inside HDMI that lets devices send control signals over the cable. When you enable SIMPLINK, the LG remote can turn on a connected Blu-ray player or soundbar, and sometimes control basic playback actions.

  1. Open All Settings — Press the settings icon on the remote and choose All Settings from the on-screen panel.
  2. Move To General Or Devices — Depending on WebOS version, navigate to General and then to Devices, or straight to device connection options.
  3. Open HDMI Settings — Select HDMI Settings or a similar label that lists SIMPLINK options.
  4. Enable SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC) — Turn the SIMPLINK toggle to On so the TV and attached HDMI devices can respond to each other.
  5. Adjust Auto Power Settings — If present, enable options that let the TV and connected devices turn each other on or off with a single button press.

LG describes SIMPLINK behavior and menu paths for several WebOS versions on its LG HDMI-CEC guide, which is useful when your device list includes receivers, recorders, or advanced sound systems.

Tweak Picture And Sound Before You Start Watching

You can watch content as soon as the basic LG smart TV setup ends, yet a few extra minutes in picture and sound menus can make the screen more comfortable for your room. The aim is not a perfect lab calibration, but a balanced image and clear audio that fits your space and taste.

Pick A Picture Mode That Fits Your Room

  • Open Picture Settings — Press the settings icon, highlight Picture, and press OK to see available modes.
  • Test A Cinema Or Filmmaker Mode — Try modes designed for movies if you watch a lot of films in dim light; they often reduce vivid colors and motion tricks.
  • Use A Brighter Mode For Sunny Rooms — In bright spaces, a standard or vivid-style mode keeps the image clear, though you can still tone down sharpness and color to taste.
  • Save Game Mode For Consoles — When gaming, switch the input or picture preset to Game so the TV lowers input lag and turns off heavy processing.

Most LG smart TVs let you set picture modes per input. That way HDMI1 with a console can stay in Game mode while internal apps use a movie-friendly preset.

Adjust Sound For Internal Speakers Or Soundbars

  • Open Sound Settings — From the settings panel, go to Sound to see output and mode options.
  • Pick The Right Sound Output — Choose TV speakers when you use the built-in drivers, or select HDMI ARC/eARC or optical when you route audio to a soundbar or receiver.
  • Try Preset Sound Modes — Switch between standard, movie, music, or AI-style sound modes and keep the one that makes dialog clear in your room.
  • Check Lip Sync — If sound feels slightly ahead or behind the picture, adjust any audio delay or sync controls until voices line up with mouths.

If your LG smart TV offers room tuning features that listen to your room with the remote mic, running that quick test once can give more balanced sound without extra effort.

Use Screen Mirroring And Casting With Your LG Smart TV

After the main LG smart TV setup is done, casting a phone or laptop screen to the TV can be handy for photos, work content, or casual videos. Many LG smart TVs support Miracast-style wireless display, while newer models may also offer Apple AirPlay or similar options.

  • Check Screen Share Or Casting Menu — Look for a Screen Share, AirPlay, or casting tile on the home bar or in settings.
  • Confirm Wi-Fi Connection — Make sure the phone, tablet, or laptop sits on the same Wi-Fi network as the LG smart TV.
  • Start Casting From The Device — On the device, open its cast or screen mirror menu, pick your LG TV from the list, and accept the connection prompt on the TV.
  • End Casting When Finished — Stop screen sharing from the device menu so the TV returns to live channels or apps.

Wireless display features on LG smart TVs rely on Wi-Fi Direct and Miracast technology on many models, which is why a stable network and up-to-date device software matter for smooth casting.

Quick LG Smart TV Setup Checklist

Once you feel done, a short checklist helps you confirm that every part of your LG smart TV setup works as expected. Run through these items before you sit down for that first full movie or game night.

  • Power And Remote Work Correctly — The TV turns on and off from the remote, and every button click moves smoothly through the menus.
  • Language And Region Are Correct — On-screen text uses your language, and streaming apps match the region where you live.
  • Wi-Fi Or Ethernet Stays Stable — Network tests in the settings menu pass, and a streaming app plays a clip without pauses.
  • Apps Are Installed And Signed In — Your main video and music services open straight to your profiles after the first login.
  • HDMI Sources Show Clean Picture — Consoles, boxes, or players appear on the right HDMI input names with no strange color tints or missing sound.
  • SIMPLINK HDMI-CEC Behaves As You Like — Turning on the TV wakes the right devices, and one-remote control works where you want it.
  • Picture And Sound Fit Your Room — Movies look natural, games feel responsive, and dialog is easy to hear at normal volume levels.

With those points checked off, your LG smart TV setup is complete. You can always fine-tune apps, inputs, and picture modes over time, yet this starting layout gives you a solid base for daily watching without extra hassle.