Connecting your Android TV to WiFi without a remote may seem difficult, but it is possible if your TV has all the required buttons. If your TV doesn’t have necessary buttons like Settings or Menu, you must use a keyboard or remote apps. This article provides alternative ways to connect your Android TV to WiFi when the remote is unavailable.
Use Physical Buttons to Connect Android TV to WiFi
Since many Android TV models are in the market, the physical buttons will differ according to your brand. A few Android TVs have multiple physical buttons such as the Power, Volume, Channel, Settings, Input, and Menu buttons. On the other hand, a few Android TVs have only Power and Volume buttons. For those Android TVs that come with the Settings or Menu buttons, you can access the Network Settings easily and connect your TV to WiFi.
Remember that the WiFi connection you are trying to connect should be an open WiFi network. You cannot connect to WiFi using physical buttons if a password is required. Likewise, if your TV does not have a Settings or Menu button, then also you cannot connect it to WiFi. In that case, you need to follow the next step.
Use the Remote App to Connect Android TV to WiFi
If you can’t connect your Android TV to WiFi using TV buttons, you can use remote apps. Even though the Android TV has a few official remote apps, such as the Google TV app and the Google Home app, these apps will work only if your TV is connected to WiFi. So, you can only use the IR remote app to control Android TV and set up a WiFi connection to it. Ensure your Android smartphone has an IR blaster. The best IR remote apps to control your Android TV are as follows.
| IR Remote Apps | App Download Link |
|---|---|
| Remote Control for Android TV | Play Store |
| Android TV Remote | Play Store |
| Remote for Android TV GoogleTV | Play Store |
Upon installing the app, follow these steps to connect your Android TV to WiFi.
1. Launch the IR remote app on an Android mobile. Then, choose a remote to get the D-pad control interface.
2. Go to the Android TV home screen and click the Settings icon at the top right corner.
3. Scroll down to the Network & Internet option.
4. Enable the WiFi option, and a list of active WiFi networks will appear on the screen.
5. Select a WiFi network you want to connect to and enter the password.
Your Android TV will be successfully connected to the selected WiFi network.
Use a Wireless Keyboard to Connect Android TV to WiFi
If you don’t prefer to use third-party remote apps, you can use a wireless keyboard that comes with D-pad. So, plug a USB dongle of your wireless keyboard into your Android TV’s USB port. A mouse pointer can be seen on the screen. Using the mouse pointer and navigation keys, you can access the Settings menu and connect your TV to a WiFi connection. You can also use a wired mouse and keyboard for this process when your TV has two USB ports.
Connect Android TV to a Wired Internet Using an Ethernet Cable
Optionally, you can connect your Android TV to a wired internet using an ethernet cable. For this to work, you should have a WiFi router. If you are using WiFi via a mobile hotspot, this method is not for you.
Make sure your TV and WiFi router are close together. Then, take an Ethernet cable and connect one end to the router and the other to your TV. Once you connect your TV and router via an Ethernet cable, your Android TV will get internet access.
FAQ
If your Android TV is connected to WiFi, the name of its wireless network will appear in the Network & Internet option. If not, it will display as ‘No network connected.’
