You can connect your Samsung Smart TV to Alexa in one of two ways: use the Alexa built directly into newer Samsung TVs, or link an external Echo speaker to your TV through the SmartThings skill. The right method depends entirely on your TV model and whether you already own an Alexa device, so check the compatibility notes below before you begin. If you need the reverse setup steps, you can connect Alexa to smart TV when starting from the Alexa app instead. If you also want clearer voice control over connected devices, you can rename smart plug on Alexa to avoid confusing commands.
Before you begin: Which way to connect Samsung smart TV to Alexa?
There are two distinct paths to connect your Samsung Smart TV to Alexa, and choosing the wrong one will waste your time. First, check if your TV has Alexa built-in: all Samsung Smart TV models from 2021 and newer include Alexa natively, as do select 2020 models (8K QLED, 4K QLED, The Frame, The Serif, The Sero, The Terrace, and TU8000 series and higher Crystal UHD TVs). If you own one of these, you can skip the Echo entirely and use the TV’s built-in microphone. Second, if your Samsung TV is older or a non-listed model, you can still get Alexa voice control by connecting an external Alexa device, like an Echo speaker, using the SmartThings skill. Both methods require an active internet connection, a Samsung Account logged in on your TV, and an Amazon account for Alexa setup.
Method 1: Set up Alexa built-in on your Samsung TV
For TVs with Alexa built-in, the setup takes just a few minutes. If you’re still in the initial TV setup wizard, you can select Alexa as your voice assistant when prompted. If you’ve already completed setup, navigate to Settings > All Settings > Advanced Features > Voice (on models prior to 2025, the path is General & Privacy > Voice). From there, choose Alexa as your Voice Assistant. The TV will display a QR code on the screen, scan it with your phone’s camera, or enter the authorization code shown at the provided URL. This links your Amazon account to the TV. Once signed in, Alexa is active and ready to use.
Keep in mind that you must be logged into your Samsung Account on the TV before starting this process. If you skipped that step during initial setup, go to Settings > Account and sign in first. The QR code method is the fastest, but the URL option works if you prefer typing on a computer.
Enable hands-free voice wake-up
After linking your Amazon account, go back to Voice Settings and look for the “Voice wake-up” toggle. Enabling this lets you say the wake word “Alexa” without touching the remote, this is the true hands-free experience. Not all models support voice wake-up, so if you don’t see the option, your TV model may require the remote for activation.
How to use Alexa on your TV
Once Alexa is set up, you can control the TV with your voice. If voice wake-up is enabled, simply say “Alexa” followed by your command, for example, “Alexa, change the channel to CNN” or “Alexa, open Netflix.” If voice wake-up isn’t available or you disabled it to save battery, press and hold the Microphone button on your TV remote, then speak your command. Note that the voice wake-up feature can shorten the battery life of your remote, so consider using the remote button if you notice batteries draining quickly. Alexa on your TV can change channels, open apps, search for movies and shows, play music, and control smart home devices connected to your Amazon account.
Method 2: Connect an external Alexa device to your Samsung TV
If your TV doesn’t have Alexa built-in, you’ll use an Echo speaker or other Alexa device as the voice interface. This method requires two apps on your phone: the Amazon Alexa app and the Samsung SmartThings app. Start by downloading both from your app store and signing in: the Alexa app with your Amazon account, and SmartThings with your Samsung Account.
Next, open the Alexa app and go to Skills & Games. Search for “SmartThings” and select the official skill. Tap Enable, and you’ll be prompted to sign in with your Samsung Account, this links the two services. After the skill is enabled, you need to discover your TV. In the Alexa app, tap Devices, then the + icon, and select Add Device. Choose TV & Video, then Samsung. The app will search for your TV on the same Wi-Fi network. Alternatively, you can simply say “Alexa, discover devices” to your Echo, and the TV will appear in the app automatically once the skill is linked.
Make sure your Samsung TV is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Echo during discovery. Once the TV appears, you can control it through the Echo using the same voice commands as built-in Alexa, just say “Alexa, turn on the TV” or “Alexa, set volume to 5 on the TV.”
Troubleshooting tips and common issues
If Alexa can’t find your TV or commands aren’t working, work through these common fixes in order. First, verify both the TV and your Alexa device are on the same Wi-Fi network, this is the most frequent cause of connection failures. Check the network settings on both devices and confirm the signal is strong; weak Wi-Fi can cause intermittent drops, so consider moving your router or adding a Wi-Fi extender.
For account linking failures, double-check that you’re entering the correct Samsung Account credentials in the SmartThings skill. If you recently changed your Samsung password, update it in the SmartThings app first. Also confirm your Amazon account is active and has no payment issues that might disable Alexa services.
If the TV becomes unresponsive to voice commands, restart both devices: power off the TV completely (unplug it for a few minutes), and restart your Echo by unplugging it and plugging it back in. Then try again. Also ensure your TV is running the latest firmware, go to Settings > Support > Software Update and select Update Now. Outdated firmware is a common cause of compatibility issues with Alexa.
Finally, if you’re still stuck, verify your TV model is actually supported for external Alexa control. While most Samsung Smart TVs work with the SmartThings skill, some older models may have limited compatibility. Check Samsung’s official support page for your specific model, or contact Samsung customer support directly. As a last resort, you can reset your TV to factory settings, but this erases all personalized settings and should only be done after exhausting other options.
For the wider topic, see setting up Alexa.
