You can turn on a Samsung TV without a remote by using the physical controller button on the TV or the SmartThings app on your phone. To turn on the TV without a remote, locate the TV's physical joystick or controller button and press and hold it for a few seconds until the screen lights up.
How to turn on a Samsung TV without a remote using the controller button
The location of the physical power or controller button on a Samsung Smart TV varies by model. On many newer models, you will find a single joystick-style "Controller button" that combines power and navigation functions. Common locations include the back of the TV (often the lower-right corner), beneath the Samsung logo on the front-center bezel, or on the bottom or right-hand side of the bezel. If you need to know the button locations on a Samsung smart TV, check the back panel or the edges of the bezel for a small button or joystick.
To power on the TV using this button, press and hold it for a few seconds. Once the TV is on, a quick press of the controller button typically displays an on-screen menu, and a long-press selects an option. This method is useful when you want to use your Samsung smart TV remote but cannot find it, as the physical button provides basic control until you locate the original remote.
Power on your Samsung TV with the SmartThings app
Before you can use the SmartThings app to turn on your TV, you must first enable the "Power On with Mobile" setting in the TV's network settings. This critical prerequisite is typically found by navigating to Settings > General > Network > Mobile & Remote Control or Settings > Connections > Network > Expert Settings on the TV. Without this setting activated, the app will not be able to wake the TV from standby, and a similar network standby trick can turn on projector without remote using an app.
Both the TV and your mobile device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same Samsung account. The SmartThings app requires Android OS 10 or higher with a minimum of 3GB RAM, or iOS 15 or higher. To add the TV to the app, open SmartThings, tap "Add Device," select TV, and follow the on-screen instructions, which may include entering a PIN displayed on the TV. Once connected and "Power On with Mobile" is enabled, tapping the power button tile for your TV within the SmartThings app will turn it on or off. This method is ideal if you need to set up a Samsung smart TV without a remote, as the app can guide you through initial configuration after the TV is powered on.
Use Bixby or Alexa voice commands to turn on your Samsung TV
Samsung Smart TVs manufactured after 2018 often support Bixby voice control. On 2019 or newer models, if the TV is connected to the internet, you can activate Bixby by saying "Hi, Bixby" and then giving a voice command to turn on the TV. This hands-free method works well when you are in the same room and want to power on the TV without touching any buttons.
Amazon Alexa can also control compatible Samsung Smart TVs, including turning them on or off. To use Alexa, the TV must be connected to SmartThings, and the SmartThings skill needs to be enabled in the Amazon Alexa app. For Alexa to turn on the TV, the TV must be connected to the network via Wi-Fi, as it will not respond if connected to a wired network. If you have an Alexa device, you can simply ask it to turn on the TV, which is convenient when you want to connect a remote to your Samsung smart TV but prefer voice control instead.
What to do if none of these methods work
If the TV does not respond to any of these methods, first check the power cable. Ensure it is securely plugged into both the TV and a working wall outlet. If the TV still does not power on, the issue may be with the internal power supply rather than the remote control method. As a last resort, consider purchasing a replacement remote. You can pair a Samsung smart TV remote by following the instructions that come with the new remote, which typically involve holding down the power and volume buttons simultaneously. This is the most straightforward way to regain full control if you cannot use the physical button or app. If you need to pair a Samsung smart TV remote, refer to the user manual for your specific model, as the pairing process can vary.
