How to Connect LG TV to WiFi without a Remote (Quick & Easy)

Sitting comfortably on your sofa, you’re just about ready to enjoy the next episode of your fave Netflix series on your LG TV when you notice the unit isn’t connected to WiFi. Making matters worse, the remote is nowhere to be found. 

Well, it certainly is a bind. But as tough as the situation may look, there are a string of proven fixes you can factor in right away — and get the internet to your boob tube even without the services of a handy remote. 

Connect an LG TV to the WiFi without a remote using alternative controller options like a mouse, keyboard, or video game controller. Also, use the ThinQ app on your smartphone, or connect to the internet via an ethernet cable.

Sounds good? Well, that’s just for starters! In this post, we’ll unpack all the details you need to learn how to connect LG TV to WiFi without a remote using 5 proven fixes allowing you to DIY like a pro in a heartbeat. 

Difficulty	Moderate ●●●○○
Duration	13 minutes and 30 seconds
Number of Ways	5
Things You Need	• LG TV • Mouse and Keyboard • A Smartphone • A Gamepad or Controller • An Ethernet Cable • Universal Remote

1. Use a mouse/keyboard to operate and connect your LG TV to the WiFi.

Difficulty	Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps	10
Duration	30 seconds

If you’re wondering how to connect LG TVs to WiFi without remote controls, the process is similar to doing it with one. The only difference is that you will operate the LG TV using an alternative peripheral instead of the original remote control.

In this first method, we’ll show you how to connect a mouse and keyboard to your LG TV and use them to operate it. From there, you can simply go to the TV’s network settings and connect to your WiFi network just like you would with remote control.

Follow these steps to use a mouse/keyboard to connect your LG TV to WiFi:

Step 1: Plug the USB connectors of both the mouse and keyboard into the USB port at the back of your LG TV. Note: If you’re using a wireless mouse and keyboard, they’ll still come with a USB connector dongle that you must plug into your TV’s port. Also, you can use a USB multi-port adapter if the TV only has one port.

Step 2: Press the Windows key or the command key on your keyboard to open the options menu on your LG TV.

Step 3: Hover/click All Settings/Advanced Settings using the mouse.

Step 4: Hover/click Connection/Network using the mouse.

Step 5: Hover/click Network Connection Settings using the mouse. Note: Other LG TV models don’t have this option, and you can select/click WiFi Connection immediately.

Step 6: Hover/click WiFi Connection using the mouse.

Step 7: Hover/click the WiFi switch to turn it on using the mouse.

Step 8: Hover/click a WiFi network from the available list using the mouse.

Step 9: Type/enter the WiFi password using the keyboard. Note: WiFi passwords are case-sensitive. Check which of the letters are lowercase and uppercase.

Step 10: Hover/click CONNECT using the mouse.

Pro tip: You can achieve the same results using only a USB keyboard. Instead of hovering the cursor on the TV’s display, you can use the arrow keys on the keyboard to navigate the options on your LG TV’s menu.

Know that not all keyboards in the market today can work with your TV. Below are some of the keyboards that are compatible with your LG TV.

• Logitech K360

• Logitech K400

• Logitech K750

• LG Electronics MKS-1200

If you noticed, these are branded keyboards. In this regard, using generic keyboards may not cut it, but if you have one, then you’re welcome to try. 

Another way you can control your smart TV is via your smartphone. To do this right, make sure you connect both devices to the same internet network. 

2. Use your smartphone as a remote control by installing the LG ThinQ app.

Difficulty	Moderate ●●●○○
Number of Steps	22
Duration	12 minutes

Most people have a smartphone by their side at all times, which makes it a convenient alternative to use as a means to control and operate your LG TV. This is where the ThinQ app comes in handy. 

To note, the app can turn your smartphone into a temporary remote control for your LG appliances. So, it’s a convenient way to access smart LG devices. 

This app lets you introduce LG TVs to WiFi without remote controls using its button controls instead. The only downside is that this method requires your LG TV to be connected to your smartphone’s WiFi network.

If your LG TV isn’t connected to one yet, you cannot establish a WiFi connection using this method. You can only use this method if all you want to do is switch and connect to a different WiFi network.

Follow these steps to connect your LG TV to WiFi using a smartphone:

Step 1: Use your smartphone to launch either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

Step 2:  Select/click on the search bar to start your search.

Step 3: Search for the ThinQ app.

Step 4: Download/install the ThinQ app by clicking the Install button beside it.

Step 5: Launch the ThinQ app by clicking the Open button beside it.

Step 6: Enter using your LG account by clicking the Sign in with LG option, Note: In case you don’t have an LG account, you’re allowed to create one for free by following the provided instructions on the screen. There’s also the option to sign-in method using a Google or Facebook account.

Step 7: Fill out your LG account details and click Sign in to enter.

Step 8: Select/click Add a Device.

Step 9: Click Select Device and move on using the Next button.

Step 10: Select/click TV from the products listed on the ThinQ app.

Step 11: Select/click your LG TV from the list of available TVs.

Step 12: Look at your LG TV display screen and enter the pin code you see there.                 Click Next to proceed.

Step 13: Select/click Skip to decline to link the LG TV for now.

Step 14: Click Move to Home to continue to the ThinQ app’s home screen.

Step 15: Select/click the TV tile on the ThinQ app’s home screen to access its               remote control buttons.

Step 16: Use the buttons on the ThinQ app to control/operate your LG TV.

Step 17: Press the gear button on the ThinQ app remote to open the                options menu on your LG TV.

Step 18: Scroll down/click Network.

Step 19: Press the right directional button on the ThinQ app remote to go to the              network settings.

Step 20: Scroll down/click WiFi Connection.

Step 21: Select/click the WiFi network you’ll be connecting to.

Step 22: Enter the WiFi password and click CONNECT to continue. Note: You can also select/click the Enter key on the on-screen keyboard to connect.

For sure, the process is a bit lengthy, but once done, it should reward you handsomely. And yet, there’s another way you can connect using a game controller. 

3. Connect a gamepad/controller to your LG TV to connect it to the WiFi.

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	7
Duration	25 seconds

The next alternative way to connect LG TVs to WiFi without remote controls is to use a gamepad or controller from any of your game consoles. Use a Bluetooth or wired controller for this method, although we recommend using the latter.

The reason is that a Bluetooth controller must be paired first, which is troublesome considering how we’re already trying to connect to the WiFi without a remote. A wired controller is more convenient since you only need to plug it in to start using it.

You can navigate the menu options on your LG TV by using the control stick or the D-pad on the controller. Selecting can be done by pressing the key that works as the confirm button, which is either X or A, depending on the controller you’re using.

Follow these steps to use a game controller to connect your LG TV to WiFi:

Step 1: Plug the USB connector of your gamepad or controller into the USB port             at the back of your LG TV. Note: Only LG TV models manufactured from 2018 onwards support USB gamepads and controllers.

Step 2: Press the menu button on the gamepad or controller to open the options              menu on your LG TV.

Step 3: Scroll down/click Network.

Step 4: Press the right directional button on the ThinQ app remote to go to the              network settings.

Step 5: Scroll down/click WiFi Connection.

Step 6: Select/click the WiFi network you’ll be connecting to.

Step 7: Enter the WiFi password and click CONNECT to continue. Note: You can also select/click the Enter key on the on-screen keyboard to connect.

Below are some of the gamepads and controllers supported by LG TVs.

• Logitech F310

• Logitech F510

• Logitech F710

• Logitech Rumblepad 2

• Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2

• Logitech Dual Action Gamepad

• Xbox 360 Controller (Wired)

• Playstation 3 Controller

If that one has failed you, using wires to connect to the internet instead of wireless should be wise. In this regard, being direct have its merits. 

4. Connect your LG TV to the Wi-fi network using an ethernet cable.

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	2
Duration	5 seconds

Wireless connections aside, you can always switch to a wired internet connection and connect your LG TV to the router via a LAN/ethernet cable. It’s also advisable to do this since a wired connection provides faster and more stable internet.

This is because using an ethernet cable links your LG TV directly with the router, making it unsusceptible to signal interference. Plus, you don’t need a remote control to set this up because they connect as soon as you plug the cable in.

Follow these steps to connect your LG TV to WiFi using an ethernet cable:

Step 1: Plug one end of the ethernet cable into the LAN port at the back of your LG TV.

Step 2: Plug the other end of the ethernet cable into the LAN port at the back of your router.

Easy peasy, right? Still, if you miss using a remote, why not try a generic one?

5. Replace your LG remote control with a universal TV remote.

Difficulty	Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps	10
Duration	30 seconds

The most obvious solution when the original remote control of your LG TV gets lost or busted is to get a universal remote as a replacement. With this, you can operate your LG TV and connect it to the WiFi network.

Universal remotes are very flexible since they can be configured to work with different TV brands. Please note that a universal remote needs to be set up before it can work on your LG TV.

Follow these steps to set up the universal remote control on your LG TV:

Step 1: Insert compatible batteries into the universal remote control.

Step 2: Press/hold the set and power buttons simultaneously on the Universal             remote until the setup indicator glows red.

Step 3: Point the remote to the LG TV and click the volume up button repeatedly until the volume of the TV increases. Note: The universal remote is now configured for your LG TV.

Step 4: Press the set button to turn off the setup indicator.

Step 5: Press the settings button on the universal remote control to open the options menu on your LG TV.

Step 6: Scroll down/click Network.

Step 7: Press the right directional button on the ThinQ app remote to go to the              network settings.

Step 8: Scroll down/click WiFi Connection.

Step 9: Select/click the WiFi network you’ll be connecting to.

Step 10: Enter the WiFi password and click CONNECT to continue. Note: You can also select/click the Enter key on the on-screen keyboard to connect.

FAQs about LG TV

---