Some time ago, my son was ecstatic at our much-awaited internet speed boost which clocked at 500 Mbps. But all that joy disappeared as soon as we opened our Samsung TV, as the unit was unbelievably sluggish.
Instead of wondering why our Samsung TV is being so slow, the techie in me made me roll up my sleeves to seek some of the most reliable fixes! With so many DIY solutions, which one is the quickest fix?
A slow Samsung TV can be fixed by performing a power cycle: unplug the unit from the wall and, after some time, put it back on. If not, do a firmware update or factory reset the unit.
Indeed, fixing your turtle-speed Samsung TV need not be an uphill climb. In this guide, we’ll show you how to DIY eight quick fixes to a slow and lagging Samsung TV so you won’t have to call an expert and save precious dollars in the process.
| Time Needed | 56 minutes and 15 seconds |
| Number of Ways | 8 |
| Things You Need | Samsung TV Samsung TV remote control A working internet connection A PC A USB stick |
Why is my Samsung Smart TV slow?
At the heart of all television is signal strength, and when this signal is weakened, your Samsung Smart TV performance dips. Below are the most common reasons for keeping your unit at a snail’s pace, making you wait.
1. Your internet speed is slow.
A slow internet speed will result in sluggish loading times when running online applications on your Samsung TV. For example, you’ll experience a lot of lag and buffering when watching on-demand content on your favorite streaming apps.
If your WiFi network gives you a slow internet speed, you should contact your ISP for help, troubleshoot the problem yourself, or upgrade to a better data plan. The bottom line: a sluggish internet speed will cause your TV to perform poorly.
How strong should your internet be? That really depends on your needs and how many users are bound to make the most of the service.
At the barest minimum, your minimum download speed should be 3.0 Mbps when you talk about SD content. But for much more graphics-heavy HD content, you’d need more, at least 9.0 Mbps.
Take note, these speeds are at the low end. If you have more than one user at home or more than one smart TV, you definitely need faster internet than that.
2. The Samsung TV has a memory issue.
Samsung TVs have a limited storage space that’s a lot smaller than most smartphones nowadays. It’s the biggest reason why Samsung TV is so slow over time of constant use.
Yes, you heard that right. You may find it funny, but most medium-end smart TVs in the market today have about 8GB of internal memory, while a smartphone packs at least 32GB minimum, with 64GB fast becoming a standard.
As soon as the storage space on your Samsung TV starts running low, you’ll notice a dip in performance. Your Samsung TV will also experience more issues, and its apps and features will malfunction.
Installing many apps on your Samsung TV is the leading cause of memory issues. The cached memory on your Samsung TV will also contribute a big part in filling up the storage space of your Samsung TV.
3. The firmware version is outdated.
Performance issues and other errors are common when using an outdated firmware version of a Samsung TV. Not only is the performance not optimized on older firmware versions, but it’s also incompatible with most recent apps.
It’s also why Samsung recommends performing a firmware update before troubleshooting your TV. More often than not, the issues plaguing your Samsung TV result from software-related problems caused by outdated firmware.
4. The processor is slow.
As its name suggests, the processor is responsible for providing the processing power your Samsung TV needs to perform its functions. If the processor is slow, your Samsung TV will perform slowly.
Fortunately, most Samsung TVs have fast enough processors to justify their prices. The problem is that processors can still slow down due to overheating, running too many apps at once, or a faulty power supply.
5. The app you’re using is unsupported.
Aside from an outdated Samsung TV firmware version, apps must also be updated to their latest versions to ensure they run efficiently on your Samsung TV. Using an outdated version of an app will also result in compatibility issues, slowing it down.
Unfortunately, some apps are just poorly optimized for Samsung TVs and will not run well no matter what you try to do. This usually happens when you sideload a third-party app not supported on your Samsung TV.
Even if you update your Samsung TV or the unsupported app to its latest version, your device will still run slowly. It’s best to avoid third-party apps, especially since most are a security risk.
How to Fix the Samsung TV Slow Loading Issue
Below are 8 proven troubleshooting techniques that can be used to fix the Samsung TV slow loading issues as promised. While you’re free to cherry pick a solution, we recommend you apply them in the order they are presented for the best results.
1. Perform a Samsung TV power cycle.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Time to perform fix | < 2 minutes |
| Number of steps | 3 |
| Things you need | Samsung TV |
The capacitors inside your Samsung TV store electrical energy over time, which causes various malfunctions like a slow startup, misbehaving apps, or performance delays. Giving your Samsung TV ample time to discharge between use is timely.
If you’re the type of user who keeps your device active for long periods, that would explain why Samsung TV is so slow for you. As such, we recommend performing a power cycle on your Samsung TV to address the slowdown issue.
With the power cycle, you can discharge the residual electrical energy stored on your Samsung TV and refresh its system through a reboot. This action will help improve the performance of your Samsung TV and speed it up significantly.
| Step 1: Turn off your Samsung TV by unplugging its power cable from the electrical outlet.  |
| Step 2: Press/hold the power button on your Samsung TV for 30 seconds to discharge its residual electrical energy.  Note: You can locate the power button on your Samsung TV along its underside, left side, right side, or back panel. We recommend checking its user manual if you cannot find the power button in any of these locations. |
| Step 3: Wait another 30 seconds before you plug the power cable back into the electrical outlet to turn your Samsung TV on.  Note: Your Samsung TV should turn on itself once its power cable is plugged into a power source. If this wasn’t the case, press the power button on the Samsung TV or its remote control to power it on manually. |
That should be easy. Take note that it’s not just a matter of turning your unit on and off, but you should ensure you observe time before putting your unit back on.
2. Check the internet connection of your Samsung TV.
As mentioned earlier, a terrible internet connection is the most common reason Samsung TV is so slow when loading online content on your apps. For a streaming app, there’s a minimum speed needed to enjoy a smooth viewing experience.
Most streaming services recommend a download speed of at least 3 megabits per second to ensure you can watch standard-quality videos reliably. When watching HD videos, you need a minimum of 8 megabits per second to avoid buffering.
Luckily, there are speed testing sites that will let you test the download speed of your internet connection for free. You can visit sites like “speedtest.net” or “fast.com” to check if the internet connection of your Samsung TV meets the speed requirements.
If your Samsung’s internet connection cannot reach the desirable download speed, we suggest troubleshooting your WiFi modem or router. Sometimes, minor issues on your modem or router can result in a slower internet connection speed.
Follow the steps below to perform a WiFi modem or router soft reset:
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Time to perform fix | < 3 minutes |
| Number of steps | 6 |
| Things you need | Samsung TV Modem or router |
Step 1: Unplug the ethernet and power cables from the router. |
Step 2: Unplug the ethernet and power cables from the modem. |
| Step 3: Leave your modem and router for 2 minutes to make sure they’re completely turned off. |
| Step 4: Plug the ethernet and cables into the router. |
| Step 5: Plug the ethernet and cables into the modem. |
| Step 6: Wait for the status indicators on the WiFi modem and router to light up. Perform an internet speed test to check the download speed of your WiFi.  |
Follow the steps below to perform a WiFi modem or router factory reset:
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 4 |
| Duration | 2 minutes |
| Step 1: Poke the hole on your WiFi modem or router that says “Reset” with a toothpick/paperclip to access the reset button inside.  |
| Step 2: Press/hold the toothpick/paperclip against the reset button for 10 seconds. Wait for your WiFi modem or router to shut down and factory reset.  |
| Step 3: Wait for your WiFi modem and router to reboot after the factory reset. |
| Step 4: Connect the TV to your modem or router’s default SSID and password. Perform an internet speed test to check the download speed of your WiFi.  |
3. Change your Samsung TV’s connection to a 5GHz network.
Most WiFi networks use the standard 2.4 GHz frequency band to send signals to other wireless devices. This frequency band is suited for most households as it has a good range and can penetrate walls to provide other rooms with signal reception.
The issue with the 2.4GHz frequency band is that it’s much slower than the 5GHz frequency band, which could be why Samsung TV is so slow on your end. We recommend always going for a 5GHz network if you need a speed boost.
Another issue with the 2.4GHz band is that most wireless devices use this type of signal frequency, causing it to be overcrowded if other devices are nearby. As such, 2.4GHz networks usually experience slower WiFi speeds and signal interference.
Please note that switching to a 5GHz frequency band also has its downsides. This type of frequency has a far shorter range than a 2.4GHz band, and it isn’t good at penetrating walls, further limiting its coverage area.
4. Move your modem/router close to your Samsung TV.
If you’ve switched to a 5GHz network, as we suggested earlier, you might still wonder, “Why is my Samsung TV so slow?” Again, 5GHz networks provide faster speeds at the cost of having a shorter range than 2.4GHz networks.
You must move your 5GHz WiFi modem or router close to your Samsung TV to ensure it’s in range to connect without any issues. If your WiFi modem or router is already placed strategically to cover your entire house, move your TV instead.
Alternatively, you can use a WiFi repeater to receive the signal from your modem or router and transmit it to extend its reach. With this, your Samsung TV will have no problem connecting to your 5GHz WiFi network, and you can fix your speed issues.
5. Decrease the number of devices connected to your WiFi network.
Wireless modems and routers can support multiple devices connecting to their WiFi network, which is convenient when sharing between users. The problem with this arrangement is that it degrades the performance of the WiFi network.
Since a single internet connection is shared between multiple devices, your internet speed will become slower and slower as more devices connect to the WiFi network.
Connecting multiple devices at once could be why Samsung TV is so slow.
In cases like this, we think reducing the number of devices connected to your WiFi network is the most effective solution. You can turn off the WiFi connectivity function on your unused devices to ensure they don’t share with your TV’s internet speed.
6. Clear your Samsung TV’s cached memory.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Time to perform fix | < 1 minute |
| Number of steps | 7 |
| Things you need | Samsung TV Samsung TV remote control |
The cached memory can fill up your storage space quickly without you noticing, which might explain why Samsung TV is so slow suddenly. Running low on storage space causes your Samsung TV to slow down on its functions.
You can also expect your apps to malfunction, crash, or not load. Plus, you’ll also be unable to install new applications, update the existing ones, or update the system software of your Samsung TV.
Simply put, cached memory is the leading cause of storage issues on Samsung TVs, which results in more performance problems and malfunctions. We recommend regularly clearing the cached memory on your TV to free up storage space.
Step 1: Press the home button on your remote to display the Samsung Smart Hub menu on your TV screen.  |
| Step 2: Scroll to Settings and move to the Quick Settings panel using the up button on your remote control.  |
Step 3: Scroll right/click TV Device Manager. |
| Step 4: Go to the Memory Boost option and click the Clean Now button below it to clear your Samsung TV’s cache.  |
| Step 5: Go to the Clear Running Apps option and click the Clean Now button below it to close all your unused apps and free up memory.  |
| Step 6: Go to the Memory Boost option and click the Show App List button below to view the installed apps on your Samsung TV.  |
| Step 7: Select/click any app and go to View Details. Clear the app’s cache and repeat for all the other apps. |
7. Update its firmware.
Another leading cause of performance issues on Samsung TVs is having an outdated firmware version installed. Not only will your Samsung TV work slower but it’s also vulnerable to compatibility issues, system errors, and app misbehaviors.
We suggest regularly checking for any available firmware version to install on your Samsung to make sure that it can keep it with the latest improvements. Doing so will also make sure your Samsung TV is compatible with newer apps and features today.
Compatibility is also essential in ensuring your Samsung TV runs and loads applications as fast as possible. Your options are always limited with an outdated firmware version, which might explain why Samsung TV is sluggish.
To update your Samsung TV’s firmware version using two methods depending on your situation. You can either download the firmware update directly from the internet or use a USB stick that contains a copy of the update.
Follow the steps below to update the firmware version of your TV over the air:
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Time to perform fix | 20 minutes |
| Number of steps | 6 |
| Things you need | Samsung TV Samsung TV remote control A working internet connection |
| Step 1: Press the home button on your remote to display the Samsung Smart Hub menu on your TV screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left/click Settings to open the TV settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down/click Support to open the TV support options. |
Step 4: Select/click Software Update to open the TV update options. |
Step 5: Select/click Update Now. |
| Step 6: Wait while your Samsung TV checks for any available firmware updates. Let your Samsung TV download/install the firmware update it finds.  |
If your internet connection doesn’t allow you to download the firmware update in one go, you can use the USB stick method instead. You can slowly download the firmware update on a USB via a PC to plug into your Samsung TV.
Right off the bat, know that the process can be a bit long and winded compared to directly using the internet. But the baby steps below should have you covered.
Follow these steps to update the firmware version of your TV via a USB stick:
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Time to perform fix | 25 minutes |
| Number of steps | 17 |
| Things you need | Samsung TV Samsung TV remote control USB stick |
| Step 1: Press the home button on your remote to display the Samsung Smart Hub menu on your TV screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left/click Settings to open the TV settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down/click Support to open the TV support options. |
Step 4: Scroll down/click About This TV to open the TV specifications page. |
| Step 5: Write the model number and software version of your Samsung TV down for use in the next step.  |
| Step 6: Operate your PC and go to Samsung’s official Manuals & Software page. Enter the model number of your Samsung TV on the page’s search bar.  |
| Step 7: Navigate to the Firmware/Software section of your TV’s download page, then go to the “Upgrade File(USB type)” section and press its Download button.  Note: This action will automatically download the firmware update to your PC. |
Step 8: Use a file archiver tool to extract the firmware update to the PC’s desktop. Note: It’s not advisable to change the name of the extracted firmware update because your Samsung TV might not recognize it. |
| Step 9: Plug your USB stick into the port of your PC, then copy/paste the firmware update into the USB stick’s directory.  |
Step 10: Unplug your USB stick from your PC and plug it next into your Samsung TV. |
| Step 11: Press the home button on your remote to display the Samsung Smart Hub menu on your TV screen. |
Step 12: Scroll left/click Settings to open the TV settings menu. |
Step 13: Scroll down/click Support to open the TV support options. |
Step 14: Select/click Software Update to open the TV update options. |
Step 15: Select/click Update Now to initiate a Samsung TV firmware update check. |
| Step 16: Select/click Yes to scan the contents of your USB stick after the Samsung TV firmware update check fails.  |
Step 17: Select/click Yes to install the firmware update you put inside your USB stick. |
If that failed to address the issue at hand, fret not. The next solution is more potent and should hasten things up.
8. Perform the Samsung TV factory reset process.
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Time to perform fix | 5 minutes |
| Number of steps | 8 |
| Things you need | Samsung TV Samsung TV remote control |
This method is the last one we recommend you try since it involves wiping your Samsung TV clean of its account data, system configurations, and installed apps. As such, you should only consider the factory reset process as a last resort.
However, since factory resetting restores your Samsung TV to its original state with its default settings, it’s also the most effective solution by far. You can think of it as having a new TV unit sans the performance issues you’re experiencing right now.
WARNING: Make sure you save a copy of your Samsung TV’s personal files and preferences. A factory reset erases all these files during the process.
Once the factory reset process is done, you need to reinstall the apps that were deleted and reconfigure your Samsung TV settings. You also need to sign in to your Samsung account and set up the Smart Hub menu.
| Step 1: Press the home button on your remote to display the Samsung Smart Hub menu on your TV screen.  |
Step 2: Scroll left/click Settings to open the TV settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down/click General to open the TV general settings menu. |
Step 4: Scroll down/click Reset to begin the TV reset process. |
Step 5: Enter the Samsung TV PIN and click the Done button to continue. |
Step 6: Select/click Yes to authorize the factory reset process. |
| Step 7: Wait while your Samsung TV resets its settings to the factory defaults and reboots. |
Step 8: Follow the instructions on your Samsung TV display to set up Smart Hub. |
With all the eight proven hacks applied, you should have hurdled the issue with flying colors and be able to breath easy. However, if after all these, your Samsung TV is still sluggish, then getting in touch with the experts should be wise.
FAQs about the Samsung TV Getting Slow Issue
Go to Settings > Support > About this TV to check the firmware version installed on your Samsung TV. Use this as a reference when looking up available firmware versions for your TV model on Samsung’s official Manuals & Software page.
Soft resetting clears the cache on your Samsung TV. Performing this action is the quickest and easiest way to clear the cached memory and free up storage space since it shuts down all apps and processes at once.
You can soft reset your Samsung TV by pressing and holding its power button for 30 seconds or until it shuts down and reboots. Once your Samsung TV boots up, its cached memory should be cleared up and it should perform better than before.
Samsung TVs have about 8GB of storage space but you’re only able to use around 80% of that. The remaining 20% is allocated to the system files, which allows your Samsung TV to function like normal.
Some newer models might come with 16GB of storage space but it’s still low compared to smartphones. For this reason, we recommend not installing too many apps on your Samsung TV to prevent performance issues from emerging.
The firmware update sizes vary between Samsung TV models. Some models like the Samsung TV AU8000 Crystal UHD have a firmware update size of about 2.6GB.
Meanwhile, other Samsung TV models like the QN90B Neo QLED only have a firmware update size of around 1.5GB. You can visit Samsung’s official Manuals & Software page to check the firmware update size for your TV.
