How to Connect LG TV to WiFi Without Remote: 6 Methods That Actually Work

Connecting your LG TV to WiFi normally takes a few clicks with the remote. But when you don't have a remote, getting into the network settings becomes a real challenge. Whether your remote broke, went missing, or the batteries are completely dead, you still have several practical ways to get your LG smart TV connected to the internet.

This guide covers every working method, from the no-equipment-needed approach to the most convenient long-term solutions. By the end, your LG TV will be online and you'll have a backup plan so this never becomes a problem again.

Why You Need WiFi Connected First

Before we get into the methods, here's why WiFi matters: once your LG TV is on your wireless network, you can use smartphone remote apps to control it fully. WiFi is the bridge between your phone and your TV. Without that network connection, phone-based remote apps can't discover or communicate with your television.

So the goal here is straightforward: get the TV on WiFi by any means necessary, then install a remote app like LG Remote for permanent, convenient control going forward.

Method 1: Use the TV's Physical Joystick Button

Every LG smart TV has a physical button — usually a small joystick on the bottom-center of the back panel. This button can navigate the TV's interface, though it's slower than using a remote.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Turn on the TV by pressing the joystick button once
2. Press the joystick to open the on-screen menu
3. Navigate to the settings gear icon — move the joystick up/down/left/right to highlight it, then press to select
4. Navigate to All Settings → Network → WiFi Connection
5. Select your WiFi network name from the list
6. Enter your WiFi password — this is the hardest part, as you'll need to move the joystick to select each character on the on-screen keyboard
7. Select Connect

This method is tedious, especially entering a long WiFi password character by character. But it works on every LG smart TV and requires zero additional equipment.

Method 2: Connect a USB Keyboard

LG webOS TVs recognize USB keyboards when plugged into the USB port on the back of the TV. This makes entering your WiFi password dramatically easier.

1. Plug a USB keyboard into any USB port on your LG TV
2. Use the TV's joystick button to navigate to Settings → Network → WiFi Connection
3. Select your network
4. When the password field appears, type your WiFi password using the keyboard
5. Press Enter to connect

Arrow keys on the keyboard also work for navigating menus, making this much faster than using the joystick alone. If you have a USB mouse, that works too — it provides a cursor on screen similar to the LG Magic Remote.

Method 3: Use an Ethernet Cable (Wired Connection)

This is the fastest no-remote method if your router is near your TV. An Ethernet cable bypasses WiFi entirely and gives you a direct wired internet connection.

1. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into your router
2. Plug the other end into the LAN port on the back of your LG TV
3. The TV detects the wired connection automatically — no password entry needed

Once the TV has internet through Ethernet, you can use it as-is or install a remote app on your phone. With LG Remote, your phone discovers the TV on the network regardless of whether the TV's internet comes from WiFi or Ethernet. After connecting the app, you can then navigate to WiFi settings through the app to set up wireless and disconnect the cable.

Method 4: Use WPS (WiFi Protected Setup)

If your router has a WPS button, you can connect your LG TV to WiFi without entering any password at all. WPS creates a one-time secure connection between the router and TV.

1. Use the TV's joystick to navigate to Settings → Network → WiFi Connection
2. Look for the "Connect via WPS" option
3. Select it
4. Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on your router (usually a small button labeled WPS on the back or side)
5. The TV and router negotiate the connection automatically

Not all routers have WPS, and some newer routers have disabled it for security reasons. But if yours supports it, this avoids the painful on-screen keyboard entirely.

Method 5: Use a Temporary IR Remote or Universal Remote

If you have any universal remote, you can program it with LG TV IR codes to temporarily control your TV long enough to connect to WiFi. Many universal remotes come preprogrammed with LG codes.

Common LG TV IR codes for universal remotes: 0004, 0050, 0012, 0057, 0080. Check your universal remote's manual for the specific programming process.

Once you've entered the WiFi password using the universal remote, you can switch to a phone app for a better experience.

Method 6: Use a Bluetooth Keyboard (Select Models)

Some newer LG webOS TVs (2020 and later) support Bluetooth peripherals. If your TV supports Bluetooth and you have a Bluetooth keyboard that can enter pairing mode:

1. Use the joystick to navigate to Settings → Bluetooth
2. Put your Bluetooth keyboard in pairing mode
3. Select the keyboard when it appears on the TV
4. Use the keyboard to navigate to WiFi settings and enter your password

This method only works if your TV already has Bluetooth enabled and the keyboard is compatible. It's not as universally reliable as USB, but worth trying if you have a Bluetooth keyboard handy.

After You're Connected: Set Up Permanent Remote Access

Once your LG TV is on WiFi, take these steps so you're never stuck again:

1. Install LG Remote on your iPhone — connects over WiFi, works from any room, never needs batteries
2. Enable Quick Start+ — go to Settings → General → Additional Settings → Quick Start+. This keeps WiFi active in standby so phone apps can wake the TV
3. Save your WiFi password — store it somewhere accessible so you never have to enter it via the joystick button again

Frequently Asked Questions