“So close, yet so far away.”
…is how I’d describe my Sony and my Wi-Fi.
They’re connected and yet…
I still can’t watch my favorite shows.
What a bummer.
But my Sony’s not a goner.
Here’s what I did to fix my network connection.
Keep reading to discover:
- Which ethernet cable is best for you.
- How to solve network problems by editing your TV’s DNS settings.
- What does datetime settings have to do with Sony TV internet issues.
- 9 trouble-free ways of fixing your Sony TV that’s connected to Wi-Fi but has no internet.
- And so much more…
Sony TV connected to WiFi but no internet: 7 fixes
#1: Power cycle your TV
A lot of things could happen with your TV…
But, you know what?
The first solution should always be the same essential fix for any TV problem.
And that’s to…
Power cycle your device
- Turn your Sony TV off.
- Unplug it from the socket.
- Standby for 30 seconds.
- Plug it back in and turn it on.
This method eliminates all excess charges left on your TV even after pressing the Power button.
Allowing your TV to breathe and restart all stuck processes.
Pro tip: Don’t wanna get out of your couch? Me too, sometimes. What you can do instead is to do a full restart of your TV by holding the Power button for 10 seconds.
#2: Update date and time settings
Ever heard of the phrase, “Time is of the essence”?
It’s the moment to take that literally. Why?
Because the date and time settings of your TV is everything to your internet connection.
How so?
Some apps on Sony TV can block your network if its time doesn’t match up with your region…
Even if you’re connected to a Wi-Fi service.
To remedy this, you should:
Step 1: Set the proper time zone
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Head to Device Preferences.
- Under Date & Time, press Time.
- Set time zone to your location.
Other directions for this step include Home > Settings, and then:
- Date & Time > Set Time Zone > Set to your location.
- Date & Time > Time > Automatic Time Zone > Off > Set to your location.
Step 2: Change time settings
For Sony TVs released 2020 or later
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Head to Device Preference.
- Press Date & Time.
- Set Automatic Date & Time to On.
If that doesn’t correspond to your Sony TV, you can also try going from Home > Settings to:
- Date & Time > Automatic Date & Time > On.
- System > Date & Time > Automatic Date & Time > On.
For other Sony TVs
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Head to Date & Time.
- Set Automatic Date & Time to Use Broadcast/Network Time.
BONUS: Manually set time
Alternatively, you can also set the clock on your own. You just need to:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Head to Device Preferences.
- Select Date & Time.
- Toggle off Automatic Date & Time.
- Set the time.
For visual instructions to reset your date-time settings, watch this video:
#3: Remove signal interference
So, you’re connected to the Wi-Fi.
But does the signal fluctuate?
From 3 bars, to 1 bar, to 2 bars…
Constantly changing by the second?
If so, there could be something blocking your Wi-Fi signal.
And this could be your everyday objects, like:
- Walls.
- Mirrors.
- Microwaves.
- Baby monitors.
- Entertainment systems.
- Bluetooth and other Wi-Fi signals.
Are there any of these around your router?
In that case, set aside what you can.
Or simply move your router closer to the Sony TV.
#4: Change DNS settings
To better explain what DNS is, let me put it this way:
Humans and the internet have 2 different languages.
And, unless you’re a genius with a lot of free time, you can’t learn to speak Internet-ese.
You’ll need a translator. That’s what DNS is.
However, this translator is housed on a server until it’s called upon.
That said, servers have down times.
That means you’ll have no access to DNS when the servers are down.
And, when that happens, you won’t be able to communicate with other internet servers.
What happens then is you’ll have no access to streaming apps or websites until DNS is back up.
I hope that cleared the concept of DNS up for you.
Now, let’s move on to how you can ensure that you always have access to a DNS server.
You see, Google has already anticipated this problem. Way back in 2009, in fact.
So, what they did was create public servers that weren’t only fast, but also:
- Intuitive.
- Safer and more secure.
- Doesn’t have downtime.
Sounds pretty great, right?
Let’s change your Sony TV’s DNS settings, shall we? To start:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Under Settings, head to Network.
- Go to Network Settings.
- Tap Set-up Network Connection.
- Choose Custom or Advanced.
- Select Wireless Set-Up.
- Press Manual IP Address.
- Set Primary DNS to 8.8.8.8.
- Set Secondary DNS to 8.8.4.4.
#5: Use an ethernet cable
Do you know what’s the best way of solving wireless network problems?
To ditch the wireless connection and opt for a wired one.
Let me explain…
Wi-Fi is reliable because of its portability and set-up ease but, besides those…
There’s no other reason to use Wi-Fi over ethernet cables. After all, ethernet connection is:
- Faster.
- More reliable.
- Have less latency.
So, snag an ethernet cable online and connect your TV directly to the router.
But, be careful what you buy.
Why?
Well, you’d want to maximize your internet connection, right?
So use this list as a guide for purchasing a cable:
- Cat 3: 10 Mbps.
- Cat 5: 10-100 Mbps.
- Cat 5e: 1000 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
- Cat 6 and 6a: 10 Gbps.
- Cat 7 and 7a: 100 Gbps.
- Cat 8: 40 Gbps (Longer than Cat 7 and has more bandwidth).
#6: Check if the app is down
Why do you have a smart TV?
Personally, I have 1 because they can use streaming apps.
I only ask you this because…
Your internet problem may only concern 1 app, instead of the entire TV.
For example, can you use Amazon Prime but not Hulu?
If so, the problem isn’t your Sony TV…
But the app itself.
And I have a hunch:
The app might be down at the moment…
With that, try this:
Head to the app’s official Twitter account to check…
Or you can also use 3rd-party down detectors to make sure.
You may also be interested in: Disney Plus Not Working On Smart TV
#7: Contact Sony
You know how we call 911 when there’s an emergency that we can’t solve?
Same thing goes for your TV. But don’t call 911…
Instead, get in touch with Sony for all your consultation needs.