So, I’m really, really sick.
I’ve been puking, heating up…
And my body just isn’t functioning.
You know what else isn’t working?
The Wi-Fi on my TCL TV…
Just as I really needed shows to keep me company in my isolation too.
But, don’t worry…
You won’t need a doctor’s prescription to cure your TV.
Keep reading to discover:
- What are the most common causes of internet outages.
- Extenders vs. Mesh: Which can extend your Wi-Fi signal better.
- 11 uncomplicated solutions to a TCL TV that won’t connect to Wi-Fi.
- 3 swift steps to remove the maximum connection limit on your Wi-Fi network.
- And so much more…
Why won’t my TCL TV connect to WiFi?
Your TCL TV can’t connect to the Wi-Fi because of an internet outage or lost signal connection. Bad signal strength, DNS settings, and Wi-Fi settings can also cause this issue. If not, then you need to switch your frequency to 2.4 GHz. You can also reset or restart your TCL to get rid of this error.
TCL TV won’t connect to Wifi: 11 ways to fix it
#1: Power cycle your TV
So your TV’s experiencing some problems…
It doesn’t matter if it’s a display issue or a software glitch…
The first thing that you always, always need to do?
Perform a power cycle.
It’s a restart that removes all the glitches and errors on your TV if it’s a software issue. And here’s how to do it:
- Shut down your TV.
- Remove it from the socket.
- Press the physical Power button for 10 seconds.
- And then standby for 30 more seconds.
- Plug your TV back in and power it on.
This restart will ensure that there are no more charges on your TV…
Which, in turn, removes all stuck processes and glitches.
#2: Get in touch with your ISP
Sometimes, it’s not you or your TCL TV…
The problem is your ISP.
How so?
Like all things, ISPs have downtime.
Internet outages are common occurrences nowadays.
The most common reasons for this are:
- Fiber cuts.
- Cyber attacks.
- Human errors.
- Natural disasters.
- Service upgrades.
When this happens, it’s best to get in touch with your ISP to double-check if they’re having a problem.
And the fix?
Just wait. Life has much to offer other than streaming services and social media.
#3: Re-scan for wireless connections
Do you know what else you can try if your TCL TV loses its connection?
Ask it to look again.
No. I didn’t mean literally.
But you can always re-scan for wireless connections.
You see, Wi-Fi signals are tricky…
And sometimes temperamental.
It might not work now and then work a minute later.
However, to connect to your Wi-Fi if that happens…
You’ll need to ask your TV to look for signals again.
Hence, a re-scan. And to do so, you must:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to your Settings page.
- Under Network, head to Wireless.
- Look for and press your Wi-Fi.
- Select Connect.
#4: Boost your Wi-Fi signal
So, you have a TV that can’t connect to your Wi-Fi.
Instead of trying hard to fix your TV…
Why not try to boost your Wi-Fi signal?
How?
You have 2 options. You can either:
- Remove signal blockers.
- Or purchase Wi-Fi mesh systems.
Don’t worry. Let me explain both.
Remove interference
Look at the position of both your TV and the router.
Between them, can you see any of the following:
- Walls.
- Mirrors.
- Microwaves.
- Baby monitors.
- Containers filled with water.
If so, remove those that are removable.
Why?
Because these items are known to interfere with your Wi-Fi signal.
Alternatively, you can also move your TV and router closer to each other.
How close, you ask?
2.4 GHz signals can reach up to 92 m (or 300 feet) outdoors, half of that number indoors. Meanwhile, 5 GHz Wi-Fi signals can reach only a third of what 2.4 GHz signals get.
Get range extenders or mesh
Joel Crane, a Wi-Fi engineer at Juniper Networks, once said:
“Mesh systems and extenders are […] designed to solve one problem: bad signal strength.”
To understand the difference between extenders and mesh systems, think of it this way:
Wi-Fi signals, like sound, travel in waves.
Extenders used to be the standard in boosting your Wi-Fi strength…
What they do is echo the Wi-Fi signal produced by your router throughout your home.
The downside is that if your main router has slow internet, your extenders will also be slow.
And we don’t want that, so…
Scientists and engineers created the Wi-Fi Mesh Network Systems.
Instead of echoes, mesh systems are like an orchestra.
They’re still singing the same song but…
Someone is singing in alto, in soprano, etc…
Meaning that mesh systems aren’t dependent on the main router.
In fact, there’s no need for the main router at all.
Pretty great, right?
Now, whichever 1 you prefer, here are my recommendations:
Extenders
- TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Range Extender.
- Amped Wireless AC1750 Wi-Fi Range Extender.
- Netgear Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender.
- Linksys RE7000 Max-Stream AC1900+ Wi-Fi Range Extender.
Mesh
- Eero 6 Plus.
- Asus ZenWiFi AX.
- Google Nest Wi-Fi.
- Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi System.
- Netgear Orbi RBKE963 WiFi 6E Mesh System.
You may also be interested in: 3 Ways To Factory Reset Google WiFi In 10 Seconds
#5: Change DNS settings
Have you heard of DNS?
If you haven’t, don’t worry…
Most people haven’t either.
But it’s such an essential facet of your network connection.
Why?
Because it’s what allows us to communicate with internet domains.
Allow me to explain…
When we go to, for example, www.netflix.com or open the Netflix app…
All of us humans only see and need to type the word Netflix.
But that’s only half of the equation…
Your device needs to convert “Netflix” into a language only understood by the network.
To do that, they need Domain Name System (DNS) servers.
These servers are like translators for the computer and human language.
Got that so far? Great.
The thing is, DNS servers can go down…
Or, at least, most of them.
There are public DNS servers that are moderated 24/7 to avoid shutting down.
And the most known and reliable of all? Google Public DNS.
Not only are they reliable, but they’re also:
- Faster.
- More secure.
- Non-redirectable.
So, to switch to the Google Public DNS, follow these directions:
- Go to your Settings page.
- Head to Network.
- Press your Wi-Fi network.
- Tap Advanced Options.
- Under IP Settings, select Static.
- Change DNS to 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4.
Note: This is only applicable on TCL Android TVs.
#6: Remove maximum connection limit
How many people are using your Wi-Fi?
And how many devices do they have each?
Sometimes, the answer is simply:
“Too many.”
Why am I asking these?
Because the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi matters.
You see, to prevent bandwidth thinning…
Most ISPs have a connection limit to the number of devices connected to your network.
That could be why your TV can see your network but can’t connect.
When that happens, remove your connection limit using these 3 easy steps:
Note: This method is for Netgear routers. However, the general steps should still apply regardless of your router’s manufacturer.
Step 1: Get the IP address
- Get a laptop or a PC that’s connected to Wi-Fi.
- Open Command Prompt.
- Write and enter “ipconfig/all”.
- Look for Default Gateway.
The number next to the Default Gateway is your IP address.
Got it? Now, proceed to…
Step 2: Go to your Wi-Fi interface
- Open any web browser.
- Type and enter the IP address into the address bar.
- Log in using your credentials.
The default username and password should be “admin” and “password,” respectively.
If that doesn’t work, contact your ISP to reset your login credentials.
Step 3: Change network settings
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Go to Wi-Fi Options.
- Press Max Wi-Fi.
- Change the settings to however many devices you want to connect to the network.
Did it work?
If not, don’t close the interface yet…
There’s something else we can try.
#7: Switch from 5.0 GHz to 2.4 GHz
Nowadays, there are 2 main frequency bands for Wi-Fi signals.
2.4 and 5.0 GHz.
What’s the difference between the 2?
5.0 GHz is faster but…
The more reliable of the 2 has always been 2.4 GHz.
Not only is it more secure, but you can also connect easier to a 2.4 GHz signal.
It’s the same reason why Bluetooth also uses 2.4.
Now, for some good news:
You can always switch frequency bands.
How?
First, I hope you followed what I said and haven’t logged out of the Wi-Fi interface yet.
Because what you need to do next is:
- Go to Advanced Settings.
- Under Wireless, head to Wireless Signal.
- Tick Disable Channel Optimization.
- Enable 2.4 GHz.
- Disable 5.0 GHz.
#8: Update your TCL’s firmware
The solution for any TV’s most common problems?
Update their firmware.
Why?
You see, manufacturers are always aware of the issues on their TV.
And their fix?
To patch these errors using an update.
Not to mention that, by updating your firmware…
You’ll also have access to the latest features of your TCL.
Sounds great, right?
Now, to update your TCL, all you need to do is:
For TCL Roku TVs:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to your Settings page.
- Under System, head to System Update.
- Select Check Now.
These steps will trigger an update on your TV if one is available.
But, since you can’t connect to the Wi-Fi, how can you update your TV using this method?
You don’t. Instead, follow this video for instructions on updating your TCL using a flash drive.
For TCL Android TVs:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Under Settings, go to More Settings.
- Head to Device Preferences.
- Tap About.
- Choose System Update, and then Network Update.
- Select OK to confirm the update.
#9: Perform a factory reset
What’s that? You still can’t connect to the Wi-Fi?
Unlucky. But I still have 1 ace in my sleeve.
And that’s to factory reset your TV.
This type of reset will get rid of your TCL’s:
- Channels.
- Google account.
- Downloaded applications.
- Wireless network settings.
- System & applications data.
But not only that…
It can also eliminate all glitches and errors on your system.
A fair trade, if you ask me.
Now, the only question left is…
How can you reset your TV?
Simple…
For TCL Roku TVs
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Under Settings, select System.
- Go to Advanced System Settings.
- Head to Factory Reset.
- Tap Factory Reset Everything.
For TCL Android TVs
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to your Settings page.
- Under Device Preferences, head to Reset.
- Tap Factory Data Reset or Reset.
- Select Erase Everything to confirm.
#10: Use an ethernet cable
Can the other devices on your home connect to the Wi-Fi…
But not your TCL TV?
Then, in that case…
Ditch Wi-Fi and use a wired connection.
More specifically, get an ethernet cable and connect that to your TV.
Not only is this more reliable, but it’s also:
- Faster.
- Less latent.
- More secure.
However, don’t just use some ethernet cable lying around your home.
After all, you’d want to maximize your internet.
Instead, use this guide to help you find the best ethernet cable for your TV:
- 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.
#11: Contact TCL for help
So, your TCL still can’t connect to the Wi-Fi, huh?
Not to worry. Do you know why?