As much as smart TVs are now common, many households still have old, non-smart TVs in perfect condition.
Even though these televisions have several limitations, they are less complex and provide a fulfilling viewing experience.
The best part is that you can connect your non-smart TV to Wi-Fi and enjoy what a conventional smart TV offers.
Although a non-smart TV does not have a built-in Wi-Fi adapter, you can connect it to your home network and stream your favorite shows, play online games, or browse the internet.
This guide explains a few tricks and hacks to connect non-smart TV to Wi-Fi.
Using a Streaming Device
Using a streaming device is one of the quickest and most user-friendly ways to connect your non-smart TV to Wi-Fi.
Best Streaming Devices to Use with Your Non-Smart TV
This digital media player is internet-ready, allowing you to connect to non-smart TV to your home network.
The dongle works like a mini-computer and has an operating system with various pre-installed streaming apps, such as Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu.
Examples of streaming devices you can use to connect your non-smart TV to Wi-Fi include:
Most streaming devices operate the same way regardless of the brand. However, this method mostly works with TVs that have an HDMI port.
Here are the steps to connect your non-smart TV to Wi-Fi using a streaming gadget:
- Locate the HDMI port on your TV
- Plug your streaming device into the TV’s HDMI port
- Plug the USB cable that came with the streaming device into the appropriate USB ports
- Power up your TV
- Go to the settings menu and select the appropriate HDMI input port
- Use the streaming gadget’s remote to configure the device
- Pair your TV and streaming device by following the on-screen instructions
- Connect the device to Wi-Fi and download your preferred apps
Setting Up Roku Streaming Stick Plus
Setting Up Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
Setting Up Apple TV 4K
Setting Up Google Chromecast with Google TV
Using a Gaming Console
Most gaming consoles, including Xbox 360 and PlayStation 4 and 5, are Wi-Fi-enabled and support streaming functions.
They have a built-in wireless adapter for internet connectivity and online gaming.
You only need to set up your gaming console with your non-smart TV to connect the latter to Wi-Fi.
The only issue is that gaming consoles do not support many apps, but you can use them to access your favorite applications, such as Netflix and YouTube.
Follow these steps to connect your non-smart TV to Wi-Fi using a gaming console:
- Connect your gaming console to your TV via the HDMI port
- Go to your TV settings and select the appropriate input source (HDMI port)
- Sign in to your gaming console account
- From the Home Screen, find the TV and Video section
- Launch your preferred streaming app
How to Watch Netflix on Your PS5
Using a Blu-Ray Player
If you have a Blu-Ray player, you don’t require a smart TV to stream your favorite online content.
The latest Blu-Ray players are Wi-Fi-enabled, allowing you to connect to your wireless network and stream multimedia content.
Besides, setting up your Blu-Ray player to connect your non-smart TV to Wi-Fi is relatively easy.
Here are the steps:
- Locate the HDMI port on your TV and Blu-Ray player
- Connect your Blu-Ray player to your TV using an HDMI cable
- Turn on your TV and Blu-Ray player
- Select the appropriate HDMI input source to access the Blu-Ray player settings
- From the main menu, navigate to settings
- Go to network settings
- Select your Wi-Fi network from the list and enter your password to connect
- Download and install your favorite streaming apps
Sony BDP S6700 Smart Blu-ray Player
Using an HDMI Cable
Even though Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles, or streaming devices are convenient, these gadgets can be pricey.
You can save a lot of money using an HDMI cable to connect non-smart TV to Wi-Fi.
Many devices such as laptops and televisions have HDMI ports for high-speed data connections.
If your old TV doesn’t have an HDMI port, you can purchase an HDMI-to-AV adapter for your wired connections.
Your non-smart TV will act as an external monitor while you stream from your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
Follow these steps to connect your non-smart TV to Wi-Fi using an HDMI cable:
- Switch on your TV and laptop or smartphone
- Plug your HDMI cable into the back of your non-smart TV
- Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into your laptop
- Go to your TV settings
- Select the appropriate HDMI input source
- Connect your computer to Wi-Fi
- Stream your favorite shows and online content
How to Connect a TV to a Laptop Using an HDMI Cable
Using an Android TV Box
Android set-top boxes are Wi-Fi-enabled and have various pre-installed apps such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube.
These TV boxes have internal storage, allowing you to download and install additional apps, depending on the available disk space.
Here are the steps to connect your non-smart TV to Wi-Fi using an Android set-top box:
- Connect your Android TV box to your TV using an HDMI cable
- Turn on your TV and Android TV box
- Go to your TV settings and select the appropriate HDMI input source
- Go to Android box settings
- Navigate to network settings
- Select your Wi-Fi network and enter your password to connect
- Access your preferred apps to stream your favorite shows and online content
Nvidia Shield TV Pro – The Best Android TV Box to Buy
Screencasting
Screencasting is a method of streaming content from your mobile phone or laptop onto your TV.
Your non-smart TV and mobile device must support this function for this method to work. If not, you must buy a Wi-Fi-based screen mirroring receiver such as AnyCast.
Follow these steps to screencast your phone to your non-smart TV:
- Connect your screen mirroring receiver to the power adapter and wall outlet
- Connect the receiver to your TV via the HDMI port
- Turn on your TV
- Go to Wi-Fi settings on your phone and connect to the mirroring receiver
- Enter the password shown on your TV screen
- Launch the screen mirroring/casting app on your smartphone
- Tap the name of your mirroring receiver on your phone to connect and start casting
How to Set Up AnyCast
Conclusion
Connecting a non-smart TV to Wi-Fi does not have to be complicated. Simply follow our detailed tips and tricks to connect your TV to the internet and enjoy streaming your favorite shows.
