Even though smart TVs have become trendy recently, many households still have old, non-smart TVs.
Digital non-smart TVs are an upgrade to the analog models but are somewhat limited as you still cannot access the internet on your television.
The good news is that you can make your TV Wi-Fi capable so you can download various apps and stream your favorite shows and movies.
Keep reading to find out more!
BEST SOLUTIONS
Use a streaming stick (Google Chromecast, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV 4K, Nvidia Shield TV).
Use an Android box.
Use a Blu-ray player.
Use an HDMI cable (connect your TV to a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop).
Use a Wi-Fi adapter (USB Wi-Fi dongle).
Connecting Your TV to Wi-Fi
You can make your TV Wi-Fi capable by:
1. Using a Streaming Stick
A streaming stick is a Wi-Fi-enabled media device or player that connects directly to your TV’s HDMI port.
The device allows you to connect your TV to Wi-Fi to watch TV shows, movies, music, and other entertainment content.
The best part is that streaming sticks are easy to set up, and most support Alexa or Google Assistant for hands-free voice control.
Popular streaming sticks and boxes include:
- Google Chromecast
Here’s how to set up an Amazon Fire TV Stick:
- Plug your streaming stick into your TV’s HDMI port.
- Plug the power adapter into your wall outlet.
- Connect the power adapter to the streaming stick via a USB cable.
- Turn on your TV.
- Select the appropriate HDMI input.
- Pair the supplied remote with the Fire TV stick by pressing the Home button for 10 secs.
- Follow on-screen instructions to connect to Wi-Fi.
- Sign in or register an Amazon account.
- Download your favorite apps and games
Setting Up Fire TV Stick 4K
Best TV Streaming Devices to Buy
2. Using an Android TV Box
Another simple way to make your TV Wi-Fi capable is to use an Android TV box.
An Android TV box is a Wi-Fi-enabled set-top box that connects to your non-smart television, allowing you to watch on-demand videos, surf the internet, play games, and view other content.
Android TV boxes are standalone devices that operate using the Android operating system or similar alternatives, hence the name.
They convert your regular TV into a smart Android TV, making it Wi-Fi-capable so you can stream online content.
Setting up an Android TV box is relatively easy. You only need to:
- Connect your Android TV box to your TV via an HDMI cable.
- Turn on your Android TV box.
- Insert the batteries into the supplied remote control.
- Turn on your television.
- Select the appropriate HDMI input source on your TV menu.
- Pair the remote with the Android TV box.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Connect to your wireless network.
- Log in to your Google account.
- Download your preferred apps and games
Setting Up an Android TV Box
Best Android TV Boxes of 2022
3. Using a Blu-Ray Player
Blu-Ray players are becoming popular in many households, thanks to their ability to play High Definition 4K media.
The latest models are Wi-Fi-enabled, allowing you to connect your non-smart TV to the internet via these devices.
Nevertheless, your TV must have an HDMI port to connect to the internet via a Blu-Ray player.
Here’s how to connect a Sony Blu-ray disc player to Wi-Fi:
- Turn on your TV and Blu-Ray disc player.
- Connect your Blu-Ray disc player to your TV via a high-speed HDMI cable.
- Press the Source/Input button on your TV’s remote to select the appropriate HDMI input source.
- Press the Home button on your Blu-Ray disc player remote.
- Press the arrow keys on the remote and scroll to the setup icon.
- Navigate to Network Settings and press OK.
- Go to Internet Settings and press OK.
- Go to Wireless Setup and press OK.
- Highlight Scan and press OK.
- Select your wireless network from the results list.
- Enter your network password to connect to Wi-Fi.
How to Connect a Sony Blu-ray Player to Wi-Fi
4. Using an HDMI Cable
If you want to make your TV Wi-Fi capable but don’t want to spend on pricey streaming gadgets, consider using an HDMI cable.
You only need to connect your TV to a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop, tablet, or smartphone via an HDMI to access the web on your TV.
The HDMI cord mirrors everything on your smartphone or tablet to the big screen so that you can cast your favorite shows onto your TV.
Here’s how to connect a laptop to the TV via HDMI to make it Wi-Fi-capable:
- Power on your laptop.
- Connect your laptop to Wi-Fi.
- Turn on your TV.
- Plug the HDMI cable into your TV and the other end into your laptop’s HDMI port.
- Press the Input/Source button on your TV’s remote control.
- Select the appropriate HDMI input source.
- Play your favorite movies on the web on your laptop and watch them on your TV.
How to Connect a Laptop to a TV Using an HDMI Cable
5. Using a Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter
Many modern TVs, particularly smart models, have a built-in wireless adapter for Wi-Fi connections.
This wireless adapter might malfunction, forcing you to connect your smart TV to your network via an Ethernet cable.
The good news is that installing a USB wireless Wi-Fi adapter can make your TV Wi-Fi capable again.
Wireless LAN adapters or Wi-Fi dongles work with most smart televisions so long as the TV has a functioning USB port, allowing you to connect to your Wi-Fi network.
Besides, they are plug-and-play, meaning you only need to plug the adapter into the USB port without further configuration.
Nevertheless, wireless Wi-Fi adapters only work with smart TVs and won’t turn your regular TV into a smart TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do I add Wi-Fi to my TV?
Answer: You can use a USB Wi-Fi adapter or a streaming stick to add Wi-Fi to your non-smart TV. You can also add Wi-Fi to your regular TV via a gaming console or a compatible Blu-Ray player. Your TV must have a wireless adapter, Wi-Fi-enabled streaming stick, or Android TV box to connect to your Wi-Fi network.
Question: How can I turn a regular TV into a smart TV without Wi-Fi?
Answer: You can make it a smart TV using Amazon Fire TV Stick, a compatible gaming console, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, or an Android TV-based media player. You need to set up your phone to work as a mobile hotspot to use your TV without Wi-Fi. You can use Google Chromecast or a similar device to screencast or mirror your phone’s screen.
Question: Can an old TV connect to Wi-Fi?
Answer: Yes, an old TV can connect to Wi-Fi even if it is not internet-enabled. You can use an HDMI cable, Blu-ray player, gaming console, or a dedicated streaming device to hook your old TV to Wi-Fi. Once connected, you can download your favorite streaming apps, surf the web, view photos, and play online games.
Question: Can you make an older TV a smart TV?
Answer: You can make an older TV a smart TV using a streaming stick with a dedicated operating system. You can also convert an older TV into a smart TV by using a Wi-Fi-enabled Android TV box, Google Chromecast, Apple TV streaming box, Blu-Ray player, or a gaming console. You must configure the devices to work with your TV for seamless internet connectivity.
Question: Can I get the internet on my TV through HDMI?
Answer: You can get internet on your TV through HDMI so long as it is HEC-compatible. HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) supports the transfer of internet signals through an HDMI cable. It supports fast, stable, and secure data transfer from the source device to your TV. However, connecting your TV to the internet through HDMI requires a third-party device such as a laptop, Blu-Ray player, or gaming console.
Best Ways to Make TV Wi-Fi Capable
