The web browser on a Samsung TV can stop opening, freeze, show blank pages, or fail on one specific site. Start with the browser itself, then move through the TV, network, software, and Smart Hub fixes in the order that solves the most common causes first.
Open the Samsung browser directly
This fixes cases where the wrong app, a stale shortcut, or a web-based app is being mistaken for the TV browser.
Press the Smart TV button on the remote control.
Select web browser. On current Samsung TVs, also check Smart Hub or Media for Internet.
Type the website address you want to visit.
Press Enter on the remote control.
Cold boot the TV
Use a cold boot to clear freezes, crashes, missing app states, and loading problems without changing your settings.
- 1.Hold the remote's Power button until the TV turns off and turns back on.
- 2.Wait about 5 seconds for the restart to complete.
- 3.Open the browser again and test the same website.
- 4.Without the remote, unplug the TV from the wall outlet or surge protector.
- 5.Leave it unplugged for 30 seconds, plug it back in, turn it on, and reopen the browser.
Check the TV connection
When the browser opens but pages do not load, confirm that the TV is connected to the internet.
Open Settings, then go to General, Network, and Open Network Settings. Select your Wi-Fi network, enter the network password, choose Done, then select OK.
For wired internet, connect an Ethernet cable to the LAN port on the One Connect Box or the back of the TV and to your router or modem. From the Home screen, open Settings, then General, Network, and select OK.
Some Samsung TV models use different menu names. The 2018 NU7100, NU710D, NU7200, NU7300, and NU730D models support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, not 5 GHz.
If pages still do not load, run Network Status next to find whether the failure is at the TV, router, or internet connection.
Run Network Status and reset the network
The most common cause of a browser that opens but cannot reach websites is a broken or incomplete network connection.
Open All Settings, then go to Connection, Network, and Network Status. On some models, use General settings, then Network, and Network Status.
If the test points to a connection problem, go to All Settings, Connection, Network, and Reset Network. Reset the network, reconnect to Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet, then try the browser again.
For Wi-Fi that keeps failing, open All Settings, Connection, Network, Open Network Settings, Wireless, and Manage Saved Networks. Select the problem network, choose Delete, then reconnect from the Wireless network page.
Change DNS and restart your network gear
Open All Settings, then choose Connection, Network, Network Status, and IP Settings.
Select DNS Setting, choose Enter Manually, then open DNS Server.
Enter 8.8.8.8, then try connecting again.
Unplug every network-related device, including the router, modem, and TV.
Starting at the wall or internet source, plug in the first device and let it finish booting.
Continue device by device until the router and TV are back on, then reconnect and test the browser.
When pages are only slow, disconnect other Wi-Fi devices and test again; if that helps, use fewer devices, upgrade the router, or contact your ISP about bandwidth.
Update the TV and app services
Update the TV software first, then keep Smart Hub apps current.
- 1.Go to Settings, All Settings, Support, Software Update, and Update Now.
- 2.Let the update install and wait for the TV to restart automatically.
- 3.Turn on Auto Update from Settings, All Settings, Support, and Software Update.
- 4.For app services, press Home, open Apps, choose App Settings, and set Auto Update to ON.
- 5.If online updating fails, download the newest firmware for your exact TV model from Samsung's Download Center, unzip it, copy the extracted files to the root of an empty FAT32 USB drive, insert it into the TV, then use Update Now.
Reset Smart Hub when the browser still misbehaves
The most common Smart Hub-level cause is damaged app or service state, especially when other apps also fail, disappear, or refuse to load.
Run the Smart Hub check first. Go to Settings, Support, Device Care, Self Diagnosis, and Start Smart Hub Connection Test, then choose Close.
On some models, the path is Settings, Support, Self Diagnosis, and Start Smart Hub Connection Test.
If the test does not clear the problem, reset Smart Hub. Open Settings, Support, Device Care, Self Diagnosis, and Reset Smart Hub, then enter your PIN.
On some models, use Settings, Support, Self Diagnosis, and Reset Smart Hub.
After the reset completes, select OK and set up Smart Hub and your apps again. This signs you out of your Samsung account and apps, and it deletes Smart Hub settings, linked accounts, service agreements, and Smart Hub apps.
Use a phone, computer, or HDMI when the site will not work
Some website problems are not a broken TV. The built-in browser is the wrong tool for some sites and video formats, so use an external device's browser on the TV screen.
From a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC on the same Wi-Fi network as a compatible Samsung TV, first press Windows + P and check that Connect to a wireless display is listed; if it is not, the PC does not support wireless display and you should use HDMI. Then open Start, type Bluetooth and other device settings, open it, choose Add device or Add Bluetooth or other device, then select Wireless display or dock. Choose the TV, then select Allow on the TV when prompted.
From a compatible Galaxy phone or tablet on the same Wi-Fi network as the TV, swipe down from the top right to open the Quick settings panel, select Smart View, choose your TV, then select ALLOW on the TV when prompted. Smart View is not available on every device, so other Android phones may not show this control; use HDMI instead when it is missing.
From a MacBook, use an AirPlay-compatible Samsung TV — Samsung lists AirPlay 2 support on select 2018 through 2025 models — with the Mac and TV on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Control Centre, select the Screen Mirroring icon, choose your TV, enter the AirPlay passcode if prompted, then use Screen Mirroring and Mirror Built-in Display when needed. If your TV does not support AirPlay, use HDMI instead.
For a wired fallback, connect a laptop or computer to the TV with HDMI and any required adapter, switch the TV to the correct HDMI source, and use the computer's browser.
If external browsing works but the built-in browser does not, keep using mirroring or HDMI for that site, then update the TV and reset Smart Hub before contacting Samsung.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install Chrome or Firefox on a Samsung TV?
Samsung points users to the built-in Internet or Web Browser app and external-device options such as screen mirroring or HDMI. There is no current official Samsung method for installing desktop-style Chrome or Firefox directly from the TV app store.
Should I clear the Samsung TV browser history or cache?
Some older Samsung browser menus include Internet browser > Settings icon > Web Browser Settings > General > Delete History > Yes. Use that only when your TV shows those exact labels; it is not a universal current path for every Samsung TV.
What should I do if the browser is locked?
Press Home, open Apps, go to App Settings, select the browser or web-content app, choose Unlock, and enter the PIN if prompted. The default PIN is 0000 unless it has been changed.
When should I contact Samsung Support?
Contact Samsung after network status checks, software updates, Smart Hub reset, and factory reset fail to restore browser access. Find the model code and software version under Settings or All Settings > Support > About This TV or Contact Samsung.