7 Easy Ways To Change Input On Samsung TV (2023 How-To)

Changing input on Samsung TV is easy…

And you can do it in several ways!

Whether you have a TV remote or not, I’ve got the right solutions for your problem.

And no, it doesn’t involve any coding or complicated setup.

So, shall we?

Read on to discover:

7 easy ways to change the input on a Samsung TV.
4 digital remote apps you can use to change the TV’s input.
How to use voice commands to control your TV menu settings.
14 steps to change the input source using the physical control button.
And a lot more…

How to change input on Samsung TV?

To change input on Samsung TV, press the “source” button on the remote or the side of the unit. If it doesn’t have one, press “home” to access the home screen and navigate to the source section. Or use SmartThings or any digital remote apps to control your TV. Using voice commands can work as well.

7 ways to change input on Samsung TV

#1: By plugging in a device while both devices are turned ON

Are you connecting a new input device to your Samsung TV?

And you want your TV to output its content automatically?

If so, make sure to turn on both of your devices before connecting a source.

The reason:

When your TV is powered ON, and you plug an active input device into it…

Your TV will automatically switch from its current input to the new one.

Or if not, it’ll at least display the source settings at the top right corner of the screen. And from there, you can select your new input.

“I’ve tried it. But it doesn’t work….”

If that’s the case, check whether you’re connecting to the TV’s “input” ports. Otherwise, your TV won’t be able to detect your device.

Read the label next to the port. And make sure that it says “IN.”

#2: By pressing the source button on the remote

Note: This method works on both Samsung and universal remotes with a “source/input button.

If you’re using a TV remote with a “source” button…

You can quickly change the TV input by pressing the source button.

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Locate the SOURCE or INPUT button on the TV remote.

Usually, it’s located close to the power button.

Step 2: Press it once to access the source settings page.

Step 3: Depending on the orientation of the setting, use the up/down or left/right arrow buttons to highlight your source.

Step 4: Press ENTER on the remote to select it.

After that, your Samsung TV will display the content from your connected input device.

Check out: 5 Ways To Use Your Smart TV Without Remote

#3: By accessing the source setting on the Smart Hub

If your TV remote doesn’t have a dedicated source button,

Or perhaps the source button isn’t working…

You can still access the source settings through the Smart Hub menu page.

Note: It’s Samsung’s menu system. Here, you can find all the TV’s settings, features, channels, and programs.

Follow these steps for instructions:

Step 1: Press the HOME button on the remote. On some remotes, it’s labeled as “Smart Hub.”

Step 2: Use the left navigation button to search for the “source” tab.

Step 3: Once there, tap the up navigation button to enter the source settings page.

Step 4: Use the right navigation button to highlight your input source.

Step 5: Then, click ENTER on the remote to select it.

#4: By clicking the physical control button

Don’t have a TV remote?

Don’t worry! You can still change the input by clicking the physical control button on the unit.

There are 3 different types of it:

D-pad.
Single-button.
Joystick-type button.

And it’s located either:

Under the Samsung logo.
At the left or right backside of the TV.
At the bottom left or right of the screen.

Below are the guides on how to access the source settings using each one of them:

D-pad button

Step 1: Press the power (center) button.

Doing this will make the function menu appear on the TV screen.

Step 2: Tap the volume down (right) button to highlight the “source” on the function menu.

Step 3: Click the power button again to select it.

Doing this will display the source settings page.

Step 4: Use the up/down buttons to select the correct input.

Single-button

Step 1: Press the button once.

Doing this will display the function menu on the TV screen.

Step 2: Press the same button 5 times to highlight the “source.”

Step 3: To select it, press the button again once.

After this, the source settings page will appear.

Step 4: Press the button multiple times until you highlight the correct input.

Step 5: Press the button again for the last time to select the input.

Joystick-type button

Step 1: Press the center of the joystick.

Wait for the function menu to pop up on the TV screen.

Step 2: Move the joystick towards the right of the TV to highlight the “source.”

Step 3: Tap the center again to select the input.

Doing this will display the source list.

Step 4: Move the joystick up and down to highlight the correct input.

Step 5: Press the center again to select it.

Watch this video to see the actual demonstration of this method:

#5: By launching the SmartThings app

Have you connected your Samsung TV to SmartThings?

If so, you can use that to access the source settings of your TV.

But if not, you can install this app to control your TV without a physical remote.

Note: SmartThings is a smart home platform. This allows users to control their devices remotely within one app.

Here’s how to do it:

To connect a Samsung TV to SmartThings

Download the SmartThings app.
Sign in or create an account using your Samsung credentials.
Click Device > Home.
Select your device location.
Tap the add (+) icon at the top right corner.
Click “Add Device.”
Tap By device type > TV > Samsung > TV > Start.
Select your Samsung TV from the list.
If prompted, enter the PIN displayed on your TV.
Then, rename your device.

To use SmartThings to change the TV’s input

Launch the SmartThings app.
Click the TV tab.
Tap the input icon at the top of the page.
Then, select the correct input from the list.

Further reading: Samsung SmartThings: What It Is & How To Use It

#6: By installing a digital remote

Or you can also install a digital remote app to control your Samsung TV.

Note: When installing a remote app, make sure that it has a source button. Otherwise, it’d be useless to use it.

Here are 4 digital remote apps that work great with most Samsung TVs:

SamRemote (iOS only).
Lean Remote (Android only).
Mi Remote App (Android only).
Universal Remote TV App (iOS only).

To use a digital remote app to change TV input:

Download the app of your choice.
Follow the on-screen instructions on how to pair your TV.
Find and click the “Source/Input” button.
Then, select the input you want to output.

#7: By using voice command

Note: This method only works with Samsung TVs that support voice assistants.

Some Samsung TVs have 3 built-in voice assistants, which are:

Bixby is available on select 2018 and later models. And Alexa and Google Assistant work on select 2020 and later models.

By using any of these, you can change your TV input via voice command.

Just say, for example, “Alexa, switch to AV.”

To properly do that:

Click the mic button on the remote.
Then, say your command.

Suppose your remote isn’t working…

You can direct your command on your Echo Dot or Google Nest speaker. Or by using the voice assistant app on your phone.

However, you must have already connected your Samsung TV to any of it for this to work.