A smart TV like Hisense wouldn’t be so smart without the internet.
However, it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it.
For one, you can play all sorts of media via a USB flash drive.
Not sure how to do it?
I’d be happy to assist.
Continue reading to learn:
- 3 easy ways to select USB ports on a Hisense TV.
- The USB format that’s compatible with Hisense TVs.
- 5 effective fixes if your Hisense TV can’t detect your USB.
How to select USB ports on a Hisense TV
Selecting USB ports on a Hisense TV would depend on your OS. If it’s an Android, there are 2 ways. One is to plug the USB. And wait for the TV to display the contents automatically. Another is by using the Multimedia Player app. If it’s a Roku, you’ll need to install the Roku Media Player.
Accessing USB flash drive contents on a Hisense TV’s a bit tricky. You actually can’t select a USB port using the remote’s Input button.
Moreover, the way to play USB contents would depend on your TV’s OS. There are 2 ways to do it if your Hisense has an Android. And only 1 way if it has a Roku.
But don’t worry. I’ll provide a detailed step-by-step guide for all of them.
How to access USB contents via automatic detection on Hisense Android TV
Step #1: Plug your USB flash drive into any USB port on your Hisense TV.
Step #2: Wait for the TV to detect your USB.
Once it detects your flash drive, a message box will appear. It’ll say that a USB media drive was detected.
It’ll also ask if you want to browse the files on the drive.
Step #3: On that same message box, click the Confirm button.
You’ll then see a screen with 4 options:
- All.
- Video.
- Music.
- Photo.
This means your TV has already categorized your USB’s contents by file type. And you may click on any one of those options to access your files.
How to access USB contents via the Multimedia Player app on Hisense Android TV
If your Hisense Android TV couldn’t automatically detect your USB’s contents…
You can still access them through the Multimedia Player app. It comes preinstalled with your TV’s OS.
Step #1: Insert your USB flash drive into your Hisense TV’s USB port.
Step #2: Press the Home button on your remote.
Step #3: Select Apps.
Step #4: Look for the Multimedia Player app. And then click it.
And just like in the previous method. You’ll also see a screen with 4 folders. Photo, Video, Music, and All.
You may select any of those folders to access your USB flash drive’s contents.
How to access USB contents via Roku Media Player on Hisense Roku TV
Now, this is the only way to access USB contents on a Hisense Roku.
And with this method, you’ll need the Roku Media Player app.
It doesn’t come preinstalled with the Roku OS. So you’ll have to download it.
Just ensure that your Hisense Roku TV has a stable WiFi connection. And then, you may proceed with the steps.
Step #1: Click the Home button on your Hisense Roku remote.
Step #2: Press the Right arrow. Followed by the Up arrow and select Add Channels.
Step #3: Click the Search Channels option. Then look for Roku Media Player.
Step #4: Once you find the Roku Media Player app, click it. Then select Add Channel. And click Agree to confirm.
Step #5: Enter your 4-digit Roku PIN.
“What if I can’t remember my PIN?”
If that’s the case, grab your phone or laptop. Open a web browser. And go to Roku’s official website.
Sign in with your account. Then look for PIN preference. You may create a new one from there.
Step #6: Wait for your TV to install the Roku Media Player app.
Step #7: Plug your USB flash drive into your TV’s USB port.
Step #8: Go back to the Home screen. Then go to the Channels section. Look for Roku Media Player and select it.
At this point, you should now be able to view your USB contents.
Now, I know the process is somewhat complicated. So here’s a video to guide you further:
What USB format does Hisense TV support?
Hisense TV supports a FAT32 USB format. It won’t be able to read other formats such as NTFS or HFS+. If your flash drive has a different format, you may change it using a Windows laptop. You can do it through the This PC window.
Warning: Changing a USB flash drive’s format will delete all of its stored files. So ensure that you back up your USB’s contents first.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on formatting a USB to FAT32 through a Windows OS:
- Plug your USB into the laptop.
- Click the search icon and type in This PC.
- On the This PC window, right-click your USB drive.
- Click Format.
- In the pop-up window’s File System, select FAT32.
- Click Start.
- Once the process finishes, click OK to close the window.
Why is my Hisense TV not detecting my USB?
Your Hisense TV isn’t detecting your USB because of a glitch in the TV’s OS. Another possible reason is your USB’s format isn’t supported. In addition, a defective USB port may also prevent your TV from detecting your flash drive. And it’s also likely that your USB got corrupted.
But fret not. Because there are also fixes that you can do. And I’ll discuss them in detail one by one.
Restart your Hisense TV
Your Hisense Android TV should automatically detect your USB.
But it doesn’t always happen. Because the TV’s OS experiences glitches occasionally.
So when that happens, you’ll simply have to restart your TV.
It’s the most effective fix for many of Hisense issues. Including black screens or USB detection errors.
Just ensure that you keep your USB drive plugged into the TV.
Here’s how to restart your Hisense TV:
- While the TV’s still on, unplug it from the outlet.
- Press the TV’s power button for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Wait for about half a minute.
- Reconnect the TV to its power source.
Once it boots back up, it should detect your USB.
Format your USB flash drive
Hisense TV supports the FAT32 format for USB flash drives.
If your drive has a different format, make sure to change it. You may refer to the “What USB format does Hisense TV support?” section on how to do it.
As an alternative, you may simply buy a FAT32-formatted USB instead.
Ensure that your TV has a media player app
Regardless of your Hisense TV’s OS, it’s also important to have a media player app.
For Hisense Android, there’s already a preinstalled one. The Multimedia Player app.
Hisense Roku doesn’t have one. So you’ll need to install one to access your USB drive.
I already mentioned the Roku Media Player as an ideal app for that.
However, it’s not the only app you can use. You actually have plenty of options. Including:
All of these should work just as well as the Roku Media Player.
Check if the USB port is defective
Another thing to check if the TV can’t detect your USB is the port.
It may very well be defective.
Hisense TVs generally have at least 2 USB ports. So if you believe one is faulty, try the other.
Moreover, check for any dirt or debris build-up. Sometimes, it’s what’s keeping the port from working properly.
You may try to clean the USB port by gently blowing into it. Or by using a dry, clean cloth for wiping.
After cleaning it, try plugging the USB flash drive again. And check if your TV can now detect it.
Update your Hisense TV’s OS
An outdated OS can cause all sorts of problems. And that includes the inability to read external devices like a USB.
So you should install updates to your TV’s OS regularly.
How to install updates on Hisense Roku TV
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Navigate to Settings and click it.
- Click System.
- Select System Update.
- Select the Check now option.
How to install updates on Hisense Android TV
- Click your remote’s Home button.
- Click the Settings icon.
- Scroll down and select More Settings.
- Select Device Preferences.
- Click About.
- Select System Update.
- When a message box appears, click Network Update.
How to play USB on Hisense TV without remote
To play USB on Hisense TV without a remote, just plug the USB into the port. And then use the TV’s built-in button to open a media player app. In addition, you may also download apps on your smartphone to control your TV.
Both Roku and Android have remote apps that you can install on your phone. So you can easily control your Hisense even without a physical remote.
Roku’s remote control app is available on both iOS and Android.
Android TV’s remote, on the other hand, is also available on Play Store and App Store.
So just download the app that’s suitable for your Hisense TV. Then, refer to the guides below for pairing.
How to pair the Roku remote app to a Hisense TV
Step #1: Ensure that your phone and your Hisense TV have the same WiFi network.
Step #2: Launch the Roku remote control app on your phone.
Step #3: Wait for the app to discover your Hisense TV.
Step #4: Click your Hisense TV’s name when it appears on the app.
Step #5: The app should now pair with your TV. After pairing, click the Remote icon on the app.
You may now use the app to control your TV.
How to pair the Android TV remote app to Hisense TV
Step #1: Connect your phone to the same WiFi as your TV.
Step #2: Open the Android TV remote app on your phone.
Step #3: Allow the app to discover your TV. Click your TV’s name when the app detects it.
Step #4: A 6-character code should appear on your TV screen. Type it in your phone to pair.
Once you type in the correct code, the pairing should be successful.
You should now be able to use your phone to access the media player app. And play your USB’s contents.