Have you ever found yourself searching for the TV remote like you were on a Mission Impossible? You re not alone, and the truth is there are several clever ways to turn on your Samsung TV without the remote. If you re the kind of person who experiences this classic geek drama, get ready because we re going to go through all the methods to bring your screen back to life… without losing an ounce of tech style!
The physical button: The classic trick that never fails
It may sound unbelievable, but many of us forget that TVs still have physical buttons hidden in strategic places. On recent Samsung models, the power button is usually on the back (lower-right corner), just below the logo, or on the right side of the lower bezel. You just need to look for it patiently and, once located, you can press and hold it for a few seconds to turn the TV on. On designs with multiple buttons, the power button is usually in the center surrounded by volume and channel controls, evoking the nostalgia of old consoles.
And what if you need to navigate the menu without a remote? If you only have one button, press briefly to move between options and hold to select. Like unlocking a secret achievement in pure gamer style!
SmartThings: Turn your phone into the living room brain
In the 21st century, who hasn t dreamed of controlling all their gadgets from their phone? Samsung makes it possible with its SmartThings app, compatible with a good portion of its connected TVs. To use it, make sure your TV is connected to the internet (you can turn it on first with the physical button), open the app and follow these steps:
- Tap the + symbol to add a device and select 7TV8 from the list of Samsung devices.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and, if prompted, enter the PIN shown on the TV.
- Done! Now you can turn the TV on from your phone by tapping the virtual power button and use other features like changing channels or adjusting the volume from the touch interface.
We can t help but feel like Tony Stark managing his smart home every time we use SmartThings… Do you feel the same?
HDMI-CEC: Your console or media player will do, too
Here s one of those tricks any tech fanatic will love: take advantage of the HDMI-CEC feature (which Samsung calls Anynet+). This standard allows devices connected via HDMI such as PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch or media players like Apple TV not only to control certain TV functions but also to turn it on automatically when they power up.
All you need is a compatible HDMI cable and to make sure both the TV and the device have HDMI-CEC enabled. For example, on PS5 go to Settings > HDMI and enable “HDMI Device Link”; on Switch it s as simple as turning on “Match TV Power State” from System Settings > TV Settings. That way, every time you start your favorite console, your Samsung will power up like magic… perfect for uninterrupted gaming marathons!
Although Xbox One does not support HDMI-CEC, other devices like Roku or Amazon Fire Stick do; you should just verify that features like “One Touch Play” are enabled in their settings. And if you re a purist, you can use a compatible universal remote by registering it from your TV s menu following a few simple steps.
And if everything else fails?
Don t despair if none of these options are possible: there s always the ultimate geek alternative plug a USB keyboard into your TV to navigate basic menus. It may not be as elegant as using a smartphone or a next-gen console, but it demonstrates ingenuity and a passion for making the most of technology even in the most everyday challenges.
As you can see, losing or breaking the remote is no longer an excuse for missing that Twitch livestream or enjoying the latest streaming release. Which of these methods will you try first? Share your experience and show off your geek trick to your friends!
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