How to use a smart TV without the internet or an account

Samsung, LG, Roku TV, Google TV, Vizio and Fire TV: what each brand lets you skip, what stops working, and whether you can change your mind later.

This guide has no paid links.

Usually, yes. On most smart TVs we checked, you can skip the internet and the account and still watch an antenna, cable or anything plugged in by HDMI. Google, Roku, Samsung, LG and Amazon document this in their help pages; Vizio's support FAQ says HDMI and antenna work without signing in, and The Verge reports you can skip Wi-Fi at setup on a 2026 Vizio. Two exceptions: Amazon-made Fire TVs don't offer the Basic experience, so they need an Amazon account, and Roku-branded TVs have to go online to finish setup, though Roku says that afterwards "you can use it without an Internet connection." Without an internet connection, you generally lose the apps, voice search and casting, and on most sets the TV won't get software or security updates over the internet. If you'd rather not deal with any of it, see App Free Home's TV list.

The short answer

Sources checked Oct 25, 2026. Menus vary by model year, so treat the names below as a guide. Roku page numbers in this guide are PDF page numbers; the printed number at the foot of each page is six lower.

What you keep and what you lose without the internet

The pattern is broadly the same across brands: anything that comes in through a cable (antenna, cable box, game console, Blu-ray player, streaming stick) keeps working, and most things that come from the TV maker's servers stop. (Amazon's Basic experience on partner Fire TVs is an exception: it keeps select apps and software updates.)

Google spells it out for basic TV (Google TV Help, checked Oct 25, 2026). You can:

• watch TV through your cable service, satellite, TV tuner or antenna with the TV app
• play media from other inputs plugged into the TV
• use a limited set of apps that come pre-installed

You can't:

• use services and features that need you to sign in to a Google Account
• access your Play Library
• install apps
• use the Assistant to search for content
• cast content from another device

Samsung says that without an account, "only external device connections (e.g., via HDMI) and terrestrial/over-the-air TV (only for TVs with tuners) are available" (Samsung, checked Oct 25, 2026). LG says that without an LG Account, "use of the TV is limited to content from HDMI-connected devices and terrestrial" (LG, checked Oct 25, 2026). Roku's guide says an unconnected Roku TV keeps antenna (Live TV), HDMI inputs and USB media, and loses streaming apps, The Roku Channel, voice, search, the full Live TV guide, Live TV pause, the mobile app, and automatic software updates and security patches (Roku TV User Guide 15.0, PDF pp. 157–158, checked Oct 25, 2026). The full list also includes Backdrops, Guest mode, and control from Google Home, Alexa and HomeKit.

About updates. Google's page says that without an internet connection, the device "won't get important security updates." Roku's guide says an unconnected TV "will not get automatic software updates" or "important bug fixes and security patches" (Roku TV User Guide 15.0, PDF p. 158, checked Oct 25, 2026), but you can update one from a USB stick under Settings > System > Software update > I can't connect (same guide, PDF pp. 159–160). Samsung and LG also document USB updates (below). Amazon lists software updates as included in the Basic experience on partner Fire TVs (Amazon, checked Oct 25, 2026). If you connect the TV later, let it update before you do anything else.

Brand by brand

Google TV (brands such as TCL and Sony)

Basic TV is only available on TVs that come with Google TV built in (Google TV Help, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Steps:

1. Turn the TV on and start the first-time setup.
2. When the setup offers a choice, pick basic TV. TCL calls it Basic TV Mode (TCL, checked Oct 25, 2026). SlashGear reports that Sony Bravia sets offer "Set Up Google TV or Set Up Basic TV" (SlashGear, Jul 23, 2026, checked Oct 25, 2026). Other brands may name it differently.
3. Finish setup. Basic TV doesn't need a Google Account or a network (Google TV Help, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Switching to full Google TV later: from the home screen, scroll to the Google TV banner, select Set up Google TV, and follow the on-screen instructions. No reset is needed for this direction (Google TV Help, checked Oct 25, 2026).

If you already set up full Google TV: you can't switch to basic TV without starting setup again by factory resetting the TV (Google TV Help, checked Oct 25, 2026). The reset is under Settings → System → About → Factory reset, and it "erases all your data from your device" (Google TV Help, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Roku TV (TCL, Hisense, onn. and others)

1. Pick your language and choose Set up for home use.
2. On the Connect to the Internet screen, choose Connect to the Internet later. Roku says this option appears "only on certain models," and that "some models require an Internet connection for setup" (Roku TV User Guide 15.0, PDF pp. 28 and 157, checked Oct 25, 2026). Roku's support page adds: "see packaging for details" (Roku support, updated June 3, 2026, checked Oct 25, 2026).
3. Setup then skips ahead to the devices you've connected. You don't need a Roku account for this.

Roku-branded TVs are different. "All Roku branded TVs require an internet connection to complete set up," but Roku's guide says that once it's fully set up, "you can use it without an Internet connection" (Roku TV User Guide 15.0, PDF p. 157; Roku support, updated Aug 18, 2026, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Connecting later: use Connect Now on the home screen, or Settings > Network > Connect and activate now. You don't need a factory reset. A Roku account is needed only to activate streaming (Roku TV User Guide 15.0, PDF p. 157, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Roku's own pages disagree. Roku's support site says "Your Roku TV must be connected to the internet to complete setup and use Live TV features" (Roku support, checked Oct 25, 2026), while its user guide offers a skip on certain models and says you can still watch live TV channels without connecting (Roku TV User Guide 15.0, PDF p. 28, checked Oct 25, 2026). Check the box or the setup screen for your model. Either way, Roku's extra Live TV features, such as the full channel guide and pausing live TV, need a connection (same guide, PDF p. 158).

Samsung (Tizen)

People often ask "why do I need a Samsung account for my smart TV?" For HDMI and antenna, you don't. At the account step, Samsung says: "If you'd like to skip, press right on the remote to highlight Skip." The same page says you can Skip the Smart Hub terms too, but "you must agree to the terms in order to use Smart Hub" (Samsung, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Skipping the network: Samsung Canada says you can skip the connection at setup and connect later; the button's name may vary (Samsung Canada, updated Aug 29, 2026, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Updating without internet: Samsung documents a USB update: copy the firmware files to the top level of an empty FAT32 USB stick, then go to Settings → All Settings → Support → Software Update → Update Now (Samsung, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Signing out later: sign out under Samsung Account in the TV's settings.

LG (webOS)

LG doesn't ask you to sign in during setup; you sign in later through Home > Login Account, if at all (LG, checked Oct 25, 2026). Without an LG Account, the TV works for HDMI devices and antenna (LG, checked Oct 25, 2026).

User agreements: LG says its Terms of Use and Privacy Policy "are required to use smart services such as Netflix and YouTube. All other agreements are optional," and if you're shown updated agreements you can "select Back or Later. You can continue using regular TV features" (LG, updated Sep 2, 2026, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Skipping the network: LG's 2024 US setup guide doesn't show a skip (LG, checked Oct 25, 2026). If your set doesn't offer one, you can still use HDMI and antenna without an LG account.

Updating an LG TV without internet: LG documents a USB update. Download the firmware for your model from LG's support site on a computer, make a folder called LG_DTV at the top level of a FAT32 or NTFS USB drive, put the extracted .epk file in it, and plug it into the TV (LG, updated Sep 10, 2026, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Vizio

Walmart completed its purchase of Vizio on Dec 3, 2024 (Walmart via Nasdaq, checked Oct 25, 2026), and that's why readers ask whether they have to connect a Vizio TV to a Walmart account.

For HDMI and antenna, no. Vizio says that starting in mid-March 2026, new Vizio and onn TVs ask you to create or sign in to a Walmart account during Smart TV activation, and that "some VIZIO and onn TVs purchased before March 2026" will show the prompt as software updates roll out. Vizio's FAQ answers "Yes, you can skip Walmart sign-in during setup," and says "You can always use HDMI and antenna inputs without signing in, but a Walmart account is required for access to Smart TV features, built-in streaming apps, software updates, and more" (Vizio support FAQ, checked Oct 25, 2026). Vizio's 2026 manual puts it this way: "A Walmart account is required for Smart TV functionality, product updates, and to manage subcriptions and purchases" (Vizio 2026 Quantum 4K manual; Vizio account overview, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Skipping the network: Vizio's 2026 manual shows the Wi-Fi step but no skip button (Vizio 2026 Quantum 4K manual, checked Oct 25, 2026). The Verge's July 2026 review says skipping Wi-Fi at the start of setup switches the TV to HDMI (The Verge, checked Oct 25, 2026); we couldn't confirm that skip in Vizio's own documentation. For a TV that isn't on a network, Vizio's support says: "Press INPUT and select TV. Perform a channel scan via Menu > All Settings > TV Channels > Find Channels" (Vizio support, checked Oct 25, 2026). Newer sets may use Settings > Antenna Settings > Find Channels instead; menus vary by model.

Connecting later: look for Network in Vizio's settings menu.

Fire TV built-in (Fire TV Edition and Fire TV smart TVs)

It depends on who made the TV.

• Fire TVs made by Amazon (the Amazon Fire TV 2-Series, 4-Series and Omni) don't offer the Basic experience, so they need an Amazon account. Amazon's help page says: "Basic experience is not available for Fire TV Smart TV manufactured by Amazon" (Amazon, checked Oct 25, 2026).
• Fire TV sets from other makers (Panasonic, for example) can skip both. On Panasonic's, press Fast Forward on the network list, then choose Skip Wi-Fi Setup; you end up on a basic home screen after an optional channel scan (Panasonic, checked Oct 25, 2026). Amazon's Basic experience means "you don't register the device to your account," and covers live TV and select apps (Amazon, checked Oct 25, 2026). Steps on other partner sets may differ.

Changing your mind: you can add Wi-Fi later in Network settings. Amazon's help pages don't say how to switch between Basic and Full.

Make it feel like a "plain" TV

Once setup is done, a few changes make a smart TV that isn't connected behave more like an old one.

Have it open on your input. Set the TV to turn on to the last input you used (say, HDMI 1 or the antenna), then switch it off on that input.

• Tidy the home screen. Some platforms let you hide or move rows; check your settings.
• Use a simpler remote. Many TVs work with a basic universal remote; check the remote's brand list.

For caregivers: do the setup yourself, set the TV to open on the antenna or cable input, and write the two or three buttons your parent needs on a card by the TV.

If you've already connected it

You have three levels to choose from:

1. Disconnect Wi-Fi only. Apps that need the internet will stop working; the tuner and inputs keep working. Samsung's network status screen has a Disconnect option (Samsung Canada, checked Oct 25, 2026). Other brands have a similar option in network settings.
2. Sign out of the account. Remove the account in the TV's account settings (Samsung's is above).
3. Factory reset. Needed if you want to redo setup from scratch, and the only way to move a Google TV from full to basic TV (sources above). A reset takes you back to first-time setup; Google, for example, says it "erases all your data from your device" (Google TV Help, checked Oct 25, 2026). Note your channel scan and picture settings first.

Would a non-smart TV be simpler?

If you're shopping anyway, App Free Home's TV list includes three Westinghouse sets at 24 and 32 inches and a 55-inch GPX TU5538B, each with what we know and haven't confirmed yet (checked Oct 26, 2026). Westinghouse links a Roku TV guide for its three sets that says you need a Roku account to stream, and that you can still use the TV as a regular TV without connecting it; for two of them, a Westinghouse quick-start guide shows no account step, so we haven't confirmed whether they're Roku TVs. Specs for the GPX come from Walmart's product listing. We couldn't find a spec page for this model on GPX's website (checked Oct 26, 2026). See App Free Home's TV list.

The trade-offs are real. The choice is small, and the 24- and 32-inch Westinghouse sets on that list are 720p HD rather than 4K. For an example, see the 32-inch Westinghouse WD32HX1201.

FAQ

Can you use a smart TV without Wi-Fi? Usually, for antenna, cable and HDMI devices. Google, Roku, Samsung, LG and Amazon document this; Vizio's support FAQ says HDMI and antenna work without signing in, and The Verge reports you can skip Wi-Fi at setup on a 2026 Vizio. Roku-branded TVs need the internet once to finish setup, and Amazon-made Fire TVs don't offer the Basic experience, so they need an Amazon account.

Does Google TV require an account or internet? No, if you choose basic TV during setup. You can use the TV without a Google Account and without an internet connection, but you won't get important security updates (Google TV Help, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Can I set up a Roku TV without an account or internet? On certain models, yes: choose Connect to the Internet later during setup. Roku-branded TVs need the internet to finish setup (Roku support, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Do I need a Samsung account for my TV? Not for HDMI and antenna. You can Skip the account at setup; apps and Smart Hub need it (Samsung, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Do I have to connect my Vizio TV to a Walmart account? Not for HDMI and antenna. Since mid-March 2026, new Vizio and onn TVs ask for a Walmart account during Smart TV activation. Vizio says you can skip the sign-in, and "You can always use HDMI and antenna inputs without signing in," but you need the account for Smart TV features, built-in apps and software updates (Vizio support FAQ, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Can I change my mind and connect later? On the brands where we could confirm it, yes, without a reset: Roku (Connect Now), Google TV (basic to full) and Samsung (network settings, per Samsung Canada). Going the other way, from full Google TV to basic TV, needs a factory reset.

Sources and last checked

All checked Oct 25, 2026, except GPX's website and Westinghouse's two TV guides (checked Oct 26, 2026).

• Google TV Help: basic TV, switch to full Google TV, factory reset
• TCL: basic TV on a TCL Google TV, power-on options. Sony: power on behavior
• Roku: TV User Guide 15.0, US, Oct 2025, unlinked mode (updated Jun 3, 2026), Roku-branded TVs (updated Aug 18, 2026), cable or antenna TV
• Samsung: US setup, US USB update, Canada Wi-Fi (updated Aug 29, 2026), Canada apps without an account (updated Apr 10, 2026), Australia start screen
• LG: webOS, sign in, user agreements, 2024 setup guide, USB update, startup screen
• Vizio / Walmart: Walmart-account FAQ, channel scan without a network, Vizio account overview, 2026 manual, Input at Power On, acquisition release, Dec 3, 2024, The Verge review, Jul 2026
• Amazon / Fire TV: Basic vs Full; Panasonic, no internet
• Westinghouse: Roku TV guide linked as its HX sets' manual, quick-start guide naming WD24HX5201 and WD32HX5201
• App Free Home: TV list, Westinghouse WD32HX1201, how we check each model