In today’s smart home era, controlling your devices with voice commands has become increasingly popular. If you own a Samsung Smart TV and want to integrate it into your voice-controlled ecosystem, you’ll be glad to know that you can connect your Samsung TV to Alexa. With the help of Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa, you can effortlessly control your TV using simple voice commands. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of connecting your Samsung Smart TV to Alexa, whether you have a newer model with Alexa built-in or an older model that requires an external Alexa device.
Newer Samsung Smart TVs with Alexa Built-In
If you have a newer Samsung Smart TV from 2021 or some models from 2020, you may already have Alexa built-in as an app. This integration allows for a seamless connection between your TV and the Alexa voice assistant. Here’s how you can set it up:
Initial Setup
During the initial setup of your Samsung Smart TV, you will be prompted to choose your TV’s voice assistant. Select Alexa as your preferred voice assistant.
Signing into Your Amazon Account
To connect your Samsung TV to Alexa, you’ll need to sign into your Amazon account. You can do this by scanning the QR code displayed on your TV screen or by visiting Amazon’s site and entering the code manually.
Allowing Privacy Permissions
Once you’re logged into your Amazon account, carefully review the privacy permissions and select “Allow” if you agree to connect your Amazon account to your Samsung TV.
Choosing Voice Activation Option
You have the option to choose whether your Samsung TV remote will continuously listen for the wake word (“Alexa,” “Amazon,” “Computer,” “Echo,” or “Ziggy”) or if you prefer to press and hold the microphone button to activate Alexa voice commands.
Older Samsung Smart TVs without Alexa Built-In
If you have an older Samsung Smart TV released in 2018 or 2019, you won’t have Alexa built-in. However, you can still connect your TV to Alexa using an external Alexa device, such as an Amazon Echo smart speaker or the Alexa smartphone app. Here’s how:
Downloading the Required Apps
To get started, download both the Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings smartphone apps if you don’t already have them. Both apps are available for iOS and Android devices.
Connecting to the Same Wi-Fi Network
Ensure that both your Alexa device and Samsung Smart TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is crucial for seamless communication between the two devices.
Enabling the Samsung TV within the SmartThings App
Open the SmartThings app and make sure your Samsung TV is enabled within the app. If it’s not already shown, sign in with your Samsung account on the TV. Go to Settings > General > System Manager > Samsung Account.
Adding the Samsung TV to the SmartThings App
Sign in to the SmartThings app with the same Samsung account used on your TV. Tap Devices, and if your Smart TV isn’t already displayed, tap the plus icon (+) to add it to the app.
Enabling the SmartThings Skill in the Alexa App
In the Alexa app, enable the SmartThings skill and sign in to your Samsung account. This step will automatically connect your Samsung TV to Alexa, allowing you to use voice commands to control your television.
Controlling Your Samsung TV with Alexa
The level of control you have over your Samsung TV with Alexa depends on whether your TV has Alexa built-in or if you’re using an external Alexa device. Let’s explore the available controls for each scenario:
Available Controls for TVs with Built-In Alexa
If your Samsung Smart TV has Alexa built-in, you’ll have a wider range of control options. In addition to basic commands like turning the TV on or off and adjusting the volume, you can also search for apps, search for content by actor, play music from Amazon Music, change channels, and more.
Available Controls for TVs with External Alexa Device
For older Samsung Smart TVs that require an external Alexa device, the control options are more limited. You can still turn the TV on or off, adjust the volume, change channels, switch to a different source, and use basic playback commands like play, pause, and stop.
Basic Alexa Commands for Samsung Smart TVs
Here are some basic Alexa commands you can use with your Samsung Smart TV:
- “Alexa, turn [on/off] the TV.”
- “Alexa, volume [up/down] on the TV.”
- “Alexa, channel [up/down] on the TV.”
- “Alexa, change channel to [number] on the TV.”
- “Alexa, change the input to [input name, like HDMI1] on the TV.”
- “Alexa, [play/pause/stop/resume] on the TV.”
For Samsung Smart TVs with Alexa built-in, you can use additional commands such as:
- “Alexa, open [app name].”
- “Alexa, play [show name] on [app, such as Netflix].”
- “Alexa, search for [actor/genre/show].”
- “Alexa, play the new [artist name] album.”
- “Alexa, switch to [input name].”
Troubleshooting: Common Issues and Solutions
Alexa Not Turning On the Samsung TV
If you’re experiencing issues with Alexa not turning on your Samsung TV, there are a few possible causes. First, check your SmartThings app settings to ensure everything is working correctly. If you’re using an Echo device to control your TV, make sure you’re using a command specific to your TV. You can also try rebooting your Amazon Echo, removing the TV from your app, and then re-adding it. Additionally, ensure that your Samsung TV is connected to your Wi-Fi network.
Connecting a Vizio Smart TV to Alexa
If you own a Vizio SmartCast TV and want to connect it to Alexa, you can pair your TV with Vizio’s Amazon Alexa skill and your myVIZIO account. Press the VIZIO button on your TV remote to access the SmartCast TV Home app on your screen. Navigate to Extras, select OK, choose Amazon Alexa, and follow the prompts to complete the setup.
Connecting Alexa to a Roku TV
To enable the Roku skill for Alexa, you’ll need to link your Roku and Amazon accounts. Open the Alexa mobile app, select Menu (three lines) > Skills & Games, search for Roku, choose the Roku skill, and tap Enable. Sign in to your Roku account when prompted. Select your Roku TV or Roku device and follow the on-screen instructions. Your Roku device should be automatically discovered in the Alexa app. Select your Roku device, choose the Alexa-enabled device(s) you want to use with the Roku, and select Link Devices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, connecting your Samsung Smart TV to Alexa opens up a world of convenience and control. Whether you have a newer model with Alexa built-in or an older model that requires an external Alexa device, the process is relatively straightforward. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide, you’ll be able to seamlessly integrate your Samsung TV into your voice-controlled ecosystem. Enjoy the convenience of controlling your TV with simple voice commands and elevate your smart home experience with the power of Alexa.
Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.
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