Connecting your Samsung TV to Alexa lets you control the television with your voice instead of reaching for the remote. You can turn the TV on and off, raise and lower the volume, switch inputs, open streaming apps, and change channels by speaking to any Echo device in your home. The connection happens through Samsung’s SmartThings platform, which acts as the bridge between your TV and Alexa.
The whole process takes about 10 minutes. You need a Samsung Smart TV from 2020 or later, the SmartThings app on your phone, and any Alexa-enabled device. No SmartThings hub is required. The SmartThings app handles everything wirelessly through your home WiFi network.
What Do You Need to Connect Samsung TV to Alexa
Before starting, make sure you have all the pieces in place. Missing any one of these will block the setup.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Samsung Smart TV | 2020 model year or newer, running Tizen OS. Most Samsung 4K, QLED, Neo QLED, The Frame, and Crystal UHD TVs from 2020 onward are supported. |
| SmartThings app | Latest version on iOS or Android. Free download from the App Store or Google Play Store. |
| Samsung account | The same account you used to set up the TV. Create one at account.samsung.com if you haven’t already. |
| Alexa-enabled device | Any Echo speaker, Echo Show, Echo Dot, Echo Pop, or Fire TV device. Third-party speakers with Alexa built in also work. |
| Amazon account | Linked to your Alexa device through the Alexa app. |
| WiFi network | Both the Samsung TV and your Alexa device must be connected to the internet. They do not need to be on the same WiFi network. |
Samsung TVs from 2018 and 2019 have partial SmartThings support, but voice control features are limited. Models from 2017 and earlier are not compatible with the SmartThings-Alexa integration. If your TV is older than 2020, check Samsung’s compatibility list on their support page before proceeding.
How to Add Samsung TV to SmartThings App
The first step is registering your Samsung TV in the SmartThings app. If you already set up your TV through SmartThings during the initial TV setup process, skip ahead to the Alexa linking section. Otherwise, follow these steps.
- Download and install the SmartThings app on your phone from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Open the app and sign in with your Samsung account. Use the same Samsung account that is signed in on your TV.
- Tap the “+” icon in the top-right corner of the SmartThings home screen, then tap “Add Device.” Select “Samsung” from the brand list, then choose “TV” as the device type.
- The app searches for Samsung TVs on your local network. Make sure your phone is connected to the same WiFi network as the TV. Your TV should appear in the scan results within 30 seconds. Tap on your TV model to begin pairing.
- A PIN code appears on the TV screen. Enter this code in the SmartThings app to confirm the connection. Once verified, the app adds your TV to your SmartThings dashboard. You can rename it to something specific like “Living Room TV” or “Bedroom TV.”
After the TV appears in SmartThings, test the connection by using the app’s remote control feature. Tap on the TV in your SmartThings dashboard and try adjusting the volume or switching inputs. If that works, the TV is ready to link with Alexa.
How to Link Samsung SmartThings to Alexa
This is where the actual Samsung TV to Alexa connection happens. You enable the SmartThings skill in the Alexa app, link your Samsung account, and Alexa discovers your TV automatically.
- Open the Alexa app on your phone. Tap “More” in the bottom-right corner of the screen, then tap “Skills & Games.”
- Search for “SmartThings” in the search bar. The official SmartThings skill from Samsung appears at the top. Tap on it and then tap “Enable to Use.”
- The app redirects you to a Samsung account login page. Sign in with the same Samsung account you used in the SmartThings app. Grant the requested permissions so Alexa can communicate with your SmartThings devices.
- After linking, the Alexa app asks whether you want to discover devices. Tap “Discover Devices.” Alexa scans your SmartThings account and finds every device connected to it, including your Samsung TV. The discovery process usually takes 30 to 45 seconds.
- Once discovery finishes, your Samsung TV appears in the Alexa app under Devices. You can find it by tapping “Devices” at the bottom of the Alexa app and looking under “All Devices” or “TVs.”
If you have multiple Samsung TVs registered in SmartThings, all of them show up in Alexa after discovery. Each one appears with the name you assigned in SmartThings. Giving each TV a distinct, easy-to-say name prevents confusion when using voice commands.
What Voice Commands Work With Samsung TV and Alexa
Once your Samsung TV is linked to Alexa, you can control it using a wide range of voice commands. The TV name in these commands matches whatever you named the device in SmartThings. The examples below assume the TV is named “Living Room TV.”
| Voice Command | What It Does |
|---|---|
| “Alexa, turn on the Living Room TV” | Powers on the TV from standby |
| “Alexa, turn off the Living Room TV” | Puts the TV into standby mode |
| “Alexa, volume up on Living Room TV” | Raises volume by one step |
| “Alexa, set volume to 25 on Living Room TV” | Sets volume to a specific level (0-100) |
| “Alexa, mute the Living Room TV” | Mutes the TV audio |
| “Alexa, unmute the Living Room TV” | Restores audio |
| “Alexa, switch input to HDMI 1 on Living Room TV” | Switches to the specified HDMI input |
| “Alexa, change channel to 5 on Living Room TV” | Tunes to channel 5 (live TV) |
| “Alexa, open Netflix on Living Room TV” | Launches the Netflix app |
| “Alexa, open YouTube on Living Room TV” | Launches the YouTube app |
| “Alexa, pause on Living Room TV” | Pauses playback in supported apps |
| “Alexa, play on Living Room TV” | Resumes playback |
The “turn on” command works even when the TV is in standby, as long as the TV is plugged in and connected to your WiFi network. Samsung TVs stay connected to WiFi in standby mode by default, which is what allows wake-on-voice to function.
App launch commands work with most popular streaming apps installed on the TV, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube, and Apple TV+. If a specific app does not respond to the voice command, check that it is installed and up to date on your Samsung TV.
How to Control Samsung TV Power and Volume With Alexa
Power and volume are the two most-used voice commands for TV control. Here is what to know about each.
For power control, the TV must have a setting called “Instant On” or “Standby Mode” enabled. On most 2020+ Samsung TVs, this is turned on by default. If voice commands are not turning on your TV, go to Settings > General > Power and Energy Saving on the TV. Make sure “Instant On” is toggled on. This keeps the TV’s WiFi radio active during standby so it can receive commands from Alexa.
Volume commands work in two ways. You can say “volume up” or “volume down” for incremental changes. Each command adjusts the volume by a few steps. For precise control, say “set volume to 30” (or any number between 0 and 100). The TV jumps directly to that level. The mute and unmute commands toggle the TV audio on and off without changing the volume setting.
If you have the TV’s audio running through a soundbar or AV receiver connected via HDMI ARC or eARC, the volume commands may or may not control the external audio device. This depends on your HDMI-CEC settings. Go to Settings > General > External Device Manager > Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) on the TV and make sure it is turned on.
How to Switch TV Inputs and Launch Apps With Alexa
Input switching lets you move between connected devices like a game console, Blu-ray player, cable box, or streaming stick. Say “Alexa, switch input to HDMI 2 on Living Room TV” and the TV changes to that port. The input names match what appears in your TV’s source menu. Common options include HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, and HDMI 4.
If you renamed your HDMI inputs on the TV (like labeling HDMI 1 as “PlayStation” or HDMI 2 as “Cable Box”), Alexa may or may not recognize the custom names. For the most reliable results, use the default HDMI numbering in your voice commands.
Launching apps by voice is straightforward. Say “Alexa, open Netflix on Living Room TV” and the TV launches the app directly. This works for most pre-installed Samsung TV apps. Here are the apps that respond consistently to Alexa voice commands on Samsung TVs in 2026.
| App Name | Voice Command | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | “Open Netflix” | Works on all supported Samsung TVs |
| Prime Video | “Open Prime Video” | Also responds to “Open Amazon Prime” |
| YouTube | “Open YouTube” | Launches the standard YouTube app |
| Disney+ | “Open Disney Plus” | Say “Disney Plus” not “Disney+” |
| Hulu | “Open Hulu” | Works on all supported Samsung TVs |
| Apple TV+ | “Open Apple TV” | May also launch Apple TV app for purchases |
| Samsung TV Plus | “Open Samsung TV Plus” | Free streaming service built into Samsung TVs |
Do You Need a SmartThings Hub to Connect Samsung TV to Alexa
No. A SmartThings hub is not required. The Samsung TV connects to your WiFi network directly, and the SmartThings app communicates with the TV over that network. The SmartThings skill in Alexa links to your Samsung cloud account, not to a physical hub. Everything runs through the internet.
The SmartThings hub is a separate hardware device that Samsung sells for connecting Zigbee and Z-Wave smart home accessories like sensors, smart locks, and older smart switches. It has nothing to do with the TV-to-Alexa connection. If you only want to control your Samsung TV with Alexa, the SmartThings app on your phone is all you need.
Samsung TVs from 2020 and later actually have a SmartThings hub built into the television itself. This means your TV can act as a smart home hub for compatible Zigbee and Thread devices. But that is a separate feature from Alexa voice control. For the purpose of connecting your TV to Alexa, just install the SmartThings app, link your Samsung account, enable the SmartThings skill in Alexa, and you are set.
Samsung TV Not Found in Alexa – How to Fix It
If your Samsung TV does not show up in the Alexa app after running device discovery, work through these troubleshooting steps in order.
- Confirm the TV is registered in SmartThings. Open the SmartThings app and check that your TV appears on the dashboard. If it is not listed, add it manually by tapping the “+” button and following the device setup flow. Alexa can only find devices that are already in SmartThings.
- Re-run device discovery. In the Alexa app, go to Devices and tap “+” in the top-right corner, then tap “Add Device.” Scroll down and tap “Other” at the bottom, then tap “Discover Devices.” You can also say “Alexa, discover my devices” to any Echo speaker. Wait at least 45 seconds for the scan to complete.
- Disable and re-enable the SmartThings skill. Open the Alexa app, go to More > Skills & Games, search for SmartThings, and tap “Disable Skill.” Wait 10 seconds, then enable it again and sign back into your Samsung account. Run device discovery after re-linking.
- Check that the TV is connected to WiFi. On the TV, go to Settings > General > Network > Network Status. The screen should show a successful connection. If the TV is offline, reconnect it to your WiFi network and try again.
- Make sure your Samsung account matches. The Samsung account on the TV, in the SmartThings app, and linked through the Alexa SmartThings skill must all be the same account. If any of them use a different email, the devices will not sync.
- Update the TV firmware. Go to Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now on the TV. Outdated firmware can prevent the TV from communicating with SmartThings properly.
Alexa Voice Commands Not Working With Samsung TV
If Alexa recognizes your TV but the voice commands are not doing anything, the issue usually falls into one of these categories.
TV is not responding to power commands: Go to Settings > General > Power and Energy Saving on your TV. Make sure “Instant On” is toggled on. Without this setting, the TV disconnects from WiFi when powered off and cannot receive commands. On some 2020 and 2021 models, this option might be labeled differently. Look for anything related to network standby or quick start.
Volume commands do nothing: If you are using an external soundbar or AV receiver, make sure HDMI-CEC (called Anynet+ on Samsung TVs) is enabled. Go to Settings > General > External Device Manager > Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) and turn it on. Also verify that your soundbar or receiver is connected to the HDMI ARC or eARC port on the TV. Using a regular HDMI port will not pass CEC volume commands.
App launch commands fail: Check that the app is installed on the TV and updated to the latest version. Open the Samsung Smart Hub and verify the app appears in your list. If you recently performed a factory reset on the TV, you may need to reinstall streaming apps before voice commands will launch them.
Alexa says she cannot find the device: The SmartThings skill may have disconnected. Go to Skills & Games in the Alexa app, find SmartThings, and check whether it shows “Linked.” If not, re-enable it and sign in again. Then run device discovery.
Commands are delayed or inconsistent: This usually points to a network problem. Restart your WiFi router and give it two minutes to fully boot up. Then restart the TV by unplugging it from the wall for 30 seconds. Slow or unstable internet can cause delays between the Alexa command and the TV response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect a Samsung TV to Alexa without the SmartThings app?
No. The SmartThings app is required because it registers the TV to your Samsung cloud account, which is how the Alexa SmartThings skill discovers and controls the TV. There is no direct Samsung TV skill for Alexa. The path is always Samsung TV > SmartThings app > SmartThings Alexa skill > Alexa. Without SmartThings in the middle, Alexa has no way to communicate with the TV.
Does my Samsung TV need to be on the same WiFi network as my Echo?
No. The TV and Echo device do not need to share the same WiFi network. Both devices communicate through the cloud. Your TV talks to Samsung’s SmartThings servers, and your Echo talks to Amazon’s Alexa servers. Those servers exchange commands in the background. As long as both devices have an active internet connection, the integration works regardless of whether they are on different networks or even in different locations.
Which Samsung TV models work with Alexa?
Samsung Smart TVs from 2020 and later are fully supported through the SmartThings integration. This includes the TU, AU, QN, and S series models from 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. Some 2018 and 2019 models have partial support, but they may not respond to all voice commands. Samsung TVs from 2017 and earlier are not compatible with the SmartThings-Alexa connection.
Can Alexa turn on my Samsung TV when it is completely off?
Yes, as long as the TV is in standby mode and not unplugged from the wall. Samsung TVs keep their WiFi connection active during standby (when “Instant On” is enabled), which allows them to receive and act on Alexa commands. If the TV is physically unplugged or the power strip is switched off, Alexa cannot reach it because there is no network connection.
Can I use Alexa Routines with my Samsung TV?
Yes. Once the TV appears in the Alexa app, you can include it in Alexa Routines. For example, you could create a “Movie Night” routine that turns on the TV, sets the volume to 20, and switches to HDMI 1 when you say “Alexa, movie time.” You can also schedule routines to turn the TV off at a specific time each night. Open the Alexa app, go to More > Routines, and add your Samsung TV actions to any new or existing routine.
Why does Alexa say my Samsung TV is not responding?
This usually means the TV has lost its internet connection or the SmartThings link has expired. First, check that the TV is connected to WiFi by going to Settings > General > Network > Network Status on the TV. If the connection is fine, open the Alexa app and check that the SmartThings skill is still linked. Re-enable it if needed. Also try restarting the TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.
Sources
Samsung – Use SmartThings With Your Samsung TV | Amazon – Alexa Smart Home Skills | Samsung – SmartThings App
