How to Connect Broadband to TV: Two Methods You Can Try!

Do you want to enjoy a laidback weekend on your couch, streaming movies and shows on your TV? Besides the popcorn and your blanket, you'll need a stable connection to the internet, or in other words, to broadband!

Broadband is a type of data transmission that refers to the passway between your internet service provider and your router. To enjoy high-speed internet on any of your devices, you need a means to connect to it.

But how can you connect broadband to your TV? And which connection method should you go with? You'll get all your answers in this comprehensive guide!

How to Connect Broadband to TV in a Nutshell

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You can connect your TV to broadband through Wi-Fi by navigating through your device's network settings and entering the password of your home network.

If you don't have a stable Wi-Fi connection, you can use an ethernet cable to connect the TV to a router.

How to Connect Broadband to TV: The Wireless Version

The first method we'll discuss is connecting your TV to the internet through Wi-Fi.

Here's how to set up a new wireless connection on your smart device.

1. Open Your TV's Menu

First, grab the remote control and navigate to your TV's menu. Most TVs have it listed on the remote under 'Menu,' 'Settings,' or something similar.

2. Navigate to Network Settings

Once you open your TV's menu, you'll be met with various options, including Picture, Audio, General Settings, About, etc.

Go to General Settings, and choose Network Settings, Wireless Settings, Internet Connection, or whatever your TV calls it. Then, choose the type of connection you want, whether wireless or wired.

Wait for the list of nearby networks to pop up on the screen, and choose your home network.

3. Set up the Wireless Network Connection

After you choose your house's Wi-Fi network from the list, you'll be asked to enter the password. Type it on the on-screen keyboard using your TV's remote, and the device will connect to the internet successfully.

Pros & Cons of Using Wi-Fi

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Connecting your TV to Wi-Fi comes with a myriad of pros and cons, and we've listed them for you below.

The Pros

Here's a list of all the pros you'll enjoy if you use Wi-Fi on your TV.

No Cable Clutter

If you have kids running around, you'll appreciate the reduced clutter associated with a wireless connection. You won't have as many trailing wires sticking out of your TV, which means fewer tripping accidents. Also, your wireless router doesn't have to be in the same room.

Unlimited Connections

This might sound surprising, but ethernet cables only provide an internet connection to one device at a time. In other words, you can't simultaneously use the ethernet on your laptop and TV.

Luckily, you won't face this issue with Wi-Fi, as you can connect it to unlimited devices at the same time.

Flexibility

Wireless connections give you much more flexibility than using cables.

Suppose your broadband router is away from your Smart TV, and you want to access the internet through it without moving the router. An easy solution you can try is to use your mobile phone as a hotspot and enjoy a strong internet connection.

Related: How to Connect Phone to Broadband

The Cons

Connecting your TV to the internet wirelessly has a few drawbacks that you might experience, and we've listed them for you below.

Decreased Security

Despite all of the pros of Wi-Fi connections, we can't say they're as safe and secure as ethernet connections.

When working with a wireless network, your data travels through the air, not through a physical device, making it much easier for hackers to access it.

Meanwhile, wired connections mean that data is only accessible through a physical connection.

Poor Coverage

If your router is more than 150 feet away from your Smart TV, you might experience coverage issues, like unstable connections and slow loading. In this case, you won't have a solution other than to move the router or TV, which isn't always practical.

Meanwhile, with a wired connection, you won't face any coverage or loading issues because your device will be directly connected to the internet.

How to Connect Broadband to TV: The Wired Version

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Now that you have a complete idea about connecting your TV to the internet wirelessly, we can move on to wired connections.

Here are the steps you should follow to gain a wired internet connection on your TV.

1. Locate the Ethernet Port on Your TV

First of all, you should locate the ethernet port on your TV. You might find it on the side or the back, depending on your model and brand. Once you find it, connect the ethernet cable to it and your internet source.

2. Go to Your TV's Network Settings

Using your TV remote, navigate to the network settings through the main menu. You might find it under General Settings or a similar name.

3. Connect to the Internet

Now, the TV will ask whether you want a wired or wireless connection. Choose the wired connection option, and type your Wi-Fi password.

If the password is correct, the TV will automatically connect to the internet. If it doesn't, you might have a faulty cable that needs replacing or a wrong password.

Pros & Cons of Using an Ethernet Cable

Ethernet cables provide a more secure and reliable connection than Wi-Fi, but it doesn't stop at that. There are a lot of pros and cons you should expect if you go with ethernet, and we've listed them below for you.

The Pros

Here's a list of all the pros you can enjoy with an ethernet cable.

Stable and Secure Connection

With a wireless network, you might experience unstable connections, slow loading, poor coverage issues, and more. However, an ethernet cable eliminates all these issues, as it provides a stable connection that doesn't waiver unless the power goes off.

Also, as we've mentioned above, it lowers the risk of hackers and stolen data incidents.

Power Efficiency

Large businesses usually prefer ethernet connections to Wi-Fi, but have you ever thought about why? Well, besides the enhanced security, ethernet makes for more power efficiency and less expensive electricity bills. On a large scale, this saves people a lot of money.

Consistent Speed

One of the largest drawbacks of using Wi-Fi is the unstable speed. If the router is far away or there are interferences from nearby radio frequencies, your internet connection might be too slow. This is a frustrating issue, especially when using streaming services that rely heavily on speed.

However, you'll never face this issue with ethernet, as it provides the same speed each time you connect your device to it.

The Cons

Just like Wi-Fi, ethernet doesn't come without cons. Here's a list of the drawbacks you should expect.

Safety Hazards

It's no secret that ethernet cables pose a safety hazard, especially in houses with kids and pets. For instance, if the cables are long enough, children might trip over them while running. Also, curious pets like cats might chew on the wires.

Limited Flexibility

Ethernet cables give you less flexibility in terms of placing your TV and router. They'll have to be close enough to connect through a wire, so you can't put the router in a different room as some people do with Wi-Fi routers.

Also, you should think about the pathway of the cable. You don't want your router to be across the room from your TV. This way, you'll be stepping over wires all day long.

How to Connect an Old TV to Broadband

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Old TVs don't support Wi-Fi, but there are a few tricks you can try to stream movies and shows on them. You can use a streaming device, a gaming console, or a laptop.

Streaming Devices

A streaming device won't let you connect your TV to the internet in a literal sense. Instead, it'll connect to the internet on its own and enable you to stream movies, shows, etc., on it, like a laptop. Then, to watch these visuals on the big screen, you'll connect the device to the TV through an HDMI cable.

Most streaming devices will give you access to watch movies and shows, play games, and download applications.

Gaming Consoles

Many gaming consoles nowadays allow you to connect them to the internet and download streaming apps like Netflix and Prime Video through their app store. If you own one, you can use it to stream movies and shows on your TV.

The connection method is similar to streaming devices, as you can also use an HDMI cable. That said, gaming consoles are more expensive and less power-efficient than streaming devices, so only use this method if you're an avid gamer.

Laptops

One of the easiest methods of using the internet on your old TV is through a laptop. Laptops give you more options than watching movies, and you're more likely to already own one than a gaming console or streaming device.

Best of all, connecting a laptop to a TV is insanely easy. You only have to locate the HDMI ports on both devices and connect them through a cable. After that, you can view your laptop's screen from the TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ethernet or Wi-Fi Better for 8K Streaming?

Ethernet makes for a faster and more stable connection, making it the best option for 8K streaming because you'll enjoy the premium-quality and crisp images for as long as you're watching the TV. That said, a strong and nearby Wi-Fi router will also suffice.

Can I Connect My TV to Wi-Fi Without Broadband?

If you move a lot and don't have a stable internet service provider, you can connect your TV to Wi-Fi without broadband without an issue. The options you have are using a mobile hotspot, a public Wi-Fi network, or a friend's or neighbour's network.

Why Won't My TV Connect to Wi-Fi?

If you follow all the above steps and your TV doesn't connect to Wi-Fi, you might have a wrong password, an unstable connection, or an internet outage in your area. Try turning your router on and off and connecting again.

If it still doesn't work, you can use an internet outage checker to make sure the internet in your area is up and running, not down.

Do All TVs Have Ethernet Ports?

No, not all TVs have ethernet ports. Nearly all smart TVs come with an ethernet port, but we can't say the same for older models. Since they weren't designed to connect to the internet, most of them will lack one.

To Wrap Up

Thanks to today's advanced technologies, you can connect your TV to broadband easily using two methods: Wi-Fi and ethernet. The former is wireless and makes for less clutter and high flexibility, while the latter is wired and makes for more stable and safe connections and more power efficiency.

Depending on your streaming needs, your TV model, and Wi-Fi availability in your house, you can choose the better method for you. They'll both allow you to use streaming services, download apps, and play games on the big screen!