How To Control Your TV With Alexa
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If youre the type of person thats always losing the remote, you can just ask Alexa to turn on your TV, find something to watch, turn up the volume, and more. All you need is an Alexa device and a smart TV or streaming device, and you can control your TV without ever touching your remote. Heres how to connect Alexa to your TV and the voice commands you can use to control your TV hands-free.
Note: These steps will only work with select smart TVs, streaming devices, cable subscriptions, and other services.
How To Connect Alexa Speaker To Smart TV
Amazon Alexa is a versatile voice assistant device that you could use in your smart home. Besides using it to issue voice commands to control your smart TV, you can also use this smart speaker to stream sound from your smart TV.
Therefore, you can relieve your TV speaker of its function if you connect an Alexa device with your smart TV.
But you should ensure your smart TV , which could be the amazon device youre planning to use for streaming audio.
Fortunately, most smart TVs are compatible with Alexa devices. As such, getting your TV to work with an Alexa smart speaker is possible, and this will also give you remote control of the TV.
This article will take you through all the steps for connecting your Alexa speaker with your smart tv. Once youve connected the device with your electronic, you can be sure to stream audio and control your TV by voice. So, read on for more information.
Connecting Alexa To A Samsung Smart TV
Step 1: Download the Samsung SmartThings app, and use the Add Device option to find your TV.
Step 2: Open the Alexa app on your iOS or Android device. Open the Settings menu and head to Skills. Search for the SmartThings skill, and make sure its enabled.
Step 3: Go to the Alexa home screen and tap the Devices tab at the bottom.
Step 4: Click the + button in the upper-right corner, then click Add Device.
Step 5: Scroll down and click TV. Scroll until you find the Samsung brand smart TV, and select it.
Step 6: Follow the remaining Alexa instructions to pair your Samsung TV.
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Requirements For Playing TV Audio Through Alexa
Quick Links
Playing TV audio through Alexa is easy if you have all the necessary devices. You will need:
Having a TV that you can connect to other devices via Bluetooth is essential for connecting to Alexa devices such as the Echo.
Amazon Echo is a device that usually has both Alexa support and Bluetooth capabilities. Unfortunately, some earlier versions of the Echo cant pair via Bluetooth.
If you have Amazon Echo Tap, you will not be able to pair with any device. On the other hand, Amazon Echo Dot supports Bluetooth, but the sound quality is not on the required level for enjoying music or TV program. You should look for a second-generation and newer device for better audio quality.
You can easily check if your TV supports Bluetooth by looking at the specs. You can find the specs on the product box, or by doing a web search for information about your TV on the web.
How Do I Connect Alexa To My Lg Smart TV
Depending on the version of webOS your LG smart TV is running, you’ll follow different steps to connect it to Alexa. Generally, however, you’ll need two apps to use Alexa with your LG smart TV: Amazon’s and LG’s. But you’ll need to follow different steps to tie them together.
First, check which version of webOS you’re using go to one of the following :
Your version of webOS determines your next steps.
Download the LG ThinQ app to your phone:
Scroll down and tap TV.
The next screen has instructions for setting up your TV through the LG app, which you’ve already done. Tap Next.
Select Enable to Use to get the Alexa skill for ThinQ.
Sign in to your LG account using whatever method you chose before.
Tap the bubble to accept the terms to link your account, and then choose Agree.
The next screen should have a success message tap Close to continue.
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How To Connect Alexa To Your TV
When we first met Alexa, she pretty much lived exclusively within lineup of devices. Now, the virtual assistant is everywhere, including inside your TV. Amazon Alexa lets you take command of your living room, den, or media center, controlling TVs and more with a simple voice command.
If you want to connect Alexa to your TV, you will need either a smart device, such as an , or a TV that includes Alexa built-in. Well explore the ways to connect Alexa to your TV.
Just getting started with Amazon Alexa? Follow our setup guide to ensure your Echo device is ready to connect to your TV.
Connecting Fire TV To An Echo Speaker
It’s super simple to get started. In fact, if you’ve only got one Fire TV device, simply using a compatible command will automatically pair an Echo device to it.
For example, if you’ve got an Echo Dot in your living room and you say, “Alexa, watch Stranger Things,” then the Dot will instantly pair up with the only Fire TV it can find in your Alexa account.
You can link multiple Alexa devices to the same Fire TV, but only one Alexa device at a time can control a Fire TV handy if you’ve got a pair of Echo speakers either side of your couch, for example.
If you do have more than one Fire TV, you’ll need to jump into the Alexa app to pair your devices, like so.
In October 2020, Amazon also expanded the feature to include more nuanced controls, such as navigating on-screen Fire TV menus and enhanced video playback commands.
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How Do I Connect My Echo Studio To My Samsung TV
You might have just purchased a new Samsung smart television and want to learn how to connect your Amazon Echo Dot to it. The first step is to set up your Samsung TV. Make sure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Next, download the Samsung SmartThings app and sign into your account on the TV. Then, open the SmartThings app and select the Samsung SmartThings device.
Once the device has been set up, you can start using it as a speaker. To turn it off, simply go to the SmartThings app and choose the Settings tab. Here, youll configure your Echo to respond to voice commands from your TV. After that, youll have access to a wide variety of settings, including audio and video. Once youre done, you can enjoy your TV with your Echo Dot.
During the setup process, your TV will be searching for the Bluetooth device to pair with. Set the settings on your TV to point to the device. After pairing, youll be able to test the sound from the TV by playing a video. If everything is working, you can turn on the volume of your TV. You can also check the sound from your Samsung TV using the Echo app. Then, enjoy your new smart device.
What Can Alexas Fios TV Skill Do
Using Skills, Alexa can answer questions and control your Fios set-top box.
Alexa can tune to TV channels: Alexa, tune to channel 899, or Alexa, change to NBC
Alexa can search for Programs, Movies, People: Alexa, search for The Big Bang Theory, Alexa, pause, or Alexa, rewind.
Alexa learns new skills all the time!
If Alexa does not respond as expected, please visit for additional help.
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Setting Up Multiple Speakers
If youre trying to connect Alexa for a home theater experience youll be happy to know that it is possible. Unfortunately, you may have some lagging issues, but if you have multiple Echos why not try it?
Open the Alexa app on your phone and make sure that youre on the same wifi network as your Echo devices. Tap on Devices at the bottom, then tap the + in the upper right-hand corner.
Tap Set Up Audio System from the menu that appears.
Now you can tap on the Stereo Pair option to connect multiple devices. Of course, if youre using a Firestick you can also choose the Home Theater function.
Turn Your Amazon Echo Into A New TV Speaker For Free Here’s How
Want to upgrade your TV sound? Use your Amazon Echo.
Katie Teague
Writer
Katie is a writer covering all things how-to at CNET, with a focus on Social Security and notable events. When she’s not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake.
We’ve all done it — there’s a quiet scene in a movie and you turn your TV volume all the way up just to hear what the hushed actors are saying. Or maybe you crank it up to feel the thrill of a car chase. Those are signs you need a better speaker for your TV. Fortunately, your is likely compatible with your smart TV, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your eardrums when the next loud scene comes on if your TV speakers just aren’t up to snuff.
The best spot to place your Echo is on the side table so you can hear what’s going on without maxing out the volume. Keep in mind that your Echo speaker is only compatible with smart TV’s that have Bluetooth capabilities. However, you can also connect your Echo to a Fire TV if you don’t have a smart TV.
Read more: announced the new Echo Show 15 smart display at its September 2021 fall product launch event, along with several other new Echo and Ring products.
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Common Alexa Commands To Control Your TV
Once you have connected your TV to your Alexa devices, you can use voice commands to turn the TV on and off, change the volume, play or pause a movie, and more. All you have to do is say Alexa, followed by the command, and, finally, say the name of your TV or service provider.
- Alexa, turn on . orAlexa, turn off . These commands either turn on or off your TV.
- Alexa, go home on . This will instantly take you to the home screen on your TV, streraming device, or service.
- Alexa, lower the volume on . This command lowers the volume of your television.
- Alexa, mute/unmute . Mutes/unmutes your television.
- Alexa, play/pause/resume/stop . Control the playback of your device.
- Alexa, open Hulu TV/Netflix/etc. This will open streaming devices that youre subscribed to.
- Alexa, fast forward/rewind . Fast forward or rewind the video that youre watching.
- Alexa, search for comedies/drama/horror movies on . This will allow you to search for movies by genre.
- Alexa, play Tropic Thunder/Man in the High Castle on . This will immediately start playing a movie or TV show. However, you might have to use a remote to sign in to your streaming service before you can start playing certain videos.
- Alexa, change the input to HDMI1/Xbox. Changes the input of your television to either HDMI1 or an Xbox, if you have it connected.
TV Remotes And Infrared Sensors
Modern remotes turn your TV on via an infrared sensor, which is the little red dot at the top of your remote. Why is this important? Because to control your TV with something other than the native remote, you will need a device that has an IR blaster.
However, since most Alexa devices do not have an IR blaster, you need a middleman to enable her to control your TV. An IR blaster will communicate with the sensor on your TV in place of the remote. The one exception is the Fire TV Cube, which comes with an infrared sensor.
Here are the options to turn your TV on and off using Alexa voice commands:
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Connect An Echo Device To Your TV
Amazon Echo Studio
The process for connecting an Echo device with your TV differs based on whether you use a standalone TV or a multi-speaker system with a receiver, such as a surround sound setup with two front speakers, two rear speakers, and a middle speaker. If you use a TV without a receiver, you will create the connection through your TV’s settings. If you use a receiver, you will go through the receivers settings instead.
Go to the Settings screen on your TV or receiver, search for Bluetooth settings, and turn it on. You may also need to direct the sound to your Echo. For my Denon receiver, I had to turn on a switch for Bluetooth Transmitter and then set the sound to pipe through both Bluetooth and the speakers connected to my receiver.
At the same time, say Alexa, connect, and the Echo will start searching for a Bluetooth connection while your TV is looking for a Bluetooth device. If all goes well, both devices should find each other. The Settings screen on the TV or receiver should point to your Echo device, and your Echo should tell you that its connected to a TV or receiver.
Alternatively, you can try to connect your Echo device and TV speakers or receiver using the Alexa app. In the app, tap the Devices icon at the bottom and then select Echo & Alexa. Choose the Echo device you wish to use and then tap Bluetooth Devices. At the Bluetooth settings screen on your TV or receiver, wait for your Echo device to appear and then select it to connect the devices.
Link Amazon Echo Devices To Fire TV
Before you begin, make sure that you connected both the Amazon Echo device and FireTV in the same network. The second important thing, you have to register both the Echo device and FireTV with the same Amazon account. Now, follow the steps
You will get the confirmation of the device linked, on the next screen. You can close the app now and try some of the FireTV commands you can try with Amazon Echo devices.
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How To Connect Your Amazon Echo To TV
William StantonRead moreDecember 6, 2019
Amazon Fire TVs and Fire Sticks are fantastic tools that allow you to access rich content from Amazon. Each of the Fire products comes with a unique remote, used for navigating the platform and playing your favorite TV shows and movies. And has been designed with utmost user comfort in mind.
That being said, many people arent aware that one of Amazons most popular products, Amazon Echo, can actually be used to navigate any Fire TV platform. Yes, you can connect your Echo device to most smart TVs. Heres how to do it.
How To Connect Your Samsung Smart TV To Alexa
Want more voice control? Here’s how to connect your older Samsung smart TV to Alexa.
Knowing how to connect your Samsung smart TV to Alexa means you can use an assistant other than Bixby to carry out verbal commands.
Setting up Alexa on your Samsung smart TV will depend on when your TV was made as to how you make this work. The best Samsung TVs from 2020 and 2021 shipped with the option built-in, for access either via the remote or hands-free, and 2022 TVs will follow suit. However, older Samsung smart TVs will need to pair with an Alexa device first , to send commands.
The functionality on offer will also vary depending on your model. Newer TVs have a wider selection of capabilities, while the 2018 and 2019 models mentioned here are more limited. That means for those older TVs, Samsungs Bixby offers more usability.
If you want to add Alexa capability to your Samsung smart TV, here’s how to make it work. Be sure to check out our guide on how to use your Samsung smart TV for more information on basic setup, settings and features.
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How To Use An Older TV With Amazon Echo And Alexa
While Smart TVs are becoming more and more common, there are many of us who are still using a standard model without any of the features found on newer devices. Among the features missing from most older televisions is the ability to sync with an or similar device.
Luckily, there is a fairly straightforward workaround thatll allow you to use your Echo to change channels, play/pause content, and toggle the TV on and off. The biggest challenge faced when attempting to connect an Amazon Echo to an older piece of technology is the lack of backwards-compatible interfacing methods.
The first step is to connect your TV to a smart hub, most of which are compatible with a variety of other devices such as speakers and subwoofers as well. Logitech makes a great option, the Harmony Hub, which supports Alexa voice integration right out of the box.
After your TV is connected to a smart hub, youll need to connect the hub with your Amazon Echo device and update it with the most recent software so that the two devices know how to communicate with one another. If you decide to go with the Logitech Harmony Hub, they have software available that offers multiple pre-created commands.
Once you have synced your Amazon Echo with the smart hub, you should be just about ready to begin controlling your TV using voice commands. You may need to update the device software on the smart hub or Amazon Echo in order to ensure full compatibility.