How to Fix a Sony TV That Will Not Connect to Wi-Fi

Very few things can be more annoying than a TV that won’t work. Especially if you have a Sony smart TV that won’t connect to Wi-Fi.

In this article, we’ll cover the most common reasons why this happens, and outline appropriate solutions, from systematic troubleshooting to a couple of quick, easy fixes.

How to Connect a Sony TV to Wi-Fi

If you already know how to connect a TV to Wi-Fi and have tried it already, skip this step, and proceed to the next section. If you’re doing this for the first time, here’s what you need to do:

1. Press HOME on your remote control.
2. On the menu, find “Connect a Smart TV to the Internet” (the exact wording may vary based on the model).
3. Under Network Setup, set the connection type to Wi-Fi.
4. Connect to your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.

If this doesn’t work, read on.

Check If There Are Network Issues

Network errors are among the most obvious – and most overlooked –reasons why your Sony TV won’t connect to Wi-Fi. Here’s how to troubleshoot a network issue:

1. Try to access internet content.
2. Note if an error code appears. If it does, find it in the TV manual and skip the rest of this section. If it doesn’t, continue troubleshooting.
3. If your TV isn’t an Android TV, refresh the content. On the remote control, press HOME > Settings > Network or Network Setup > Refresh Internet Content.
4. Update the software (see the steps in the next section).
5. Do a power reset (see the steps in the following section).
6. Reset your modem or router by unplugging it for at least half a minute.
7. Reset the TV to the original factory settings (HOME > Settings > Device Preferences > Reset > Factory Data Reset > Erase Everything).
8. Check if there’s an issue with your service provider.

How to Update Your Sony TV Software

Make sure your TV is connected to the internet through a wired connection or use a USB drive to download and install the updates. If your Sony TV runs the Android OS:

1.  On the remote control, press Home > Apps > Help.
2. Under System software update, click: Checking if updates are available for your TV.
3. Turn the automatic updates on.
4. Download and install any available updates.

Note that for some models it isn’t possible to get updates until you agree to the Sony Privacy Policy. To do so:

1. On the remote control, press HELP, and go to Privacy Setting.
2. Read the Privacy Policy and tick the Agree box.

When the message “Software update available” appears, click UPDATE. Depending on the model, you might be able to continue watching your TV during the update. On some models, however, you shouldn’t be touching any buttons or doing anything at all. Either way, don’t unplug the power cord. The installation can last up to about 30 minutes.

If you can’t connect your Sony TV to the Internet, follow these steps:

1. Prepare a USB flash drive with sufficient storage.
2. Format the drive to FAT32.
3. On your computer, go to Sony Support.
4. Find the model of your TV (see the sticker at your TV’s back panel).
5. Search for update.
6. Download the update to the root directory of your USB flash.
7. Insert the flash in your TV’s USB slot and do the update, as explained above.

Known Issues and Quick Fixes

Sony TV owners around the globe have reported the issues they’ve faced and the solutions they found. Some of them are incredibly simple and easy to fix. Therefore, you might want to go through this list before you perform the factory settings reset:

1. If you use a secured network, make sure you haven’t entered a wrong password.
2. Do you have a problem with all your streaming services or just one? If it’s one, the source of the problem is probably not with your TV.
3. Is your internet too slow or weighed down with multiple devices? Try reducing the use of other devices.
4. Is the router placed too far from your Sony TV? Try placing it nearer.
5. Do other wireless devices interfere with your connection? Eliminate this cause too. Check the network status by pressing HOME > Settings > Network > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > View Network Status.
6. If your TV detects your Wi-Fi network but can’t connect, restore the Wi-Fi settings of your TV to defaults, and try scanning the Wi-Fi signal again. Make sure to enter the correct password.
   1. To reset the network, unplug both the router and the TV. Plug them again after a couple of minutes.
   2. Press HOME on your remote, then select Settings > General.
   3. Under Network, choose Network Status and then Network Reset.
   4. Under IP Settings, find DNS Server and type 8.8.8.8.
7. A firewall can be causing the issue. Try turning them all off.

If you used to be able to connect your TV to Wi-Fi but something happened in the meantime, and you noticed that the date on your screen doesn’t make sense – it’s a known issue. Try this:

1. Press HOME > Settings > System Settings > Date and Time.
2. Uncheck “Automatic Date and Time”.
3. Enter the exact date and time.
4. Restart the TV and reset the network, as explained above.

Keep in mind that devices such as game adapters, wireless hubs, and some routers are simply not compatible with your Sony TV. If you use one of them, the only way to fix the issue is to use a wired connection.

Let’s Get Connected

Now you know how to detect and eliminate the possible causes of why your Sony TV won’t connect to Wi-Fi. Hopefully, you won’t have any problems in the future.

Did the suggestions from this article help you? Do you have any new tips to share? Let us know in the comments section below.