How to Change Input on an LG TV: Every Method Explained

Switching inputs on an LG TV sounds simple — and usually it is — but the exact steps vary depending on your TV model, remote type, and what's connected to it. Whether you're toggling between a gaming console, a streaming stick, or a cable box, knowing your options makes the process much faster.

What "Input" Actually Means on an LG TV

On any modern TV, input (also called source) refers to the signal your TV is actively displaying. Each physical port on the back or side of your TV — HDMI 1, HDMI 2, USB, AV — is a separate input. Changing the input tells your TV which connected device to show on screen.

LG TVs running webOS (most LG Smart TVs from 2014 onward) handle input switching through a visual home screen launcher. Older LG TVs use a simpler menu-based system. The method you use depends heavily on which generation of TV you have.

Method 1: Using the Standard LG Magic Remote or Basic Remote

The most direct approach:

1. Press the Home button on your remote (the icon that looks like a house)
2. The webOS launcher bar appears at the bottom of the screen
3. Scroll left to find the Inputs or Home Dashboard section
4. Select the input or connected device you want

On older LG remotes without a Home button, look for an INPUT or SOURCE button. Pressing it cycles through available inputs or opens a source selection menu directly.

Magic Remote users have an additional shortcut: pointing the remote at the screen and pressing the scroll wheel can surface quick menus depending on your webOS version.

Method 2: The Home Dashboard (webOS 5.0 and Later)

LG redesigned its interface with webOS 5.0, introducing the Home Dashboard as a centralized hub for inputs, smart home devices, and connected accessories.

To access it:

1. Press the Home button
2. Select Home Dashboard from the top of the launcher
3. Under the Inputs section, choose the port you want

This view also shows which inputs have an active signal, making it easier to identify what's actually connected and powered on. Devices recognized via HDMI-CEC (branded as SIMPLINK by LG) may appear with their actual device names rather than just "HDMI 1" or "HDMI 2."

Method 3: Quick Access via Input Button Shortcut

Many LG remotes — including the ThinQ Magic Remote — have a dedicated input shortcut. Depending on your remote model:

• Press and hold the Home button to launch Home Dashboard directly
• Press the INPUT button (if present) to open a source list overlay without going through the full launcher
• Use the number buttons on some older remotes to jump directly to an input number

The available shortcuts vary by remote generation, so your experience here depends on which remote shipped with your TV or which replacement you're using.

Method 4: SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC Auto-Switching) 🔄

LG's SIMPLINK feature uses the HDMI-CEC standard to allow connected devices to trigger automatic input switching. When SIMPLINK is enabled:

• Turning on a connected Blu-ray player, soundbar, or console can automatically switch the TV to that input
• A single remote can control basic functions across SIMPLINK-compatible devices
• The TV may switch inputs without you pressing anything at all

To enable SIMPLINK:

1. Go to Settings → General → SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC)
2. Toggle it on

Important variable: Not all devices implement HDMI-CEC in the same way. Some brands call it Anynet+, Bravia Sync, or EasyLink. Compatibility and behavior — especially auto-switching reliability — differs between device combinations.

Method 5: Changing Input Without a Remote

If your remote is missing or not working, LG TVs have a fallback:

• Joystick button: Most LG TVs have a small joystick or button located on the underside or back panel. Pressing and holding it typically opens a menu where you can navigate to the input settings using directional tilts.
• LG ThinQ App: The official LG ThinQ mobile app (available for Android and iOS) can function as a full remote, including input switching, when your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Universal remotes: Many third-party universal remotes are compatible with LG TVs and can access the input menu using standard IR codes.

How Input Labels and Detection Work

LG TVs can detect active HDMI signals automatically, but how they handle unlabeled or inactive ports matters:

You can rename inputs by going to Settings → General → Devices → TV Input Manager (exact path varies by webOS version), which makes identifying inputs much faster in daily use.

What Affects Your Input-Switching Experience 🎮

Several factors shape how smoothly this works in practice:

• webOS version: LG has updated the Home Dashboard UI multiple times. The steps above are consistent in principle, but menu names and layouts shift between versions (webOS 3, 4, 5, 6, and 22/23).
• Remote model: Standard remotes, Magic Remotes, and the newer point-and-click Magic Remotes each have different button layouts and shortcuts.
• Connected device compatibility: SIMPLINK auto-switching works seamlessly with some devices and inconsistently with others, especially older or non-LG hardware.
• Number of active inputs: TVs with many devices connected benefit more from custom input labels and Home Dashboard organization.

When Input Switching Doesn't Work as Expected

Common issues and their usual causes:

• Input not appearing in the list: The port may not be detecting a signal. Check that the connected device is powered on and the cable is fully seated.
• SIMPLINK keeps switching inputs unexpectedly: Another connected device may be sending CEC commands. Disabling SIMPLINK or adjusting the CEC settings on the offending device usually resolves this.
• TV joystick menu not showing input option: On some models, a short press opens volume/channel controls, while a long press opens the full menu — the behavior depends on the specific hardware revision.

How straightforward input switching feels day-to-day depends largely on how your specific TV, remote, and connected devices interact with each other — and that combination is unique to your setup.