How to Switch Input Sources on Your Samsung TV

The fastest way to change your input

Press the Input button on your Samsung TV remote. A menu will appear on your screen showing all the ports your TV has — HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, HDMI 4, Component, AV, and sometimes others depending on your model. Use the arrow buttons on your remote to highlight the input you want, then press Enter or Select. Your TV will switch to that input immediately.

If you cannot find the Input button on your remote, look for a button labeled Source instead — some Samsung remotes use that word rather than Input. The button is usually near the top or middle of the remote, sometimes grouped with other navigation buttons.

If your remote is lost or not working, you can also change the input using the buttons on the TV itself. Look for a button on the side or bottom edge of your TV frame labeled Input, Source, or Menu. Press it the same way you would press the remote button, and the input menu will appear.

Key Takeaways

The Input or Source button on your remote opens a menu showing every port your TV can receive a signal from.
Use your remote's arrow buttons to select the input you need, then press Enter or Select to switch to it.
If your remote is missing, the TV itself has physical buttons on its frame that do the same thing.
HDMI ports are the most common input for modern devices like streaming boxes, gaming consoles, and cable boxes.

Understanding which input you need

Different devices plug into different ports on your TV. HDMI is the standard connection for most modern equipment — cable boxes, streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV, gaming consoles, and Blu-ray players all use HDMI. Your Samsung TV usually has four HDMI ports, and they are often labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, and HDMI 4.

Older devices may use different connections. A DVD player or older cable box might connect through Component cables, which are the red, green, and blue connectors. Even older equipment uses AV or Composite cables, which are usually yellow, white, and red. Some Samsung TVs also have a USB input for connecting a thumb drive or external hard drive.

If you are not sure which input your device uses, check the back of the device itself. The cable running from your device to your TV will tell you — if it is a single flat cable with a rectangular connector, it is HDMI. If it is three separate cables in different colors, it is Component. If it is a single cable with a round connector, it is AV.

What to do if the input menu does not appear

If you press Input or Source and nothing happens, your remote batteries may be dead. Replace them with fresh batteries and try again. Point the remote directly at the TV — do not aim at an angle — and press the button firmly.

If the menu still does not appear, try using the physical buttons on the TV frame itself. These buttons are usually on the bottom edge or the right side of the TV, depending on your model. You may need to press and hold the button for a moment. Once the menu appears, use the same arrow buttons on the remote to navigate it.

If you have a Samsung Smart Remote (the newer rectangular remote with a touchpad), the Input button may be in a different location. Look for a button that shows a rectangle with lines coming out of it, or swipe down from the top of the remote's touchpad and look for Input in the menu that appears.

Switching between inputs without the menu

Some Samsung remotes have a button labeled Last or Prev that switches back to the input you were watching before. This is useful if you switch between two inputs frequently — for example, between your cable box and a streaming device. Press the Last button to jump back to your previous input without opening the menu.

You can also use the number buttons on your remote to jump directly to an input. On many Samsung models, pressing 1 takes you to HDMI 1, pressing 2 takes you to HDMI 2, and so on. This only works if you have the TV set to a specific mode — it does not work on all models or in all situations, so try it and see if your remote responds.

Renaming inputs to make them easier to find

If you have multiple devices connected to your TV, you can give each input a custom name so you know which one is which. Press the Menu button on your remote, then navigate to System or Settings. Look for an option called Input Label, Input Name, or HDMI Label. Select the input you want to rename, type in a new name using your remote (such as "Cable Box" or "Nintendo Switch"), and press Enter.

Once you have renamed your inputs, the custom names will appear in the input menu instead of just "HDMI 1" or "HDMI 2". This makes it much faster to find the right device when you have several things plugged in. The names stay saved even if you turn the TV off and back on.

Not all Samsung TV models have this feature — older models may not support custom input names. If you cannot find the Input Label option in your settings, your TV does not have this feature, and you will need to remember which device is plugged into which port.

Troubleshooting when a device does not show up

If you plug in a device but it does not appear in the input menu, or the input menu shows the port but the screen stays black, the device may not be turned on. Make sure the device itself is powered on and has a signal to send. For example, if you are trying to watch a cable box, make sure the cable box is on and tuned to a channel.

Check that the cable is plugged in firmly on both ends — at the TV and at the device. A loose connection can prevent the signal from reaching your TV. Unplug the cable, wait a few seconds, and plug it back in firmly. Then switch to that input again.

If the cable is secure and the device is on but you still see a black screen, try a different HDMI port. Sometimes one port stops working while others still function. Unplug the cable from the port that is not working, plug it into a different HDMI port, and then select that new input on your TV.

Using the TV remote app on your phone

If you have lost your physical remote, you can use the SmartThings app on your phone to change inputs. Download the SmartThings app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, open it, and select your TV from the list of devices. The app shows a virtual remote on your screen with all the same buttons as your physical remote, including the Input button. Tap the Input button in the app, select your desired input, and tap it again to switch.

Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for this to work. If your TV is not showing up in the SmartThings app, check that both devices are connected to the same network and that your TV is turned on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my TV show "No Signal" even though I switched to the right input?

The device plugged into that input may not be turned on, or the cable may be loose. Check that the device itself is powered on and that the cable is pushed in firmly at both the TV and the device. If the device is on and the cable is tight, try switching to a different HDMI port — the original port may be damaged.

Can I set a default input so my TV goes there automatically when I turn it on?

Yes. Press Menu, go to System or Settings, and look for an option called "Power On Input" or "Default Input." Select the input you want your TV to show when you first turn it on. Not all Samsung models have this feature, so check your settings menu to see if it is available.

What is the difference between HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, and HDMI 4?

They are all the same type of connection — the numbers just identify which physical port on the back of your TV you are using. It does not matter which HDMI port you use for which device, as long as you remember which device is plugged into which port so you can select the right input.

My remote has an Input button but pressing it does not open the menu. What should I do?

Your remote batteries may be dead. Replace them with fresh batteries and try again. If that does not work, use the physical buttons on the TV frame itself — usually on the bottom or side edge — to open the input menu instead.

Can I change the input using voice commands on my Samsung TV?

Yes, if your TV has a microphone or you have a compatible voice assistant connected. Say "Switch to HDMI 1" or "Change input to HDMI 2" and your TV will switch to that input. The exact wording may vary depending on your TV model and voice assistant, so try different phrasings if the first one does not work.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.