Similar to your smartphone or computer, you can download apps on your smart TV. Most of the time, preinstalled apps are not enough for you to make the most out of your Samsung TV.
However, some users have experienced that their Samsung TV is not installing apps. This guide will show you the most common reasons why your Samsung TV won’t download apps and how to fix them. If you cannot download or use apps on your TV, then you can still watch free to air TV. Please read our guide on How to get local channels on your Samsung Smart TV for more details.
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“Why Won’t My Samsung TV Download Apps?” — Most Common Reasons
When your Samsung TV is not downloading apps, it can be due to several factors. But, these can be quickly fixed once you know the reason behind this problem. Here are the most common reasons why your Samsung TV is not downloading an app:
- Network Issues – Downloading apps to your Samsung TV needs a stable internet connection. If you’re experiencing a slow or no internet connection on your Samsung TV and other devices, try checking your ISP’s status webpage and see if their services are temporarily down.
- Incorrect Location Settings – Your location settings can matter when downloading or accessing apps. In some cases, you cannot connect to the internet when your current location is not set on your smart TV.
- App Glitch – Glitches can occur from time to time on your Samsung TV. This can prevent you from downloading apps and accessing installed apps. Power cycling your Samsung TV and your WiFi router can help solve this issue. We have a list of common ways to restart apps in our guide how to fix the CBS All Access App when it is not working.
- Outdated Firmware – Your Samsung TV’s firmware updates contain software updates to most preinstalled apps, including the Samsung App Store. Updating the firmware can provide a new version of your smart TV’s app store and will let you download apps.
How to Fix Samsung TV Won’t Download Apps
The first thing that you can do is relaunch the Samsung App Store. Restarting the app will end bugs that prevent you from downloading an app. Need help? Check out our article on how to restart apps on Samsung TV.
Once you’re still experiencing the same problem, here are some fixes for you to try. Remember to review each one to see which fix works best for your Samsung TV.
Fix #1: Power Cycle your Samsung TV and WiFi Router
Power cycling your Samsung TV will solve most bugs and common issues. It resets your smart TV’s components to their stable state. You can also do the same to your WiFi router, in case it has glitches.
To power cycle your Samsung TV, follow these steps:
- With your Samsung TV turned on, unplug its power cord from the socket.
- Wait for thirty seconds. Then, plug it back in and turn on your Samsung TV.
- Try downloading an app and check if the problem is fixed.
While you’re power cycling your smart TV, you can proceed to power cycle your WiFi router. To do this, follow the steps below:
- Turn off your WiFi router and unplug its power adapter from the socket.
- Wait for one minute to re-initialize its components.
- Plug the power adapter back in and turn on your WiFi router.
- Wait for the smart TV to automatically connect to your wireless network.
- Check if you can now download your desired app.
Fix #2: Log Out of your Samsung App Store Account and Log Back In
Your account can sometimes be unrecognized by the app due to a bug. Logging out of your Samsung App Store account and logging back in can help solve this issue. To do this, proceed to these steps:
- Turn on your Samsung TV and navigate to the Samsung App Store.
- Select Settings on the TV remote and choose Logout on the smart TV screen. You will be logged out shortly.
- Then, reboot your Samsung TV and go to the Samsung App Store to log back into your account.
- Try downloading an app and see if the problem is solved.
Fix #3: Check the Location Settings of your Samsung TV
Another reason why you’re not able to download apps is due to misconfigured location settings. As mentioned earlier, your internet connection can be interrupted once your smart TV is set in a different location from your current location.
To change the location settings on your Samsung TV, follow the steps below:
- Turn on your Samsung TV and go to Network/Location Settings.
- Select Region and change to your current location/country.
- Restart your Samsung TV. Then, open the Samsung App Store and try downloading your desired app.
Fix #4: Update your Samsung TV’s Firmware
Once you have a stable WiFi connection, you can easily download the latest firmware available for your Samsung TV model. Firmware updates can contain fixes to bugs and updates to preinstalled apps such as the Samsung App Store.
To update your Samsung TV’s firmware, do the following:
- Turn on your Samsung TV and go to Settings > System Information.
- Select Software Update. Once updates are already downloaded, choose the latest update to install to your smart TV.
- Once the update process is done, launch the Samsung App Store and download your desired app.
Fix #5: Factory Reset your Samsung TV
Once all fixes above didn’t work, you can proceed to a factory reset. It effectively restores your current settings to their factory default and deletes all user data. Once the reset is done, however, you’ll be able to set your TV up and download apps from the Samsung App Store.
To factory reset your Samsung TV, follow these steps:
- Turn on your Samsung TV and go to Settings > General.
- Select Reset and enter your PIN—the default pin for most Samsung TVs is 0000.
- Wait for the reset to finish. Then, set up your Samsung TV, including the Samsung App Store.
- Connect your smart TV to a wireless network and try downloading an app.
This fix is also recommended if Youtube TV is not working on your Samsung TV.
Final Thoughts
Downloading an app to your Samsung TV is critical for you to watch and stream content. Most online services have their app and preinstalled apps are most likely not enough for you to make the most out of your Samsung TV. Hence, these fixes can hopefully guide you to fix your Samsung TV when it won’t download apps.