How To Fix A Samsung TV That Won’t Turn Off (2026)

A Samsung TV that ignores the power button or the remote can leave you stuck with a screen you cannot shut off.

The cause is usually a dead remote, a connected HDMI device, a mobile power-on signal or a software glitch, and not a failed TV.

This guide works from the quickest checks to a factory reset and service, and most people finish in about 15 minutes.

Quick answer: why a Samsung TV won’t turn off

Fix 1: check the remote first

Many “won’t turn off” cases are really a remote that has stopped sending the power command.

1. Replace or reseat the remote’s batteries.
2. Clear anything blocking the TV’s infrared sensor.
3. Press the power button on the TV itself to see whether the TV responds.

If the TV’s own button works but the remote does not, the problem is the remote and not the TV.

Fix 2: reset and re-pair a Samsung Smart Remote

A Smart Remote can lose its Bluetooth link even when it still has power.

1. Turn the TV off and on again using the power button on the TV.
2. Point the remote at the TV.
3. Hold the Return and Play/Pause buttons together for at least 3 seconds.
4. Wait for the pairing message on the screen.

Samsung’s remote-reset page also describes a basic reset by holding Enter and Return together for 10 seconds, so try that if pairing fails.

Button layouts differ by remote, and the Samsung reset guide behind these steps is written for Smart Remotes sold in Canada.

For more remote fixes, see our guide to a Samsung TV remote that is not working.

Fix 3: unplug the TV to clear a software freeze

A full power cycle restarts the TV’s software when the screen stays on and nothing responds.

1. Unplug the TV from the wall outlet.
2. Wait about 30 seconds.
3. Plug it directly into the wall, bypassing any surge protector.
4. Turn the TV on, then try to turn it off.

Samsung’s own page for TVs that power on or off by themselves recommends this exact sequence and also asks you to look for a damaged power cord.

Fix 4: stop HDMI devices from controlling the TV

Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) lets a soundbar, console or cable box send power commands to the TV, which can switch it back on right after you turn it off.

1. Unplug all HDMI cables from the TV.
2. Turn the TV off, and if it stays off, reconnect the devices one at a time to find the culprit.
3. To turn the feature off, open Settings > All Settings > Connection > External Device Manager and set Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) to Off.

On 2021 and older models, the path is Settings > General > External Device Manager instead.

If an HDMI port is acting up, read our Samsung TV HDMI port guide.

Fix 5: turn off Power On with Mobile

Signals from phones and apps on your network can wake the TV, and Samsung lists this as a cause of unwanted power-on.

1. Open Settings > All Settings > Connection > Network > Expert Settings (on older software this sits under General > Network).
2. Switch Power On with Mobile to Off.

This stops the SmartThings app from powering the TV on, so turn it back on if you rely on that.

Which device is waking my Samsung TV?

On 2019 and newer models, the TV keeps a log that names the reason for each power-on.

Open Menu > Support > About TV > Event logs and read the latest power-on entry.

Samsung also lists Wake-on-LAN, a brightness sensor in Ambient Mode and a Bluetooth device’s wake-up function as possible triggers.

Fix 6: set the timers and Auto Power Off

If the real issue is that the TV never shuts itself down, check the power-saving settings.

Open Settings > All Settings > General & Privacy > Power and Energy Saving to find the controls.

Samsung notes that the Sleep Timer and Auto Power Off are ignored during a recording and that Auto Power Off may not work while Samsung TV Plus runs in some regions.

Menu names vary by model and year, so match them against your TV’s manual.

Fix 7: update the TV’s software

A software update can clear bugs that stop the TV from responding to power commands.

1. Open Settings > All Settings > Support > Software Update.
2. Select Update Now and let the TV install anything it finds.

If Software Update is greyed out, Samsung says a streaming app is running, so switch to the TV source and try again.

You can also turn on Auto Update on the same screen, or install firmware from a FAT32 USB drive downloaded from Samsung’s site.

Fix 8: factory reset the TV

A reset is the last software fix, and it erases your settings and app sign-ins.

1. Open Settings > General & Privacy > Reset.
2. Enter your PIN, which is 0000 by default.
3. Select Reset, then OK, and wait for the TV to restart.

If those labels are missing, Samsung says to look under Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis, where Reset sits on some models.

The Reset option is unavailable while a streaming app such as Netflix, YouTube or Hulu is running, so go back to the TV source first.

Note your app logins beforehand because you will need to sign in again.

What if the TV still won’t turn off?

A TV that ignores every fix above likely has a hardware fault, such as a power board problem.

Samsung’s US page for TVs that power on or off unexpectedly sends you to its Support Center at samsung.com/us/support/service/ when the steps fail.

Samsung’s US limited warranty covers manufacturing defects for the original buyer, with service only through authorized centers, and you may need your dated proof of purchase.

You can reach Samsung at 1-800-SAMSUNG (726-7864), and the warranty length for your model appears when you register it or enter the model number on Samsung’s site.

If your TV has the opposite problem, see our guides for a Samsung TV that won’t turn on and a Samsung TV that keeps power cycling.

Official sources used: Samsung troubleshooting for TVs that power on or off by themselves, Samsung reset guide and Samsung software update guide.