How To Fix Samsung TV Missing Or Unavailable Apps (2026)

If your Samsung TV is missing apps or the app you want will not show up, the Smart Hub is usually not loading its app list.

That is fixable on most TVs, and the cause is often a glitch, a bad connection or a Samsung server problem.

Work through the steps below in order; the first three take about five minutes.

What is the fastest fix for missing apps?

1. Cold boot the TV

A cold boot clears temporary glitches that stop the Smart Hub from loading.

• With the remote: hold the Power button for about 5 seconds until the TV turns off and back on.
• Without it: unplug the TV for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.

Samsung lists this as the first step for missing or crashing apps.

2. Is Samsung down?

If the Smart Hub servers fail, no setting on your TV will help.

On July 31, 2025, a Samsung outage hit apps worldwide, including YouTube, Hulu, Prime Video and Apple TV.

Netflix kept working, which reports attributed to its separate delivery network, and service returned after roughly a day.

• Search for recent Samsung TV outage reports on your phone.
• If the TV browser loads pages but apps fail, wait and restart the TV later.

3. Check the connection

A weak connection makes apps look missing.

1. Open Settings and find Network Status (under General > Network or Connection > Network, depending on the model).
2. Check whether the failure is between the TV and router or router and internet.
3. Restart the router, or switch the TV to an Ethernet cable.

Still failing? See how to fix Samsung TV network connectivity failures.

4. Update the TV software

Old or damaged firmware can break the app list.

1. Go to Settings > Support > Software Update.
2. Select Update Now.
3. Do not unplug the TV while it installs.

If the TV cannot download the update, get the file from Samsung’s Download Center, copy it to a USB drive (not in a subfolder), and run Update Now with the drive inserted.

Video and audio settings may reset after an update.

5. Delete and reinstall the app

This fixes a single missing or broken app.

1. Open Apps and tap the Settings (gear) icon.
2. Choose Delete for the app, or Reinstall if Delete is grayed out.
3. Search for the app and install it again.

Have your login details ready, because reinstalling signs you out.

6. Reset the Smart Hub

This reloads the Smart Hub from scratch.

1. On 2019 and later TVs, go to Settings > Support > Device Care > Self Diagnosis > Reset Smart Hub.
2. On 2018 and earlier, skip Device Care.
3. Enter your PIN (default 0000).
4. Run setup again and reinstall your apps.

This signs you out of your Samsung account and all apps, so note your logins first.

What is the difference between the resets?

On some models the Device Care step is skipped, so open Support directly.

7. Why is one app not in the store?

An app that never appears in search is usually not offered for your TV.

8. Factory reset as a last resort

Try the flash reset first, then a full factory reset if apps are still missing.

1. Open Settings > General & Privacy > Reset.
2. Enter your PIN and select Reset.
3. Select OK and let the TV restart.

If the menu differs, look under Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis.

For problems after a reset, read how to resolve Samsung TV factory reset issues.

Is your TV too old for the apps?

Samsung promises seven years of Tizen OS updates, but only for its 2024 TVs and later.

Older sets may lose apps as developers stop supporting their software, and a reset will not bring those back.

Which streaming device can replace missing apps?

Each plugs into an HDMI port and works regardless of the TV’s age.

Other app problems? Try Samsung TV apps not loading.

When should you contact Samsung?

If every step fails, the TV may have a network module or firmware fault.

• Samsung US support: 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864).
• Samsung’s guides: apps not working and resetting your TV.