A Smart TV is a type of television that offers internet connectivity and supports several apps thanks to its built-in Wi-Fi or ethernet port. Most of the Smart TV models available in the market will have the Google Play Store installed allowing you to download apps such as Netflix or even YouTube and stream its content on the large screen.
In short, it’s essentially an LED TV with the ability to connect to the internet.
Can you use a Smart TV without an internet connection?
Most people wanting to upgrade their regular TV to a smart TV will usually be concerned about one thing. Will a smart TV work without internet connection? Not everyone has an internet connection so this is a common question when you buy a smart TV.
The answer to this question is YES it will work. You will be able to use it like any regular TV such as connecting a cable box, Blu Ray player, DVD players, or even speakers.
You won’t however be able to watch YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix or any other video streaming services as this requires an internet connection.
Why you should get a Smart TV even if you don’t have an internet connection
If you are planning to replace your old dumb TV to a newer one then I highly suggest not choosing any of the newer dumb TVs available in the market.
It’s best to choose any of the available smart TV’s that are being sold today. Smart TVs offer more features when compared to a regular TV and their price difference is almost the same for certain models if not slightly higher.
Smart TVs have better hardware technology
One of the Smart TV features that make it better when compared to your standard TV is that it will often come with better hardware technology.
Screen
The first thing you will probably notice is that the screen of a Smart TV has better video quality.
This is because it will usually have a resolution of 1080p, 4K, or even 8K for some of the high end models. This produces crisp, dynamic images with exceptional depth, even when viewed from an angle.
Audio
When watching a show on your Smart TV you will notice that it has a better audio quality compared to a standard TV even when not using any external speakers.
This is due to the fact that it’s built-in speakers are usually designed to provide an immersive audio experience.
Connectivity options
Even if you don’t have an internet connection you can still enjoy the other connectivity options that your Smart Tv has to offer.
There’s a Bluetooth feature that allows you to connect your favorite wireless speakers.
It’s HDMI ports allows you to connect your gaming console, cable TV box, or even your Apple TV.
Smart TVs are widely available
One of the reasons why you should choose a Smart TV is that they are widely available, offering you many options to choose from.
Manufacturers are making more Smart TV models today compared to a standard TV.
It makes sense to buy a Smart TV even if you are without an internet connection as this TV modal will usually have better after sales support.
Smart TVs are competitively priced
A key factor in choosing a Smart Tv is that it will usually cost just a little bit higher than most dumb TV models.
Although it is usually priced higher than your standard TV it comes with several additional features that you can use even without an internet connection making it a more practical choice.
Concerns when getting a Smart TV when you are without an internet connection
If you are planning to get a Smart TV even if you are without an internet connection subscription then there are a few things that you should be looking out for.
Smart TV firmware updates
Just like your smartphone a Smart TV will also have software updates delivered to it.
These updates are usually pushed by the manufacturer to improve the TV performance, add new features, fix certain bugs, and generally make the TV a much better product.
The firmware updates will usually be delivered to the Smart TV using an internet connection.
Make sure that your TV gets the latest firmware updates before you leave the store. You can have them update your TV as the store will usually have an internet connection.
You can also use the mobile hotspot feature of your mobile device and have your Smart Tv connect to it. Once connected, you can update TV software. Take note that this will use your mobile data plan.
Smart TV account creation
Most Smart TV models require an account to be made before you can use its full set of features.
Unfortunately, you will need an internet connection to create an account.
You can use the wireless connection of your smartphone to connect the TV to the internet and create an account.
There are however some Smart TV models that does not require an account creation so this is one thing you should be looking out for.
Smart TV limited functionality
A Smart TV is designed to work with an internet connection. This will allow you to use any of the countless video streaming apps available.
Take note that without an internet connection you won’t be able to enjoy any of the video streaming services available such as Netflix.
Smart TV features to look out for when you don’t have an internet connection
A Smart TV without an internet connection still works better than a regular TV. Since you won’t be using it’s built-in Wi-Fi ( for wireless internet) or ethernet port ( for wired internet) here are some of the other features you should be looking for.
Bluetooth
You should check if the TV is using Bluetooth 4 or 5 technology. This allows you to connect a soundbar or external speakers to the TV creating an immersive audio experience when watching your favorite shows.
USB port
Check if the TV has a build-in USB port and if it is a capable of reading your video files from a USB stick or portable hard drive. This will allow you to watch movies as a local media content stored in your hard drive.
The newer Smart Tv models will be able to play your local media in various video codecs be it 1080p or 4K resolution.
HDMI port
If you own one of the newer gaming consoles such as the PS5 or Xbox Series X and want to connect this to the TV then make sure that the TV has an HDMI 2.1 port available.
This allows you to enjoy 4K quality gameplay at a much faster frame rate of up to 120 fps.
If you just want to watch 4K videos on your TV then an HDMI 2.0 port is fine.
Frequently asked questions
Will a Smart TV work without internet or WIFI?
The answer to this question is YES it will work.
You won’t be able to enjoy its full set of features such as subscribing to and watching streaming services such as YouTube TV, using any of its smart featured, or downloading apps.
You can however connect a cable TV box to your TV and enjoy watching HD channels that you have subscribed to. You can also play your saved 4K quality movies on your USB stick by pugging it on your TV USB port.
Do you need an internet connection for a smart TV?
To access the full range of features that your Smart Tv has to offer you will need an internet connection. You can still use your Smart TV even without an internet connection however it will work just like an ordinary TV.
Some of the features that you won’t be able to access when you don’t have an internet connection are the various streaming apps, smart home technology features such as voice control or voice recognition, and accessing your social media accounts or surfing the web just to name a few.
You also won’t be able to perform any software update on your TV if you don’t have an internet connection.
Can I watch Netflix on my smart TV without internet?
The answer to this question is no. You won’t be able to enjoy any Netflix shows on your Smart TV. In fact, you won’t be able to watch any other streaming content if your TV does not have an internet connection.
If you want to watch a particular show on Netflix what you can do is have a copy of it stored in a USB flash drive or portable hard drive then connect this to the USB port of your TV.
You will then be able to watch the show which will be played as a local content using the TVs built-in video player app.