Rca Tv Source Select Without Remote? All Answers

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Using a TV without a remote control can be very frustrating as there are several features that you cannot access.

Earlier this month I accidentally broke my LG TV remote and haven’t gotten around to ordering a replacement for it.

My experience of watching TV without a remote control was far from pleasant.

Even the simple task of changing the TV input became tedious and time consuming.

That’s when I decided to search online for possible solutions to solve this problem once and for all.

Of course my first search was how to change LG TV input without remote considering how much trouble it caused me.

It turns out that there are several ways to change the LG TV input without a remote control.

To change the input on your LG TV without a remote control, you can use the ThinQ or LG TV Plus app. You can also connect a wireless mouse to your TV or use your Xbox to navigate the menu.

I have also listed some alternative apps that you can use to control your LG TV.

Can you use LG TV without a remote control?

Although functionality is limited, there are several ways you can use your LG TV without a remote control.

One of the top ways to use your LG TV without a remote control is to install the official LG app from your phone.

These apps work over Wi-Fi. Both the TV and the phone should be connected to the same wifi to ensure the app works properly.

Apps to control LG TV

You can use multiple applications to control your LG TV with your phone. The main apps that you can use are the LG ThinQ and LG TV Plus apps.

However, you can also use some third-party applications. These include:

The Amazon Fire TV app. To do this, you need the Fire TV Box

The Android TV remote control that works with Android devices over Wi-Fu

The universal TV remote control app that only works on phones with IR blasters

Use a mouse to change inputs

As surprising as that sounds, you can actually use a mouse with your LG TV.

The process is very simple and you will be amazed at the functions you can access with a mouse.

You can use a wired or wireless mouse depending on your needs. However, a wireless mouse is more efficient.

Here’s what you need to do to use a mouse to change the input on your LG TV:

Plug the mouse sensor into one of the USB ports on the TV.

Turn on the TV.

To open the input menu, press the power button on the TV.

Start navigating through the menu with the mouse.

Change inputs with the ThinQ app

Using the ThinQ app is one of the most basic and easiest ways to use your LG TV without a remote control.

This is LG’s official application and is available on both Play Store and App Store:

Follow these steps to change the input using LG’s ThinQ app:

Install the application on your phone.

Turn on the TV.

Open the app and add the TV to the app using the “+” icon at the top of the screen.

You need to select the TV model in the Appliances menu and enter the verification code displayed on the TV.

Once the TV is connected to the app, you can easily use the menu in the app to change inputs.

Change inputs with the LG TV Plus app

Another official application that you can use with your LG TV if you have misplaced your TV remote control is the LG TV Plus App.

These are the steps you need to follow:

Install the application.

Turn on the TV.

Connect the phone and TV to the same wifi.

Open the app on your phone.

After the app detects the TV, pair the devices.

Enter the PIN displayed on the TV screen in the app.

Now press the smart home button in the app.

This will bring up the TV menu, go to the input menu and select the input you want.

Go to the input menu with the Xbox One

If you have an Xbox One games console connected to the TV, you can use it to navigate through the settings and change the input.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

Turn on the TV and connect it to the Xbox.

Go to Xbox settings.

Go to TV and select OneGuide menu.

Scroll to Device Control and select LG.

Select Automatic.

From the command prompt, scroll down to Send command.

Select “Xbox One turns my devices on and off”.

Press the power button on the TV and use the controller to navigate through the settings.

Change the input manually

You can also manually change the input settings on your LG TV. This can be done by long pressing the power button.

This opens the input menu. By pressing the power button again, you can now change the selection of the input menu.

Once you’ve landed on the input of your choice, long-press the power button again.

What to do if you can’t change the input

If some of the methods mentioned in the article didn’t work for you, chances are you don’t have an LG Smart TV.

In this case you can either change the input manually or use a mouse.

If you have an LG Smart TV but still cannot change the settings, try the following troubleshooting methods:

Make sure the phone and TV are connected to the same WiFi

Force quit the app

Restart the TV

Turn the TV off and on again

Conclusion

If you have an Amazon Firestick connected to the TV, you can also use its remote control to change the input settings.

All you have to do is press the home button on the remote control. This will turn on the TV.

Then long-press the power button on the TV and use the buttons on the Firestick remote to navigate the menu.

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frequently asked Questions

How do I change the input on my LG TV?

You can change your LG TV input using the power button or the ThinQ app.

How do I switch to HDMI 2 on my LG TV?

You can change the input by going to the input menu and selecting the desired input.

Where is the enter button on an LG TV?

LG TVs do not have an enter button. You can use the power button instead.

What you should know There is no need to purchase a device-specific remote to replace a lost remote.

A universal TV remote control works with any device model from almost any manufacturer and can be compatible with multiple devices.

A remote control app is also a good option as it is available from most manufacturers and can be operated using a smartphone or tablet.

If you’ve lost your remote or it stops working, there’s no need to buy a device-specific replacement. There are universal remotes that are compatible with multiple devices, and there are even mobile apps that you can use as a remote until you buy a new one.

Replace a broken or lost remote with a universal remote

Big box stores like Target and Best Buy carry a range of universal remotes. They are not brand specific, allowing you to program universal remote controls and use them with any device model from almost any electronics manufacturer. Most universal remotes work with multiple devices, allowing them to control your TV, cable box, and other peripherals like DVD players and streaming devices. Just read the package to make sure your devices are compatible.

Derek Abella / Lifewire

Depending on how many devices you use with your remote, the initial setup may take a while. Universal remotes sometimes come with a list of code numbers for a huge list of devices. You have to look up each device you want to use and then type the appropriate code on the keyboard. Newer remote controls handle this automatically.

Buy a remote control from the manufacturer

If you don’t want a universal remote, your device manufacturer should sell a replacement model. Visit the manufacturer’s website or call the manufacturer to see how they can help you. If the manufacturer can’t sell to you directly over the phone or the web, they should be able to refer you to the retailer nearest you.

Considerations when buying a new remote control

Remote controls have gotten smaller, but tend to have more buttons. Be sure to buy a remote control that fits comfortably in your hand and has buttons large enough to press without touching other buttons. Backlit buttons are also a nice perk when changing channels at night.

Durability is another issue with remote controls. When you look at different models in a store, it’s difficult to know which remote will meet your needs for performance and durability. This is where a good guarantee pays off. Equally important is the store’s return policy should you decide to return the remote control.

Cable and Satellite Subscribers

If your remote came from your cable or satellite company, you will need to call the company to get a replacement. If it’s broken, the company should provide you with one for free. If it is lost, you may have to pay a replacement cost.

Download a remote control app

Depending on the device you need to use, there may be a mobile app that acts as a remote control. Just open your web browser and search for your device name and remote control app. Some of the apps available for Android and iOS devices include:

The Comcast XFINITY TV Remote App for an Apple or Android mobile device works with Comcast TV boxes.

The Google TV remote control app works with Android TVs.

The Easy Universal TV Remote app works with a range of TVs.

The Apple TV app controls your Apple TV.

Smart TVs from LG, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic Viera and other manufacturers have apps that work with their TVs.

Both volume buttons can be used at the same time. You’ll find the menu button on the TV, Josh Paradise. While holding down the menu button on the right side of the TV, I had to press both volume buttons at the same time.

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The TV’s input source can be changed using either the included TV remote control or physical buttons on the TV itself.

Change the input source with the included TV remote control.

Press the INPUT button on the supplied TV remote control. The input source screen is displayed on the TV screen. Use the arrow buttons to select one of the input sources on the input selection screen. Confirm the selection by pressing the Enter key.

Changing the input source using the physical buttons on the TV.

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Losing your remote control is one of the most painful things you can go through in your TV viewing experience, but what if things could only go wrong from there?

This is exactly what happened last week when I lost my remote control and my TV disconnected from the wifi.

After I lost the internet connection, the TV stopped streaming what I was watching.

I needed to connect my TV to WiFi as soon as possible, and finding the remote control could wait.

So I jumped onto the internet to see if I could reconnect my TV to wifi without a remote and if possible how to get it working.

This guide is the result of that research to help you connect your TV to WiFi without a remote control.

To connect your TV to WiFi without a remote control, connect a USB keyboard and mouse to the TV and use the mouse to go to the TV’s WiFi settings to connect to your WiFi network.

Connect a USB mouse to your TV to control it

Most TVs these days have USB ports, which you can either find on the sides of the TV or on the back.

These are usually included so that you can connect your storage media such as a hard drive or USB flash drive and play the content on that media.

Some smart TVs also support connecting a mouse and keyboard, which you can use to navigate the interface.

To find out if your TV allows this, get a USB keyboard and mouse and connect both to the TV’s USB ports.

Use the mouse and keyboard and see if the TV recognizes it.

If this is the case, navigate to your TV’s WiFi settings and connect it to your WiFi.

Connect your TV to your router with an Ethernet cable

If you don’t have a USB keyboard or mouse lying around, you can try connecting the TV to your network using an Ethernet cable.

First, check if your TV has an Ethernet port. They’re pretty easy to spot, but use the image above as a reference if you’re confused.

If you have one, get an Ethernet cable long enough to reach the TV from your router.

If you don’t have one, I would suggest getting the DbillionDa Cat8 Ethernet Cable.

To be safe, get the longest one and plug one of the ends into the router and the other end into the TV’s Ethernet port.

Check if your TV is connected to the internet again.

Instead, use the companion smartphone app to control the TV

Once you’ve got your TV connected to the internet, you can use your phone as a remote control with most smart TV brands’ companion apps.

LG TV

Go to your phone’s app marketplace, search for the LG TV Plus app and install it.

Open the app and select your TV.

Proceed with the device scan and make sure your TV and phone are on the same WiFi network.

The app will automatically find your Smart TV and follow the steps below to finish pairing the app with your TV.

Samsung TV

You can only control Samsung TVs from your phone if you have a SmartThings hub and the TV has been added to your hub.

To use your phone as a remote control with your Samsung TV:

Open the SmartThings app. Go to Menu > All Devices. Select your TV. The remote control will appear on your phone.

Sony TV

Using your phone to control your Sony TV is also pretty easy. All you have to do is connect the TV and phone to the same WiFi network.

Locate the TV SideView app in your phone’s app marketplace. Download and open the app. Follow the app’s instructions to find and connect to the TV on your network.

Vizio TV

Download the TV remote control app for Vizio TV from your phone’s app marketplace.

Install and launch the app, but make sure both devices are connected to the same network before pairing.

Follow the instructions in the app to pair the device with the TV.

Roku TV

Install the Roku mobile app from the Play Store or the App Store.

After ensuring both devices are connected to the same network, proceed to pair the app with your Roku TV.

Follow the in-app instructions to pair your phone with your TV.

If your Roku won’t connect to the wireless network, you can fix it by restarting your Roku TV.

This should also get your Roku connected to Wi-Fi but still not working.

Connect your TV to a mobile hotspot

It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a normal WiFi connection at home.

Smart TVs can still use the WiFi hotspot your phone can provide to connect to the internet.

Turn on the Wi-Fi hotspot from your phone’s settings screen.

Connect your TV to the hotspot like you would connect the TV to any other WiFi hotspot.

Keep in mind that smart TVs use a lot of data when streaming content, especially at 4K. So make sure your phone plan has enough data or try not to stream in high quality.

Final Thoughts

Smart TVs without internet are about as useful as regular TVs, and that’s why it’s important for them to stay connected to the internet.

But smart TVs aren’t the only ones that can connect to your WiFi.

You can connect your old non-smart TV to WiFi by getting a Fire TV Stick or a Google Chromecast, effectively turning a regular TV into a Smart TV.

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frequently asked Questions

How can I connect my phone to my TV without a remote control?

You can connect your phone to your TV without a remote by installing the companion app for your TV.

First make sure the TV and phone are on the same network, then start pairing the TV with the phone.

How do I pair my phone to my TV?

Install the companion app for your phone and pair the phone with the TV.

However, make sure that both devices are on the same network.

How can I connect my Android phone to my non-smart TV?

To connect your Android phone to your non-smart TV, get a streaming stick like a Chromecast or a Fire TV Stick to make your TV “smarter”.

After that, you can connect your phone to your TV and cast content on it.

How do I make my phone MHL compatible?

Unfortunately there is no way to make your phone MHL compatible as you need a special component in your phone for MHL to work.

How do I connect my phone to my TV via USB without HDMI?

Certain TV models allow you to cast your phone to your TV via USB rather than HDMI.

To make sure your TV can do this, check your TV manual.

Once you determine that this is possible, connect the USB cable to your phone and TV.

Change the USB setting on your phone to file transfers.

Open the media player on the TV and select Media.

Then select Photo, Video or Music.

From the folders that appear, select the content you want to watch.

To do this, you must have what you want to watch on your phone.

The smart TV market is growing rapidly and many brands are now competing to offer affordable smart TVs. Element TV positions itself as a company that manufactures all types of TV models, from the budget basic models to 4K-supported premium Fire TV models that outperform major market competitors.

In this article we will walk you through the process of changing an Element TV’s input, its key features and how to update and customize your TV.

How to change the TV input

If you just bought your new Element TV and want to disconnect from your cable TV and start using one of the streaming services, follow these steps:

Press the “Source” button on the remote control and a menu will open. Use the arrows to cycle through each input source until you find the one you want to use. If you plan to use some of the streaming devices, they’ll likely plug into one of your HDMI ports. So instead of “Cable” use HDMI 1 or HDMI 2. Press “OK” to confirm and start streaming your favorite content.

How to rename an inbound port

Sometimes you might get confused about whether you have connected your computer to HDMI 1 and your TV to HDMI 2 or vice versa. To prevent this, Element TV allows users to rename inputs according to connection in two ways:

Go to the home screen and press “*” to open a list of options and from there select “Rename input”. Open the start screen, open “Settings” and “TV inputs”. When you get to the input screen, select “Rename input” and enter the new name you want.

Element TV Compatible with Amazon Prime and Roku

Assuming you’re looking for a TV that easily connects to your Amazon Fire Stick or Raku, the Element 4K Ultra model is what you’re looking for. It offers a clear, high-resolution image and has a variety of connectivity ports. Each device in this series comes with a Wi-Fi adapter to connect well with services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu.

Customize streaming on Element TV

If you want to select your streaming app from the list or switch to a different one, do the following:

Press Menu, select Streaming and press OK. Use the arrows to find your favorite streaming app and press OK. You can also use hotkeys to go directly to the APP you want.

Because Element TV doesn’t have an app store, it comes with preinstalled apps including Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, and VUDU. Users can only enable and disable these apps, and others cannot be downloaded or installed directly on the TV.

How to install the Element Remote app

Each Element TV can be used with a specially designed app to make it more flexible. When using it on a home WiFi network, you can easily connect your TV to a phone or tablet. All you have to do is download and use the remote app. These are the steps to do this:

Download the app from Google Play or Apple Store. Connect your phone or tablet to WiFi. Press “Menu” on your remote control. Use the arrows to go to “TV settings” and “Network”. If all your devices are on the same network, you can use the remote app.

How to update Element Smart TV

If you want to enjoy your Element Smart TV and all of its features, make sure you update it regularly and pair it with your Wi-Fi network. Here are the steps to do it:

Turn on your TV. Click the menu button on your remote control. Go to the main screen of the TV and click on “Software Update”.

Sometimes this simple update is not enough because the app cannot download all the data and in these cases you have to repeat the process. If you still encounter problems, you can upload the TV manually:

Go to the Element TV website and find the firmware link. Start downloading data and save it on your computer. Use a USB drive to transfer the firmware to it. Connect a USB to an Element Smart TV. Go to the “Settings” tab and select “General Option”. Click “Software Update” but make sure you choose to update via USB. Once your computer has read the file, it will automatically start updating.

Now your TV is updated and ready to support updates to its apps and work more efficiently.

your next TV

Element is a company that makes some of the cheapest TVs on the market today for under $200. They sell TVs ranging from the smallest 19-inch screens up to 40-inch screens that are ideal for students living in dorms or anyone on a limited TV budget.

Now that you know how to change and rename your input, you can find the model that best suits your needs. Which screen size do you prefer? Would you try an Elemental TV? Or do you prefer well-known TV brands?

Let us know in the comments section below.

The TV’s input source can be changed using either the included TV remote control or physical buttons on the TV itself.

Change the input source with the included TV remote control.

Press the INPUT button on the supplied TV remote control. The input source screen is displayed on the TV screen. Use the arrow buttons to select one of the input sources on the input selection screen. Confirm the selection by pressing the Enter key.

Changing the input source using the physical buttons on the TV.

So you’re trying to watch free over-the-air TV but can’t find any channels. This is perfectly normal. All you have to do is do a quick channel scan (or rescan) and you’re good to go.

Why do I have to search for stations?

Digital Television (ATSC 1.0) has served as the standard for free-to-air television since the 1990s. And like any 20-year-old technology, it’s a little quirky. You’d expect a TV to know what local channels are available like a radio, but that’s not the case. Instead, your TV keeps a list of available channels. Strange right?

You know how old TVs (and radios) had to be tuned to channels by hand? Well, if you’re looking for channels on a TV, it basically does the process for you. The TV will slowly cycle through all possible TV frequencies, creating a list of all available channels. Then when you go to watch TV later, just scroll through this list. Of course, this list will need to be updated from time to time, and you will have to start the scanning process over.

When should I search for channels?

You need to scan for channels every time local broadcast frequencies change. That means you have to rescan every time you move house, every time you buy a new TV or antenna, and every time a local TV station switches to a different broadcast frequency.

In the past, this roughly translated to “if the TV isn’t working, look for channels”. But right now, America is going through a transition to television. Due to an FCC mandate, broadcasters are constantly transitioning to 4K-capable, ATSC 3.0-compliant frequencies that do not interfere with cellular frequencies. As a result, all TVs are slowly losing track of local channels. Also, entirely new channels might pop up in your area, and your TV won’t know they’re there.

The solution? Scan for new channels every month or every time you notice a local show is missing. It’s a simple process and worth it for the free OTA TV.

How to scan (or rescan) for channels

Scanning (or rescanning) for channels is mostly an automated process. All you need to do to start this process through a few simple steps. And while these steps are different for every TV, the process is pretty much the same for every TV out there.

Make sure your TV is connected to an antenna. Press the “Menu” button on your remote control. If you don’t have a remote control, your TV should have a built-in “Menu” button. Locate and select the “Channel Search” option in your TV’s menu. This option is sometimes referred to as “Rescan”, “Tune” or “Auto-tune”. If you can’t find the Channel Search option, look through the TV’s Settings, Extras, Channels, or Options menus. Some TVs require you to press the “Input” button and go to “Antenna”. Once your TV scans for channels, you’ll find something to do. The channel search can take up to 10 minutes. When the scan is complete, your TV will either show you how many channels are available or take you back to a programme. Are you still missing some channels? Try running another scan or use Mohu’s website to check what channels are available in your area. You may also need to move your antenna for better reception.

If you’re having trouble finding the Channel Scan option on your TV, then it’s time to consult the manual. You can usually find a manual by searching the internet for the make and model of the TV along with the word “manual”.

Why can’t my TV automatically search for channels?

Granted, this is a cumbersome, somewhat tedious process. If radios don’t have to do tedious rescans, why can’t TVs scan for channels automatically?

Well they do – sort of. Scanning (or rescanning) is an automated process; You’re just forcing your TV to enter this process. The reason your TV doesn’t automatically check for new channels without your permission is that it would be obnoxious and would interfere with your viewing.

Remember, we’re dealing with 20-year-old technology. There’s nothing wrong with that; it just has a few quirks. One of those quirks is that while a TV is scanning, it cannot be used to watch TV. If your TV routinely scans for new channels without your permission, you’ll have to deal with random 10-minute bouts of silence every now and then. It could even happen while you’re watching an important soap opera or football game.

If you’re wondering why your radio doesn’t need to perform automatic scans, that’s because it’s easy to tune a radio on the fly. A good radio signal is filled with a mix of loud and quiet parts (music), while a bad signal is filled with monotonous noise or silence. So most radios have a tuning circuit built in that simply checks the amplitude response of radio frequencies. When you press “next” on your radio, it just runs a few frequencies through the tuning circuit and locks into whatever has a mix of loud and quiet parts.

Do not worry; Channel scanning will be discontinued soon

As already mentioned, the FCC is switching to the ATSC 3.0 transmission standard. It’s an intriguing change that’s worth exploring. Over the next decade, ATSC 3.0 will enable us to watch TV shows in 4K on virtually any device, including phones, tablets, and cars.

Of course, scanning channels on a handheld device or in a car would be a problem. As you move around town (or even your house), frequencies change in quality and availability. Thus, the FCC eliminates the need for channel scanning in ATSC 3.0. Eventually you’ll forget you’ve ever had to sit in front of your TV for 10 minutes while it scans for channels, and this guide will disappear into the ether.

RELATED: ASTC 3.0 Explains: Broadcast TV is Coming to Your Phone