You’re all set up to watch the latest Netflix show that you can watch all at once. But wait, did you just lose internet access? Well, I guess it’s time to answer that age-old question: Does a smart TV work without an internet connection?
Will a smart TV work without internet connection? Smart TVs can still work even if they aren’t connected to the internet, but most of their apps won’t work. You can still watch Blu-Rays, TV through cable or satellite, or TV that comes in over the air. Even if you don’t have the internet, you can still cast videos from other devices, like Netflix shows, to your TV.
In this article, I’ll explain what will and won’t work on your smart TV when your internet isn’t working. I’ll also show you how to get around some of these problems. I’ll even show you how to download Netflix shows ahead of time so you can watch them on your smart TV even when you don’t have internet access.
What Does A Smart TV Do That A Regular TV Doesn’t?
Smart TVs are just TVs that can connect to the internet and run apps. In particular, they give you access to all of your favorite streaming services, like Apple TV Plus, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, without the need for an extra streaming device (like Fire TV or Roku).
Smart TVs can do everything they can do because of two main things:
- Internet connection: Smart TVs can connect to your router and the internet through Wi-Fi or ethernet (usually both). Many newer TVs also have Bluetooth and other ways to connect directly to your other electronic devices.
- Operating systems for smart TVs: Just like your computer runs Windows, Linux, or macOS, smart TVs run one of a few different operating systems. Each operating system, like FireOS, Android, tvOS, webOS, etc., has its own apps and features.
Smart TVs can do everything that a normal TV can do. You can hook them up to Blu-Ray players and video game systems as well as cable or satellite TV. A TV that isn’t smart has no benefit, so you don’t see them in stores anymore. Over 70% of TVs in homes now are “smart.”
How To Use Your Smart TV Without Internet?
Most of your TV’s functions will still work even if you don’t have internet. Here are a few things you can do with your smart TV when you don’t have an internet connection:
- Watch cable or satellite TV: Your cable or satellite package doesn’t need an internet connection, so it should work even if your internet is down. But if you get your internet through cable, problems with your cable provider could also affect your cable TV.
- Watch over-the-air TV: If you don’t have cable, you can still use a digital antenna to watch full HD and 4K channels on your smart TV (I suggest this one). The best part is that you can watch these channels for free and without an internet connection.
- Blu-ray movies: With a Blu-Ray player like the Sony BDP-BX370, you can watch movies just like you did before smart TVs, but the picture quality is much better. I keep a few Blu-Rays on hand in case my internet goes out.
- Cast TV from other devices: You can always use your computer or mobile phone to send content to your smart TV by clicking on the little cast icon in the corner of your video window.
- Video games: I have to put this on the list because I like to play video games. Some modern games can’t be played without the internet, but there are a lot that you can play even if you don’t have one. An Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, or PS4 can be hooked up to any smart TV (or PS5 or Xbox Series S if you can find them).
How To Watch Netflix On Smart TV Without Internet?
Outages are bad, but if you plan ahead, you can make them a lot easier to deal with. On some devices, Netflix lets you download movies or TV shows. Most smart TVs and streaming devices don’t have this feature, so you’ll have to use your phone or computer.
I think you should do this with the Netflix app for Android or iOS. For the first download, you’ll probably want to use Wi-Fi because it will use a lot of mobile data.
- Open the app and find the episode or movie you want to download.
- You will see a big button with the word “Download” on it. Click that, and then wait until the download is done.
- Go to the Downloads tab and choose the show you want to send to your TV.
- Click “cast” and choose “TV” from the list of devices.
This feature is also available on other streaming services besides Netflix. There are now download features on HBO Max, Disney Plus, and a number of other services.
Can Android TV Work Without Internet?
Even without the internet, Android TVs can still watch cable, satellite, Blu-rays, or TV that comes in over the air. They can do everything that smart TVs can do because there isn’t a real difference between Android TV and smart TV. Android is just one operating system for smart TVs.
Final Verdict
Smart TVs can do a lot without being connected to the internet, but some other smart home devices can’t do as much. In fact, the smart home troubleshooting guides on this site talk a lot about network and internet problems, so I’ll give you a few examples before I go.
Alexa needs to be connected to Wi-Fi to work. Many ways to use smart plugs don’t need the internet. Hue lights can still do some things, but without the internet, you won’t be able to use some of the more advanced features that set Philips Hue apart from Wiz and other less expensive smart lights.
In general, a good network connection is important for your smart home, which is why every smart home should have a good router like the TP-Link AX6600. If you’re still using the router your internet service provider gave you, you’ll run into a lot of problems as you try to make your home smarter.