11 Fixes for Your Samsung TV Not Downloading Apps

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In this guide, we’re addressing two common issues you might face with your Samsung TV apps.

Firstly, if the app isn’t appearing in the app store, refer to the first solution.

Secondly, if the app is visible but your Samsung TV won’t download it, explore the other solutions.

This article is designed to provide specific solutions for each of these scenarios.

1. Your Samsung TV Is Not Supporting the App – Get a Streaming Device

There are many apps that are only available on the newer Samsung TVs, for example:

• The YouTube TV app is only available to Samsung smart TVs released in 2017 and later.
• The fuboTV streaming channel is only available to Samsung TV models released in 2015 and later.
• Hulu only works on Samsung TVs that have been released since 2016.

To find out what is your Samsung TV model and in which year it is released, follow the detailed instructions in this article.

If your TV model is within the supported range but the app is still missing, it might be due to geographical restrictions. You’re likely in unsupported countries.

For example, YouTube TV is only available in the US, if you’re outside of the US, you’re unlikely to download the app on your Samsung TV.

But don’t worry, there are up to two solutions for it – either change your Samsung TV’s location settings (we’ve covered this topic in a dedicated article, check it out here for a detailed guide) or plug in a streaming device.

Both require you to have a VPN. I recommend you use ExpressVPN, it currently offers 3 extra free months on its annual plan.

Besides, not only will a VPN allow you to watch geography-limited content but also help you secure your online activity.

Check out how to cover your Wi-Fi network with a VPN here.

To demonstrate how you can access apps that are unsupported in your country or Samsung TV, I’ll share my personal experience with setting up a Roku Express 4K+ to access an app like Max in Vietnam.

Step 1: Plug the Roku player into the Samsung TV, and switch the TV input to the Roku.

Step 2: Since Max is not supported in Vietnam, I set up a VPN on my Wi-Fi network. This step is crucial for bypassing geographical content restrictions.

Then, on the Roku device, simply go to Settings  > Network > Set up connection > Wireless, and choose the VPN Wi-Fi network (if you’re in the app’s supported countries, like the US, there’s no need to do this).

Step 3: Go to the Streaming Store to find and download the app you desire.

Step 4: Now, simply launch the app and enjoy your favorite content.

2. (Highly Effective) Soft Reset or Cold Reboot Your Samsung TV

Many Samsung TV users have discovered that they can successfully download their desired apps immediately after performing a “soft reset.”

This involves unplugging and replugging the TV. Here’s how to do a soft reset for optimal results.

Step 1: Turn off and unplug your Samsung TV from power for at least 30 to 60 seconds.

Step 2: Replug your Samsung TV and try installing the app again.

Alternatively, a “cold reboot” can be done without unplugging your TV.

Step 1: Press and hold the Samsung remote’s Power button until the TV starts rebooting like the image below.

Step 2: Once rebooted, go to the Apps section, search for your desired app, and try installing it again.

3. Update the TV Firmware

After Samsung’s 2020 update, many users have reported app download issues.

Since then, Samsung has released newer firmware versions that may have resolved these issues. Therefore, updating your Samsung TV firmware is a recommended step.

Step 1: Press the Home button on your Samsung TV remote, and navigate to Settings.

Step 2: Go to Support, and select Software Update.

Step 3: Choose Update now.

Step 4: Wait for the update to finish, and then attempt to download the app again.

4. Check Your Internet Connection

Download issues can occur across all devices, not just your Samsung TV when the internet connection is not up to speed or is unstable.

Here are how to check the network connection on your Samsung TV.

Step 1: Press the Home button on your Samsung TV remote, and navigate to Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to General, and select Network.

Step 3: Choose Network Status.

Step 4: Wait for your Samsung TV to complete the network check.

If you suspect your Samsung TV’s internet connection is unstable, try these quick fixes.

• Restart your router to reset its IP address.
• Move your router closer but NOT within 5 to 6 feet from your TV.
• Or follow the two next methods.

5. Forget the Current Wi-Fi Network

This method aims at resetting your Samsung TV’s Internet connection, you can either try switching back and forth between the inputs on your Samsung TV or forgetting and then reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network.

Here is how to do so.

Step 1: Press the Home button on your Samsung remote, and proceed to Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to General, and select Network.

Step 3: Choose Open Network Settings > Wireless, and scroll down to Manage Saved Network.

Step 4: Tick your current Wi-Fi network, and select Delete.

Step 5: Now, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.

6. Reset the Network Settings

At times, the issue may be due to glitches in the network settings.

Resetting these settings to their default can often resolve the problem.

Step 1: In the Settings menu, navigate to General, and select Network.

Step 2: Choose Reset Network, and click Reset to confirm the option.

Step 3: Get back to Open Network Settings in the Network menu.

Step 4: Select the Wireless option, and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.

Step 5: Try downloading the app once again.

7. Run Device Care to Clear Cache & Close Unused Background App

Running Device Care on your Samsung TV can help close any unused background apps, remove glitches, and automatically detect any existing issues.

Here’s how you can run Device Care on your Samsung TV.

Step 1: Press the Home button on your Samsung TV remote, and head to Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to Support, and select Device Care.

Step 3: Click Start Device Care.

Step 4: Wait for the process to complete, and then press Done. This feature may also highlight any existing problems with your Samsung TV like the below image.

Step 5: Now, go to the Apps, and try installing your desired app.

8. Check Your Samsung TV Storage & Clear Unused Apps

If your Samsung TV’s memory is full, it can hinder the installation of new apps.

Here’s how to manage your TV’s storage and clear up space.

Step 1: Navigate to Support in the Settings menu, and select Device Care.

Step 2: Opt for Manage Storage.

Step 3: Tick the unused app you no longer use or need.

(You can see your TV storage at the top right corner)

Step 4: Choose Delete.

Step 5: Press OK to confirm and finish the process.

9. Log Out & Log In to Your Samsung Account on the TV

Resetting your Samsung TV at the account level can be a quick and effective solution. This process does not require you to re-enter your Samsung account password afterward.

Here is how to do so.

Step 1: Press the Home button on the remote, and select your Samsung account.

Step 2: Click on your account, and choose to Sign out.

Step 3: On the Home menu, select Samsung Account.

Step 4: Simply click the account you’ve just signed out of (it won’t disappear) to sign in again.

Step 5: Once logged in, try installing your desired app again from the app store.

10. Factory Reset Your Samsung TV

As a last resort, if all other solutions fail, consider performing a factory reset on your Samsung TV.

This can resolve persistent issues by restoring the TV to its original settings, be aware that any of your account information or installed apps will also be wiped out from your Samsung TV.

Step 1: Press the Home button on your Samsung remote, and navigate to Settings.

Step 2: Head to the General menu, and select Reset.

Step 3: Enter the 4-digit PIN code. The default PIN is 0000 if you haven’t changed it yet.

Step 4: Choose Reset to confirm the process.

Step 5: Go through the on-screen instructions after the reset, and then try installing your desired app again.

11. Contact the Samsung Support Center

If you’ve tried all the above solutions and still face issues with your Samsung TV, reaching out to the Samsung Support Center is a wise next step.

The support center can provide personalized assistance and troubleshooting that may not be covered.

To contact Samsung customer support, open a browser and head to samsung.com/us/support.

Then, choose your product (TVs & Home Audio) or enter your TV’s model number into the search bar.

From here, you can choose your preferred contact method to start talking to one of Samsung’s dedicated customer care agents.

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