Are you asking how to stop devices connecting to Samsung TV? If the situation is starting to irritate you, we can help you. You’re reading the right blog!
If you leave the connection of your Samsung TV open, you’re going to receive a lot of connection requests.
It can start to get annoying. The good news is that you can finally put a stop to it so only devices that you know and control can connect with your TV.
To stop random devices from connecting to your Samsung TV, you can deny them via the External Device Manager. Doing this will also automatically block them from connecting again. You can also turn off the Nearby Sharing feature of your TV so no one will be able to access it.
Now that you have a good idea of what you’re going to face let’s look at the reasons why this can happen to your TV.
Someone Connected to My Smart TV? What to Do Next
If you have not set up your Samsung Smart TV, it’s likely that the connections are still open.
Anyone can connect to it and start streaming content if this is the case. You want to check particular sharing settings to limit these occurrences.
Let’s look at the steps you can take when you get the notification that a device is trying to connect to your TV:
1. Deny Permission
Of course, you want to deny permission right away. This is doubly true if you don’t know the device trying to connect to your TV.
2. Secure your Network
To connect to your TV, they need to be on the same network. You can secure your network to make sure that no one has access to your WiFi and your TV.
It will also cut access to your other devices as well.
3. Disable Connections
Your TV comes with multiple connection options. You want to disable and close these off right away, so you don’t compromise your device’s security.
4. Block with Router Settings
To stomp hard on those trying to connect to your devices, you can block them permanently with the help of your router configurations.
You’re now ready to move on to the next phase of dealing with this problem. It’s time to stop this once and for all so you can enjoy your TV in peace.
Doing this also ensures your privacy and security, so it’s essential that you take care of this as soon as possible!
How to Stop Devices From Connecting to My Samsung TV
Turning off your TV will surely stop devices from connecting to it. It’s an easy solution. However, it’s not the most effective.
There is no point in blocking access to other devices if you can’t even use them.
Luckily for you, there are several ways to do this effectively so that it’s only your devices that connect to your TV.
Here’s are the steps on how to stop devices connecting to Samsung TV:
Solution #1: Block Bluetooth Pairing Requests on Your TV
The easiest culprit if you’re constantly experiencing this problem is your Bluetooth. It’s recommended that you leave it off on your TV so no one can get unnecessary access to it.
After all, it’s also not the best connection method between your phone and TV since it’s slow and not secure.
Here’s how to turn off Bluetooth on your Samsung TV:
- Go to your TV’s settings.
- Scroll to System, then Wireless Connections.
- Select Bluetooth Devices.
- Choose Turn Off.
Pro Tip: You will also need to delete previously Bluetooth connections, so they don’t continue to bother you if the request comes from one of them.
Solution #2: Turn Off Nearby Sharing on Your Devices
Nearby sharing is not necessarily a Samsung TV configuration. However, it’s a common feature on Android phones that, when turned on, can quickly share content to another device.
That other device will be commonly your TV since it’s nearby with content sharing turned on by default.
Here’s how to disable nearby sharing on your devices:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Tap on Nearby Share to open its settings.
- Set Device visibility to Hidden.
- Click on Save.
Note: Tapping any Share option by mistake on your phone should not be cast directly to your TV.
Solution #3: Disable Screen Mirroring on the SmartThings App
Screen mirroring is one of the simple solutions to cast content on your phone to the TV.
However, it’s not always plain sailing, as it can get confusing and annoying if your phone casts anything straight to your TV. You want to turn off the feature so you can choose what and when to cast content.
Here’s how to disable screen mirroring:
- Open the Samsung SmartThings app.
- Go to the Smart View option.
- Move the slider all the way to the left.
- Screen mirroring is now disabled.
Note: You can also turn off the Allow Sharing feature between your phone and TV.
Solution #4: Setup a Separate Network Exclusive for Your TV
An effective way to isolate your Samsung TV so that only you can connect to it would be to connect it to a separate network.
If you have a dual-band router, this would be the best way to use it.
Here’s how to set up different networks in your home:
- Some routers allow you to set up a guest network.
- Use two separate routers for two networks.
- Take advantage of your router’s dual-band features.
- Use a third-party network management tool.
Note: You will first need to move to the new network before you can connect to your TV. Make sure that it’s more secure than your home network.
Solution #5: Deny Devices using the External Device Manager
Your Samsung TV comes with an External Device Manager feature that will list all its active and previous connections.
It’s a handy tool to know the devices connected to your TV. You can block them right away, so you won’t even have to look for their network information.
Here’s how to use the External Device Manager on your Samsung TV:
- Go to your TV’s settings.
- Select General, then External Device Manager.
- Find Device Connection Manager.
- Go to Device List.
- Deny any requests for devices you don’t recognize.
Pro Tip: It’s also a good habit to periodically remove registered devices from the list.
That’s it. You will not be bothered anymore by random devices connecting to your TV.
These steps should help you block them and make sure that your TV is not controlled by persons other than you.
If you’re still experiencing it after completing these steps, consider contacting Samsung customer support for more assistance.
Bottom Line
Now that you know how to stop devices connecting to Samsung TV, you should be able to get back control of your TV.
You will resolve this issue in no time as long as you follow the steps we described in the guide.
If you’re still experiencing the problem, you can contact the manufacturer to get help for possible equipment repairs or replacement.
Read Next: How to Connect Samsung Smart TV to Denon Receiver?
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.