AirPlay Not Working on Samsung TV (PROVEN Fix!)

It’s frustrating when AirPlay isn’t working on your Samsung TV as it should. The good news is, the problem is almost always temporary, and it’s typically network or software-related.

I’ll walk you through several proven fixes that worked for me when I experienced Airplay not working on my Samsung TV. You’ll be back to using AirPlay with your Samsung TV shortly…

AirPlay Not Working on Samsung TV

If AirPlay is not working on your Samsung TV, do the following: restart your Samsung TV, ensure Apple device and Samsung TV are on the same WiFi network, enable AirPlay, disable Firewall, update Samsung TV OS, use Samsung TV remote instead of the app, reboot your router, reset paired devices and finally, perform a factory reset.

It’s also possible that your Samsung TV and/or Apple device simply don’t support AirPlay on Samsung TV. This is usually only a concern with older versions and models. But more on that in a bit.

First, let’s review each fix in detail.

Restart Your Samsung TV

I know it sounds obvious, but unplugging your TV is the quickest way to get AirPlay working again.

The key here is to actually wait a FULL 60 seconds. Have a little bit of patience and make sure it’s been at least a minute before plugging your TV back in.

While the TV is unplugged, find and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Make sure you are holding the power button on your TV, and not your remote!

This will help to drain any residual power left in the TV and allows the TV to soft reset itself. This is different than simply switching the remote on and off!

Once you plug the TV back in after the 60 seconds, power the TV back on and Apple AirPlay should be working again.

Most of the time, restarting your Samsung TV will fix any software bugs that could be preventing AirPlay from not working correctly. 

While you’re at it, I recommend restarting your Apple device too!

Make Sure Devices are on the Same Network

AirPlay only works when all the devices are connected to the same network.

Almost all routers now have what’s called “dual-band” radio signals. This gives you the ability to connect devices in your home to two different networks (either the 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz network).

Having two separate networks allows for faster speeds and flexibility. The dual-bands avoid connection issues and interferences and provides more stability overall.

However, this can cause issues with AirPlay on Samsung TV if your Samsung TV is connected to the 2.4 GHz network and your Apple device is connected to the 5.0 GHz network (for example).

It only takes a few seconds, so just check and confirm that your Samsung TV and your Apple device are on the exact same WiFi network!

To check your Samsung TV WiFi Network simply start by tapping on Source on your remote then go to Settings (gear icon bottom left) > Enter > General > Network > Network Status.

Double-Check that AirPlay is Enabled

In some cases, AirPlay on your Samsung TV may be disabled!

The first step to using Airplay is pressing the HOME button on your Samsung TV remote. This will bring up the Samsung menu along the bottom of your TV.

You’ll then need to toggle all the way left until you land on SETTINGS. The key here is to stay hovering on SETTINGS and don’t press UP. If you press UP, you’ll open the wrong menu. Instead, stop on SETTINGS and then press ENTER.

After you press ENTER, an entirely new menu will open up. Toggle down to GENERAL and then press the RIGHT button to open up the GENERAL menu.

Move down until you land on APPLE AIRPLAY SETTINGS and press ENTER.

From here just make sure that Airplay is turned ON! If it’s not, then you won’t be able to cast. As a side note, you can edit the REQUIRE CODE setting here as well so that you don’t need to enter a PIN every time you want to cast.

If you recently reset your TV to default settings it might have disabled AirPlay.

NOTE: if you don’t see the Apple and AirPlay option, you will likely need to do a software update on your Samsung TV or device…  

Turn off Computer’s Firewall

The firewall of any operating system can cause connectivity problems with other devices.

In the case of Airplay, firewall protection of your MacBook (iOS) might be preventing your hosting device from connecting with your TV. 

In such a scenario, you must adjust firewall settings to allow incoming connection requests from your TV. You can either turn off the firewall entirely, or disable incoming connection blocking. 

To do so, go to System Preferences > Security and Privacy and click on Firewall.

You’ll find the option to turn off the firewall or find and uncheck the other option, which reads as Block All Incoming Connections.  

Hopefully disabling the Firewall helped, but if not there are several additional fixes worth trying.

Update Samsung TV OS

Your Samsung TV can run into a lot of issues if the software isn’t up to date. To correct this problem, simply check for any new Samsung TV OS updates in the settings menu.

All you need to do is look for the newest firmware update available for your TV model.

Here’s how: 

• Go to Settings. 
• Select the option Support.
• Now, go to Software Update. 
• Select the Update Software option. 

Your TV will automatically update itself. This process may take a few minutes, but your TV will let you know when it’s done. 

You’ll want to ensure you update your Samsung TV often to keep up with the newest software. Doing so ensures that the Prime Video app remains compatible with your TV.

While you’re at it, you’ll want to consider checking for updates to the Prime Video app. Older versions may not work well with your current Samsung TV OS.

Don’t Use Your Phone as the Remote

Most Samsung TV devices will allow you to control them via an app on your phone.

Some people have noticed that AirPlay refuses to work if you’re controlling the TV with the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone at the same time.

The solution is to stop using the app as a remote, and instead, use the remote that came with your Samsung TV to change the settings.

Better yet, close the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone before trying to connect to AirPlay again. 

Reboot Your Router

The problem could also be with your router.

I suggest quickly rebooting your router, it often fixes network issues, and it can improve your overall connection too. 

Just unplug your router from the power outlet, wait for about 60 seconds, or so and then reconnect it. Every device on your network will automatically reconnect and hopefully, AirPlay will work.

You could also consider upgrading your router if it’s more than 5 years old.

While you’re at it, consider resetting your Apple device’s network connection as well. You can easily find the option ‘Reset Network Setting’s in your phone’s connectivity settings. 

For iPhones, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Reset Paired Devices

Ok, now we’re going to try resetting paired devices.

To do this, simply click the HOME button on your Samsung TV remote, and then on the menu at the bottom select “SETTINGS”.

Do NOT click up on your remote, instead stay on SETTINGS and click enter. Toggle down to GENERAL > Apple AirPlay Settings. Then select the Require Code option and scroll down to Reset Paired Devices.

When you reset the devices, all the previously connected devices will be forgotten and you’ll have to reconnect them. It can sometimes help when you’re having issues with AirPlay. 

Factory Reset Your Samsung TV

As a last resort, a factory reset of your TV can sometimes fix the issue. Factory resetting a Samsung TV will reset everything to factory settings, and you’ll need to install updates again. 

I recommend trying the other solutions because it can be a hassle to download and re-sign in to all of your apps. But a factory reset can fix the AirPlay not working issue. 

With the TV powered on click the Gear icon at the top of your remote.

Then go down to All Settings (Advanced Settings) > General > Reset to Initial Settings. Your TV will turn off and on again and then display the initial setup screen.

This will essentially restore your Samsung TV to the settings it had on the day you purchased the television. That means all account settings will be removed, and any installed apps will be deleted!

Factory Reset Samsung TV Without Remote

If for whatever reason you do not have access to your TV’s remote, you can still factory reset your Samsung TV.

To do this find the power button on your TV. Depending on the model you have this may be on the right hand side, left hand side, or very bottom of the device.

With the TV on, press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds. 

If that doesn’t work, use the joystick panel control on the TV to navigate to Menu > All Settings > General > Reset to Initial Settings.

If you’re having trouble finding these buttons on your TV, or if you TV is mounted in a tight spot, there are other options.

First, consider plugging in a USB keyboard directly into the back of your Samsung TV.

You can then use the keyboard to navigate and reset your TV.

Another option is to grab a universal remote you have lying around and enter the appropriate Samsung code for the remote to get it working.

Your Samsung TV is Not Compatible with AirPlay

If your Samsung TV is a few years old, it simply might not have support for AirPlay, even with the latest Samsung TV OS updates. That said, AirPlay is available on most Samsung TVs.

The following Samsung TV’s support AirPlay:

• 2021 27″ and 32″ M5 Smart Monitors
• 2021 32″ M7 Smart Monitor
• 2021 8K and 4K QLED TVs
• 2021 Frame TV
• 2021 Crystal UHD TVs
• 2020 8K and 4K QLED TVs
• 2020 Frame and Serif TV
• 2020 Premiere Projector and Crystal UHD TVs
• 2019 8K and 4K QLED TVs
• 2019 Frame, Serif, and 4K UHD TV
• 2018 Frame TV
• 2018 QLED 4K
• 2018 4K UHD TV
• 2018 Smart Full HDTV N5300

NOTE: You may need to update your TV’s software first! Also make sure your Apple Device IOS version is at least 12.3. 

If you don’t see the option for AirPlay in your Samsung TV settings, it might be because your Samsung TV does not support AirPlay.

I would look up your TV’s model number on the Samsung TV website to see if AirPlay is a supported feature. 

How to Setup AirPlay on a Samsung TV

It’s very easy to use AirPlay to control and cast media on your Samsung TV.

To start, make sure your Samsung TV is on the latest update and that both your TV, and your Apple device on on the same WiFi network. 

To turn on AirPlay, simply click the HOME button on your Samsung TV remote, and then on the menu at the bottom select “SETTINGS”.

Do NOT click up on your remote, instead stay on SETTINGS and click enter. Toggle down to GENERAL > Apple AirPlay Settings.

Toggle AirPlay ON and set the option you want for when you need to connect with a code, I recommend leaving it on First-Time Only. 

On your Apple device, open the quick actions menu by swiping down the top bar, Tap on Screen Mirroring and your Samsung TV device should appear on the list.

Tap on the device you wish to connect and a code should appear on your TV, type that into your phone, it will immediately start screen mirroring if you successfully connected. 

To use apps like YouTube, open a video, tap on the casting icon in the top right corner, and select your Samsung TV. The audio should also come from your TV and not your phone.

Conclusion

It’s frustrating when AirPlay is not working on your Samsung TV, but you can often get it working again by trying the following fixes: 

• Restart your Samsung TV (unplug from power for 60 seconds)
• Make sure your Samsung TV and Apple device are on the same WiFi network
• Double-check if AirPlay is enabled on your Samsung TV
• Disable computer’s firewall
• Update Samsung TV OS
• Don’t use the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone, use the physical remote instead
• Reboot your router
• Reset paired AirPlay devices and reconnect
• Factory reset your Samsung TV
• Lookup your Samsung TV model to see if it’s compatible with AirPlay

The easiest way to get AirPlay working on your Samsung TV is to restart yourTV device by unplugging it from the power. 

If you still don’t see the AirPlay option after all of these troubleshooting steps, chances are your Samsung TV is simply not compatible with AirPlay.

Were you able to get AirPlay working on your Samsung TV? If so, let us know how in the comments below!