How To Change the Input on an LG TV Without a Remote

LG TVs are easy to control even when you don’t have your trusted Magic Remote to help out. Knowing how to change inputs, channels, and even settings without a remote will come in handy at home and when you’re traveling. Keep reading to learn more about the best methods to use an LG TV without its remote.

Use the LG ThinQ App

The LG ThinQ app is a great tool that enables you to use your smartphone to control your LG Smart TV.

But before you can use it, you need to install it and pair the app with your TV. Follow these steps to do this.

1. Download the ThinQ app for your Android or iOS device.
   
2. Press the physical “Power” button on the TV to turn on your LG TV.
   
3. Launch the ThinQ app on your phone or tablet.
   
4. Tap the “+” icon.
   
5. Go to the “Home Appliances” tab.
   
6. Select your LG TV from the list of available devices.
   
7. Input the code that appears on your TV screen into the ThinQ app.
   
8. Tap the “Move To Home” button to return to the home screen.
   

This will pair the two devices and allow you to control the TV with the ThinQ app.

Here’s how to change the input.

1. Tap the “Input” icon in the middle of the bottom row on the app’s home screen, and Select the desired input.
   

Alternatively, you can tap the “Home” icon on the ThinkQ app’s home screen to go to your TV’s “Settings” menu and change the input from there.

Requirements for Using the ThinQ App

Some LG TV owners will often complain that the ThinQ app isn’t working, or it won’t let them execute specific actions.

To avoid this, make sure you check the following requirements.

First, you need an LG Smart TV as a traditional model won’t work with the ThinQ app. Secondly, you should double-check that your phone and TV are sharing the same network.

Then, you can check for incompatibility errors and if you’re using the latest version of the app. In addition, you might want to update your LG Smart TV.

The following steps will help you do a software update on your LG Smart TV.

1. Go to “Settings.” Navigate to “All Settings” or “Advanced Settings,” depending on your TV model.
   
2. Go down to the “General” tab.
   
3. Click the “About This TV” option.
   
4. Hit the “Download and Install” button.
   .

If your LG TV and ThinQ app are updated, the only requirement left to use the app to change the input is to have both devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

Use a Mouse

Can you still change the input on your LG TV if the remote is dead and you don’t have your phone? Yes.

LG TVs can be controlled with a standard computer mouse. The only requirements to use this method are a mouse that connects via USB and a working “Power” button on your TV.

Here are the steps you need to follow.

1. Plug your mouse’s sensor or Bluetooth dongle into the back of your LG TV.
   
2. Press the physical “Power” button to turn on your TV.
   
3. Use the mouse to scroll down until you find the “TV/Inputs” tab and Select your desired input by clicking the option you want.
   

Alternatively, you can first go to “Home Dashboard” and select your input from there. These steps may vary slightly depending on your LG TV.

Pro Tip: It’s good to keep a wired or Bluetooth mouse on standby to navigate through your TV’s menu. If your internet connection dies and your remote isn’t working, a mouse will be a great backup because it doesn’t need a Wi-Fi connection.

Use the Physical Button

Although it may not seem like it, most LG Smart TVs let users change the input settings from the physical buttons.

This was easier with older models because they could have up to six physical buttons with specific functions, including an “Input” menu button.

If your LG TV has one, press it until you land on the desired input. If you have a newer LG TV, which will likely use the “Power” button as the “Input” button, you will have to use a different method.

1. Press the “Power” button to turn on your LG TV.
   
2. Press the “Power” button multiple times until you land on the display input menu.
   
3. Select your desired input by holding down the “Power” button.
   

Make sure you don’t hold it down for too long because it will turn off your TV instead of changing the input.

If you have an LG TV with a joystick instead of a traditional “Power” button, moving the joystick will help you cycle through the inputs. Be careful to pull the joystick button slightly towards you before pressing and holding it to make your selection. This should prevent you from accidentally turning off the TV.

Find Your TV’s Specific Instructions Manual

Many LG Smart TVs may look or perform similarly but can have very different button sequences to achieve the same tasks.

If you can’t use the remote, lost your manual, and the ThinQ app isn’t an option, visit this page and type in your LG TV model.

Find the instructions manual specific to your model and see if there are unique steps you need to follow to change the inputs on your TV.

FAQs

Can you change the input name on an LG TV?

You can change the input name. For example, you can rename one of your HDMI inputs to indicate which device they’re paired to. This is a great way to identify your gaming console if you have multiple connected devices. You can do this by going to the “Home Dashboard,” “TV/Inputs/Mobile,” then “Options,” and “Edit.” Select the input you want to change and type in a new name.

Why isn’t the ThinQ app working?

If you can’t use the ThinQ app to change the input on your LG TV despite previously pairing the devices, your network connection might have issues. Check to see if your phone and TV are sharing the same Wi-Fi network. If not, switch your phone to the same network as the TV, force quit the ThinQ app, and try again.

LG TVs Are More Versatile Than You Think

Not having a remote for an LG TV is not the end of the world. All you need is a working “Power” button, and you can control the TV with many other devices and apps. If you ever find yourself in a hotel room with an LG Smart TV and an older universal remote with missing buttons, the methods in this article should help navigate the TV’s menu.

Have you changed the input on an LG TV without a remote? Which method did you use? Let us know in the comments section below.