Televisions have naturally moved into a new standard, and that’s the smart TV. If you look to purchase a TV these days, there’s almost no chance you’ll see any of the old kinds of dumb TVs that most of us grew up with. It’s not surprising, as the market size for smart TVs is estimated to hit nearly a trillion dollars by 2028.
However, despite how the market is going, interested people can still buy dumb TVs if they really want to. However, most people who have them aren’t buying them new but have been holding on to them for a long time. After all, why throw away a perfectly good TV if it still does the job perfectly for you?
There are nearly 120 million people in the United States estimated to have smart TVs as of 2022. As a result, so much content is being pushed to online platforms like streaming services. Those who cannot afford a smart TV are likely looking for a way to gain access to the internet via their older television. Fortunately, there are multiple ways that this can be achieved.
Worry not. If you’re looking to watch some of that new content on your big screen, there are ways that you can get that done. This article will teach you how to connect non-smart TV to WiFi.
Do you have a particular question about connecting non-smart TV to wifi? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
Can you connect a non-smart TV to the internet?
Suppose you have an older TV that doesn’t have inbuilt WiFi or internet capabilities. In that case, you’re not out of luck if you’re looking for how to connect a non-smart TV to the internet. It is entirely possible, and there are multiple ways to do it. However, you get a slightly different experience with each one.
By using a computer, your smartphone, streaming sticks and boxes, and even your gaming console, you can get Netflix on a non-smart TV without busting out the money for a brand new one.
In the next section, we’ll talk about connecting WiFi to a smart TV. So let’s get right into it!
Five ways to connect non-smart TV to WiFi
So then, you’re looking for how to connect a non-smart TV to WiFi. The good thing is that there are five different ways that you can get this done, and I’m about to show you all of them. You may need to have additional equipment on hand for most of these, but many of them are things you already have at home.
Connect an HDMI Cable
Most people with a modern TV have an HDMI cable at home. Some TVs come with one, and when you buy any appliance that connects with one, you get one too! If you don’t have one, they go for relatively cheap.
So, you’re wondering, how can an HDMI cable help with the problem of how to stream on a non-smart TV?
By connecting your laptop or computer to your non-smart TV using an HDMI cable, you’ll be able to access the internet straight from the TV screen. However, your computer is doing the heavy lifting.
This is a fantastic option if you’re looking for how to connect a non-smart TV to the internet because so many people have computers and HDMI cables lying around! In addition, you’ll be able to watch Netflix on the non-smart TV or watch any other streaming service that you can access via PC!
Use a screen mirroring tool
Don’t have an HDMI cable that you can use to plug in your computer, but you’re still looking for how to connect a non-smart TV to the internet? This is where a screen mirroring tool comes in to save the day. A good example of this is Google Chromecast.
This WiFi device for TV and similar mirroring tools plug into the HDMI port on the television and into a power source. Once this is done, you can grab your smartphone or computer that can cast and view the content directly on your TV screen!
This option is great because you can use your smartphone, which is great for those who may not have a computer that supports HDMI.
Use a Blu-Ray player
You’re looking for how to stream on a non-smart TV, but did you know that you can get it done using a Blu-Ray player! This might sound a bit strange, but what you’re looking for in particular is what is known as a network-enabled Blu-ray player.
These devices can be thought of as a cousin to the many streaming devices available these days. This is because they were able to not only play your Blu-Ray discs. But when you connected them to the internet, they came with a pre-determined suite of apps such as Netflix and YouTube.
If you have one of these Blu-Ray players, you’ll be able to watch Netflix on non-smart TV without buying a new device. Instead, just plug in an ethernet cable or connect it to WiFi.
Connect via streaming devices
Suppose you want to know the most popular means of connecting a non-smart TV to the internet. In that case, streaming devices are probably the answer! Considering the market for these devices is over ten billion dollars as of 2020, it shows how many people use them.
Streaming devices include products like Amazon Fire TV, Roku Streaming Stick, Chromecast with Google TV, Apple TV, and more.
If you have any WiFi device for TV, all you gotta do is plug it into the HDMI port on your non-smart TV and connect it to power. By switching to that input on the TV, you’ll see an interface like what you get on a smart TV. Connect it to WiFi, and you’re good to go!
Connect non-smart TV to WiFi using gaming console
Do you have an Xbox or a PS4 at home? If you do, did you know that these gaming consoles can provide one of the best ways how to connect non-smart TV to WiFi?
These consoles don’t just play games these days. They have internet browsers, apps, and access to streaming services. As a result, they provide one of the best ways to get a multifaceted internet experience on your non-smart TV.
Plug the game console into the HDMI port, turn it on, and connect it to a WiFi network. You’ll have access to an array of popular streaming services, the internet, and more!
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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