Samsung has been the leading Smart TV manufacturer in the world for the past ten years. Most smart TV owners worldwide are Samsung users & this number is only growing yearly. Unfortunately, many people in this userbase have to deal with a common issue – the apps on their Smart TVs not working properly.
On their Samsung Smart TVs – apps either freeze, don’t load properly or need to be forcefully closed due to glitches. How to restart an app on Samsung TV is a question on the minds of thousands of Samsung Smart TV users.
In this guide, we’ll address this vital question in great detail by assessing the troubleshooting steps recommended by Samsung. We’ll also provide simpler & easier fixes and discuss other similar issues were apps on Samsung TVs don’t load/function properly.
Do you have a particular question about restarting an app on Samsung TV? 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:
How Do You Reset Apps on Samsung Smart TV?
If one or many apps won’t load on Samsung Smart TV, your device needs rebooting. More than simply restarting or rebooting the affected apps will be required. To reboot your Samsung Smart TV, you’ll have to take either of these two steps:
- With the Smart TV turned on, press the power button on your remote. Keep pressing until the Smart TV turns off and back on again.
- Unplug the TV. Plug it back in after a minute.
Rebooting your Samsung TV by doing either of those two steps will force all apps to quit. They’ll be automatically rebooted once you relaunch them. This simple step usually fixes the issue of apps getting frozen.
But not always. Sometimes, software issues may be the cause behind your Samsung TV frozen apps. To ensure that’s not the case, check whether your Smart TV needs a software update. If you don’t have the latest version of the Samsung TV OS installed, follow these steps:
- Click the “Home” button on your remote control to enter the ‘Smart-Hub’ section
- Scroll to the left of the screen and click on “Settings” (a gear icon)
- Scroll down the Settings menu & select “Support”
- Scroll right and click on the option “Software Update.”
- Click on “Update Now.”
Your Samsung TV’s OS will be updated & hopefully, this will resolve all of your app-related issues. However, return to the Software Update menu to make sure similar issues don’t arise again in the future. Say yes to the option that says “Auto Update.” Now, your Smart TV will always download the latest software updates.
How to Force Close App on Samsung TV?
What if you want to perform a cold boot or a software update, but your TV just won’t allow it? What if an app is frozen & so is your screen? You can’t perform a software update unless you know how to close apps on Samsung Smart TV. So, learning this step is vital for all Samsung Smart TV owners. Here’s how you force close app Samsung TV:
- Press the Power button on your remote control for 5 to 10 seconds
- The Smart TV will shut down completely & so will all the apps
- Turn your Smart TV back ON & try to open the app/s that was causing your problems
- If they boot up from scratch & work properly – the issue is resolved.
If not, try this step again. But this time, wait to reopen any app once your TV restarts. Perform a software update instead.
Why Have My Samsung Smart TV Apps Disappeared?
The Netflix app or the YouTube app not working on Samsung TVs are relatively common issues. But, some Samsung TV owners face a rare issue where their apps disappear from their menu screens. Imagine sitting down in the evening to stream your favorite shows & seeing that apps like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video aren’t on your menu anymore.
Here are some potential reasons why the apps on your Samsung Smart TV may disappear –
Your Smart TV’s Smart-Hub could lag due to Internet connectivity issues. You’ll need a more stable internet connection to fix this issue.
New software updates of the apps may not be in sync with your Smart TV, causing them to ‘disappear.’ Reset your Smart TV’s settings to default to fix this issue.
Your Smart TV may not have the latest software or firmware. Please update it to make your apps reappear.
Here are some more clear-cut solutions to these types of problems:
- Reset your Smart TV’s Smart-Hub: Press the “menu” key on your remote. Enter the “Smart hub” section & click on the option “Smart Hub Reset.” Reset it by entering your Smart TV’s pin code.
- Fully Rest Your Smart TV: Just like you need to reset Samsung TV apps from time to time, you need to do the same for your Smart TV. Enter the Smart Hub menu. Here, look for the option that says “self-diagnosis.” On the following page, click on the “Reset” button. You’ll have to enter your Smart TV’s pin code to complete this step.
- Factory Reset your Smart TV: This is the last option. If nothing else works, conduct a factory reset on your Smart TV. Here’s a helpful video on how to perform this complicated step. Call Samsung’s customer support unit for guidance if you’re still unsure about going through with this step. Samsung’s customer service professionals will guide you through the process on the phone.
What if None of These Solutions Work?
If you can’t properly open, use, or restart apps on Samsung TV after a factory reset – it’s a cause for concern. You must contact Samsung’s support team for more specific guidance from this point onwards. If you can’t get the apps back on your Smart TV, here are some other ways to access them:
- Cast the apps from another device
- Play the apps on your phone & then mirror your phone screen on your Smart TV screen
- Buy the TV streamer instead of using the app. For example, consider using an Amazon firestick instead of the Amazon Prime Video app.
Use this guide to address the issue of apps disappearing or not working properly on your Samsung Smart TV!
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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