Press the TV’s physical button or joystick to open its mini menu and choose Input or Source. If the TV is on Wi-Fi, a phone remote app has an Input button. With HDMI-CEC on, simply turning on your console or streaming device switches the TV to that HDMI port automatically.
You plugged in the game console, but the TV is stuck on the wrong input and the remote is missing. Changing the source without a remote is easy once you know where each brand hides the option.
Use the TV’s own button
The physical control on the TV almost always has an input option:
- Samsung: press the control button under the bottom center once to open the on-screen control menu, then press repeatedly (or hold) to move to Source. On joystick models, push the stick sideways.
- LG: press the joystick under the logo to open the menu, move to the input icon and press again.
- Sony: use the Input button on the side or back panel, if present, or the single power button’s menu.
- TCL, Hisense and Roku TVs: many have a single button where short presses cycle through inputs and a long press turns the TV off. Others show a small menu.
Behavior varies by model year, so try short presses first and long presses second.
Use your phone
If the TV is on Wi-Fi, a remote app gives you a proper input button:
- Samsung: SmartThings or a universal app sends the Source key; some apps let you pick HDMI 1–4 directly.
- LG: LG’s protocol exposes the list of inputs, so apps can show “HDMI 1”, “HDMI 2” and so on by name.
- Roku TV: inputs appear as tiles on the home screen. Open the Roku app (or any remote app), press Home and select the HDMI tile.
- Google TV: press Home and look for the Inputs icon in the top right corner of the home screen.
In RemotApp, the Home and navigation keys work the same way on Samsung, LG, Roku and Google TV, so you can reach the input menu of any of them from one app.
Let HDMI-CEC switch for you
HDMI-CEC (“One Touch Play”) lets a connected device take over the TV. When you turn on a PlayStation, Xbox, Apple TV, Roku or Fire TV stick, the TV switches to that HDMI port automatically. Enable it on the TV:
- Samsung: Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC), in Settings › General › External Device Manager.
- LG: SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC), in Settings › General › Devices.
- Sony: BRAVIA Sync settings.
- Roku TV: Settings › System › Control other devices (CEC).
Then enable it on the device: “HDMI Device Link” on PS5, “HDMI-CEC” in Xbox TV & display options, “Match TV power state” on Switch.
The unplug trick
Many TVs show a “new device connected” prompt or switch automatically when a device is plugged into an HDMI port. If you are stuck on the wrong source and have no other option, unplug the HDMI cable of the device you want and plug it back in while the device is on. Some TVs will jump straight to it.
Still no picture?
- Check the port number printed next to the HDMI socket on the TV.
- Make sure the connected device is on (its light should be lit).
- Try another cable or port. HDMI cables do fail.
- Restart the TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
Brand guides with pairing steps: Samsung, LG, Roku, Google TV / Chromecast.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my TV say “No signal” after changing input?
The selected HDMI port has nothing connected, or the connected device is off. Check which port the cable is in (the number is printed next to the port) and make sure the device is powered on.
Can I change the input from my phone?
Yes, on smart TVs. Most remote apps have an Input or Source button, and on Roku TV and Google TV you can also pick the HDMI tile from the home screen using the app’s navigation keys.
How do I make my TV switch to HDMI automatically?
Enable HDMI-CEC on the TV (Anynet+ on Samsung, SIMPLINK on LG, BRAVIA Sync on Sony, “Control other devices” on Roku TV) and on the connected device. Turning that device on will then select its input.
The team behind RemotApp, a universal TV remote app for iPhone and Android. We test every fix on real Samsung, LG, Roku and Google TV sets before publishing. About us
