Finally, you have the smart TV that you always wanted. You can’t wait to stream your favorite content or transfer media from your phone. But every time you try to watch something, your Samsung smart TV says Preparing TV. Does this sound familiar? Well, don’t fret.
You are not alone. I have heard about someone’s TV doing this about 10 times in one day! Sometimes, the TV even shuts down and starts preparing again. This sure is annoying. But do not give up on your TV just yet. There are some things you could try doing.
Why Does A Samsung Smart TV Say Preparing TV
There are several reasons for this issue. It might be due to your internet connection (speed or servers). Also, if you are using a proxy or VPN, they might interfere with the functioning of your smart TV. There could be a pending software update.
Moreover, it could be because its firmware has been corrupted or its mainboard is having trouble. Another simple reason might be that you are trying to use Smart Hub before your TV has finished initializing. Also, it could simply be a caching issue.
Is There A Quick Fix for “preparing the tv please try again later” error?
Yes, there is! If your TV does not have any major problems, you can try the following steps.
- Unplug your TV set. You must leave it like that for at least 5 minutes. It is better if you can keep it unplugged for a longer duration.
- Once you have unplugged it, you might think that you have removed all the power from it. However, your TV’s mainboard still has some power. Thus, you must press the power button on the TV for one minute. It will remove whatever power was left from your TV’s mainboard.
- Next, you should release the power button and plug in your TV.
- You can turn your TV on.
Once you have followed the procedure to the T, your TV should start working fine again. Try streaming content and see if the issue is still there. If the problem comes back, the cause might be deeper.
Read on to figure out what the problem might be. Some of them even have fixes you can try yourself!
Internet Connection
Can you not use Netflix or any other OTT platform without your TV saying preparing TV? One of the main reasons why this happens is because your internet connection is slow. This makes it hard for your TV stream content. Thus, it keeps buffering or saying preparing TV.
Also, your TV might not be getting enough range to connect to Smart Hub. Thus, you should try restarting your modem. Then, you should ensure that it has a speed of at least 5Mbps. Also, make sure that your TV is close enough to your modem so that it gets enough range. Usually, this distance is within 30 feet of the modem.
You can also try rebooting your TV. Generally, your TV acquires a DNS server once it is connected to the internet. You could try changing that server. Here are a few steps you can take to change your DNS server:
- Click Menu on your Samsung remote
- Then, open the networks page and click on the network status
- Click on IP settings
- Go to DNS Settings
- Out of the two options available, select enter manually
- You can now type in the DNS you require.
Proxy or VPN
You may use a proxy to make your browsing anonymous. Also, it may be able to remove restrictions. Thus it will let you watch any content that is restricted. In addition to this, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) would also secure all your browsing.
It sounds all good. However, it may interfere with the functions of your Samsung Smart TV. Thus, if your TV keeps saying preparing TV, you could try disabling your proxy or VPN. Sure, it may be a little inconvenient, it would get your TV working and you could watch some content.
Software Update
Sometimes a pending software update may also cause problems with your Samsung Smart TV. The outdated software may no longer be able to cater to your needs. Thus, you should update your TV at the earliest possible time. It is easiest to update your TV when prompted. In this way, you would get the latest bug fixes and a smoother experience overall.
Corrupted Firmware
You can think of firmware as permanent software. It is written on the ROM (Read-only Memory) of your device so that it does not get erased. Firmware is essential for the functioning of your device.
It helps the device do basic functions. Thus, corrupted firmware is bad news. You would not be able to fix it by yourself. If you have tried everything else, it is best to call an expert. They will be able to check other issues, including the condition of your firmware.
Trouble with Mainboard
A mainboard hosts the main circuit of a device. Other essential components are attached to the mainboard. Thus, it is a vital part of any device. If the reason for your TV not functioning properly is its mainboard, it is best to not try and fix it yourself.
In this situation too, you must call an expert. They would be able to assess the exact problem without causing any damage to your smart TV. They have all the equipment to help them get to the root of the issue.
TV initializing
Depending on the model of your smart TV, it may take some time to initialize. Thus, if you try to connect to Smart Hub as soon as you turn it on, it might say preparing TV. In this case, you should just wait some time after turning your TV on. This will allow it to finish initializing.
Caching Issue
Your device stores your previous data temporarily. It does this to allow you to access them faster the next time you want to view the same content. However, it may also make TV slower. Thus, you can try clearing your cache.
Conclusion
It is difficult when your smart TV runs into a problem you can’t seem to fix. While there are a few methods you can try at home to resolve, you could also be dealing with a bigger issue like a problem with the firmware. In such situations, it is best to call an expert as you might create more problems by trying to do it yourself.
