3 Ways To Adjust Brightness On Samsung TV Without Remote
By Robert Jones · 2022-04-06
Sometimes, you need to operate your TV without a remote. This guide
Alright, let's face it. We've all been there. The remote control, that elusive, magical wand of modern convenience, has vanished into thin air. Perhaps the kids have absconded with it, or it's decided to play hide-and-seek under the cushion for the hundredth time. But the telly still needs to be brightened, doesn't it? Especially when you're trying to catch that key match or a cracking film. Now, if you're a Samsung TV owner like myself, you might be thinking you're out of luck without that little plastic box. Not so, my friend. Not so. I've tinkered with more tellies than I care to remember over the years, and Samsung sets are pretty common in my house and workshop for testing bits and bobs. So, I've picked up a few tricks when the remote decides to go on holiday. Here’s how you can wrestle back control of your screen brightness, even when the remote is playing hard to get. ## Option 1: The Buttons on the TV Itself Sounds obvious, doesn't it? But you'd be surprised how many folks completely forget about the good old physical buttons on the TV. Most Samsung models, even the newer, sleeker ones, will have some sort of control panel. Now, where they put these buttons varies a bit by model and year, which can be a touch frustrating. Old Samsungs usually have them on the right side or the top. Newer ones, often a single joystick-like button, are normally found in the centre, under the main screen. They're usually quite small, so you might need to feel around a bit, especially if your TV is mounted close to a wall. ### Finding the Buttons * **Side or Top:** Older models often have a row of distinct buttons for power, volume, channel, and menu. Look along the right edge, or sometimes across the top bezel. * **Bottom Centre (Joystick):** Many modern Samsung TVs use a single multi-directional button. It's usually nestled discreetly on the underside of the TV, right in the middle. You press it in for power/menu, and then push it up, down, left, or right to navigate. Once you find these, it's usually a case of pressing the "Menu" or "Settings" button (or pushing in the joystick) to bring up the on-screen display. From there, you'll need to navigate. It's a bit slower with just a few buttons, but perfectly doable. Look for "Picture" or "Display" settings. Brightness will be in there. It might take a few presses and nudges to get it right, but it'll get the job done. **Pros:** * No extra equipment needed. Just your fingers. * Works on almost all Samsung TVs. * A reliable fallback. **Cons:** * Buttons can be fiddly to find and use. * Navigation is slower than with a remote. * Might be tricky if your TV is wall-mounted. ## Option 2: The Samsung SmartThings App Now, this is where things get a bit clever, and honestly, it's my go-to when the remote does its disappearing act these days. If you've got a smartphone and a reasonably modern Samsung TV (most smart TVs from the last few years will work), the SmartThings app is a godsend. I use it for all sorts of things around the house, controlling smart plugs and lights, and it's brilliant for the TV too. ### Setting Up SmartThings 1. **Download the App:** Grab the Samsung SmartThings app from your phone's app store (it’s free, thankfully). 2. **Log In/Create Account:** You'll need a Samsung account. If you've got a Samsung phone, you probably already have one. If not, it's quick enough to set up. 3. **Add Your TV:** Open the app and select the "Add device" or "+" icon. The app will usually scan your network for compatible devices. Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Your TV should pop up. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect. You might need to confirm the connection on your TV screen with the physical TV buttons if you haven't paired it before. Once connected, your phone basically transforms into a super-remote. You'll see a full remote interface within the app. From there, it’s easy. Just go into the menu, find the "Picture" settings, and adjust the brightness to your heart's content. It’s far more intuitive than fumbling with TV buttons, especially in a dimly lit room. I’ve got a couple of older Samsung tellies in the garage, used for keeping an eye on sports whilst I’m tinkering, and even they connect up perfectly with SmartThings. It’s a proper time-saver. **Pros:** * Full remote functionality on your phone. * Easy to navigate menus and settings. * Controls other smart devices too. **Cons:** * Requires a smartphone and Wi-Fi. * Your TV needs to be a "smart" model. * Initial setup takes a few minutes. ## Option 3: Universal Remote Control App (IR Blaster Needed) This option harks back to a slightly older era of smartphones, but it