How to Watch Netflix or YouTube on a Smart TV: Step-by-Step Guide
A smart TV lets you watch Netflix, YouTube and much more whenever you like, with no recording or set times. Once you know where to find the apps and how to use the remote, it is genuinely simple, and there is a world of films, shows and videos to enjoy.
This guide shows you how to open Netflix and YouTube on a smart TV and start watching, step by step. If you are choosing a new television too, our guide to the best smart TVs for seniors is a good place to start.
Quick answer
Press the Home button on your TV remote to see your apps. Select the Netflix or YouTube tile and press OK. YouTube is free to watch. Netflix asks you to sign in once with an account. After that, use the arrow buttons to browse and OK to play.
1. Press the Home button on the remote
On your TV remote, press the Home button, often shown as a small house icon. This brings up the TV’s main screen, where its apps live. Many remotes also have Netflix and YouTube buttons that jump straight there.
2. Find the Netflix or YouTube app
Use the arrow buttons on the remote to move along the row of apps. Look for the red Netflix tile or the red and white YouTube tile. Highlight the one you want and press OK to open it.
3. Sign in if asked
YouTube is free and usually opens straight away. Netflix asks you to sign in the first time with an email and password, which means having a Netflix account. You only need to do this once. A family member can help if you do not have an account yet.
4. Find something to watch
Use the arrow buttons to browse the rows of shows and films. To look for something specific, choose the search icon, often a magnifying glass, and type the name, or use the voice button on the remote if it has one. Highlight what you want and press OK to start.
Handy things to know
- Press OK to pause or play, and use the arrows to skip back or forward.
- Press the Back button to return to the list, and Home to leave the app.
- YouTube is free. Netflix and similar services charge a monthly fee.
- If an app is missing, you may need a streaming device. See our guide to streaming devices for seniors.
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
FAQ: Watching Netflix and YouTube on a smart TV
Is YouTube free?
Yes. YouTube is free to watch, with adverts. You do not need an account just to watch, though signing in lets you save favourites.
Do I need to pay for Netflix?
Yes. Netflix is a paid service with a monthly fee. You sign in with an account once, then it remembers you.
What if I cannot find the app on my TV?
Your TV may not have it, or it may be in the TV’s app store. If the TV is older, a streaming device adds the apps easily.
Why did it stop to load or buffer?
This is usually a slower internet moment. It often sorts itself out. Sitting closer to the Wi-Fi router can help.
How do I get back to normal TV?
Press the Home or Source button on the remote, or the button that switches to live TV. You can move between apps and channels freely.
