How to Change Inputs on LG TV Without a Remote? Use The Magic Button

Last week, I had some friends over for a sleepover and sometime during the night, we misplaced the remote to my LG TV.

The next morning when we connected my Xbox to the TV, the TV wouldn’t display the console. I had no idea how to switch the inputs on my LG TV without a remote.

Hoping I would be able to switch inputs using the buttons on the TV, I started searching for the buttons. But all I could find was a single button at the bottom of the TV. I was sure it was a power button that would just turn the TV on and off.

Desperate to get the games rolling, I started looking for options over the internet. And after going through a couple of forums, I finally found the answer.

Turns out, that one button under the TV is the magic button after all.

To change the input on your LG TV without a remote, press the Power button on your TV to open the menu, press the Power button multiple times till you reach the Input option, then long-press the Power button to enter the Input menu, and finally, keep pressing the Power button till you get the desired Input.

Change Input on LG TV Using the Power Button on the TV

The Power button on your LG TV can be used as a joystick to navigate through the TV’s menu. You can access the basic controls of your LG TV such as input selection, volume controls, and program change using the Power button.

The Power button is usually located at the bottom of your TV, just beneath the LG logo.

Note: Depending on the model of your LG TV, the Power button may be located at the bottom right or bottom left corner of your TV.

To change the input on your LG TV without a remote:

Turn on your LG TV using the Power button on the TV.
Press the Power button once to open the TV menu.
Press the Power button to navigate through the TV menu.
Long-press the Power button on the Input option.
The Input option will turn gray.
You can now switch through the available inputs on your LG TV.

Once you enter the Input menu, you can press the Power button again to switch through the available inputs.

The selected input will be displayed on the screen when the input switches.

Change Input on LG TV Using LG ThinQ App

LG ThinQ is LG’s dedicated app to control and monitor various LG appliances, including TV.

To control your LG TV using the ThinQ app, you first need to pair the app with your TV.

Note: Your LG TV needs to be connected to a Wi-Fi network to pair with the LG ThinQ app. Before pairing, make sure your smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV.

To pair the LG ThinQ app with your LG smart TV:

Download the LG ThinQ app on your iOS or Android smartphone.
Open the app.
Log in to your existing LG account or create a new one.
Accept the user agreement to launch the app.
Turn on your TV.
In the app, click on Add a Device.
Click Select Device.
Tap on the TV option.
Select your TV from the list of available devices.
Enter the code displayed on your TV screen.
Click on Next.

The LG ThinQ app is now paired with your LG TV. You can now use the app to control your TV.

To change the input on your LG TV using the LG ThinQ app:

Launch the LG ThinQ app.
Click on TV from the list of paired devices.
Your TV’s controls will be visible on the screen.
Click on the Input selection option.

Note: The input option will look like a cable.

Select the input you need.

Apart from the input selection, you can also use the ThinQ app to control volume, change channels, and access the settings of your LG TV.

Change Input on LG TV Using Your Smartphone

In case your LG TV is not connected to a Wi-Fi network or your TV isn’t able to pair with the ThinQ app, you can still use your smartphone to control your TV.

Your regular remote control uses an Infrared (IR) blaster to control your LG TV. A similar IR blaster is also available in several Samsung, Sony, HTC, and LG smartphones.

If your smartphone has an IR blaster, you can use it as a virtual remote control for your LG TV.

You can look into your phone’s technical specifications to verify whether your phone has an IR blaster or not.

Before using your smartphone to change inputs on the LG TV, you will first need to pair the phone with your TV.

Download any universal remote app on your smartphone.
Launch the app.
Select the option of TV from the available appliances.
Select LG from the list of brands.
Point the smartphone towards your LG TV.
Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your remote app with the TV.

Once your smartphone is paired with the LG TV, you can then use it as a remote control to operate your TV.

To change inputs on your LG TV using the remote app:

Open the remote app on your phone.
Point the phone towards your LG TV.
Tap the power button to turn on the TV.
Click on the Home icon.
Use the arrows in the app to navigate to Settings.
Scroll to the Inputs option using the arrows.
Click on OK.

You can now move to the input you need and press OK to switch to the desired input.

If your smartphone does not have an IR blaster, you can buy a replacement LG remote or a universal remote to control your LG TV.

It’s Time to Take Control of Your Smart LG TV

Losing the TV remote can be a frustrating thing. While I did find my remote after a couple of days, I don’t think I would be too worried now if I hadn’t.

In trying to find a way to work without a remote, I found multiple alternate methods to operate my LG TV. Not only that, but I also discovered features like voice assistance to maximize my TV’s capabilities.

After pairing my LG TV with the ThinQ app, I also linked it with Google Assistant. This allows me to use voice commands to change inputs, access settings, and control other aspects of my LG TV.

So, where a remote control provides dedicated functionality, the voice assistant via the app has given me a convenient option to control my LG TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I connect external devices, such as a gaming console or DVD player, to my LG TV?

You can use HDMI cables to connect most devices to your LG TV. For some devices, you may need to use component, composite, or other types of cables. Simply plug in the cables to the appropriate ports on both the TV and the device, and select the corresponding input source on the TV to view the content.

What should I do if my LG TV remote is not working?

If your LG TV remote is not working, ensure that the batteries in the remote are fresh and properly inserted. Replace the batteries if needed. Lastly, clean the remote’s IR sensor on the front, as well as the TV’s IR receiver, to remove any dirt or obstructions.

How do I replace the batteries in my LG TV remote?

To replace the batteries in an LG TV remote, locate the battery compartment on the back of the remote, slide it open, remove the old batteries, insert new ones as per the polarities, and close the battery cover securely.