Changing Your DNS on Smart TVs - Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, Hisense and others

Using a Smart TV to access the masses of live streaming services and video on demand channels is becoming the simplest method of watching our favourite TV shows and movies.

It’s the ideal system. Everything you want to watch is available directly on the best and biggest screen in the house. You don’t need to plug in your laptop, any kind of streaming box or stick, or cast or screen-share from your phone or tablet.

However, when it comes to watching geo-blocked content, you’ll need some kind of workaround to navigate the regional blockades.

Today, we’re looking at how to utilize a Smart DNS service, and how to change DNS (Samsung, LG, Sony, and more) settings on your Smart TV, where the international switching is managed.

What is DNS?

DNS stands for Domain Name Server.

Domain name servers translate an IP address (Internet Protocol) into the name you see in the URL bar. The main reason for this is that it’s faster to use the address than using a series of numbers.

An IP address is a numeric label assigned to a device connected to any computer network. The IP address you connect to the Internet (usually determined by your WiFi router) can be dynamic (changeable by your service provider upon connection or start-up) or static (stays the same—also called fixed or permanent).

How do I change my Smart TV DNS?

Deep in your TV settings (well, fairly deep…), you’ll find a range of network settings that include your IP and DNS server settings. We’re going to give you a run-through of where the settings you need are on a selection of different brand TVs, and where you’ll find the replacement DNS addresses that allow access to blocked services.

Sadly, not all Smart TVs allow you to change your DNS settings. We’ll do our best to provide some insight into the most popular that do, with step-by-step guides to configure Samsung TV, Sony, Panasonic, LG and a few others.

It’s up to you to track down the best DNS for Samsung Smart TV or any other brand, but before you do, we’d suggest you read up on how much more efficient and easy to set up StreamLocator is for your Smart TV. You’ll be glad you did.

Acquiring your Smart DNS settings

When you sign up for Smart DNS, you’ll provide them with your IP address, or they might automatically track your IP to keep you connected.

Registering your IP address with your Smart DNS service

For each of the different providers, there’ll be a slightly different way to access the settings you need. They will, however, be quite similar so the suggested route should help you get where you need to be.

1. Log in to your Smart DNS account using your home connection.
2. Navigate to your IP registration / Register my IP address / Validate my IP address / Check in a new address option.
3. If it shows ‘Registered’ or ‘Validated’, then everything’s good to go. If not, you’ll need to input your current IP address or allow the service software to access your IP address. There could also be an option to register or validate additional IP address (at work, for example, or if you’re connecting using a VPN) where you may want to use the service.
4. Many providers will have an ‘Automatically register my IP address’ setting. If this is you, then the provider should automatically track your IP address and update any changes. You may also have an option to update your IP address using the service’s app (if it has one).
5. Your Smart DNS service will provide a single or selection of new DNS locations that you can use to access the blocked regions you need.

Make a note of your IP address

Before switching DNS settings, it’s a good idea to make a note of your existing server. Most Smart TVs will have an ‘Automatic’ option, which will locate your IP address for you. If that’s the case with your TV, then there’s nothing to worry about.

Don’t forget to change your region

The whole idea behind changing your DNS is to access international TV services. So, when you’ve switched your DNS, make sure you don’t forget to change your TV’s region settings. To watch the channels you want, you’ll need to switch to the UK, US, or any other location you need.

Setting up Samsung TV DNS addresses

How to setup a Samsung TV to work with your new Smart DNS setting:

1. Go to Menu > Settings menu > Network > Network status
2. Click Network status
3. When the check is complete, click IP Settings
4. Choose the DNS setting and select Enter manually
5. Enter the Smart DNS location provided by your chosen service

How to change region on Samsung TV

1. Go to Menu > System > Setup > Smart Hub Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy
2. On this page, press the shown buttons in the following order “Mute – Return – Volume Up – Channel Up – Mute”
3. You should now see a list of countries from which to make your choice.

Setting up LG TV DNS addresses

How to setup an LG TV to work with your new Smart DNS setting:

Go to Menu > Settings > All settings

Scroll to Network and select Network Connection > Set expert

1. In the IP Mode area, click Dynamic and choose Manual
2. Enter the Smart DNS setting provided by your chosen service

How to change region on LG TV

Go to Smart TV Setting > LG Smart World Settings > Manual

1. Pick the preferred region for your needs.

Setting up Sony Smart TV DNS addresses

How to setup a Sony TV to work with your new Smart DNS setting:
Go to Home > Setup > Network

1. Click Network Setup
2. Click Expert
3. Click WiFi and then choose your WiFi connection

Click Advanced options > IP settings > Static

1. Enter your IP address for your home network (it may already be filled in automatically)
2. The Gateway address is usually your router address (also usually automatically completed)
3. The Network prefix length is almost always 24
4. For DNS 1, enter your existing DNS setting
5. For DNS 2, enter the new Smart DNS setting

How to change region on Sony Smart TV

Unlike some of the other systems, Sony TVs will update the region, once you’ve correctly switched to your new Smart DNS address.

Go to Settings > Network > Refresh internet content

1. Select the All Apps menu at the bottom of your TV screen
2. You should see the newly available location-specific apps

Setting up Panasonic Smart TV DNS addresses

How to setup a Panasonic TV to work with your new Smart DNS setting:

1. Go to Setup > Player settings > Network > Network settings > IP address/DNS settings
2. Turn DNS Auto Configuration off
3. Enter your new Smart DNS address in the primary and secondary DNS setting

How to change region on Panasonic Smart TV

Sadly, Panasonic Smart TVs are set to the region they’re sold in. You can access apps with international catalogues such as Netflix and view the different streams using your Smart DNS, but you won’t be able to access native apps to your preferred location.

Setting up other Smart TVs, such as Toshiba, Hisense and more

1. Typically, you’ll navigate through your TV’s settings for the Network options.
2. In the Network setup or configuration, you’ll need to select custom or manual setup.
3. Finally, your Primary DNS should be changed to the Smart DNS server settings.

The smartest option for your Smart TV is StreamLocator

The amount of work you have to undertake to switch your Smart TV’s DNS is often complex and still isn’t guaranteed to get you where you need to be.

With StreamLocator, the only thing you have to do is switch your WiFi network option.

Once that’s taken care of, there’s no region to change, as everything is managed automatically by our smart hub.

By far, this is the simplest way possible to access almost all of the international services and streams on a Smart TV.

If you’d like to know more about how it works with your make and model, have a chat with one of our support team. They’ll give you the complete rundown and let you know how well it will perform the tasks you need.

StreamLocator – plug and play

Because StreamLocator is a plug and play system, there’s no complicated action to undertake. Plug it in, switch your WiFi option, and that’s that.

Can I install VPN on Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sony, or other Smart TV?

Very few of the VPN services will work directly with your Smart TV. You may be able to unblock Netflix or some of the streaming services using a VPN, but it still means switching the DNS settings in your TV.

You could install the VPN on your PC or Mac and use it as WiFi hotspot, but that’s really quite cumbersome and impractical.

The third option is to install a VPN on your router. Once again, this is a complicated process that should only be undertaken by someone with the appropriate knowledge.

And, if you’re looking for a free VPN for your Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or other Smart TV, don’t bother. They aren’t competitive enough to provide the amount of servers required to avoid being blocked by the major providers.

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