Smart televisions have become central to home entertainment, but older models often struggle to keep pace with modern streaming demands. Sluggish menus, delayed app launches, and buffering issues can transform what should be a relaxing viewing experience into an exercise in frustration. Fortunately, several straightforward solutions exist to breathe new life into ageing devices without requiring technical expertise or costly replacements.
Update your smart TV software
Why software updates matter for performance
Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates that address performance bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues with streaming services. These updates often include optimisations specifically designed to improve responsiveness on older hardware. Neglecting these updates means missing out on crucial improvements that could significantly enhance your television’s speed.
How to check for and install updates
The process varies slightly between manufacturers, but the general approach remains consistent:
- Navigate to the settings menu using your remote control
- Locate the system or support section
- Select the software update or system update option
- Choose to check for available updates manually
- Follow on-screen instructions to download and install any available updates
Some televisions offer automatic update settings that can be enabled to ensure your device stays current without manual intervention. This feature typically downloads updates during off-peak hours and installs them when the television is next powered on.
Post-update considerations
After completing an update, your television may require a restart to implement all changes properly. Allow the device to complete this process fully before attempting to use it. The first boot following an update may take longer than usual as the system finalises configurations.
Beyond software updates, another often-overlooked setting can dramatically impact your television’s performance.
Disable power-saving modes
The hidden performance cost of eco-friendly settings
Power-saving features reduce energy consumption by limiting processor performance and dimming the display. While environmentally conscious, these modes can create noticeable lag when navigating menus or launching applications. The television essentially throttles its own capabilities to conserve electricity.
Locating and adjusting power settings
Power-saving options typically reside within the general settings or picture settings menu. Common names for these features include:
- Eco mode
- Power saving mode
- Energy saving
- Low power mode
Disabling these settings allows the television to utilise its full processing capacity, resulting in smoother navigation and faster app loading times. The trade-off involves marginally higher electricity consumption, but the performance improvement often justifies this increase for most users.
Balancing performance and energy efficiency
If complete deactivation seems wasteful, consider using power-saving modes selectively. Enable them during passive viewing of broadcast television and disable them when using demanding streaming applications or gaming features. This approach provides a middle ground between optimal performance and responsible energy use.
With power settings optimised, attention should turn to the applications installed on your device.
Uninstall unused apps
How applications consume system resources
Every installed application occupies storage space and may run background processes that consume processing power and memory. Even when not actively in use, some apps continue checking for updates, syncing data, or maintaining active connections. This constant activity gradually degrades overall system performance.
Identifying applications to remove
Review your installed applications and honestly assess which ones you actually use. Pre-installed apps from manufacturers or content providers often go unused but remain on the system. Focus on removing:
- Streaming services you no longer subscribe to
- Games that have lost their appeal
- Duplicate applications with similar functions
- Promotional apps installed during setup
- Services from providers you have switched away from
The uninstallation process
Most smart televisions allow app removal through the application management section of the settings menu. Alternatively, highlighting an app on the home screen and pressing a designated button (often the options or tools button) reveals a menu with the uninstall option. Some pre-installed applications cannot be removed but can be disabled to prevent them from running.
After decluttering your application library, ensuring a stable connection becomes the next priority.
Check network connectivity
The relationship between connection quality and performance
Streaming content demands consistent bandwidth and low latency. A poor network connection forces the television to buffer constantly, creating the impression of sluggish performance even when the device itself functions properly. Connection issues manifest as frozen menus, delayed responses, and interrupted playback.
Wired versus wireless connections
The following table illustrates the key differences between connection types:
| Connection type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet (wired) | Stable, faster speeds, lower latency | Requires cable routing, less flexible placement |
| Wi-Fi (wireless) | Convenient, flexible placement, no cables | Subject to interference, potentially slower, less stable |
Where possible, connecting your television via Ethernet cable provides the most reliable performance. If wireless remains the only option, ensure the television connects to the 5GHz band rather than 2.4GHz for improved speeds, provided your router supports dual-band operation.
Improving wireless signal strength
Several strategies can enhance Wi-Fi performance:
- Position the router closer to the television
- Elevate the router to reduce physical obstructions
- Reduce interference from other electronic devices
- Update router firmware for improved performance
- Consider a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network system
Addressing connectivity concerns naturally leads to examining how data is stored and managed on the device.
Optimise storage usage
Understanding storage limitations
Smart televisions typically include limited internal storage compared to computers or smartphones. As this storage fills with app data, cached content, and system files, performance degrades noticeably. The operating system requires adequate free space to function efficiently and manage temporary files.
Clearing cached data
Applications store temporary files called cache to speed up subsequent launches and reduce data usage. Over time, these caches grow substantially and ironically begin hindering rather than helping performance. Clear cached data through the application settings:
- Access the settings menu
- Navigate to applications or apps
- Select individual applications
- Choose the clear cache option
This process removes temporary files whilst preserving login credentials and personalised settings. For applications experiencing particular difficulties, clearing data provides a more thorough reset but requires signing in again.
Managing downloads and recordings
Some smart televisions allow downloading content for offline viewing or recording live broadcasts. These files consume significant storage space and should be deleted once watched. Regularly review your downloads and recordings, removing content that no longer serves a purpose.
With storage optimised, the final consideration involves how the television allocates its processing resources.
Minimise resource usage of your smart TV
Closing background applications
Unlike traditional televisions that simply display input signals, smart TVs function as computers running multiple processes simultaneously. Applications often remain active in the background after switching to different content, consuming valuable memory and processing power. Manually closing these apps frees resources for the currently active application.
Performing regular restarts
Restarting your television clears temporary files, terminates stuck processes, and refreshes system resources. This simple action resolves numerous performance issues. Two restart methods exist:
- Soft restart: using the remote to power off and on
- Hard restart: unplugging the power cable for 60 seconds before reconnecting
The hard restart proves more effective for persistent problems as it completely drains residual power and forces a full system reinitialisation.
Adjusting visual settings for performance
Certain picture enhancements require substantial processing power. Motion smoothing, advanced upscaling, and HDR processing all demand computational resources. Disabling unnecessary visual enhancements can improve menu responsiveness and reduce lag, particularly on older hardware struggling with modern features.
Smart televisions, despite their age, can continue providing excellent entertainment experiences when properly maintained. The fixes outlined above address the most common causes of sluggish performance without requiring technical knowledge or financial investment. Regular software updates ensure compatibility with modern services whilst removing unused applications and clearing cached data prevents resource exhaustion. Network optimisation eliminates buffering frustrations, and mindful resource management keeps the system running smoothly. Implementing these straightforward adjustments transforms an ageing device from a source of irritation into a reliable entertainment hub, postponing the need for costly replacements whilst maximising the value of your existing investment.