How to Update a Smart TV (Hisense, LG, TCL and More)

To update a smart TV, open Settings, find Support, About or System, and choose Software update or System update; the TV downloads and installs it, then restarts. The exact menu differs by brand, so the paths for Hisense, LG and TCL are below. Have a Samsung? Follow our Samsung TV update guide.

Why updates matter

Apps keep working. Streaming and YouTube apps eventually stop supporting old TV software.
Bugs get fixed: freezing, Wi-Fi dropouts, sound sync and remote problems.
Security: a TV on your home Wi-Fi is a computer and needs patches.

Updating the TV’s system is separate from updating individual apps; for those, see how to update TV apps.

Hisense (VIDAA and Android)

Hisense VIDAA (most Hisense smart TVs sold in Kenya): 1. Press the gear/Settings button on the remote. 2. Go to Support > System Update (on some models: Settings > System > About). 3. Select Check Firmware Upgrade, then Upgrade. 4. Turn on Auto Firmware Upgrade so it updates on its own.

Hisense Android TV: Settings > Device Preferences > About > System update.

LG webOS

Press Settings (gear) on the remote, then All Settings.
Go to Support > Software Update (older models: General > About This TV).
Select Check for Updates and follow the prompts.
Switch on Allow Automatic Updates (or Auto Update).

TCL and Android/Google TVs

TCL Google TV, and other Google TV sets: Settings > System > About > System update.

Older TCL and other Android TVs: Settings > Device Preferences > About > System update (on some TCL models, it’s under More Settings or Support).

Can’t find it? Look for “Support”, “About”, “System” or “Software” in Settings; one of them will have the update option. If the TV says it’s up to date but still lags, see how to fix a slow smart TV.

Power cuts during updates: stay safe

A power cut during an update can corrupt the software and leave the TV stuck on the logo or a black screen. It’s rare but costly, so:

Update when power is stable, not during a storm, and avoid evening peak times when outages are more common in your area.
Plug the TV into a UPS or stabiliser if you have one. A stabiliser also protects against surges when power returns.
Use home Wi-Fi, not a phone hotspot. Updates can be large and will eat into a bundle; a slow or dropping connection prolongs the risky part.
Don’t switch off or unplug while the progress bar shows. Some updates restart the TV more than once.

If the TV won’t boot after a failed update, unplug it for a few minutes and try again. If it’s still stuck, contact the brand’s service centre or an authorised fundi; recovery usually needs special tools, and the TV may still be under warranty.

How often should you update?

Turn on automatic updates and let the TV handle it. Manufacturers release updates every few months for newer models and less often for older ones. A manual check every few months is enough if you prefer to control when updates happen.