How to Change the Input on an LG TV Without a Remote

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Change inputs even if you’ve lost your remote

Co-authored by Adam Paris and Travis Boylls

Last Updated: October 1, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using TV Buttons

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Using the Smartphone App

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Using a Computer Mouse

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You've lost your LG TV remote, or maybe its battery is finished. If you need to change the input on your television, there's an easy way to do so without using a remote. This wikiHow article teaches you how to change the input on your LG TV using the TV buttons, the mobile app, and a wireless mouse.

Changing LG TV Inputs with Buttons

Locate the TV's buttons, usually on the bottom under the LG logo. On older LG TVs, press the Input button to switch between them. On newer models, quick-press the Power button to open and navigate the menu. Long-press to select “Input” and quick-press to cycle between inputs.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using TV Buttons

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1
Search for your LG TV's buttons. LG tends to place them along the bottom of the set, directly under the LG logo.^{[1]
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- On some models, the buttons are located along the bottom-right rear side.
- If you are at a hotel or hospital, the input button may be disabled.
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Power on your TV. Find the power button and press it to power on the TV set.
- If your power button is broken, you can hold down one of the volume or channel buttons for a few seconds to power on the TV.
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3
Determine which button is the input button. On newer models, there is a single power button that you can use to select and cycle through menu options. Older models feature six buttons: a power button, a volume-up button, a volume-down button, a channel-up button, a channel-down button, and a menu button.
- Older LG TV models also have an input button. It is likely to be either the leftmost or rightmost button. If your TV has one, using it to switch inputs is the simplest method of doing so without a remote.
- A few models feature a joystick that allows you to toggle between inputs, although this is less common.
- You can find your TV's exact settings and button alignment by consulting the manual.
4
Tap the power button to open the menu. Tapping the power button once opens a menu for your TV.
- If you don’t tap the button for 10 seconds, the menu will disappear.
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Hold the power button. This selects the Input option.
- Be careful not to hold the power button down too long, as this will power off your TV set. This might present a difficult learning curve at first, but you should get the proper timing down soon enough.
Quick-tapping the power button while on the Input option will cycle between the different inputs.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the Smartphone App

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1
Download the LG ThinQ app. The app is available for free on the App Store for iPhone users and on the Google Play Store for Android users. Its logo is a white house against a red background.^{[2]
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- Keep in mind you must have an LG Smart TV to use the app with your TV.
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Power on your TV. Using the power button on the bottom/rear of your TV, turn the TV on.
- Also ensure that your TV and smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If this is your home Wi-Fi, you likely configured your TV to be on that network when you first set it up.^{[3]
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Tap the app icon on your Home screen or Apps menu to open it. You can also tap Open in the App Store or Google Play Store once the app is finished installing.
The first time you launch the app, you will need to sign in. To do so, tap Get Started at the bottom of the app. Tap Next on the next couple of slides, and then tap Sign in. Sign in with the email and password associated with your LG account. If you don’t have an account, tap Sign Up and follow the prompts to create an account.
It’s in the upper-right corner of the app. This displays a menu.
It should be the first option at the top of the menu.^{[4]
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It should be the second option in the “Add Devices” menu.
Your TV will need to be powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your mobile device. Tap Next if your TV is ready to connect.
It has an icon that resembles a flat panel TV. The app should start scanning for TVs connected to the same network.
It may take a few seconds for it to appear as an option, so don’t worry if you don’t see it right away. Tap your TV model when it appears in the menu at the bottom.^{[5]
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This 8-digit code will appear in a blue box at the center of the screen.
If you want, you can log in to your TV with your LG account. To do so, tap Log In. If you don’t wish to do so, tap Skip.
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Connect a smart speaker to your TV (optional) and tap Ok. If you want to connect a smart speaker to your TV, tap the toggle switch to do so. Then tap Ok. The app will connect to your TV when you are finished.
- If you choose to connect a smart speaker, the app will guide you through the process. Follow the prompts to connect your speaker.
- Once the app is connected to your TV, there will be a few splash screens that guide you through the features of the app. Tap Next on all the slides to skip to the next one.
Once your TV is connected, you should see your TV on the Home screen.
It’s next to “Remote Control.” This displays all Remote Control options.
It’s the icon that resembles a cord with a plug. It’s at the bottom of the remote control menu in the center. This will switch inputs on your TV.^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Computer Mouse

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If you have a wireless mouse handy, you can use it to control your LG TV.
The port should be at the back of the TV set, in line with the HDMI ports.
Press the power button at the bottom/rear of the TV set.
On most newer TV models, you can just quick-tap the power button to open the menu. On older TV models, press the Input or Menu button.
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Use the mouse to select an input. It may feel a bit strange at first, but you can use your mouse to select and click on your desired input.^{[7]
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- You can also use your mouse to switch channels, or connect your TV to Wi-Fi if it is a Smart TV. Consult your TV's user manual for more details!