Own a smart TV? These 13 features can dramatically improve your performance – here’s how

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Quick settings changes can noticeably improve your smart TV experience.
• Basic maintenance keeps smart TVs fast and more secure.
• Privacy controls let you reduce data collection with minimal trade-offs.

TVs are no longer just displays that you connect to a cable box or streaming device to make them smarter.

They're full-fledged computers now, complete with operating systems, app stores, background services, and internet connections. As a result, they come with a ton of hidden settings, permissions, and features that most people never know about or use.

It's unfortunate, really, because over the years I have learned that a little tweaking can dramatically improve a TV's quality, performance, privacy, and even security. 

These are the top smart TV hacks, tips, and tricks I think everyone should know.

1. Turn off motion smoothing

Many smart TVs have a motion smoothing feature, which you should go ahead and turn off. Often called a "soap opera" effect, it makes movies and TV shows look unnaturally smooth by inserting artificial frames between real ones. This can distort motion and cinematography. By turning it off, you can restore your movies and shows to the way they were intended to look.

Also: I changed 6 settings on my Samsung TV to significantly improve the viewing experience

Samsung, LG, Vizio, and Roku TVs from TCL, Hisense, Sharp, and others all offer a motion smoothing feature. ZDNET has a guide that details how to disable it for each manufacturer.

2. Change the picture mode

Most smart TVs ship with overly bright, oversaturated modes by default. But chances are your set also includes options such as Filmmaker, Movie, or Cinema, which use accurate colors and can improve picture quality.

Also: Watching football? Change these 5 settings on your TV for better performance instantly

Movie and Cinema modes are typically tuned for watching films in darker rooms. They use warmer colors and lower brightness. Filmmaker mode disables extra image processing and preserves the director's original color grading, frame rate, and contrast.

You can usually find picture modes under Picture settings, and almost all manufacturers offer multiple options for you to choose from. You may also see a Game mode, for example, which reduces input lag by disabling extra processing and can make controls feel faster and more responsive. I did a quick search and found the steps for some of the top manufacturers:

• Hisense: Press the Settings button on your remote > Picture > Picture Mode.
• LG: Press the Settings button on your remote > All Settings > Picture > Select Mode.
• Samsung: Press the Settings button on your remote > Picture > Picture Mode.
• Sony: Press Quick Settings on your remote > Picture or Picture Mode.
• TCL: Press the Settings button on your remote > Picture > Picture Mode.
• Vizio: Press the Menu button on your remote > Picture > Picture Mode.

3. Connect your TV with Ethernet

You may be thinking, huh?

Also: Slow Wi-Fi? I found 10 proven ways to fix your internet this weekend (most are free)

Yes, Wi-Fi works just fine for many households, but a wired Ethernet connection is more stable and less prone to interference. If your TV supports it, using Ethernet can reduce buffering, improve streaming quality, and free up Wi-Fi bandwidth for other devices.

While many TVs have built-in Ethernet ports, they are often limited to 100Mbps. If you want even higher speeds, such as 1Gbps, a USB 3.0 to Ethernet adapter can be used.

4. Keep your TV software updated

This one might seem obvious, but even I have to remind myself to do it. I use a Samsung TV with a Roku soundbar, and even though I regularly check for Roku updates and keep it current, I recently dug into my Samsung TV settings and realized the TV's own software was more than two years old because auto-update was not enabled. Whoops.

Also: Your TV's USB port has a forgotten feature that can revitalize an old system for free

Smart TV updates are not just about new features. They often include security patches, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Enabling automatic updates, or checking manually every few months, helps keep your TV running smoothly and safely. Trust me.

You can usually find the software update button directly in Settings on most smart TVs.

5. Clear the cache

If your TV is acting slow -- such as apps crashing, freezing, or lagging -- clearing cached data can help. Smart TVs store temporary files, much like phones and PCs, and those files can become bloated or corrupted over time. Many TVs have a dedicated "clear cache" option in Settings. ZDNET has a guide that explains how to find it on Samsung, LG, Google TVs, and Roku TVs. 

Some sets, including Fire TVs, even let you clear cache by app. You can also uninstall rarely used apps to free up storage and background resources. This can be especially helpful for apps that are behaving oddly. You can always reinstall them later if needed.

6. Restart your TV occasionally

Did you know smart TVs rarely shut down completely? On my Samsung TV, for example, pressing the power button on the remote simply puts it into a low-power standby mode. To do a full restart, which clears temporary memory and can fix sluggish menus, audio glitches, and app bugs, I need to press and hold the power button until the Samsung logo appears.

Also: Is your Samsung TV slow? This 5-second 'cold boot' trick should fix it

You can try this on your own TV remote, or just unplug the set for 30 minutes to perform a cold boot.

7. Customize your home screen

Rearranging or hiding unused apps can make your smart TV faster to navigate and less cluttered.

Most TVs let you move apps, pin favorites, and remove ones you never use. Start by highlighting an app, then long-press a button on the remote to open its options. You may also see a Settings, Tools, or Menu option after selecting an app.

Also: Did Roku rearrange your home screen? You may be able to switch back - here's how

Below is how to move apps for the top manufacturers, but check your TV's specific support pages for details on pinning or removing apps. Those options usually appear once you select an app and enter move or edit mode.

• Hisense: Highlight the app, hold OK or Enter, select Move, and reposition.
• LG: Press Home, highlight the app, hold OK or Wheel, then move it.
• Samsung: Press Home, highlight the app, hold the center button, select Move, and reposition.
• Sony: Press Home, select the app, hold Enter or Select, choose Move, then reposition.
• TCL: Highlight the app, hold OK or Select, choose Move, and reposition.
• Vizio: From the home screen, highlight the app, hold OK or Star, and move it.

8. Disable automatic content recognition

Many smart TVs track what you watch through a feature often called automatic content recognition (ACR) or viewing information services. This data is used for advertising and recommendations. Turning it off improves privacy with little downside for most people. ZDNET has a guide that explains how to disable ACR on Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, and TCL TVs.

9. Limit ad personalization

Although you cannot remove ads entirely on most TVs, you may be able to reduce how personalized and targeted they are to you. Resetting or disabling ad IDs helps limit long-term tracking across apps and services.

Also: Does your TV track you even through the HDMI port? Short answer: Yes

I did a quick search and found the steps for some of the top manufacturers:

• Hisense: Go to Settings > Privacy (or System > Advanced Settings) > Ads, then reset the advertising ID.
• LG: Go to Settings > All Settings > General > System > Advertisement, then reset the Ad ID or turn on Limit Ad Tracking.
• Samsung: Go to Settings > All Settings > General and Privacy > Terms and Privacy, then select Reset PSID.
• Sony: Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads, then reset the advertising ID.
• TCL: Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads, then select Reset advertising ID.
• Vizio: Go to Menu > Admin and Privacy > Advertising, then reset the TV Advertiser ID.

10. Check HDMI ports and cable quality

Not all HDMI ports are created equal. Some support higher refresh rates, gaming features, or enhanced audio return. Using the correct port and a certified HDMI cable will help you get the best performance from consoles and sound systems. I have a guide that explains how to tell HDMI ports apart, as well as another guide that covers several HDMI tips and tricks I use.

11. Use an external streaming device

Hear me out: Most smart TVs are not very fast. They may not have enough built-in processing power to handle multiple streaming apps smoothly. They also may not receive frequent software updates or support every app you want. External streaming devices, such as Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV, receive regular updates, perform better, and offer broader app support.

My parents and mother-in-law all have smart TVs and balk at the idea of adding another device. They say they bought smart TVs so they would not have to -- and I get that. But then they complain that apps take forever to load or that certain features do not work.

My answer is always the same: get a streaming device. They hate that answer, but it is true. Maybe one day, for a birthday or Christmas, I will just buy one for them and hook it up myself. I personally prefer Roku. Amazon's Fire TV and Apple TV have incentives to steer you toward their own streaming services and content. Roku does not.

12. Enable accessibility features

Many TVs include accessibility features such as captions, audio guidance, and voice controls.

These can be useful even if you do not rely on them every day. For instance, audio guidance can provide spoken descriptions of on-screen menus or video scenes for viewers with visual impairments. Voice controls enable hands-free operation, allowing people with visual, motor, or cognitive impairments to navigate menus, search for content, and adjust settings using voice commands.

Also: 6 reasons TV captions are a must-have for people under 45 now

Some Samsung TVs also offer a feature called Gesture Interaction, which lets you control the TV using hand gestures, though it requires a compatible USB camera. It is worth exploring your TV's accessibility menu or manual to see what is available. You may find new features that make your smart TV easier and more enjoyable to use daily.

13. Don't forget your USB port

Ever notice your TV has USB ports? You have probably plugged devices into them, but did you know you can also update your TV's firmware using a USB drive instead of an internet connection? USB ports can also play media and slideshows, support basic workstation setups with peripherals, power streaming devices to modernize older TVs, and charge small devices.

Also: Your TV's USB port has a forgotten feature that can revitalize an old system for free

ZDNET has a guide that details the hidden superpowers you can unlock with your TV's USB port.

FAQs

How often should I update my smart TV?

If an update is available, install it. Software updates can fix bugs, improve performance, and patch security vulnerabilities. If possible, enable automatic updates so they install as soon as they are ready.

Will turning off tracking break my TV?

No. You may lose some personalized recommendations, but core functionality will remain unchanged.

Is Ethernet always better than Wi-Fi?

Ethernet is more stable and less prone to interference, but a strong Wi-Fi connection can work just fine.

How often should I cold reboot my TV?

Every few weeks is usually fine, but you can also do it anytime performance starts to feel sluggish.

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