How to Change Default Channel on Samsung TV: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

How to Change Default Channel on Samsung TV

To change the default channel on your Samsung TV:

1. Press the Home button on your Samsung remote

2. Navigate to Settings (gear icon)

3. Select General > Smart Features

4. Enable "Autorun Last App"

5. Disable "Autorun Samsung TV Plus" if active

6. Turn off "Start with Smart Hub Home"

7. Power cycle TV to apply changes

For 2024-2025 models: Settings > All Settings > General & Privacy > Start Screen Options

Why Your Samsung TV Defaults to the Wrong Channel

You turn on your Samsung TV expecting your cable box or last-watched channel. Instead, Samsung TV Plus blares some random cooking show you've never seen. Sound familiar?

This frustration hits millions of Samsung TV owners every day. The culprit? Samsung's factory settings prioritize their free streaming service over what you actually want to watch.

Here's what's actually happening. Samsung TV Plus is a pre-installed streaming service that Samsung promotes heavily. It ships enabled by default on virtually every Samsung Smart TV manufactured since 2017. When you power on your TV, Samsung's Tizen operating system checks which startup options are active—and TV Plus often wins that battle.

The three most common startup complaints from Samsung TV owners:

• Samsung TV Plus autoplaying unwanted content the moment you power on

• Shopping channels like QVC appearing instead of your cable input

• Smart Hub home screen loading when you just want your last channel

Here's the catch: Samsung TVs don't have a simple "default channel" dropdown menu. You can't just pick Channel 5 or HDMI 1 from a list and call it done. Instead, you need to configure a combination of startup settings that work together to achieve the behavior you want.

This guide covers every Samsung TV model from 2017 through 2025. I'll walk you through five different methods to take control of your TV's startup behavior, from the quick fix to advanced service menu options.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Changing Samsung TV Settings

Before you start adjusting settings, let's make sure you have everything ready.

What you'll need:

• Samsung Smart TV (2017 or newer for full feature support)

• Samsung remote control (standard or Smart Remote)

• About 2-5 minutes for the basic method

• 10-15 minutes if you need advanced troubleshooting

Difficulty level: Easy—no technical expertise required.

Identifying your TV's model year:

Navigate to Settings > Support > About This TV to find your model number. Alternatively, check the label on the back of your TV.

For QLED and Neo QLED models, the year code typically appears as the 9th character in your model number. Example: In "QN65Q80CAFXZA," the "C" indicates a 2023 model.

Knowing your model year matters because Samsung changed menu organization significantly in 2022. The paths I'll show you vary depending on which generation of Tizen OS your TV runs.

How to Change Default Channel Using Autorun Last App Settings

The Autorun Last App feature is your primary tool for controlling startup behavior. When enabled, your Samsung TV remembers whatever channel, app, or input you were using before powering off—and returns to it automatically.

For 2022-2025 Models (B, C, D, F Series)

1. Press Home on your remote

2. Navigate to Settings (gear icon)

3. Select All Settings

4. Go to General & Privacy

5. Select Start Screen Options

6. Toggle "Autorun Last App" to ON

7. Toggle "Start with Smart Hub Home" to OFF

8. Toggle "Autorun Samsung TV Plus" to OFF

For 2017-2021 Models (M through A Series)

1. Press Home on your remote

2. Navigate to Settings

3. Select General

4. Choose Smart Features

5. Enable "Autorun Last App"

6. Disable "Start with Smart Hub Home"

7. Disable "Autorun Samsung TV Plus"

What Each Setting Actually Does

Understanding these settings prevents confusion later:

Start with Smart Hub Home controls whether your TV shows the app home screen on startup. When enabled, you'll see the tile interface with all your apps. When disabled, your TV goes directly to whatever you were last watching.

Autorun Last App tells your TV to launch the last application or channel you used. This is the key setting for maintaining channel continuity.

Autorun Samsung TV Plus forces the TV Plus streaming service to launch on startup—regardless of what you were watching before. This one needs to stay OFF if you want your preferences respected.

Recommended Settings Combination

For most users who want their TV to start on the last channel watched:

Verification Steps

After changing these settings:

1. Switch to your preferred channel or input

2. Power off your TV completely (not standby)

3. Wait 10 seconds

4. Power on and verify it starts where you left off

Important Compatibility Note

Not every streaming app supports the Autorun Last App feature. Netflix and YouTube TV have known compatibility issues on older Samsung models—the TV may default to Samsung TV Plus instead. This isn't your fault; it's an app-level limitation.

During testing across several Samsung TV models from 2020-2025, Netflix worked consistently on 2022 and newer TVs but was hit-or-miss on earlier generations. If your preferred streaming app doesn't work with autorun, try Method 2 (disabling TV Plus entirely) as a workaround.

How to Stop Samsung TV Plus From Playing Automatically

Samsung TV Plus launching uninvited ranks as the number one complaint in Samsung's community forums. If the autorun toggle isn't solving your problem, you have additional options.

Method 1: Disable the Autorun Setting

This is the quickest fix for most users:

1. Press Home on your remote

2. Go to Settings > General > Smart Features

3. Find "Autorun Samsung TV Plus"

4. Toggle it OFF

5. Power cycle your TV (hold power button until it shuts down completely)

For 2024-2025 models, the path is Settings > All Settings > General & Privacy > Start Screen Options.

Method 2: Disable the Samsung TV Plus App Entirely

If the autorun toggle doesn't stick—or if your model doesn't have it—removing the app solves the problem permanently:

1. Press Home on your remote

2. Navigate to the Samsung TV Plus app icon in the bottom row

3. Press and hold the Enter/OK button until a menu appears

4. Select Remove

5. When prompted, choose Disable

6. You'll see a "Deleted successfully" message

This removes Samsung TV Plus from your home screen AND prevents it from running in the background. Your TV can no longer default to something that doesn't exist.

Method 3: Delete All TV Plus Channels

For users who occasionally use TV Plus but don't want random channels autoplaying:

1. Go to Settings > Broadcasting > Edit Channels

2. Select the TV Plus channels you want to remove

3. Press Delete

With no channels available, Samsung TV Plus has nothing to autoplay even if it launches.

Important Warning: Firmware Updates Reset Preferences

Here's something most guides don't mention: Samsung firmware updates frequently reset the "Autorun Samsung TV Plus" toggle back to ON.

After any software update notification, immediately check Settings > General > Smart Features to verify your preferences survived. If TV Plus starts appearing again after an update, you know exactly why.

For a truly permanent solution, Method 2 (disabling the app) survives updates better than Method 1 (toggling autorun off).

Re-Enabling TV Plus Later

Changed your mind? Samsung TV Plus can be restored:

1. Navigate to Settings > Connected Devices > Samsung TV Plus

2. Select Add to Home

The app returns to your home screen, and you can access the free streaming channels again.

How to Set HDMI or External Input as Default on Samsung TV

Cable box users, Apple TV owners, and gaming console enthusiasts have a different challenge: getting the TV to start on an HDMI input rather than a channel or app.

Samsung doesn't offer a simple "default input" dropdown. But with the right combination of settings, you can achieve the same result.

Method 1: Configure Settings for HDMI Startup

This approach makes your TV remember the last input—including HDMI ports:

1. Go to Settings > General > Smart Features (or Start Screen Options on 2022+ models)

2. Turn OFF "Start with Smart Hub Home"

3. Turn ON "Autorun Last App"

4. Turn OFF "Autorun Samsung TV Plus"

5. Switch to your desired HDMI input

6. Power off your TV while on that HDMI input

7. Power on—it should return to HDMI

The key: always leave your TV on the HDMI input before shutting down. The TV remembers the last source, not just the last app.

Method 2: Enable Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)

For external devices like Apple TV, Roku, or cable boxes, HDMI-CEC provides automatic input switching:

1. Navigate to Settings > General > External Device Manager

2. Select Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)

3. Toggle it ON

4. Enable "Auto Turn On" if available

With Anynet+ active, your TV automatically switches to an HDMI device when that device powers on. Turn on your Apple TV first, and your Samsung TV follows.

Use-Case Recommendations

Troubleshooting: TV Still Defaults to Wrong Input

If your TV keeps reverting to the TV source despite these settings, check if your connected device goes to sleep.

Apple TV's sleep mode causes the TV to lose the HDMI connection. When you power the TV back on, it can't detect Apple TV (which is sleeping) and defaults to TV Plus or the internal tuner.

Fix: In Apple TV Settings, set Sleep After to Never, or change it to a longer interval.

For cable boxes, configure the box to stay on in standby rather than fully powering down.

Samsung TV Settings Menu Paths by Model Year (2017-2025)

Samsung reorganized their Tizen OS settings menu in 2022, which causes endless confusion when following online guides. Here's the definitive reference for every Samsung TV generation.

2025 Models (F Series)

Menu path: Settings > All Settings > Advanced Features > Start Screen Options

Some regional variants use: Settings > General & Privacy > Start Screen Options

Available settings:

• Start with Smart Hub Home

• Autorun Last App

• Autorun Samsung TV Plus

• Autorun Multi View Mirroring

2022-2024 Models (B, C, D Series)

Menu path: Settings > All Settings > General & Privacy > Start Screen Options

These models introduced the "General & Privacy" category that consolidated several previous menu sections.

2017-2021 Models (M, N, R, T, A Series)

Menu path: Settings > General > Smart Features

Earlier Tizen versions placed these controls under the simpler "Smart Features" submenu.

2016 and Earlier Models

Menu path: Menu > System > Smart Features or Menu > Smart Hub > Auto-start Settings

Customization options are limited on pre-2017 models. Some settings may not exist.

The Frame TV Special Considerations

The Frame has additional complexity due to Art Mode. When Art Mode is active, the TV displays artwork instead of a channel when "on."

To ensure The Frame starts on a channel rather than Art Mode:

1. Disable Art Mode before powering off

2. Configure Autorun Last App as described above

3. The TV should return to your last channel rather than artwork

Quick Model Year Reference Table

To find your model number: Settings > Support > About This TV

Troubleshooting: Samsung TV Startup Settings Not Working

You've configured everything correctly, but your TV still misbehaves. Here are the five most common issues and their fixes.

Issue 1: Settings Reset After Power Off

Symptom: Your startup preferences revert to defaults every time you turn off the TV.

Cause: Your TV is almost certainly in Store Demo mode. This mode is designed for retail displays and automatically resets settings every 30 minutes (or after power cycling) to showcase features.

Fix:

1. Navigate to Settings > General > System Manager > Usage Mode

2. If it says "Store Demo" or "Retail Mode," select Home Mode

3. Enter the PIN if prompted (default: 0000)

4. Power cycle your TV

For 2017-2021 models: Settings > General > System Manager > Usage Mode

For 2022-2025 models: Settings > General & Privacy > System Manager > Usage Mode

Store Demo mode commonly occurs on TVs purchased as floor models or refurbished units. Switching to Home Mode permanently fixes the reset problem.

Issue 2: Samsung TV Plus Keeps Returning Despite Disabling

Symptom: You disabled Samsung TV Plus, but it came back after a few days.

Cause: Firmware updates reset this preference more aggressively than other settings.

Fix: After any software update, immediately verify your Smart Features settings. Better yet, disable the TV Plus app entirely (Method 2 from Section 4) rather than just toggling off autorun.

Issue 3: Autorun Last App Doesn't Work

Symptom: You enabled Autorun Last App, but the TV still starts on Samsung TV Plus or Smart Hub.

Cause: Either app compatibility issues or conflicting settings.

Fixes:

1. Enable both settings together. On some models, "Autorun Smart Hub" and "Autorun Last App" work in tandem. Try enabling Autorun Smart Hub while keeping Autorun Last App on.

2. Reset Smart Hub. Navigate to Settings > Support > Device Care > Self Diagnosis > Reset Smart Hub. Enter PIN 0000 when prompted.

   Warning: Resetting Smart Hub logs you out of all streaming apps. You'll need to sign back into Netflix, Disney+, YouTube TV, and others.

3. Check app support. Not all apps support autorun. If you're specifically trying to start on YouTube TV and it keeps failing, this may be an app limitation rather than a TV issue.

Issue 4: TV Defaults to Wrong Input Instead of Last Used

Symptom: You left the TV on HDMI 1, but it powers on to the TV tuner or Samsung TV Plus.

Cause: Your connected device (Apple TV, Roku, cable box) went to sleep or powered down, breaking the HDMI connection.

Fixes:

• Apple TV: Settings > General > Sleep After > Never

• Roku: Settings > System > Power > Fast TV Start > On

• Cable boxes: Check your provider's settings for standby mode vs. full power-off

When the HDMI device sleeps, your Samsung TV can't detect an active signal on that port. It reverts to the next available source—usually TV Plus.

Issue 5: Settings Menu Options Missing or Grayed Out

Symptom: You can't find Smart Features, or the Broadcasting menu is inaccessible.

Causes and fixes:

• Broadcasting menu grayed out: Your TV source isn't set to TV/antenna. Press Source on your remote and select TV (not HDMI). The Broadcasting menu only activates when receiving broadcast signals.

• Smart Features missing: You may have a 2016 or earlier model with limited Tizen functionality. Check Menu > System > Smart Features instead.

• Regional variants: Some Samsung TVs sold in specific regions have different menu structures. The settings exist but under slightly different names.

Advanced Method: Service Menu Default Channel Settings

For power users who need absolute control over startup behavior—and when standard settings fail—the service menu offers a deeper solution.

⚠️ WARNING: Service menu changes can affect TV calibration and functionality. Incorrect settings may cause display issues or void your warranty. Only proceed if you're comfortable with advanced troubleshooting.

When to Use This Method

Consider the service menu approach when:

• Standard Autorun settings don't work on your specific model

• You need the TV to always start on a specific HDMI port regardless of sleep states

• You're setting up commercial displays or hospitality environments

Accessing the Options Menu (2019+ Smart Remote)

With your TV on:

1. On your Smart Remote's control ring, press: Up → Down → OK

2. The Options/Service menu should appear

This method works on most Samsung TVs from 2019 onwards with Smart Remote controls.

Configuring Power On Source

1. Navigate to Control > Hotel Options

2. Enable Hospitality Mode (set to ON)

3. Go to Power On

4. Select Power On Source

5. Choose your desired default: HDMI 1, HDMI 2, TV, etc.

With this configured, your TV always starts on the selected input—regardless of what you were watching before shutdown.

Limitations to Know

• Not available on all Samsung TV models

• These settings persist through firmware updates (unlike Smart Features)

• May affect other TV behaviors like channel scanning

• Enabling Hospitality Mode is designed for hotel environments and changes some default behaviors

Exiting the Service Menu

Press the Power button on your remote. The TV will save settings and shut down. On next startup, your configured default source activates.

Pro Tips: Optimizing Samsung TV Startup for Different Setups

Different households have different needs. Here's setup-specific guidance based on real-world testing.

Cable or Satellite Box Users

Optimal configuration:

• Enable Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)

• Disable all autorun options in Smart Features

• Use your cable remote to control TV power

When you press power on your cable remote, the TV follows. The cable box takes control of the startup sequence. This is the most reliable setup for traditional TV watchers.

Streaming-Only Households

Optimal configuration:

• Enable Autorun Last App

• Disable Samsung TV Plus autorun

• Leave TV on your preferred streaming app before shutting down

Note that Netflix, Hulu, and most major apps work well with Autorun Last App on 2022 and newer models. YouTube TV has reported inconsistencies—test your specific setup.

Antenna/Over-the-Air Users

Optimal configuration:

• Autorun Last App works for broadcast TV channels

• Use the Favorites list for quick channel access

• Consider deleting channels you never watch to simplify navigation

Go to Settings > Broadcasting > Edit Channels to remove unwanted channels from your lineup.

Simplified Setup for Elderly Users or Children

Optimal configuration:

• Disable Smart Hub Home startup (goes directly to TV)

• Enable Autorun Last App

• Remove unused apps from the home screen

• Consider the SmartThings app for remote troubleshooting

To remove apps from the home screen: highlight the app, press and hold Enter/OK, select Remove. This declutters the interface without uninstalling anything.

General Best Practices

• Power cycle after changing settings. Unplug your TV for 30 seconds, then reconnect. This clears cached settings.

• Check settings after firmware updates. Samsung updates frequently reset preferences, especially the TV Plus autorun toggle.

• Use SmartThings for remote verification. The Samsung SmartThings app lets you check and adjust TV settings from your phone—helpful when troubleshooting for relatives.

Frequently Asked Questions About Samsung TV Default Channels

Can I set a specific channel number to always start on my Samsung TV?

Samsung Smart TVs don't have a "default channel number" setting where you pick Channel 7 or Channel 203 from a dropdown. The closest equivalent is Autorun Last App: enable it, tune to your preferred channel, then power off. Your TV will return to that channel on startup.

If you need a truly fixed channel (common in hospitality settings), the service menu's Power On Source option is your only path—but it's designed for inputs, not specific channel numbers.

Why does Samsung TV Plus start even though I disabled it?

Firmware updates frequently reset the "Autorun Samsung TV Plus" preference. After any software update, verify your settings at Settings > General > Smart Features.

For a more permanent solution, disable the Samsung TV Plus app entirely: Home > Samsung TV Plus > Hold OK > Remove > Disable. A disabled app can't autorun regardless of firmware changes.

Will these settings survive a firmware update?

Standard Smart Features settings may reset after major firmware updates. The "Autorun Samsung TV Plus" toggle is especially prone to reverting.

Service menu settings (like Power On Source in Hospitality Mode) survive updates more reliably. After any update, check Settings > General > Smart Features to verify your preferences.

How do I find my Samsung TV model year?

Go to Settings > Support > About This TV. Your model number appears on screen.

Find the year code in the model number:

• F = 2025

• D = 2024

• C = 2023

• B = 2022

• A = 2021

For QLED/Neo QLED models, the year code is typically the 9th character.

Can I set Netflix or YouTube TV as my default startup app?

You can't directly designate Netflix or YouTube TV as a "default app." However, enabling Autorun Last App achieves similar results: leave your TV on Netflix before powering off, and it should return to Netflix on startup.

Compatibility varies by app and TV model. Netflix works consistently on 2022+ models. YouTube TV has known issues on older Samsung TVs where it fails to autorun despite the setting being enabled.

Why is the Broadcasting menu grayed out on my Samsung TV?

The Broadcasting menu only activates when your TV source is set to TV/antenna input—not HDMI.

Press Source on your remote and select TV. The Broadcasting menu should become accessible. This menu controls antenna scanning, channel editing, and similar features that only apply to over-the-air reception.

How do I return to factory default startup settings?

To restore Samsung's original startup configuration:

1. Go to Settings > General > Smart Features

2. Enable "Autorun Smart Hub"

3. Enable "Autorun Last App"

4. Enable "Autorun Samsung TV Plus"

5. Enable "Start with Smart Hub Home"

6. Power cycle your TV

Alternatively, perform a full factory reset: Settings > General > Reset, then enter PIN 0000. This erases all customizations and returns the TV to out-of-box state.

Does this work with a cable box connected via HDMI?

Yes. Configure your settings as described, leave your TV on the cable box's HDMI input before powering off, and enable Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) for best results.

One caveat: if your cable box goes to full power-off mode (not standby), the TV may lose the HDMI connection and revert to TV Plus. Configure your cable box to remain in standby rather than fully shutting down.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Samsung TV Startup Experience

Samsung TVs don't make changing the default startup channel obvious—but it's absolutely possible with the right approach.

For most users, the Autorun Last App method solves the problem in under two minutes. Disable Samsung TV Plus autorun, enable Autorun Last App, turn off Smart Hub Home, and power cycle. Your TV should now start wherever you left off.

If TV Plus keeps returning despite your settings, disable the app entirely rather than just toggling off the autorun feature. This survives firmware updates better than preference toggles.

For HDMI users, the combination of Autorun Last App and Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) gives you reliable startup behavior with external devices. Just remember that sleeping devices can break the HDMI connection—configure your Apple TV, Roku, or cable box to stay awake in standby.

Bookmark this guide for future reference. Samsung firmware updates can reset your preferences without warning, and you'll want quick access to these instructions when that happens.

Last updated: December 2025. Tested on Samsung QLED, Neo QLED, Crystal UHD, and The Frame TVs from 2020-2025.