Server error 116 on your Samsung TV means your device’s Smart Hub cannot connect to the Internet.
This can be caused by a poor internet connection or a problem in the network settings, making it impossible for your TV to access the Internet.
Error code 116 can also be caused by other issues such as outdated firmware, software glitches, internet router issues, or internet service provider issues.
Basic troubleshooting guide
Before performing any advanced troubleshooting steps, you should try the following simple solutions when you encounter error code 116:
- Check that your TV has a working Wi-Fi or wired internet connection.
- If you are using Wi-Fi, check that you have a strong signal reaching your TV. If not, try moving your router closer to the TV or connecting it to the internet using an ethernet cable.
- Ensure that your Wi-Fi network has not changed.
- Try connecting your TV to the internet using another network (for example, a cellular internet connection).
- Disconnect and reconnect your TV to the Wi-Fi network (If using ethernet, unplug then plug in the internet cable).
If none of these solutions work, you can try the advanced troubleshooting steps below:
1. Reset your network settings
Resetting network settings helps clear issues such as faulty DNS settings that prevent your TV from automatically receiving an IP address from your internet router.
To fix it:
- Press the Home button on your remote, then go to Menu > Settings > All Settings.
- Scroll down to the Connection option, then select Network.
- Under Network, select Reset Network and confirm your choice to start the reset process.
Note: Resetting the network will wipe all settings, including saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords.
2. Reboot your Wi-Fi router
To reboot your router, turn it off and then on using the power button on the front panel, which will restart it.
You can also reboot the router by power cycling—unplugging it from the electrical outlet, waiting about 30 seconds, then plugging it back in and turning it on.
Lastly, you can reboot your router online. For this, you must log into your router’s online management portal. To do this:
- Connect your computer to your router’s Wi-Fi network or via an ethernet cable.
- Enter your router’s IP address on a web browser (most routers use http://192.168.100.1, but you can check your router’s IP address by clicking on the Wi-Fi network details and noting down the default gateway).
- Enter the username and login of your router (The default login details are usually located on your router’s bottom panel. You can also search your router’s model online for default login details.)
- Browse your router’s settings to locate a “Restart/Reboot” option and click on it to restart your device.
Note: When rebooting your router online, be careful not to change other settings, as this can irreparably mess with your internet settings, especially those provided by the internet service provider.
3. Reset your TV
To reset your TV:
- Turn off your Samsung TV.
- Unplug the power cable from the electrical outlet.
- Press and hold the power button on the TV for about 30 seconds to discharge any built-up electrical charge.
- Plug the cable back in and turn the TV on.
The reset will clear any temporary glitches, bugs, and corrupted settings, allowing your TV to connect to the internet without any issues.
You can also reset your TV’s Smart Hub, which can clear any glitches and corrupted settings that could be causing a server error 116.
To reset the Smart Hub:
- Press the Home button on your TV remote, then go to Menu > Settings > All Settings.
- Select Support, then go to Device Care and choose Self Diagnosis.
- Under Self Diagnosis, select Reset Smart Hub, then press the OK button on your remote.
- Enter your PIN (default is 0000), then press OK on your remote to complete the reset.
Note: Resetting the Smart Hub will wipe all the settings, apps, and saved account information on your device, so you should perform this action with care.
4. Update your TV firmware
Outdated TV firmware can cause internet connectivity issues on your Samsung TV, leading to error code 116.
To fix the issue, update your TV to the latest firmware version.
Usually, you can update your TV’s firmware automatically online. However, since you cannot connect to the internet, you must do this manually.
To update the firmware:
- Go to Samsung Download Centre and enter your TV’s model number in the search bar.
- Download the latest firmware for your device, unzip the files, and copy them to the root directory (without folders) of a USB drive. For the best results, the USB drive should be empty and, preferably, formatted.
- Insert the USB drive into the USB port of your Samsung TV.
- Press the Home button on your TV remote, then go to Menu > Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now, and press the OK button.
Your TV will then load and install the firmware update from the USB drive, after which you should unplug it, restart the TV, and try connecting to the internet.
5. Factory reset your TV
If you still have issues connecting your TV to the internet (and you have a working connection), you could try factory resetting your device.
However, a factory reset will wipe all settings and delete any installed apps on your TV. Therefore, you should only try this as a last resort.
To perform a factory reset:
- Press the Home button on your TV remote, then go to Menu > Settings > All Settings > General & Privacy.
- Scroll down to Reset and press OK on your remote.
- Enter your PIN, then press OK on your remote to start the reset.
- After the resetting, turn on your TV and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up, then try connecting to the internet.