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How to set up a VPN on LG TV
LG smart TVs run on webOS, an operating system that doesn’t natively support VPN apps. This means that setting up a VPN isn’t as easy as downloading an app and tapping a connect button. Thankfully, you can enjoy the benefits of a VPN on your LG smart TV by completing a simple manual setup. Here are the best ways to do it:
Set up a VPN on your router
By setting up a VPN on your router, you protect all traffic on your home network, which includes devices such as LG TVs that don’t support VPN apps. Here’s a quick rundown of the process:
- Check if your router is VPN-compatible;
- Install a VPN client on your router. We have detailed instructions for installing a VPN Asus, DD-WRT, Mikrotik, Gl.iNET, Keenetic, OPNsense, and Tomato routers;
- Connect to one of Surfshark’s 3200+ VPN servers, and make sure that your LG TV is connected to your home Wi-Fi.
You can check if your setup was successful with our IP address checker. The IP address shown should match the location of the VPN server you selected. If you need more help, check out our extensive guide for setting up a VPN on your router.
Set up a VPN-protected Wi-Fi sharing hotspot
Your router doesn’t support VPNs? Not all hope is lost. You can achieve the same results by using a Windows computer to set up a virtual router with a VPN.
- Download the Surfshark app and install it on your Windows computer;
- Navigate to the TAP adapter settings in the Network & Internet section;
- Configure your VPN adapter to allow sharing;
- Connect to a VPN on your Windows computer and turn on the Wi-Fi hotspot. Then connect to the hotspot with your LG TV.
Check out our VPN-protected Wi-Fi hotspot setup guide for a more detailed look at setting up a virtual router with a VPN.
Set up a smart DNS on your LG TV
A smart DNS doesn’t offer the same protection that a VPN does. It doesn’t encrypt your traffic or route it through a VPN server. This also means that it doesn’t hide your IP address. It just changes your DNS address, which makes your traffic seem like it’s coming from a different region.
So even though Surfshark does offer a smart DNS feature, it should not be seen as a replacement for a VPN. Instead, it’s an alternative that can be used if you can’t set up a VPN for your LG TV in any other way. Here’s how you can set it up:
- Log in to your Surfshark account on the Surfshark website;
- Tap on the VPN option on the menu, then choose the Manual setup option;
- Tap on the TV and console option in the Setup methods menu, then tap the Activate Smart DNS option;
- Enter one of the two Surfshark DNS addresses in the DNS SERVER tab on the Advanced Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) settings.
If you need a more thorough walkthrough, we’ve explained each step in detail in our smart DNS for LG TV setup guide.
Why use a VPN for LG smart TV?
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address. This means that third parties can’t snoop on your online activities or track your location, which helps you overcome oppressive censorship, ISP (Internet Service Provider) throttling, and significantly decreases the amount of data you leak online.
In other words, using a VPN for LG TV results in better access to the internet, less buffering on streaming services and fewer targeted ads or phishing attempts based on your activity data.
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What makes Surfshark a great choice for LG TV VPN?
Buffer-free streaming
Video streaming requires a lot of data, which may lead to ISP throttling. Since a VPN hides your online activity, your ISP won’t slow your internet connection down just because you’re watching videos or taking part in some other data-heavy activities.
Secure encryption
A VPN service is only as secure as the encryption it uses. Surfshark uses AES-256 for OpenVPN and IKEv2 together with ChaCha20 for WireGuard. Both are industry-leading algorithms for their respective protocols, so you can rest assured that your data is always protected.
No activity tracking
Not only does Surfshark VPN hide your activity from third parties, but it doesn’t track or keep logs of your activity either. And these aren’t just empty claims, as we back them up with a strict no-logs policy that has been confirmed by Deloitte, one of the Big Four auditing firms.
Vast server network
Server crowdedness and the distance between you and the server are key factors for VPN connection speed. Surfshark has 3200+ RAM-only servers in 100 countries worldwide, which ensures that you’ll be able to find an uncrowded server nearby, no matter where you are.
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Protect all your devices with a single subscription. Surfshark doesn’t limit the number of simultaneous connections, so you can use a VPN on your phone, computer, smart TV, tablet, and other smart devices without having to count your connections.
Modern VPN protocols
VPN protocols are partly responsible for the speed and security of your connection. Surfshark uses OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard VPN protocols, all capable of maintaining a fast, stable, and secure VPN experience.
Should I use a free VPN for LG TV?
While we can’t tell you not to use a free VPN for LG TV, we do want you to know that free VPNs tend to be much slower and less secure than premium VPN providers like Surfshark. On top of that, they’re likely to bombard you with an excessive amount of ads and may even collect and sell your data to third parties.
Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee
We want you to be sure that Surfshark is the best fit for you. That’s why we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of our long-term plans. Use this time to test Surfshark and all its features, and if your expectations aren’t met, simply ask for your money back within 30 days and get a full refund.
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FAQ
Can I use a VPN on my LG smart TV?
There are no dedicated VPNs for LG smart TVs because it doesn’t natively support VPN apps. That said, you can set up a VPN on your router, which encrypts all traffic on your home network, including your LG TV.
Which VPN works for LG TV?
Since LG TV doesn’t support VPN apps, you need a VPN provider that allows you to set up a VPN on your router or has a smart DNS feature. Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for LG TV because it offers lightning-fast connection speeds and industry-leading encryption on top of smart DNS and router compatibility.
Can I have a VPN for my smart TV?
You can have a VPN on any smart TV, but the way that you get VPN protection is different. TVs that run Android can natively support VPN apps, so you just need to install the app and connect to a VPN server to start using a VPN. Others, like Apple TV or LG TV, require you to install a VPN on your router or create a virtual router for the VPN to work.
Does using a VPN affect the speed of my LG Smart TV connection?
Yes, a VPN will impact the speed of your connection on LG TV. But it won’t necessarily decrease it. A VPN can help overcome ISP throttling, which would make your connection faster.
However, if your ISP isn’t throttling your connection, a VPN will decrease your speed. The difference isn’t very noticeable if you use a premium VPN like Surfshark, while a free VPN may make your connection nearly impossible to use.
