Alexa can control many smart TVs, but the setup depends on the TV platform. Fire TV-based televisions integrate most directly, while Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, and other brands usually need an Alexa skill.
These steps apply to Fire TV Edition televisions and smart TVs that support Alexa through the Alexa app.
Does this affect you?
Use this if you want to turn the TV on, change volume, open apps, or start routines by voice. The command range is best on Fire TV and more limited on non-Fire TV brands.
Connect a Fire TV or Fire TV Edition television
Fire TV televisions already include Amazon’s TV software, so Alexa linking is mostly account based.
- During TV setup, sign in with your Amazon account.
- If you skipped that step, open Fire TV Settings > My Account.
- Sign in with the same Amazon account used in the Alexa app.
- Open the Alexa app on your phone.
- Tap Devices.
- Open TVs and confirm the Fire TV appears.
- Try Alexa, turn on the TV or Alexa, open Netflix on the living room TV.
Because Alexa is built into Fire TV, many commands work from the TV itself without a separate Echo speaker in the room.
Connect Samsung, LG, Sony, or another smart TV
Non-Fire TV brands usually connect through the brand’s Alexa skill.
- Open the Alexa app.
- Tap More.
- Open Skills & Games.
- Search for your TV brand’s skill, such as SmartThings for Samsung or LG ThinQ for LG.
- Tap Enable.
- Sign in with the account connected to your TV.
- Go to Devices > All Devices and confirm the TV appears.
- Rename it clearly, such as Living Room TV.
- Test Alexa, turn up the volume on the TV.
If the TV does not support an Alexa skill, a Fire TV Stick can add app-launching and streaming voice control. A smart plug may provide very basic power control for some TVs, but many modern TVs do not fully turn on correctly from a plug alone.
Groups, routines, and limits
Add the TV to an Alexa group with nearby speakers, soundbars, plugs, or lights. Then a routine such as Alexa, movie time can turn on the TV and dim the lights together.
In More > Routines, you can create an action that turns on the TV, opens an app, changes volume, or starts a scene if your TV skill supports it.
Fine controls such as typing in search fields, navigating every on-screen menu, or switching HDMI inputs by friendly name may not work outside Fire TV. On many third-party TVs, Alexa mainly handles power, volume, launching apps, and simple playback.
Keep the TV and Echo on the same main Wi-Fi network and check that the TV brand account has not been logged out. Firmware updates can occasionally break the skill link and require signing in again.
Sources
- Amazon Support – Control your TV with Alexa (2025)
- Amazon Support – Set up a smart home skill in the Alexa app (2025)
- Samsung Support – Connect your Samsung TV with Amazon Alexa (2025)