4 easy ways to make your old smart TV faster

• Update its software
• Clear the cache
• Uninstall apps you no longer need
• Try using a streaming stick

The great thing about smart TVs is that, compared to other devices like your smartphone or PC, they tend to have much longer lifespans. While your smartphone’s battery may start to degrade after two or three years, or your PC’s hardware may become obsolete after a few years, smart TVs don’t really have that problem, and you can get upwards of 10 years out of them.

Yes, your smart TV can become outdated in terms of resolution and refresh rate, but if you have a 4K smart TV you’ve gotten within the last few years, and you’re still happy with the picture quality, it can still easily last you a very long time.

However, just like a smartphone or PC, your smart TV can start to slow down, which may lead you to think you need a brand-new TV. But that’s not always the case. If your old smart TV is starting to show its age, there are a number of things you can do to help speed it up and make it feel brand-new again without spending a ton of money on a new TV. Here are four easy things I always do to breathe new life into any old smart TV.

Update its software

Software updates can potentially fix any performance issues or glitches

One of the first things I do when I’m trying to speed up any smart TV is to check for available software updates. Depending on the brand of your smart TV, it may receive software update support for anywhere from five to seven years. So if your TV is only a few years old, chances are it’s still receiving software updates. Even if it’s older and no longer receiving updates, it’s still worth checking to make sure you’re on the latest update.

The reason software updates are important is that they usually include performance optimizations and bug fixes. So, if you’re on the latest update, your TV will have the latest improvements, which could help smooth out any hiccups you’ve been experiencing.

That said, to check for updates on your smart TV, you usually find the option in the settings menu under support. For example, on Samsung smart TVs, you can find it by going to Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now. On LG TVs, you can find it by going to Settings > Support > Software Update > Check for Updates. Chances are, the steps are similar if your smart TV is another brand. If you’re unable to find it, a quick Google search for your smart TV should point you in the right direction.

Clear the cache

Doing this regularly can help keep your TV running smoothly

Next up is a common fix that works for many people: clearing your smart TV’s cache. If you’re not familiar with cache data, it’s a type of data that slowly accumulates on your TV, as it does on your phone or PC, from all the apps you use.

Apps rely on cache data to quickly store and retrieve information, which helps them load faster and run more smoothly. Most of the time, that’s a good thing. But as cache data piles up, it can start to have the opposite effect. The more data there is, the more your TV has to sort through, which can eventually slow things down.

Thankfully, most smart TVs make clearing cache data pretty straightforward. You’ll usually find the option somewhere in the settings menu. On LG TVs, it’s called Memory Optimizer, while on Samsung TVs, it’s typically found under Device Care. On Fire TVs, head to Applications, where you can clear each app’s cache individually or all at once.

Uninstall apps you no longer need

It frees up storage space and makes your TV less cluttered

Another easy way to improve your smart TV’s performance and free up storage space doing so, is to go through the apps installed on it and uninstall anything you no longer use. Again, just like your smartphone or PC, your smart TV has limited storage, and once that space is nearly full, performance can take a hit.

In general, the fewer apps you have installed, the less cache data that builds up and the less background activity your TV has to deal with. That frees up system resources and can help everything feel more responsive. Removing unused apps can also make your TV feel less cluttered, helping you find the apps you actually want to use much faster.

Managing apps is usually pretty simple. In most cases, you can open the app drawer on your TV, press and hold on an app, and choose to uninstall it. If you ever change your mind, you can download an app again from your TV’s app store.

Try using a streaming stick

A streaming stick can make your TV feel brand-new

If you’ve already tried updating your smart TV, clearing its cache, and deleting unused apps, but it’s still having performance issues, the next best option is to consider picking up a streaming stick, such as a Roku Streaming Stick or an Amazon Fire TV Stick.

The big advantage of using a streaming stick is that all the hardware and software for downloading, processing, and running streaming apps are built into the stick itself. So if your TV’s built-in operating system feels sluggish or is out of date, a streaming stick is an easy way to bypass those issues entirely, and in many cases, plugging in a streaming stick can make an older TV feel brand-new.

Another big plus is how affordable streaming sticks are. I personally use a Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and while it’s regularly priced at $60, it often goes on sale for around $40. The same goes for Roku. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is a popular 4K option, typically priced at $40, but it frequently drops as low as $30.

Streaming sticks are also incredibly easy to set up. Just plug it into your TV’s HDMI port, connect it to power, and you’ll be streaming smoothly in just a few minutes.