If you’re a Spectrum cable customer, you have access to hundreds of live TV channels that you can watch on your LG smart TV using the Spectrum TV app. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to set up Spectrum TV on your LG Smart TV. Get the app downloaded and configured seamlessly.
What You Need to Get Started
Before you can start watching Spectrum cable on your LG TV, you’ll need to make sure you have the following:
– An LG smart TV model released in 2016 or later that is connected to the internet, either via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable. Older LG TVs do not support the Spectrum app.
– A subscription to Spectrum TV with a cable box in your home. The Spectrum TV app streams content from that cable box to additional TVs in your home.
– The latest software updates installed on your LG TV to be able to download new apps.
How to Download the Spectrum TV App on an LG TV
Once you’ve confirmed you meet the requirements above, you can download the Spectrum TV app by following these steps:
1. Using your LG TV remote, open the webOS Launcher menu at the bottom of the home screen.
2. Scroll down and select the LG Content Store app to open it.
3. In the search bar at the top of the Content Store, type in “Spectrum TV” and press enter.
4. Select the Spectrum TV app from the list of search results.
5. On the Spectrum TV app page, select “Download.”
6. If prompted, sign in with your LG account credentials or create a new LG account to download apps.
7. When the download is complete, the app icon will appear on your LG home screen under recently added apps.
Activating Your Spectrum TV Account on the App
Once you have the app downloaded, activation takes just a few minutes:
1. Open the Spectrum TV app from your LG TV’s home screen.
2. Select “Activate new device” on the screen prompt.
3. When asked, provide your Spectrum account credentials – this is the TV provider account you use to access Spectrum online services or pay your bill.
4. Enter the Spectrum account number and password you set up, then select Sign In.
5. When prompted by the TV, enter the 6-digit code displayed on the screen.
6. Select confirm/activate. After confirming, your LG TV will activate and start receiving your Spectrum cable channels through the app.
7. If your Spectrum account has restrictions set up that prevent additional device activations, you may need to temporarily lift device restrictions on the Spectrum website before completing activation.
Using Your LG Smart TV as Another Cable Box
Once the Spectrum TV app is up and running, you can use it as essentially another cable box in your home. Here are some of the features it offers:
– Stream and watch live Spectrum TV channels and content just like using a cable box.
– Browse what’s on currently across all your channels using the on-screen guide.
– Use the app’s search feature to find specific titles, shows, movies, events, etc. that you want to watch.
– Change channels with your LG remote just like a regular cable box.
– Schedule recordings of shows airing in the future so you can watch them later. Recordings are stored in the cloud for access from other devices.
– Pause, rewind and replay shows you’re currently watching on any channel with cloud DVR capability.
– Resume watching shows that you started on another device, like your cable box – it will remember where you left off.
You get all these features as part of your regular Spectrum TV subscription (though DVR capacity depends on your subscription package). Having the app gives you cable access on an additional TV without renting a second cable box from Spectrum.
Setting Up Spectrum TV App Controls
Once set up and activated, you access the Spectrum TV app like any other app on your LG TV. However, there are some additional controls and settings you can customize within the app itself:
In-App Controls:
The in-app menu panels and channel guide let you easily browse current content, see what’s on next, search for programming, access recordings, and handle account management functions.
Talk into your LG remote to access Voice Search features for finding content quickly just by speaking show titles, names, genres and more.
App Settings Menu:
In the Spectrum TV app “Settings” menu, you can manage options for subtitles, languages, streaming quality over your home internet, parental controls, storage management for recordings, and more.
LG Remote Control Setup:
You can program your existing LG remote buttons to control the Spectrum TV app, assign device controls like powering your cable box on/off from the LG remote, and access app shortcuts from the LG home screen.
Using a Harmony Remote:
If you use a Logitech Harmony universal remote, you can program it to work with the Spectrum TV app on your LG TV and control both devices from one remote.
Getting Familiar with New Features
Like using any new app-based streaming service, the Spectrum TV app does take some becoming accustomed to in terms of menus, controls, and navigation.
Be patient with yourself as you adapt to finding shows or movies to watch within the interface. Over time, things will start to feel just as natural as your old cable box.
And the Spectrum TV app will keep receiving updates from your cable provider to add new convenient features. So explore all menus and screens to see what’s made available on a regular basis.
Troubleshooting Spectrum TV App Issues
Despite the convenience of having the Spectrum TV app on your LG TV, you may occasionally run into technical snags:
Problems Activating – Double check your Spectrum credentials are correct, temporarily remove device restrictions, or try uninstalling/reinstalling the app if activation fails repeatedly.
Won’t Launch – Relaunching the app, power cycling your TV, checking for updates to the app or your TV’s firmware, and reactivating the app can get things working again.
Streaming Errors – Check your home internet speeds to ensure adequate bandwidth for streaming. Or try adjusting the app’s streaming quality settings to lower resolution streaming that may perform better on slower internet.
Missing Channels/Content – This usually indicates a connection issue between your cable box and Spectrum servers. Resetting network equipment and cable boxes often resolves this.
Can’t Schedule Recordings – Make sure your Spectrum account has cloud DVR service enabled and available storage space for new scheduled recordings.
Most issues can be fixed with simple troubleshooting steps. For problems persisting more than a few days, contacting Spectrum technical assistance can help identify any problems on their end contributing to issues on your TV’s app.
Get in Touch with Spectrum Customer Support
If you have any difficulties getting the Spectrum TV application set up on your LG smart television, Spectrum offers excellent technical support through various contact methods:
– By phone at 1-833-697-7328
– Through live chat messaging at Spectrum.net
– Via Facebook and Twitter direct messaging
– Posting on the Spectrum Community Forum boards
Expert Spectrum support reps are available 24/7 to answer questions and troubleshoot any Spectrum TV app issues arising on LG televisions or other viewing devices in your home.
They can guide you through any necessary steps to get your app activated, your channels streaming properly, remote controls functional, and recordings scheduled smoothly. Plus provide information on the latest app updates.
So don’t hesitate to reach out. With some assistance from the seasoned pros at Spectrum, you’ll be watching live cable on your new LG TV in no time!
