Sling TV offers one of the most affordable ways to stream live TV channels without a cable subscription. If you own an LG Smart TV, you can easily access Sling TV right from your TV’s home screen.
This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know to get set up with Sling TV on your LG Smart TV. You’ll learn how to:
- Sign up for a Sling TV account
- Download, install and log into the Sling TV app
- Connect devices like Roku and Fire TV to access Sling
- Troubleshoot any issues with streaming Sling TV
- And much more
By the end, watching your favorite live TV channels on an LG TV with Sling will be quick and effortless. Let’s dive in!
What is Sling TV? Overview of the Live Streaming Service
Sling TV is an online streaming service that offers live access to popular cable channels. It’s owned by Dish Network and works similarly to cable or satellite TV.
With Sling, you can watch live popular channels like:
- ESPN
- CNN
- HGTV
- Food Network
- Disney
- AMC
- And many more
The service starts at just $40 per month, making it much cheaper than a traditional cable package. Sling also offers add-on channel packs so you can customize your channel lineup.
Sling TV is available on tons of devices like:
- LG Smart TVs
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- iOS and Android mobile apps
- And more
Next, let’s take a look at compatibility requirements for watching Sling TV on an LG Smart TV.
LG Smart TV Compatibility Requirements
To access Sling TV directly on your LG TV, you’ll need:
- LG Smart TV Running WebOS 3.0+ – Older LG TVs aren’t compatible with the Sling TV app. You’ll need WebOS 3.0 or newer.
- WiFi Connection – Your LG TV will need to connect to your home WiFi network to install apps and stream video.
To check your LG TV’s OS version:
- Press the Home button on your remote
- Go to Settings (the gear icon)
- Select General > About This TV
- Look at Software Version to check if you have WebOS 3.0 or newer
If your LG TV has an older version of WebOS, don’t worry! You can still watch Sling TV by using a streaming device or casting from your mobile device. More on this later.
Ready to get Sling up and running? Let’s cover how to install the app next.
How to Install Sling TV App on LG Smart TV
If your LG TV meets the compatibility requirements listed above, installing Sling TV is quick and painless. Just follow these steps:
- Turn on your LG Smart TV and select the Home icon to access the main menu.
- Select the app store icon (it looks like a shopping bag). This will launch the Content Store.
- Search for “Sling TV” using the on-screen keyboard. Select the Sling TV app from the search results.
- Choose Download. This will install Sling TV on your LG Smart TV.
- Once installed, launch the app and log in with your Sling TV credentials.
You can create a Sling TV account right on your TV by selecting Sign Up when you first launch the app.
But I recommend registering on Sling’s website since you can view all available plans and discounts easily. There’s also an option for a free Sling trial.
Why Choose Sling Blue or Sling Orange?
When signing up, you’ll choose between Sling Blue or Sling Orange. Here’s a quick rundown of each base plan:
Sling Blue
- 42 channels like Fox, NBC, Bravo, and NFL Network
- Allows 3 simultaneous streams
Sling Orange
- 32 channels like Disney, ESPN, CNN, AMC and more
- Allows 1 simultaneous stream
You can also get Sling Blue + Orange combined for the maximum number of channels.
Compare all Sling TV packages to pick the best option for your household. Stream sports including ESPN on Sling TV and MLB on Sling TV.
Alternate Ways to Get Sling TV on an LG TV
If your LG TV has an older version of WebOS that doesn’t support the Sling app, don’t worry. You still have options to access Sling!
Here are a few alternate setups that work to stream Sling:
Use AirPlay with iPhone or iPad
If your LG TV supports AirPlay, you can wirelessly cast Sling TV from an iOS device.
To check for AirPlay compatibility, your LG TV model should start with:
- OLED77
- OLED65
- OLED55
- Nano85
- Nano81
- Nano80
For example, the LG OLED77G3PUA and LG NANO85UNA models are compatible.
If your TV works with AirPlay, just install the Sling app on your iPhone or iPad and tap the AirPlay icon while streaming to cast to your LG.
Cast from Android Smartphone or Tablet
Similarly, if your LG TV works with Google Cast, you can cast Sling TV from your Android device.
Open the Sling app on Android, start streaming a show, tap the Cast icon, and select your LG TV.
Use Chromecast or Fire TV Stick
You can always connect an external streaming device to your LG TV like:
All of these options have Sling TV apps so you can download, log in, and start streaming.
I recommend the Fire Stick 4K or new Chromecast with Google TV. They are affordable yet powerful streaming dongles perfect for Sling TV.
Stream through Web Browser
Lastly, your LG TV has a built-in web browser. Navigate to Sling.com and log into your account to watch through the browser.
The experience isn’t as seamless as using the Sling app, but it works in a pinch!
How to Sign Up for Sling TV
Before installing Sling on your LG TV, smart move creating an account first.
You can easily sign up on Sling’s website here.
Here is an overview of the sign up process:
- Select your base package: Sling Orange, Sling Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue
- Customize with extras like a Cloud DVR or premium channels
- Enter your payment information
- Create account credentials like email and password
And that’s it! You’ll get emails confirming your subscription and receipt.
Now you’re ready to log into the app on LG Smart TV.
Fix Sling TV Problems on an LG TV
Sling TV should work seamlessly if you have a compatible LG Smart TV model and solid internet connection.
But issues can pop up from time to time. Here are some common problems and fixes:
Can’t Find Sling App – Update your LG TV software to the newest version. Also check WiFi connection.
App Crashing – Force close and relaunch the Sling app. If the issue persists, uninstall and reinstall Sling.
Buffering and Lag – Check internet speeds. For smooth streaming you need at least 25 Mbps broadband. Or move your router closer to your TV.
Error Codes – Restarting your TV usually resolves error codes. If not, contact Sling Support.
General Troubleshooting – Make sure TV and app software are updated. Reboot router and streaming devices.
Stuck buffering or errors getting Sling TV working? Contact their outstanding customer support for troubleshooting.
Now let’s recap the key takeaways from this guide.
Compare Sling TV to other live TV streaming services like Sling TV vs Philo, Sling TV vs YouTube TV, and Sling TV vs fuboTV.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
I hope this guide gave you a full overview of using Sling TV on your LG Smart TV!
Here are some key tips to remember:
- Make sure your LG TV runs WebOS 3.0+ to install Sling app
- Alternately use AirPlay, Chromecast or a streaming stick if TV is incompatible
- Sign up at Sling.com for best deals before logging into app
- Fix issues by updating software, checking WiFi, and rebooting
- Enjoy streaming top live channels for just $40 a month!
Sling TV makes it budget-friendly to ditch cable and still watch all your favorite sports, news shows, movies and more.
Combined with a stellar LG Smart TV, you’ll have an ultimate cord-cutting home theater setup.
Now get out there and start streaming live TV with Sling!
