LG Smart TVs run on a webOS operating system that doesn’t natively support VPN (Virtual Private Network) apps. This makes setting up a VPN more complex than downloading an app and hitting Connect.
However, you can complete a simple manual setup and still enjoy the benefits of a VPN on your LG Smart TV. Here are the best ways to do it:
Setting up a VPN on your router secures all traffic on your home network, including devices like LG TVs that don’t support VPN apps. Here’s a quick rundown of the process:
First, see if your router supports VPN.
Connect to one of Surfshark’s 3,200+ VPN servers — 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 displayed IP address should match your selected VPN server’s location. If you need more help, refer to our extensive guide on setting up a VPN on your router.
If your router doesn’t support VPNs, 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 and configure your VPN adapter to allow sharing.
Connect to the VPN on your Windows computer and activate the Wi-Fi hotspot. Then, connect your LG TV to this hotspot.
You can find more detailed instructions for setting up a virtual router with a VPN in our VPN-protected Wi-Fi hotspot setup guide.
A smart DNS service doesn’t provide the same level of protection as a VPN. It doesn’t encrypt your traffic or route it through a VPN server, meaning it doesn’t hide your IP address. Instead, it simply changes your DNS address, making your traffic appear from a different region.
So, while Surfshark offers a smart DNS feature, it should not be used as a VPN replacement — it’s only an alternative method if you can’t set up a VPN for your LG TV in other ways. Here’s how you can set it up:
Log in to your Surfshark account on the Surfshark website, select the VPN option from the menu, and choose Manual setup.
Tap the TV and console option in the Setup methods menu, then select Activate Smart DNS.
Enter one of the two Surfshark DNS addresses in the DNS SERVER tab in the Advanced Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) settings.
For a more detailed step-by-step walkthrough, check our smart DNS for LG TV setup guide.
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address. This allows you to get around firewalls imposed by network administrators (universities, public networks, etc.) and access your favorite content in shared living spaces or while traveling.
By masking your traffic, a VPN can prevent your ISP (Internet Service Provider) from bandwidth throttling based on your online activities. This means you can enjoy reduced buffering on streaming services and a more seamless watching experience.
With a VPN, your internet traffic is encrypted, which significantly reduces the amount of personal information you leak online. This added layer of security protects you from targeted ads and reduces the risk of cyberattacks based on your activity.
Video streaming can consume a lot of data, which may lead to ISP throttling. Since a VPN hides your online activity, your ISP won’t slow down your internet speed just because you’re watching videos or engaging in other data-heavy activities.
A VPN service is only as secure as the encryption it employs. Surfshark uses industry-leading encryption standards — AES-256 and ChaCha20 — paired with modern VPN protocols, ensuring your data is always protected.
Surfshark VPN not only hides your activity from third parties but also doesn’t track or keep logs of your browsing history. And these aren’t just empty claims — our strict no-logs policy has been verified by Deloitte, one of the Big Four auditing firms.
The VPN connection speed can be influenced by server congestion and distance. Surfshark has 3,200+ RAM-only servers in 100 countries, allowing you to easily find an uncrowded server nearby, no matter where you’re located.
You can protect all your devices under a single Surfshark subscription. With unlimited simultaneous connections, you can use the VPN on your phone, computer, smart TV, tablet, and other devices without having to count your connections.
VPN protocols can influence the speed and security of your connection. Surfshark supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols, all of which are designed to maintain a fast, stable, and secure connection for the best VPN experience.
While we can’t outright tell you not to use a free VPN for your LG TV, it’s important to know the potential threats and drawbacks of using one. Free VPNs often offer much slower speeds and weaker security compared to paid VPN providers like Surfshark. Additionally, free VPNs are likely to bombard you with intrusive ads and may even collect and sell your data to third parties.
