Yes — you can turn on and control a Hisense TV without the remote, and without Wi-Fi. Every Hisense since 2017 has a physical power button under the front bezel or on the back that switches it on and opens a basic menu. From there a USB keyboard or an HDMI-CEC device (soundbar, console, Fire Stick) gives full navigation with no internet. If the TV is already online, the free phone app is the fastest option.
Table of contents(14)+
- 01Quick decision tree
- 02Method 1 — Phone app (works for most people)
- 03Method 2 — The TV's physical button
- 04Method 3 — Plug a USB keyboard into the TV
- 05Method 4 — The HDMI-CEC trick
- 06Method 5 — The phone hotspot trick (for hotels / Airbnbs)
- 07Opening settings, changing input, or the menu without a remote
- 08FAQ
- 09Can you use a Hisense TV without a remote?
- 10Where is the power button on a Hisense TV?
- 11How do I connect a Hisense TV to Wi-Fi without a remote?
- 12How do I change the input on a Hisense TV without a remote?
- 13How do I get to the settings menu on a Hisense TV without a remote?
- 14Related guides
You can absolutely turn on and use a Hisense TV without the remote — and you don't need Wi-Fi to do it. There are five real methods, and at least one works on every model since 2017. The right one depends on your situation: is the TV already on Wi-Fi, was it ever set up, and do you have a smartphone handy?
Short on time? The free no-remote rescue router narrows these methods to the one that fits your TV in three quick taps — jump to it, or read every method below.
Method two below leans on a cheap universal remote — for that you'll want the correct Hisense TV remote codes for your model. Rather replace the hardware? Here are your Hisense TV remote replacement options.
I learned all five the hard way. Three months into 2024, the dog chewed the U7K remote, and the kids hid the spare. For a week we got by without buying a replacement — and I ended up not bothering to buy one at all.
Five ways to use a Hisense TV without the remote — at least one works for every model since 2017:
- Phone remote app — pairs over Wi-Fi in about 30 seconds; the fastest fix, but only if the TV is already online.
- The TV’s physical button — a hidden button or joystick under the front bezel powers it on and opens a basic menu. No Wi-Fi needed.
- USB keyboard — plug a wired keyboard into a rear USB port for full arrow-key navigation, even during setup. No Wi-Fi needed.
- HDMI-CEC — a connected soundbar, console, or streaming stick can drive the TV over the HDMI cable. No Wi-Fi needed.
- Phone hotspot trick — for hotels and Airbnbs where the TV can’t join the app’s network directly.
No Wi-Fi, or the TV was never connected? Skip the app and use methods 2–4 — the physical button, a USB keyboard, or an HDMI-CEC device all work with zero internet.
Quick decision tree
| Situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| TV is already on Wi-Fi, you have a smartphone | Method 1: Phone app (30 seconds) |
| No Wi-Fi at all, or the TV was never connected | Method 2: Physical button → Method 3: USB keyboard |
| TV is brand new and never set up | Method 3: USB keyboard, then the app |
| Another device is plugged into an HDMI port | Method 4: HDMI-CEC |
| You're at a hotel | Method 5: Hotspot trick |
Method 1 — Phone app (works for most people)
If your Hisense TV is already on your Wi-Fi from before the remote disappeared, this is by far the fastest fix.
- Install the Hisense remote app — search "Remote for Hisense TV" on the App Store. 25 MB. Free.
- Open the app. It scans for Hisense TVs on your network.
- Tap your TV. A 4-digit code appears on the TV screen. Type it into the app.
- Done. The phone is now your remote.
The first pairing is the slow part. Every time after, it's instant.
Method 2 — The TV's physical button
Every Hisense TV has a physical button. The location varies by model:
- VIDAA U6/U7/U8/U9: Center bottom, recessed under the bezel.
- Hisense Roku TV: Bottom-right of the rear, joystick.
- Hisense Google TV: Side bottom-left.
- Hisense Fire TV: Bottom-left of the rear, single button.
Single press = power on/off. Long press = input menu (some models). Roku TV joystick navigates the entire OS.
Method 3 — Plug a USB keyboard into the TV
This is the under-known trick. Almost every Hisense smart TV from 2018 onward accepts a USB keyboard plugged into one of the rear USB ports.
- Arrow keys = directional pad
- Enter = OK
- Esc = back
- Letters/numbers = type into search/login fields
Tested on a 2018 R6 Roku TV, a 2022 U7K VIDAA, and a 2024 A6 Google TV — all three accepted a generic Logitech wired keyboard immediately.
Method 4 — The HDMI-CEC trick
If you have an Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Fire TV stick, or any modern game console plugged into your Hisense, its remote can drive your Hisense TV.
- Apple TV remote with CEC: power on/off, volume, input
- PS5 / PS4 controller: power on/off, navigation
- Fire TV remote: full control of the TV (easiest if you have a Fire Stick)
Most TVs ship with CEC on by default. To verify: VIDAA: Settings → System → HDMI-CEC → On.
Method 5 — The phone hotspot trick (for hotels / Airbnbs)
- On your phone, set up a hotspot named the same SSID as the network the TV remembers.
- Turn on the TV.
- The TV automatically joins your phone's hotspot.
- From another device on the same hotspot, install the phone remote app and pair.
- Use the app to navigate the TV settings and join the real Wi-Fi.
Opening settings, changing input, or the menu without a remote
Getting the TV on is half the battle — plenty of people can power it up but then can't reach the input or settings menu. Here's how to navigate without a remote:
- Change the input (HDMI source): On VIDAA and Google TV models, a long-press of the physical button (Method 2) opens the input/source list; short-presses then cycle through HDMI 1, HDMI 2, and TV. On Roku models, push the rear joystick to move across the input tiles on the home screen.
- Open the settings menu: The cleanest route is a USB keyboard (Method 3) — arrow keys move the highlight, Enter selects, and you can walk straight into Settings just like a remote. An HDMI-CEC device (Method 4) works too: an Apple TV, Fire Stick, or console remote drives the on-screen menus.
- No button and no keyboard? Pair the phone app (Method 1) — once connected it exposes a full directional pad, a dedicated Input button, and a Menu/Settings button, so you can change source and dig through every settings screen from your phone.
One honest caveat: on non-Roku models the bare physical button can't reach deep settings on its own — it only opens the input list. For real menu navigation you'll want the keyboard, an HDMI-CEC device, or the app.
FAQ
Can you use a Hisense TV without a remote?
Yes. Five methods work depending on your situation: phone app, physical button, USB keyboard, HDMI-CEC, or hotspot.
Where is the power button on a Hisense TV?
VIDAA U-series: center-bottom of front bezel. Roku TV: small joystick on back-right. Google TV: bottom-left side.
How do I connect a Hisense TV to Wi-Fi without a remote?
USB keyboard method, or hotspot trick. Full guide: Connect Hisense TV to Wi-Fi without remote.
How do I change the input on a Hisense TV without a remote?
Long-press the TV's physical button to open the input list, then short-press to cycle through HDMI 1, HDMI 2, and TV (VIDAA and Google TV models). On a Hisense Roku TV, use the rear joystick to move across the input tiles. A USB keyboard or the phone app also expose a dedicated input/source control.
How do I get to the settings menu on a Hisense TV without a remote?
Plug a wired USB keyboard into a rear USB port and use the arrow keys and Enter to open Settings, or pair the free phone app, which has a Menu/Settings button. On Roku models the rear joystick navigates the entire OS, including the Settings menu.
Related guides
- Hisense TV Remote Not Working: 7 Fixes
- How to Pair a Hisense Remote
- Hisense Universal Remote Codes
- I Lost My Hisense TV Remote
- Best Hisense TV Remote App for iPhone (2026 Comparison)
- Pairing a Replacement Roku Remote
- How to Factory Reset a Hisense TV Without the Remote (Every Model)
- Hisense TV Remote Without Wi-Fi: 4 Free Methods (2026)
