How to Turn Off Voice Assistant on Samsung TV

Emily Lee

TV
Samsung TV

Samsung TV has a handy voice assistant to help you control your TV with voice commands. But sometimes, you might want to turn it off. There are a few ways to do this, depending on your TV model and settings.

Samsung TV Voice Assistant Settings

Method 1: Using the Remote Control

The easiest way to turn off the voice assistant is to use your remote control. Look for the microphone button or a button with a microphone icon. Press and hold this button for a few seconds. You should see a message on the screen confirming that the voice assistant is off.

Method 2: Through the Settings Menu

If you can’t find the microphone button on your remote, or if you prefer to use the settings menu, follow these steps:

  1. Press the “Home” button on your remote to open the main menu.
  2. Navigate to “Settings” and select it.
  3. Look for “General” or “System” settings.
  4. Find “Voice” or “Voice Assistant” settings.
  5. Select “Voice Assistant” and toggle it off.

Additional Settings

Depending on your TV model, you might find additional settings related to the voice assistant. These could include:

  • Voice Wake-up: This allows you to turn on the TV by saying a specific wake-up command.
  • Voice Interaction: This controls how the voice assistant responds to your commands.
  • Voice Guide: This provides audio descriptions of the on-screen content.

You can customize these settings to your preference.

Voice Assistant Types

Samsung TVs support different voice assistants, depending on the model and region. Some of the most common ones include:

Voice AssistantAvailability
BixbyMost Samsung TVs
Google AssistantSelect models
AlexaSelect models

The steps to turn off the voice assistant might vary slightly depending on which one you have.

Samsung TV Voice Assistant Settings

Using Your Remote

The quickest way to turn off the voice assistant is usually with your remote. Look for a button labeled “Mic,” or one with a microphone icon. On some Samsung smart remotes, you might need to press and hold the Volume button. This often brings up accessibility shortcuts, including the voice assistant toggle.

If you’re not sure which button to use, check your TV’s user manual. The location and function of buttons can vary slightly between different remote models.

Navigating the Settings Menu

You can also disable the voice assistant through your TV’s settings menu. Here’s a general guide, but keep in mind that the exact menu paths might differ slightly depending on your TV model:

  1. Press the Home button on your remote.
  2. Use the arrow keys to navigate to and select Settings (it usually looks like a gear icon).
  3. Look for General or General & Privacy.
  4. Find the Voice, Voice Assistant, or Bixby Settings option.
  5. Select Voice Assistant and toggle it off.

If you’re having trouble finding the right setting, consult your TV’s user manual for model-specific instructions.

Disabling Voice Wake-Up

Tired of your TV accidentally waking up when you say “Hi Bixby”? You can disable the voice wake-up feature. In the Voice Assistant or Bixby Settings menu, look for an option called Voice Wake-Up and turn it off. This will prevent your TV from responding to the wake-up command.

Troubleshooting Tips

ProblemSolution
Voice assistant won’t turn offCheck for software updates, reset the TV to factory settings, or disconnect other devices that might be triggering it.
Accidental activationReduce wake-up sensitivity, check for interference from other devices, or temporarily mute the microphone.
Voice assistant not respondingMake sure the microphone is not muted, check network connection, and ensure the voice assistant is enabled.

If you’re having trouble turning off the voice assistant, try these tips:

  • Make sure your TV software is up to date.
  • Check the user manual for specific instructions for your model.
  • Contact Samsung customer support for further assistance.

Overview of Voice Guidance on Samsung TVs

Voice guidance on Samsung TVs is designed to aid users by providing audible narrations of on-screen content, making the user experience more accessible, especially for those with visual impairments. This feature, known as the Voice Guide, is an invaluable tool for navigating the myriad features and settings of a Samsung Smart TV.

Understanding Voice Assistants

Voice assistants on Samsung Smart TVs act as personal navigators through voice commands. They allow users to control the TV, search for content, and interact with smart home devices just by speaking. This hands-free control can streamline the viewing experience by responding to user commands, simplifying tasks such as changing channels, adjusting volume, or opening applications.

Accessibility Features for the Visually Impaired

For visually impaired users, Samsung TVs come with a suite of accessibility features, including the Voice Guide. This screen reader narrates text, menus, and options out loud, providing an audio description of the actions taking place on the screen. It’s an important accessibility feature that enables users to enjoy their Samsung Smart TV without needing to read text on the screen.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disabling Voice Assistant

Disabling the Voice Assistant on your Samsung TV can be done in a few straightforward steps, utilizing the remote control or through the settings menu to ensure a quieter viewing experience.

Using the TV Remote

To quickly turn off the Voice Assistant using your TV’s remote:

  1. Press the AD/SUBT button, or if it’s a smart remote, hold down the Volume button.
  2. Wait for the Accessibility shortcuts to appear on the screen.
  3. Navigate to the Voice Guide and toggle it off.

Navigating the Settings Menu

If the remote control shortcuts don’t work, the settings menu offers another way:

  1. Press the Home button on your remote.
  2. Using the arrows, navigate to the Settings gear icon.
  3. Select General or General & Privacy settings based on your TV model.

Toggling Voice Guide Settings

Within the settings menu, you can access the Voice Guide feature to disable it:

  1. Choose the Accessibility menu.
  2. Select Voice Guide Settings.
  3. Press the central button to toggle the option off.

Advanced Settings and Troubleshooting

Getting a handle on the advanced settings is essential if you’re dealing with persistent hiccups with your Samsung Smart TV’s voice assistant features. Here’s how to manage voice control settings, ensure your TV’s software is up-to-date, and reset your TV to factory defaults if all else fails.

Voice Control Management

To adjust or disable voice assistants like Bixby, Alexa, or Google Assistant:

  • Go to Settings > General > Bixby Voice Settings or Voice.
  • Here, you can toggle off features such as Voice Wake-Up.
  • Reduce wake-up sensitivity if the TV reacts to unintended commands.

Updating Samsung Software

Ensuring your Samsung Smart TV software is up-to-date often resolves issues:

  • Navigate to Settings > Support > Software Update.
  • Select Update Now to manually check for updates.
  • An internet connection is required to search for and download updates.

Resetting to Factory Defaults

If problems persist, a factory reset might be necessary:

  • Open the Settings menu.
  • Go to General > Reset and enter your PIN (default is “0000”).
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.

This will erase all your settings and downloaded apps, so use it as a last resort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Navigating through the settings of a Samsung Smart TV to adjust features like the Voice Guide and Voice Assistant can be tricky. This section answers common inquiries to help simplify the process for users seeking to manage these accessibility functions.

How can I disable the Voice Guide functionality on my Samsung Smart TV?

To disable the Voice Guide on your Samsung TV, navigate to ‘Settings’, select ‘General’, and then choose ‘Accessibility’. Here, you can toggle the Voice Guide option to off, ceasing the spoken menu and settings descriptions.

What are the steps to turn off the Voice Assistant feature on a Samsung television?

Turning off the Voice Assistant requires you to press the ‘Settings’ button on your remote, scroll down to ‘General’, and find ‘Accessibility’. Within this menu, select the ‘Voice Assistant’ or ‘Bixby Settings’ and set it to off.

Why is the Voice Guide still active after I’ve attempted to turn it off on my Samsung TV?

If the Voice Guide is still active, it’s possible that the settings did not save properly or another user re-enabled it. Verify the settings again, making sure to confirm any changes, and check if any shortcuts or voice commands were possibly used to turn it back on.

How can I stop my television from verbally describing actions on my Samsung TV?

This verbal description is part of the audio description feature, which you can turn off by going to ‘Settings’, selecting ‘Accessibility’, and then choosing ‘Audio Descriptions’. Switch it off to stop your TV from providing these descriptions.

What methods are available to turn off the audio descriptions on a Samsung TV?

To turn off audio descriptions, access the ‘Settings’ menu, proceed to ‘Accessibility’, and then locate the ‘Audio Descriptions’ settings. Alternatively, some Samsung TVs allow you to disable audio descriptions by using a dedicated button on the remote control.

How do I deactivate the YouTube Voice Assistant on my Samsung television?

To deactivate the YouTube Voice Assistant, start the YouTube app on your TV and navigate to the app’s settings. Look for the option related to voice or speech and turn off the feature there to prevent the YouTube app from responding to voice commands.