Compatibility & scope
Based on Samsung's EU English e-manuals for M- to H-series TVs (as listed on Samsung UK support pages) and the US English 2023 e-manual. Manuals are shared by many models; the covers don't list every model. The menu layout follows the TV's software: C-series TVs appear with both the Connection and the General & Privacy layouts. The device side of HDMI-CEC (its menu name and behaviour) is set in that device's own manual, which this guide doesn't cover. The HDMI Test appears in the Self Diagnosis lists of the UK C-, D-, F- and H-series manuals and the US 2025–2026 manuals; only the 2026 EU manual links it to Anynet+ troubleshooting. Universal Remote registration is shown on screen and not documented step by step. The 2011 pre-Smart-Hub manual is not covered. Documentation reviewed; no TV or HDMI device tested for this article.
In this guide
What Anynet+ does
Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) is Samsung’s name for HDMI-CEC. When it’s on, the TV remote can control HDMI devices that support HDMI-CEC, such as a cable box, Blu-ray player or soundbar. It is also why those devices can switch on and off with the TV: Samsung gives that as its example of what Anynet+ does.
- To control a device with the Samsung remote: turn Anynet+ on, then turn the device on. See Turn on Anynet+.
- To stop devices switching on or off with the TV: turn off HDMI-CEC on that one device, or turn Anynet+ off on the TV, which affects every device. See Stop devices switching on and off together.
Anynet+ only works with devices that support HDMI-CEC and are connected by HDMI. For a device without HDMI-CEC, use the Universal Remote instead.
Find Anynet+ on your TV
The setting is always Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) inside External Device Manager. The menu around it depends on the TV’s software, not just its year. Find the row that matches how your TV’s menu looks:
| Your TV’s menu | Path to Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) |
|---|---|
| Settings on the Home screen leads straight to General, with no All Settings step (2017–2021 TVs: M, N, R, T and A series) | Home → Settings → General → External Device Manager → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) |
| Home shows a Menu item (2022 B-series TVs) | Home → Menu → Settings → All Settings → Connection → External Device Manager → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) |
| Left directional button opens the menu; All Settings → Connection contains External Device Manager | Home → left directional button → Settings → All Settings → Connection → External Device Manager → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) |
| Left directional button opens the menu; All Settings has Connections (with an s), and External Device Manager isn’t in it | Home → left directional button → Settings → All Settings → General & Privacy → External Device Manager → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) |
The third layout is in Samsung’s US manuals for 2023 and 2024 TVs and the UK manual for some small and budget models (such as the UE32H5000F and UE24F6000F). The fourth is in the UK manuals for C-, D-, F- and H-series TVs and the US manuals for 2025–2026. C-series TVs appear in both. If External Device Manager isn’t under Connection, look under General & Privacy.
Turn on Anynet+ and connect a device
Before you start:
- Connect the device to the TV with an HDMI cable. Samsung notes that some HDMI cables don’t support Anynet+.
- Check that the device supports HDMI-CEC, and that its own HDMI-CEC option is enabled. Other brands give it their own name; look in the device’s settings or manual.
- Use the TV remote for this. Samsung says Anynet+ can only be set up and operated with the remote control.
Then:
- Open Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) using the path for your menu above.
- Set Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) to On.
- Turn on the HDMI device.
- Wait while the TV connects to it automatically. This can take up to 2 minutes. While the message Connecting to Anynet+ device… is on screen, the remote doesn’t respond.
When it has connected, you can open the device’s menu and control it with the TV remote. The device must be on or in standby for Anynet+ to reach it.
Samsung’s limits:
- Up to 12 HDMI-CEC devices, no more than 3 of the same type.
- Only one home theatre system.
- If a device is set up for both Anynet+ and the Universal Remote, only the Universal Remote controls it.
Stop devices switching on and off together
Samsung’s manuals don’t show a per-device Anynet+ switch on the TV. They give two routes, and they have different side effects:
To stop one device (recommended when only one is a problem): turn off HDMI-CEC in that device’s own settings, for example in the set-top box’s menu. Samsung’s advice for keeping a specific device from turning off with the TV is to turn off HDMI-CEC on that device. Other devices keep working with Anynet+.
To stop all devices: set Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) to Off on the TV, using the path above. This also has these effects:
- The TV remote no longer controls those devices through Anynet+.
- A soundbar on the TV’s HDMI (eARC) port no longer turns on and off with the TV (2020–2026 manuals).
If you later turn Anynet+ back on and a device should switch on with the TV again, Samsung’s check is the same: confirm the device is connected and that Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) is On.
If Anynet+ doesn’t find or control the device
Work through these in order:
- Check the device side. It must support HDMI-CEC, its HDMI-CEC option must be on, and its power cable must be plugged in securely.
- Check the TV side. Confirm Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) is On.
- Check the HDMI cable at both ends. If you plugged in or unplugged an HDMI cable, turn the TV off and on again.
- Wait for other tasks to finish. Anynet+ doesn’t work while the TV is scanning for channels or resetting. Older manuals (2017–2021) add Smart Hub and Initial Setup.
- Start Anynet+ from the device list (older menus). On 2017–2021 TVs, go to Home → Source, highlight the device, press the up directional button to reach Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC), and press Select. On 2022 B-series TVs, go to Home → Menu → Connected Devices and press the down directional button instead.
- Run the HDMI Test (newer TVs only: it is in the UK C-, D-, F- and H-series and US 2025–2026 manuals). Go to Home → left directional button → Settings → Support → Device Care → Self Diagnosis → HDMI Test to check the HDMI connection. Samsung notes it isn’t supported on every model.
If the remote controlled the device before but has stopped, Samsung’s advice is to set the device up as an Anynet+ device again. For a device that still won’t respond, the Universal Remote is the documented alternative.
If the device doesn’t support HDMI-CEC: Universal Remote
Anynet+ can’t control a device without HDMI-CEC. Samsung’s Universal Remote lets the Samsung remote control some cable boxes, Blu-ray players and home theatres that don’t support it. You register the device by following the instructions on the TV screen. Find it here:
| Your TV’s menu | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Source is on the Home screen (2017–2021 TVs) | Home → Source → Universal Remote |
| Home shows a Menu item (2022 B-series TVs) | Home → Menu → Connected Devices → Universal Remote |
| Left directional button opens the menu | Home → left directional button → Connected Devices → Universal remote setup |
What Samsung says about it:
- It may not be supported on your model or in your region, and some devices don’t support it.
- Keep a clear line between the device and the TV. Obstacles can block the remote’s signal; if control is unreliable, try moving the device.
- The 2017 and 2020 manuals say the TV remembers both the device and its HDMI port.
- The 2026 manual notes that on some models it may not work for a device plugged directly into the screen instead of through Wireless One Connect.
Common questions
Will turning off Anynet+ stop the sound from my soundbar?
The manuals say only that an HDMI eARC soundbar stops switching on and off with the TV. Where the TV sends its sound is a separate setting, Sound Output. If a soundbar goes quiet, see Samsung TV HDMI ARC or eARC has no sound.
Why does my TV turn on when I turn on my set-top box?
That’s the same HDMI-CEC link working in the other direction. Samsung’s troubleshooting lists it alongside devices turning off with the TV, and the fix is the same: turn off HDMI-CEC on that device, or turn Anynet+ off on the TV.
Sources & scope
Pages 37, 39, 291–292, 294
View sourceSamsung UK download listed for the QE65QN70HAU and other H-series TVs. Consulted: Using the Universal remote setup, Using Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC), Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) Issues (including the HDMI Test) and External devices cannot be operated with the TV remote control. Path icons checked visually on pages 37 and 39.
Pages 35, 37, 275–276, 289
View sourceSamsung UK download listed for C-series TVs such as the UE85CU7110K. Anynet+ is under General & Privacy here. The manual Samsung UK lists for D- and F-series TVs (BN81-27185C-660, pages 35, 37, 273–274) has the same path and troubleshooting text. HDMI Test in the Self Diagnosis list (p289).
Pages 29–30, 244–245
View sourceSamsung UK download listed for small and budget models such as the UE32H5000FK, UE24F6000FK and QE40Q5FAA. Anynet+ is under Connection → External Device Manager. Path icons checked visually on page 30.
Pages 31–32
View sourceSamsung US download for the QN65QN90CAFXZA. This C-series manual uses Connection → External Device Manager, unlike the newer EU C-series manual, so the path depends on the TV's software rather than its year alone.
Pages 38–39, 231–232
View sourceSamsung UK download listed for B-series TVs such as the QE50LS03BGU. Paths start Home → Menu. Includes starting Anynet+ from the Connected Devices list with the down directional button. Path icons checked visually on page 231.
Pages 29–30, 198, 200
View sourceSamsung UK download listed for A-series TVs such as the UE50AU9070U. Anynet+ under Settings → General → External Device Manager; Universal Remote under Source.
Pages 31–32, 173
View sourceSamsung UK download listed for T-series TVs such as the QE55Q90TAT. The budget T-series manual (KT2DVBEUT-2.4.0, pages 18–19) has the same Anynet+ and Universal Remote paths. Path icons checked visually on page 32.
Pages 50–51, 140
View sourceSamsung UK download listed for N-series TVs such as the QE65Q7FNAT. The R-series manual (MUSDVBEUR-3.0.6, pages 44–45) and the small N-series manual (KSFDVBEUN-1.2.0, page 31) give the same Anynet+ path.
Pages 37–38, 108
View sourceSamsung UK download listed for M-series and some N-series TVs. PDF page numbers; the printed page numbers are 6 lower (31–32, 102). This older manual's answer to stopping Anynet+ is to set it Off; it doesn't mention the per-device option. Path icons checked visually on page 38.
These instructions are based on manufacturer documentation. They have not been device-tested for this guide.
Based on Samsung's EU English e-manuals for M- to H-series TVs (as listed on Samsung UK support pages) and the US English 2023 e-manual. Manuals are shared by many models; the covers don't list every model. The menu layout follows the TV's software: C-series TVs appear with both the Connection and the General & Privacy layouts. The device side of HDMI-CEC (its menu name and behaviour) is set in that device's own manual, which this guide doesn't cover. The HDMI Test appears in the Self Diagnosis lists of the UK C-, D-, F- and H-series manuals and the US 2025–2026 manuals; only the 2026 EU manual links it to Anynet+ troubleshooting. Universal Remote registration is shown on screen and not documented step by step. The 2011 pre-Smart-Hub manual is not covered. Documentation reviewed; no TV or HDMI device tested for this article.
