How to Stop Samsung TV Plus Auto Playback

It’s a common frustration: you turn on your Samsung TV, only to find Samsung TV Plus running instead of the expected home screen. This often occurs after an OS update, which can be very annoying. The reason behind this auto playback is straightforward—Samsung aggressively promotes its TV Plus service without consulting users about their preferences.

Why Does TV Plus Automatically Start?

Samsung aims to enhance the user experience with updates that activate features they believe will be helpful. Here are two key reasons why Samsung TV Plus may launch automatically:

1. Auto-Run Last Application: Samsung TVs have a feature that launches the last active application. However, if you aren’t using an app like TV Plus before turning off the TV—say, if you are gaming instead—TV Plus will start when you turn the TV back on.
2. Cache Memory: Even if you turn off the auto-run feature, you may need to clear the TV’s memory cache for the changes to take effect. Until the cache is cleared, TV Plus may still start automatically.

Fortunately, there are several simple solutions to stop this auto playback. Here’s how you can do it:

How to Stop Samsung TV Plus Auto Playback

Method 1: Deactivate TV Plus

Although you can’t uninstall the pre-installed TV Plus app, you can deactivate it. Here’sHere’s how:

1. Select the TV Plus app.
2. Press and hold the center button on your remote.
3. A menu will appear—select Deactivate.

This method is beneficial because if you occasionally use other apps, the TV will launch your last app (e.g., YouTube).

Method 2: Disable Auto-Run Last App

To turn off the Auto-Run Last App feature, follow these steps:

• For TVs manufactured before 2024:
  1. Go to Settings > General > Smart Features > Auto-Run Last App.
• For 2024 models (D models, like the S90D):
  1. Navigate to Settings.
  2. Select All Settings > General & Privacy > Start Screen.
  3. Find the option Auto-Run Last App.
  4. If Auto-Launch Last Used Program is set to On, the TV will automatically start the last used program. You can toggle this setting on or off.

You may need to reset the TV’s memory cache if the setting doesn’t work. To do this, either unplug the TV for a few minutes or hold the power button for 20 seconds when turning it on. This action will clear the memory cache.

Method 3: Deleting All Channels in Samsung TV Plus

There is another method, but it’s not particularly effective or useful. While you can delete channels in Samsung TV Plus to prevent it from displaying anything, it’s much simpler to just disable auto playback or deactivate the app. If you still wish to try this method, follow these steps:

1. Press the Home button on your remote control.
2. Hover over Samsung TV Plus and select Channel List.
3. Click on Edit Channels.
4. Select All and click on Delete.

This method may yield unsatisfactory results, as the Smart Hub programs may return after an update.

By following these steps, you can regain control of your Samsung TV apps and get rid of the annoying effect of TV Plus playing unexpectedly automatically.