Any TVHow-to

How to Press OK or Select on a TV Without a Remote

TVs have power, volume and input buttons, but almost never one marked OK. That becomes a problem the moment a screen asks you to confirm something.

By the Kliky team · Updated · 2 min read

To press OK on a TV without a remote, use the button that stands in for it: Input/Source on many Vizio and Panasonic sets, a long press of the single button on LG, TCL and Hisense, the center press on Samsung. A USB keyboard’s Enter key works too, and Kliky has a real OK key once the TV is on Wi‑Fi.

Which TV button acts as OK

TVWhat selects
Panasonic (older Viera)The button marked INPUT/OK; hold it to open the menu
Vizio with several buttonsInput usually confirms inside a menu; Volume and Channel move
SamsungPress the center of the controller stick; tilt to move
LG, TCL, Hisense, Roku TVs (one button)Short presses move, a long press or a pause selects
SonyPress Power to change function, + and − to adjust

These vary by model. If one press pattern does nothing, wait: single-button TVs often select whatever is highlighted after a few seconds.

USB keyboard or mouse

Plug a keyboard into the TV’s USB port: arrows move, Enter is OK, Esc is Back. Samsung, Sony and Google TV or Android TV sets accept this; LG accepts a mouse. Roku TVs do not.

A phone remote

Once the TV is on your Wi‑Fi, a remote app gives you OK, Back and the arrows. It cannot help on a setup screen that appears before the TV has joined a network.

Another device’s remote

With HDMI‑CEC on, the remote of a streaming stick, console or cable box connected to the TV can sometimes move through and confirm the TV’s menus.

Stuck on a first-time setup screen

If nothing above gets past “press OK to begin”, the TV needs a remote for setup. An infrared universal remote that lists the brand is the reliable fix. See bought a TV without a remote.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How do I press OK on a Vizio TV without a remote?

On Vizio TVs with several buttons, the Input button usually confirms inside a menu while Volume or Channel move the selection.

How do I select OK on a Panasonic TV without a remote?

Older Panasonic TVs have a button marked INPUT/OK on the side or back. Press it to confirm; hold it to open the menu.

How do I select on a TV that has only one button?

Short presses move through the options and a long press, or simply waiting on the highlighted option, selects it.

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