Smart TVs are amazing — they bring streaming apps, online content, and a personalized experience right to your living room. But if you own a Samsung Smart TV, you’ve probably noticed something a little annoying: ads appearing in the menu bar or Smart Hub interface.
These ads might promote apps, services, or special offers. While they’re not harmful, they can definitely disrupt your viewing experience, especially if you prefer a clean and distraction-free interface.
The good news? There are ways to reduce or completely remove ads from your Samsung TV menu bar by tweaking certain settings. In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you step by step through the process, explain why each step matters, and even cover what to do if you face issues afterward.
Let’s dive in.
Why Does Samsung TV Show Ads?
Before we start removing them, it’s worth understanding why these ads are there in the first place.
- Revenue Model: Like many other smart TV manufacturers, Samsung offsets hardware costs by earning revenue from ads.
- Targeted Content: Samsung uses your TV’s PSID (Personalized Service ID) to show interest-based ads.
- Default Settings: Out of the box, many privacy and advertising settings are enabled, which allow Samsung to collect limited usage data.
Knowing this helps you understand why certain settings need to be disabled.
Step 1: Access Settings on Your Samsung TV
The very first step is to open the Settings menu.
- Pick up your Samsung TV remote.
- Press the Home button (sometimes labeled as “Menu”).
- Scroll to Settings.
This is your main control hub for adjusting privacy, network, and system features.
Step 2: Disable Interest-Based Advertising
Alright, so far we’ve done a good job opening the settings. Now let’s move to the next step, which targets ads directly.
- In Settings, go to Terms & Privacy.
- Select Interest-Based Advertisement Service Privacy Notice.
- If the box is checked, uncheck it.
- Click Confirm to save your choice.
👉 This prevents Samsung from showing ads based on your viewing history and app usage.
Step 3: Turn Off Online Remote Management
While you’re still in the Terms & Privacy section, it’s time to adjust one more setting:
- Select Online Remote Management Service Terms and Conditions.
- Uncheck the option.
- Click Confirm and close.
This doesn’t directly remove ads but helps restrict Samsung from remotely managing personalized content tied to your TV’s account.
Step 4: Reset the PSID (Personalized Service ID)
Samsung assigns each TV a unique PSID, which is used to tailor ads and collect usage stats. Resetting it can help clear stored ad preferences.
Here’s how:
- In Terms & Privacy, select Reset PSID.
- Confirm the reset.
After resetting, your TV treats you like a new user — meaning previously collected ad-tracking data is erased.
Step 5: Turn Off Auto Run Smart Hub
So far, we’ve restricted targeted ads. Now let’s make sure Samsung’s Smart Hub isn’t auto-launching and feeding you content suggestions.
- Go back to Settings.
- Select General.
- Open Smart Features.
- Turn off Auto Run Smart Hub.
💡 With this disabled, your TV won’t automatically load the Smart Hub menu (where most ads appear) when you turn on your TV.
Step 6: Block Ads Using DNS Settings
This is the most powerful step — and also the one that requires careful attention.
By manually setting a DNS server, you can block connections to Samsung’s ad servers. Here’s how:
- In Settings, go to General > Network.
- Select Network Status.
- Choose IP Settings.
- Open DNS Settings.
- Change from Automatic to Enter Manually.
- Type in one of these DNS addresses:
94.140.14.1494.140.15.1594.140.14.1594.140.15.14
These belong to AdGuard DNS, a free DNS service designed to block ads and trackers at the network level.
- Save your settings and press OK.
Now restart your TV. Ads should no longer appear in the Smart Hub menu bar.
Step 7: What If Your Internet Stops Working?
Here’s a realistic scenario: sometimes, changing the DNS can cause network issues, like no internet access. Don’t panic.
Simply revert to the default:
- Go to Settings > General > Network > Network Status > IP Settings.
- Select DNS Settings.
- Choose Get Automatically.
- Restart your TV.
This restores your original DNS provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Features That Might Stop Working
When you block ads via DNS, some Smart Hub content might not load. For example:
- Certain Samsung apps or recommendations may disappear.
- Promotions for streaming services won’t appear.
For many users, this is a good trade-off since the viewing experience feels cleaner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓ Will removing ads void my warranty?
No. Adjusting privacy and DNS settings does not void Samsung’s warranty.
❓ Can I completely block all ads on Samsung TV?
You can significantly reduce ads (especially in the menu bar), but some pre-installed apps may still show occasional banners.
❓ Is using a custom DNS safe?
Yes, services like AdGuard DNS are trusted and safe. However, if you prefer, you can revert to automatic DNS anytime.
❓ Will this also remove YouTube or streaming service ads?
No. This only blocks Samsung’s Smart Hub ads. Ads inside apps (like YouTube or Netflix) are controlled by those platforms.
❓ Do I need to repeat these steps after a factory reset?
Yes. If you reset your Samsung TV, you’ll need to redo the process.
Pro Tips for a Cleaner Samsung TV Experience
Before we wrap up, let’s add a few practical suggestions:
- Keep software updated – Sometimes Samsung patches bugs that affect ad settings.
- Use an external streaming device – Devices like Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV often provide a cleaner interface with fewer ads.
- Limit app downloads – The more third-party apps you install, the higher the chances of seeing promotions.
- Check your privacy settings regularly – Firmware updates sometimes reset certain options.
Final Thoughts
Ads on Samsung Smart TVs can be frustrating, but with a few simple adjustments, you can greatly reduce or even remove them from your menu bar.
We covered:
- Disabling interest-based ads
- Resetting your PSID
- Turning off auto-run Smart Hub
- Blocking ads using custom DNS
After following these steps, you should enjoy a much cleaner interface and a smoother TV-watching experience.
Disclaimer
⚠️ Important: This guide is for educational purposes only. Blocking ads through DNS settings may affect certain services on your Samsung Smart TV. Always note down your original settings before making changes, so you can revert if necessary.
Tags & Hashtags
Tags: Samsung TV ads removal, block ads Samsung Smart Hub, Samsung menu bar clean, disable Smart Hub ads, AdGuard DNS setup Samsung TV
Hashtags: #SamsungTV #SmartHub #TechTips #HomeEntertainment #AdFree
