Nvidia Shield Internet Not Working: How To Fix [2023]

On a warm Sunday evening a couple of weeks back, I was watching one of my favorite movies on Netflix through my Shield TV PRO. The 4K capabilities of the Shield TV were just awesome and everything was crisp and clear.

But at about halfway through the movie, the stream seemed a little iffy. Buffering came into action and so did audio cracks.

At first, I thought it was a problem with the HDMI cable. After a good time tinkering with the cable, I found that the problem was not with the HDMI cable.

Determined to fix the issue, I went online and read several forum posts that dealt with troubleshooting Nvidia Shield internet issues, namely the "Connected, No Internet" situation.

I compiled everything I learned into this comprehensive guide so that you can fix your Nvidia Shield wifi issues.

If your Nvidia Shield internet is not working, check for updates and check the date and time settings. Change IP settings and disable VPNs and sideloaded apps. If none of the above works, factory reset your Shield TV. If the issue is with your router or modem, update the router firmware and reset the router.

Network Requirements and Connectivity for Nvidia Shield

If you didn't already know, your Shield TV requires certain speeds for operating smoothly.

The speed may vary depending on the intended use of the Shield TV.

Here are the bandwidth requirements for various stream qualities on Shield TV:

Stream QualityMinimum Network Speed
SD2 Mbps
HD5+ Mbps
4K15 Mbps
Speed requirements on Shield TV

If you are getting messages like "Poor Connection" or "Network error" while using GeForce Now, it's because of slow speeds and high pings (latency).

GeForce Now streams require at least 15 Mbps speed, but the recommended speed is 50 Mbps.

The app has an integrated speed tester that will check the network connectivity every time a new streaming session starts.

Make sure you have a stable internet connection by using the inbuilt speed tester or by testing the speed on your phone/PC using a speed testing app.

If the speed is not stable, you may want to give your Router/modem a quick refresh and test the speed again.

High latency can also be another issue that may impede your streams. You can find your network latency using the same speed-testing app.

If you have high latency, it may be because of high traffic on your network.

Try switching the network to a higher bandwidth connection like a 5GHz band.

The 5 GHz band, unlike the traditional 2.4 GHz band, can support higher traffic without the expense of increased latency.

Check whether your router supports 5 GHz bandwidth. To change the network on your Shield TV, follow these steps.

1. On the Home Screen, Click and Open Settings.

Shield TV Network and Internet

2. Click on Network & Internet.

Shield TV Available Networks

3. Select WiFi and then you change the network from the available options.

4. If you cannot find your preferred network on the list, you can manually add the network by clicking on Add new connection.

5. Proceed to enter the SSID of your router and follow the additional security details to add the network.

If you are connected to the internet via an Ethernet cable, the WiFi option will automatically be disabled.

For issues with the Ethernet cable, try checking the status by verifying the Ethernet connection on the network settings.

If you cannot get a proper connection or have a lagging speed, try replacing the Ethernet cable with a new one.

With proper internet, you could stream media from a NAS or even install an emulator on your device to play your childhood games.

Problems with Shield TV

Before moving forward, you have to find out where the problem lies.

Is it with the router or with the Shield TV? Cross-check the connections with other devices and networks to find out whether the problem is with the router or Shield TV.

If your mobile has an active internet plan, try sharing the internet with the Shield TV through the mobile hotspot feature on your phone.

If you can access the internet, the problem may be with your router/modem. If not, Shield TV may be the culprit.

Similarly, check your ISP connection on other devices. If you can connect and access the internet, your network is fine. If not, check the next section of this article.

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can do with your Shield TV.

Check for Updates

Running your Shield TV on an older version of the firmware can cause a battery of problems.

Nvidia routinely puts out updates that remove any stale bugs or errors within the Shield TV.

Failing to update will make the bugs thrive in your system and cause a whole lot of problems.

To check and update your Shield TV, follow these steps.

Shield TV Device Preferences

1. On the Settings tab, click and open Device Preferences.

Shield TV About

2. Then click on About.

Shield TV System Upgrade

3. Select System Upgrade to update your device.

Check the Date and Time Settings

One of the most common bugs associated with the inability to access the internet is an unassuming change in the Date and Time setting on your Shield TV.

Insignificant isn't it? Well, people have tried and tested this tip and most were able to solve their problems in doing so.

Follow these steps to verify the setting.

1. On the Home screen, click and open Settings.

Shield TV Date and time

2. Next, select Date & Time.

Automatic Date and time

3. Make sure you have set Automatic Date and time to network preferences.

3. Restart your device.

Check if you were able to resolve the problem or not.

Change IP Settings

Coming to a more technical side of the issue, you may want to check the IP settings on your Shield TV.

If you are having problems connecting to the internet, you may want to switch off the IPv6 protocol on your Shield TV.

To do so, follow these steps.

1. On the Settings menu, click and open Network & Internet.

Shield TV IPv6 toggle

2. Then click on Disable IPv6 to disable it.

Additionally, you can also change the IP settings of your network to a smart DNS. Before that, you may want to change the IP settings to a DHCP mode.

To do that, click on the connected WiFi network and click on IP settings. If it is set to static, change it to DHCP. This will automatically connect the Shield TV to the router.

Shield TV IP settings tile

If you want to connect to a custom IP address click on the Static option.

Shield TV IP settings

You will be asked to enter the DNS. Either enter a public DNS available on the internet or your ISP's(Internet Service Provider) DNS. Click Save and Exit.

A thing to note here is not to use the Google DNS (8. 8. 8. 8) since users have reported it to be faulty.

Disable VPN and Sideloaded Apps

If you have a VPN installed on your Shield TV, you may want to disable it because it can interfere with the connection and make the connectivity slow.

A newly sideloaded app can also cause network problems as reported by several users in forums. Simply force stop or uninstall the app to check whether it might be the problem.

Follow these steps to uninstall or force-stop the app.

1. On the Settings menu, click and open Apps.

Shield TV Apps

2. Then click on See all Apps.

3. Select the app in question.

4. From here, you can choose whether to uninstall or force stop the app.

Give your Shield TV a quick restart and check for further problems.

Factory reset

Finally, if none of the tips I have mentioned above seems to alleviate your issue, you may want to reset your Shield TV.

Factory resetting your device will clear all the preferences and settings you have made. It will also delete all the apps you have installed and revert the device to its factory condition.

To reset your device, follow these steps.

1. On the Settings menu, click and open Device Preferences.

2. Scroll down and click on Reset.

Shield TV Factory Reset

3. Select Factory Reset to confirm.

Shield TV Erase Everything

4. Click on Erase Everything to start the process.

Wait for the process to complete. Set up your device again and try to connect to the internet.

Fix Router/Modem Issues

Router

A little bit more complex than the other fixes mentioned here, router/modem issues are not easy to find.

The good news is, these easy-to-do steps can help you resolve your problem.

Update Your Router Firmware

Like any other device, proper updates are essential for your router's well-being. It will make the device run faster and provide stronger connections.

Follow these steps to update your device.

1. Connect your router to your PC through an Ethernet or USB cable.

2. Even though different manufacturers have different methods of updating their devices, the most common one is to enter the IP address of your network into the browser.

3. log in to the portal and check the Firmware or Router upgrade option which is usually found in the Administrator/advanced/maintenance sections.

4. You will need to check the router manufacturer's website for any updates to your specific model. Download the file and unzip it if it's in a zip folder.

5. On the Update section of the IP portal, choose the downloaded file and update the device.

Restart your modem/router and check for connectivity.

Disable Filters and Other Blocking Software

If you have any ad blockers like Pie Hole or DNS hiding software or any other sort of filters installed on your network, you may want to disable them.

These applications may affect the connectivity of your Router with the Shield TV.

After you have disabled these contraptions, try resetting the router and then try connecting to the Shield TV.

Turn OFF QoS

If your router has support for WiFi multimedia Quality of Service feature, try disabling the feature.

Even though the feature acts as a safety net, sometimes it may affect your Shield TV connections.

To turn the feature off, follow these steps.

1. Make sure your router is connected via the ethernet cable to your computer and log in to your router portal.

2. Depending on your router, check for QoS settings, usually found in Advanced Setting>Setup.

3. Toggle OFF both the QoS setting tiles for 2.4 and 5 GHz bands.

4. Make sure to save your setting and restart the modem.

Reset the Router/Modem

Router unplugged

You can reset your device using 2 methods. The easiest method is to press and hold the small recessed Reset button on the back of your Router.

Use a paper click or some other tapered tool to press the button. Press and hold the button until the router restarts. You have now reset your device.

You may want to change your name and password for your router.

The second method is to reset through the router portal on your computer.

Follow these steps.

1. On the Router portal, click and open System or System tools.

2. Then click on Reset or Restore to factory default.

3. Click on confirm and wait for the router to reboot.

Unplug and check if you were able to solve the issue.

Other Fixes for Internet Issues on Shield TV

Other than the above-mentioned fixes, here are some uncommon reasons and solutions for your uncalled-for network issue.

Enable Low Power Channels

Shield TV Allow Low Power Channels

Depending on your region, there might be some Government restrictions on the power settings of your WiFi. This means that your connectivity may be weak.

You may want to turn ON the "Enable low power channels" option on your Network & Internet settings to access such WiFi networks.

Alternatively, you can switch your network or replace the router.

Change the Cooling Settings

Shield TV Fan Mode

If your Shield TV is overheating, your WiFi connectivity may get affected. This is because the WiFi module within your Shield TV may also be overheating.

Luckily, you can change the cooling settings on your Shield TV to cool down the system.

Go to Settings>Device Preferences>System>Fan Mode>Cool. This may make the Shield TV a little noisy.

Move the Devices Closer to Each Other

Shield TV setup

If you have your devices quite apart from each other, you may have a weak connection. This will cause the speeds to be slow and hence unable to operate.

Try moving the devices closer to each other or better yet, try using an Ethernet cable for a wired connection.

Conclusion

Watching movies and shows with a straggling internet is like watching a snail slither.

With these tips, you should mostly be able to find a solution for internet issues on your Shield TV.

If you weren't able to solve the issue, try contacting the customer services of Nvidia or contacting your internet provider for further assistance with your Router/Modem issues.

Internet connectivity may also affect the AI upscaling feature on the Shield TV. Check out this article on AI upscaling issues for more info.

You May Also Enjoy Reading

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does Nvidia Shield support 5 GHz?

Yes, the Nvidia Shield TV has support for dual-band WiFi networks(2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band networks).

Does Nvidia Shield have Dolby Atmos?

Nvidia Shield TV supports Dolby Vision HDR for incredible visuals and has Dolby Atmos Surround Sound support which provides crisp and loud immersive sound.

About Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

DIY Profile
Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

Connect With Me

Comments

The comments are closed.