LG SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC): how to turn it on, off and fix it
SIMPLINK lets one LG remote control your soundbar, PS5 or Apple TV. When it misbehaves, it can also turn your TV on by itself.
SIMPLINK is LG's name for HDMI-CEC, a feature built into HDMI that lets devices control each other. With it on, your LG remote can control a soundbar's volume or a PS5, and turning on one device can turn on the TV. To change it, open Settings, then General, then Devices, then HDMI Settings, and turn SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC) on or off. Most problems clear up after a full power-cycle.
What SIMPLINK does
- One remote: control a connected soundbar's volume, or a Blu-ray player, PS5 or Apple TV's basic menu, with the LG remote.
- Auto Power Sync: turning the TV off can turn connected devices off, and turning a device on can turn the TV on.
- Automatic input switching: starting a device can switch the TV to its HDMI input.
- Soundbar features: LG's WOW Orchestra and on-screen soundbar settings rely on it.
How to turn SIMPLINK on or off
Menu names vary by webOS version; LG's support library has the steps for each year. The other device also needs CEC on: on a PS5 it's called HDMI Device Link, and on Apple TV it's 'Control TVs and receivers'.
- Press the Settings button on the LG remote and open All Settings.
- Go to General, then Devices, then HDMI Settings.
- Turn SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC) on or off.
- To keep remote control but stop power changes, leave SIMPLINK on and turn off Auto Power Sync.
Why your LG TV turns on by itself
The most common cause is SIMPLINK. When a connected device wakes up, for example a console downloading an update or a streaming box after a power blip, it can tell the TV to turn on. Turn off Auto Power Sync on the TV, or turn off the setting that wakes the TV on the device itself, such as HDMI Device Link on a PS5.
Fixing the 'please try again' message
A SIMPLINK box that says to try again means the TV and a connected device aren't communicating over CEC. Check that every HDMI cable is fully seated, then restart the TV and the device. If it keeps appearing, turn off CEC on the devices you don't need it for, so only one or two use it.
SIMPLINK on other TV brands
Menu paths vary by model year; check the maker's support page if yours looks different. Devices from any brand can talk to each other over HDMI-CEC, but features like soundbar menus usually only work within the same brand.
| TV brand | HDMI-CEC name | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| LG | SIMPLINK | Settings > General > Devices > HDMI Settings |
| Samsung | Anynet+ | Settings > Connection > External Device Manager |
| Sony | Bravia Sync | Settings > Channels & Inputs > External inputs |
| Roku TV | 1-touch play / CEC | Settings > System > Control other devices |
| Vizio | CEC | Settings > System > CEC |
Do you need SIMPLINK at all?
Keep it on if you use a soundbar, since it lets the TV remote control the volume and turns the soundbar on with the TV. It's also useful with a game console or streaming box, so one remote handles power.
Turn it off if a device keeps waking the TV, switching inputs when you don't want it to, or causing the 'please try again' message, and you don't mind using a second remote. You can also leave it on and only turn off Auto Power Sync, which stops most unwanted power changes.
HDMI-CEC with a receiver or HDMI switch
AV receivers and HDMI switches pass CEC signals between the TV and devices, but cheaper switches sometimes drop them or send the wrong commands. If SIMPLINK only misbehaves with a switch in the chain, connect the device directly to the TV to test. With a receiver, turn on its own CEC or HDMI Control setting so it passes commands through.
When SIMPLINK stops working
- Power-cycle fully: turn everything off at the wall for five minutes, then turn the TV on first and each device after.
- Reseat or replace cables: a damaged or very old HDMI cable can drop CEC signals. Try a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.
- Check the device side: make sure CEC is on in the soundbar, console or streaming box settings.
- Update firmware: TV and device updates sometimes break or fix CEC.
- Test one device at a time: too many CEC devices can confuse the TV. Unplug all but one to find the culprit.
Using the LG remote with a PS5 or Apple TV
On a PS5, turn on HDMI Device Link and Enable HDMI Device Link in System, then HDMI. The LG remote can then navigate the PS5 menus and media apps. On Apple TV, turn on Control TVs and Receivers in Remotes and Devices, so the Siri Remote can turn the LG TV on and off and change its volume. For a remote that controls everything, a streaming device with its own TV controls can be simpler.
SIMPLINK and soundbars
With an LG soundbar on the TV's eARC port, SIMPLINK lets the TV remote control the soundbar's power and volume and enables LG's soundbar features. If you're buying both, see our guide to LG TV and soundbar bundles.
Questions
Is SIMPLINK the same as HDMI-CEC?
Yes. SIMPLINK is LG's brand name for HDMI-CEC. Samsung calls it Anynet+ and Sony calls it Bravia Sync.
Should I turn SIMPLINK off?
Only if it causes problems like the TV turning on by itself. You'll lose control of the soundbar with the TV remote.
Does SIMPLINK work with non-LG devices?
Yes, with most devices that support HDMI-CEC, including PS5, Xbox, Apple TV, Roku and most soundbars.
Why does my LG TV switch inputs by itself?
A connected device turning on can tell the TV to switch to its HDMI input over SIMPLINK. Turn off the device's CEC or wake setting, or turn off SIMPLINK on the TV.
Does SIMPLINK use more power?
Very little. Devices with CEC on stay in a low-power listening mode so they can respond to the TV.
- Maker product pages, specifications and support documents, checked Oct 29, 2026
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