A Samsung TV that won't download or install apps — stuck on "downloading," failing, or showing nothing in the store — usually isn't broken. The two big causes are not enough free storage and a hung Smart Hub, with the network as a distant third. Work them in that order and the apps install.
Free up storage first
Samsung TVs have surprisingly little app storage, and a full TV silently fails downloads. Remove apps you don't use: highlight an app on the home row → press down/up for options → Remove/Delete. (You can always reinstall it later.) Clearing a few apps is the single most common fix for "won't download."
Then reset Smart Hub
If there's space but apps still won't install, the app platform is stuck:
- Reset Smart Hub. Settings > Support > Device Care > Self Diagnosis > Reset Smart Hub (older sets: Support → Self Diagnosis → Reset Smart Hub), default PIN
0000. This re-downloads the store and clears the stale state behind most install failures. You'll re-sign into your Samsung account and re-add apps afterward. - Power-drain the TV. Unplug it for at least 30 seconds (turn off Instant On first, or the fast-boot feature keeps it half-powered and a normal unplug doesn't fully reset it), then plug back in.
Then the network
App downloads need a clean path to Samsung's servers:
- Confirm internet works on the TV (Settings > General > Network > Network Status). If it can't even join the network, fix that first with the Samsung TV won't connect to Wi-Fi steps.
- Set a public DNS. Network Status → IP Settings → DNS Setting → Enter Manually →
8.8.8.8. A flaky ISP DNS can let the TV browse the store but fail the actual download, the same root cause behind Samsung's error 107. - Check your region. If apps you expect are missing entirely (not just failing to download), the TV's region may be wrong — apps are region-locked, and that's a different setting (and sometimes needs a Smart Hub region reset).
FAQ
Why won't my Samsung TV download apps? Most often it's out of storage. Remove a few apps you don't use, then reset Smart Hub if it still won't install.
It says downloading but never finishes. Reset Smart Hub (Self Diagnosis) and power-drain the TV (Instant On off first). If it persists, set a public DNS — a bad DNS stalls downloads.
An app I want isn't even in the store. That's usually region or an old TV platform. Check the TV's region; some apps aren't offered on older Samsung models at all.
Will resetting Smart Hub delete my settings? It removes installed apps and signs you out of Smart Hub, but keeps picture/sound settings. You just re-add your apps.