How to Display the Secret Menu in LG TVs

Most LG TV models have at least one secret service menu with special features. This menu is hidden from your TV's other menus because it has more advanced functions—the kind that can break your TV if you do the wrong thing! If you're setting up a commercial LG TV, such as for a hotel or hospital, you'll also have an Installer menu you can open using the Installer remote. This minHour will teach you how to find the hidden service and installation menus on your LG TV.

Service Menu (Original LG Remote)

Get your LG TV’s original remote.

While some non-LG, third-party, or universal remotes can be used to open your TV’s service menu, you’ll have the greatest chance of success if you use the remote that came with your TV.

  • This method will not work with the LG Magic Remote (the one that’s voice-activated and comes with modern OLED TVs). You will need a service remote instead.
  • If you don’t have the original LG remote, you can try a universal remote. But if that doesn’t work, you’ll need a replacement remote from LG or a service remote.

Press the INPUT button on the remote.

This opens the list of inputs on your TV.

Enter 3195 first.

On some models, this will bring up the service menu right away—you’ll see “Factory Setting” at the top of the menu.

  • If that didn’t work and you wind up somewhere other than the input menu, press INPUT again and continue to the next step.

Press and hold the MENU button until you’re prompted for a passcode.

This should work on several LG TVs, but they’re all different. If you don’t see the channel info and a place to enter a passcode after holding down this button for 10 seconds, try one of these options:

  • If there’s no MENU button on your remote, press and hold the one called SETTINGS, or the one with a gear. If that doesn’t work, try pressing-and-holding the HOME button.
  • Try pressing and holding your remote’s MENU button and the TV’s MENU button at the same time.
  • Also try to press and hold the OK button on both the remote control and the TV.

Release the button(s) when asked for a password.

If you see channel information rather than a place to enter a passcode, you can still try to enter the passcode on the next step.

Type the passcode and press OK or ↵ Enter.

The passcode is going to be different depending on your model. Try these passcodes until one works to bring up a “service,” “factory,” or “EZ ADJUST” menu:

  • 0413
  • 0000
  • 7777
  • 8878
  • 8741
  • 8743
  • 3195

Browse the menu.

You can typically use the service menu to change settings such as your TV’s network settings (), USB options, HDMI options, region, volume levels, and firmware.

  • Changing these settings could make your TV unusable. Before making any changes, take a photo of (or write down) the current settings so you can restore the defaults if something goes wrong.
  • Consider taking a picture of the screen or writing down the current settings so that you can reset your TV to its defaults if you accidentally change an important setting.

Service Menu (Service Remote)

Get a service remote.

The LG service remote (or installation remote) is a special remote meant for technicians who are setting up TVs in commercial environments. Service remotes don’t come with consumer TVs, but they do come with commercial models (such as those designed for hotels or hospitals). But even if you don’t have a commercial TV, you can buy an LG service remote on sites like eBay or Amazon.

  • Look for “Factory SVC Remocon,” or the model number MKJ39170828.
  • These remotes are pretty cheap, running anywhere from $7-$20 USD.
  • If you have an Android with an IR blaster (this is sort of rare these days), you can use an app called AnyMote Universal Remote in place of the service remote. This app has the button you’ll need to enter the setup menu. If you don’t have an IR blaster, you may be able to attach one through your charging port.

Turn on your LG TV

You don’t have to be on any particular menu or screen to access the service menu—just make sure the TV is on and something is on the screen.

Press the INSTART button.

It’s in the upper-left area of the service remote. You’ll see a password entry field on the screen.

  • If you’re using AnyMote on an Android, swipe left and then tap INSTART.

Enter 0413.

This should instantly bring up the service menu on nearly all LG TVs. Now you can adjust HDMI settings, change your region, and numerous other features.

  • Changing these settings could make your TV unusable. Before making any changes, take a photo of (or write down) the current settings so you can restore the defaults if something goes wrong.
  • Consider taking a picture of the screen or writing down the current settings so that you can reset your TV to its defaults if you accidentally change an important setting.

Installer Menu (Commercial Models)

Grab the installer remote for the TV.

If you’re setting up a commercial LG TV from the Hospitality, Healthcare, and Signage lines, you can use your installer remote to access the installation menu. Don’t use one of the standard remotes that come with each individual TV—only the installer remote will work.

  • If you have a non-commercial TV, you may be able to find an installation menu using your original LG remote or a service remote , but it’s not common.

Hold down the MENU or SETTINGS button on the remote.

You’ll usually need to hold down the button for between 5 and 7 seconds.

Release the button when you see the TV’s info on the screen.

You should see some information about the TV and possibly a password entry field.

  • Some models require you to press the MENU button repeatedly instead of holding down one of these buttons. If the previous step didn’t work, try pressing the MENU button over and over again until you see a menu called “Function” and/or a menu that displays some TV settings.

Enter 1105 on the remote and press ↵ Enter.

This is the code that most LG TVs use to access the installation menu.

  • If that code doesn’t work, try 9876 or 2663 instead.

Review the installation menu.

In the installation menu, you may find the option to enable USB mode for your TV. You might also find other options, such as a “Hotel Mode”, that affect the way your TV works.

  • Changing these settings could make your TV unusable. Before making any changes, take a photo of (or write down) the current settings so you can restore the defaults if something goes wrong.
  • Consider taking a picture of the screen or writing down the current settings so that you can reset your TV to its defaults if you accidentally change an important setting.

Tips

  • Many LG TVs use different names for similar buttons. For example, one TV’s MENU button might be another TV’s HOME or SETTINGS button. The same goes for remotes.
  • Don’t change advanced settings if you don’t know how the different options or functions are used. Changing service or installation menu items can prevent your LG TV from working correctly.

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