How to Change Input on Hisense TV [With and Without Remote]

Lost your Hisense TV remote? Or maybe it‘s not responding when you need to switch between your gaming console and cable box? Don‘t worry—you‘re not stuck watching whatever input is currently displayed.

Whether you‘ve got the remote handy or not, this guide covers every possible way to change inputs on your Hisense TV. I‘ll walk you through official methods, clever workarounds, and even some solutions you might not have considered.

Understanding Hisense TVs and Their Market Position

Hisense has grown substantially in the global TV market, currently holding approximately 7.8% of worldwide market share according to Omdia research. In North America alone, Hisense has captured over 10% of the market, making it the fastest-growing TV brand three years running.

This Chinese electronics manufacturer offers a diverse lineup of televisions running on various operating systems:

• Roku TV OS (42% of Hisense models in North America)
• Android/Google TV (31% of models)
• VIDAA OS (proprietary system, 24% of models)
• Fire TV OS (3% of models)

Each operating system handles input switching slightly differently, which is why it‘s important to know which type you own. Recent sales data shows Hisense has sold over 24 million TV units worldwide in 2022, with approximately 4.7 million in the US market.

Hisense TV Input Ports: A Technical Overview

Before jumping into methods for changing inputs, let‘s examine what you‘re working with. Modern Hisense TVs come equipped with multiple input options:

According to Hisense technical documentation, most TVs manufactured after 2020 include at least one HDMI 2.1 port (typically HDMI 1), which supports enhanced features like Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC).

Remote Control Usage Statistics and Common Issues

Research from electronics warranty provider SquareTrade shows that remote control problems account for approximately 12% of all TV-related support calls. Their data indicates:

• 71% of households misplace their TV remote at least once monthly
• 28% of remote failures are due to physical damage (drops, liquid spills)
• 22% are battery-related issues
• 14% involve button failures from regular wear and tear
• 8% result from software/pairing problems

A Consumer Reports survey found that 65% of TV owners have had to replace a remote at least once, with 31% opting for universal remotes as replacements.

How to Change Input on Hisense TV Using the Remote

Let‘s start with the standard methods using the original remote control before moving to the no-remote solutions.

Method 1: Using the Input/Source Button on Remote

This is the most direct and commonly used method:

1. Press the Input or Source button on your remote (it may have an icon that looks like a square with an arrow)
2. A menu will appear showing all available inputs
3. Use the directional pad to highlight your desired input
4. Press OK or Enter to select it

The TV will switch to your selected input immediately. If the device connected to that input is powered on, you should see its content right away. According to Hisense support data, 78% of input changes are performed using this method.

Method 2: Using the Menu Button on Remote

Some older Hisense models (particularly pre-2018 models) require navigating through the menu:

1. Press the Menu button on your remote
2. Navigate to Input or Source in the menu options
3. Select it using the OK button
4. Choose your desired input from the list
5. Press OK to confirm

This method is more common on models from 2015-2018, when Hisense was transitioning between different UI designs.

Method 3: Using the Home Button on Remote (Smart TVs)

For Hisense Smart TVs running Android TV, VIDAA, or Roku OS:

1. Press the Home button on your remote
2. Navigate to Settings (usually a gear icon)
3. Select TV Inputs or Input Settings
4. Choose your desired input source
5. Press OK to switch

This method is particularly common on Android-based Hisense models, where the input selection is integrated into the overall settings menu.

Method 4: Using Voice Commands via Remote (For Compatible Models)

Newer Hisense models (2020 and later) with voice-enabled remotes allow simple voice commands:

1. Press and hold the Voice or Microphone button on your remote
2. Say a command like "Switch to HDMI 1" or "Change to HDMI 2"
3. Release the button and wait for the TV to process your command

Voice recognition accuracy tests conducted by RTINGS show Hisense voice remotes have an 83% success rate with input switching commands—lower than industry leaders (Google at 95%, Roku at 91%) but still reliable for basic functions.

Remote Control App Downloads and Ratings

Third-party statistical analysis shows significant adoption of remote control apps:

Consumer surveys indicate that 41% of TV owners have used a remote app at least once, with 23% using them regularly.

How to Change Input on Hisense TV Without Remote

Now for the main focus—what to do when you don‘t have access to the remote.

Method 1: Using Physical Buttons on the TV

Almost all Hisense TVs have physical buttons located somewhere on the set. The location and button configuration vary by model:

For TVs with Multiple Physical Buttons:

1. Locate the control buttons (usually on the back right/left side, bottom edge, or front bottom of the TV)
2. Press the Input or Source button (if available)
3. Use the Volume +/- or Channel +/- buttons to navigate through inputs
4. Press the Input/Source button again to select

This configuration is most common on 2014-2019 models. According to Hisense support documents, approximately 68% of their TVs manufactured during this period use this control scheme.

For TVs with a Single Control Joystick:

Many newer Hisense models (2019-present) use a single joystick-style button that can be pushed in different directions:

1. Find the joystick button (typically on the back or bottom of the TV)
2. Press the joystick inward to bring up the menu
3. Move the joystick up/down to navigate to "Source" or "Input"
4. Press inward to select
5. Move up/down to choose your input
6. Press inward again to confirm

This joystick design has become the standard on approximately 82% of Hisense models manufactured after 2020.

Button Location Guide by Model Series

Method 2: Using the Hisense RemoteNOW App

Hisense offers its own smartphone app that can control your TV:

1. Download the Hisense RemoteNOW app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android)
2. Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
3. Open the app and follow the setup instructions to connect to your TV
4. Once connected, use the virtual remote interface to press the Input or Source button
5. Select your desired input from the on-screen menu

RemoteNOW Compatibility Chart

According to app analytics, the RemoteNOW app has a 73% successful connection rate on first attempt, with troubleshooting increasing success to 91%.

Method 3: Using OS-Specific Remote Apps

Depending on your Hisense TV‘s operating system, you can use these official apps:

For Hisense Roku TVs:

1. Download the Roku app on your smartphone
2. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV
3. Open the app and select your Roku TV from the device list
4. Use the virtual remote to navigate to the home screen
5. Select the input tile from the home screen

Roku-powered Hisense TVs represent approximately 42% of Hisense‘s North American lineup, making this a widely applicable solution.

For Hisense Android TVs:

1. Download the Android TV Remote Control app
2. Connect to the same Wi-Fi as your TV
3. Select your TV from the discovered devices
4. Use the app‘s D-pad to navigate to Settings > Inputs
5. Select your desired input

Android/Google TV models account for roughly 31% of current Hisense offerings.

For Hisense VIDAA OS TVs:

1. Download the VIDAA Control app
2. Follow the pairing instructions
3. Use the virtual remote‘s input button to change sources

VIDAA OS is Hisense‘s proprietary system found on approximately 24% of their global models, though it‘s more prevalent in Europe and Asia than North America.

Method 4: Using HDMI-CEC Functionality

HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) allows connected devices to control your TV:

1. Make sure HDMI-CEC is enabled in your TV settings (may be called Anynet+, BRAVIA Sync, or SIMPLINK)
2. Turn on your connected device (like a PlayStation, Xbox, or Blu-ray player)
3. Many devices will automatically signal the TV to switch to their input
4. If not automatic, use the connected device‘s remote to navigate its menu and look for a TV control option

HDMI-CEC Compatibility by Device Type

These compatibility rates come from aggregated user reports and technical testing conducted by home theater forums and HDMI-CEC working group data.

Method 5: Using USB Keyboard or Mouse

This method works on most Hisense Smart TVs:

1. Connect a USB keyboard or mouse to one of your TV‘s USB ports
2. Wait for the TV to recognize the device (you‘ll see the cursor appear with a mouse)
3. With a mouse: Navigate to the input selection menu by clicking on the input icon or through settings
4. With a keyboard: Try pressing Alt+Tab or use arrow keys to navigate the TV interface

USB Device Compatibility Rates

According to Hisense‘s technical support database, approximately 3% of customers utilize this method when they‘ve lost their remote.

Method 6: Using Voice Assistants

If your Hisense Smart TV is compatible with voice assistants:

Using Google Assistant:

1. Set up Google Assistant integration with your Hisense TV through the Google Home app
2. Say "Hey Google, switch to HDMI 1 on my living room TV"
3. Google Assistant will send the command to your TV

Voice command recognition accuracy for input switching commands:

• Simple commands ("switch to HDMI 1"): 91% success
• Complex commands ("switch to the input where my PlayStation is connected"): 74% success

Using Amazon Alexa:

1. Enable the Hisense TV skill in the Alexa app
2. Link your Hisense account
3. Say "Alexa, change input to HDMI 2 on my Hisense TV"

Voice assistant integration is available on approximately 68% of Hisense Smart TVs manufactured after 2019.

Method 7: Using a Universal Remote Control

If you‘ve lost your original remote, a universal remote is a good investment:

1. Purchase a universal remote compatible with Hisense TVs
2. Follow the programming instructions that come with the remote
3. Most universal remotes have a dedicated Input or Source button
4. Once programmed, use it just like the original remote

Universal Remote Compatibility Chart