Updated on 2025-07-28
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5min read
Watching Hulu on TV is the best way to enjoy binge-worthy shows, blockbuster movies, or live sports. Whether you own a smart TV, streaming stick, gaming console, or just a laptop with HDMI—there’s always a way to get Hulu on your TV.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through all the official methods to watch Hulu on your television, plus clever workarounds for older TVs. And as a bonus, we’ll show you how to watch Hulu without buffering or ads using an easy video downloader.
Note: You can stream Hulu on your TV with any subscription plan, including:
- Hulu (With Ads): $9.99/month
- Hulu (No Ads): $18.99/month
- Hulu + Live TV plans (starting at $82.99/month)
- Student Hulu (With Ads): $1.99/month
Part 1: Watch Hulu on Smart TVs – Official App Installation
If you own a smart TV, the easiest way to watch Hulu is by installing the official Hulu app. Hulu supports most major smart TV platforms, and the setup process only takes a few minutes.
Supported Smart TV Brands:
- Samsung Smart TVs (Tizen OS, 2016 or newer)
- LG Smart TVs (WebOS 3.5 and above)
- Android TVs (Sony, TCL, Hisense, Philips, etc.)
- Vizio SmartCast TVs
How to install & sign in to Hulu:
Step 1: Open the App Store or content hub on your smart TV.
Step 2: Search for “Hulu” using the on-screen keyboard.
Step 3: Download and install the app.
Step 4: Open Hulu and choose “Log In.”
Step 5: You can either enter your account details directly or select “Activate on a computer.”
Step 6: If you choose activation, visit hulu.com/activate on your phone or laptop and enter the code shown on your TV.
Step 7: Once activated, you’re ready to start streaming!
What If the Hulu App Is Not Available on Your TV?
If you can’t find the Hulu app on your smart TV, it may be due to one of these reasons:
- Your TV model is too old or not supported
- The Hulu app isn’t available in your region
- Your TV’s firmware needs to be updated
What you can do:
- Try casting or mirroring Hulu from your phone or laptop (see Part 4)
- Use a streaming device like Roku, Firestick, or Chromecast (see Part 2)
- Connect your laptop to your TV via HDMI (see Part 5)
Part 2. Watch Hulu on Streaming Devices
If your TV isn’t a smart TV or doesn’t support the Hulu app, a streaming device is the easiest way to turn it into a Hulu-ready screen. Devices like Roku, Firestick, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast are compact, affordable, and easy to set up.
Here’s how to stream Hulu on each major streaming device:
Watch Hulu on Roku
- Press Home > Add Channel > Search “Hulu”
- Select and install the Hulu app
- Log in with your Hulu account
Tip: Use the Roku remote or Roku mobile app for smoother navigation.
Watch Hulu on Amazon Fire TV / Fire TV Stick
- From the Home screen, go to Find > Search > Hulu
- Download from the Amazon Appstore
- Open and sign in
Stream Hulu on Apple TV (4th gen and above)
- Go to App Store > Search > Hulu
- Install and sign in
- Supports AirPlay too
Watch Hulu on Google Chromecast with Google TV
You have two main options to watch Hulu:
Option 1. Install the Hulu app directly from the Google Play Store on your Chromecast with Google TV device.
Option 2. Cast content from the Hulu app on your mobile phone or from the Chrome browser on a computer.
Step 1: Ensure that your Chromecast and Android/iOS devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 2: Follow the steps explained earlier to download and install the Hulu app. Open the app.
Step 3: Stream Hulu and tap the “Cast” button. Select the Chromecast device. You will see the video cast on your TV.
Step 4: Tapping the “Cast” button stops the video.
Similarly, you can cast Hulu from your computer or laptop onto your TV.
Part 3: Watch Hulu on TV via Game Consoles
You can watch Hulu on TV via gaming consoles because Hulu is available on various game consoles like PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Series X/S, and others. Your TV must have an HDMI connection.
Step 1: Plug the HDMI cable into your gaming console and the other end into your TV's HDMI input port.
Step 2: Tap the “Computer” icon on your gaming console to cast the screen to your TV.
Step 3: Open Hulu on your gaming console.
Step 4: Stream your favorite video, and it will be cast on your TV.
Step 5. Open your console’s app store. Search and download Hulu
Step 6. Launch the app and sign in using your Hulu account
Step 7. Use your controller to browse and play shows
Part 4. Cast or Mirror Hulu to TV (No App Needed)
If your TV doesn’t support Hulu or lacks a compatible streaming device, casting or screen mirroring from another device can be a quick workaround.
a. Chromecast from Android or Chrome browser
If you’re using an Android phone or Chrome on your computer:
Step 1: Set up Chromecast by following the steps explained earlier.
Step 2: To watch Hulu, tap Cast > Select TV > Start playing
b. AirPlay from iPhone or Mac
To stream Hulu to an Apple TV or AirPlay-enabled Smart TV:
Step 1: Open the Hulu app and tap the AirPlay icon.
Step 2: Select your TV from the list of available AirPlay devices.
Step 3: Stream your Hulu video and watch it on the TV screen.
c. Use Miracast (Windows/Android) or DLNA (Smart TVs)
Miracast (for wireless screen mirroring):
Miracast is a wireless technology that allows you to mirror your computer screen on your TV. Your TV must support Miracast. Otherwise, you will need a Miracast adapter.
Step 1: On Windows: Go to Settings > Devices > Add Bluetooth or other device.
Step 2: Select Wireless display or dock.
Step 3: Pick your Miracast-enabled TV and click Connect.
Step 4: Your screen is now mirrored—just open Hulu in your browser.
DLNA (for Smart TVs with DLNA support):
Most modern smart TVs offer built-in DLNA support.
Step 1: Make sure your TV supports DLNA and is on the same Wi-Fi.
Step 2: On PC, open Windows Media Player > Enable Media Streaming.
Step 3. Add Hulu to your media library or cast browser playback (some workarounds may be needed).
Step 4. Select your TV as playback device.
Tip: For the smoothest experience, use Chromecast or AirPlay if available. DLNA and Miracast are helpful backups, but compatibility varies by device.
Part 5: Watch Hulu on TV with a Laptop via HDMI
No smart TV? No casting device? No problem. You can still watch Hulu on your TV by connecting your laptop directly via an HDMI cable. Most modern TVs have HDMI ports—if yours doesn’t, you’ll need an HDMI-to-composite adapter.
Step 1: Connect your HDMI cable from your laptop to your TV. (If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI port, use an HDMI-to-composite adapter.)
Step 2: On your TV remote, press the Input or Source button and select the correct HDMI port (e.g., HDMI 1 or HDMI 2).
Step 3: On your laptop, go to Settings > Display Settings > Detect to recognize your TV as a second screen.
Step 4: Click Identify to confirm your TV is selected.
Step 5: Open a browser on your laptop and log in to your Hulu account.
Step 6: Play any video—it should now appear on your TV screen.
Tip: This method is especially useful for older TVs without smart features or built-in casting options.
Bonus: Watch Hulu on TV Without Internet or Ads
Would you love to watch Hulu on your TV offline or at a place where the internet connectivity is weak? Eassiy One-stop Streaming Video Downloader—StreamFox for Video is a converter tool that allows you to download Hulu videos and TV shows and save them permanently on your devices for offline viewing. More importantly, you can watch Hulu without ads.
Key Features
- Use StreamFox for Video to download Hulu videos as MP4
- Transfer to USB, external hard drive, or cast from the Plex server
- Ideal for travel, offline watching, avoiding buffering, or ad breaks
- Compatible with Smart TVs, set-top boxes, and even hotel TVs
Step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Open StreamFox on your device. You get six options. Choose Hulu as your streaming platform.
Step 2: StreamFox has an integrated browser enabling you to log in to Hulu using your credentials.
Step 3: Select your movie or video to download and drag its title into the red box “Add to Queue.”
Better, enter the movie URL in the search bar and directly add it to the queue.
Step 4: Downloading multiple videos is possible with StreamFox. Select the videos and confirm your action.
Step 5: Enhance your viewing experience by adjusting the video resolution according to your device’s storage capacity. You can continue using the default 1080p offered by StreamFox.
Step 6: StreamFox offers three video output formats, MP4, MKV, and MOV. Select your preferred format and click “Convert.” If downloading multiple videos, check the respective boxes, choose the format, and click “Convert All.”
Look for your downloaded videos in the Finished section of the tool. You can view the video anytime by clicking “View Output File.”
Step 7: Transfer your downloaded videos to a USB drive. Insert it in your TV and watch Hulu offline.
Part 7: Comparison Table – Best Ways to Watch Hulu on Different TVs
Device Type | Requires Hulu App | Supports Casting | Supports Offline Viewing | Setup Difficulty | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Samsung Smart TV | Yes | Limited | No | Easy | Native app, easy to use |
Roku Streaming Device | Yes | No | No | Easy | Affordable, multi-platform support |
Amazon Fire TV Stick | Yes | No | No | Easy | Wide compatibility, smooth playback |
Apple TV | Yes | Yes (AirPlay) | No | Easy | Supports Apple ecosystem casting |
Google Chromecast | Yes | Yes | No | Moderate | Requires phone or PC casting |
PC + HDMI Connection | No | No | No | Easy | Universal method, good for older TVs |
StreamFox Video Downloader | No | Yes (USB casting) | Yes | Very Easy | Supports offline viewing, ad-free |
FAQs
Q1: I had Hulu included with my Sprint plan. Now that T-Mobile took over, I see Hulu on my bill but can't watch it on my TV. What should I do?
A: When Sprint was acquired by T-Mobile, Hulu subscriptions linked to Sprint plans may need to be reactivated or linked to your new T-Mobile account. First, check your Hulu account online to see if it is still active and linked to your T-Mobile plan. You might need to sign in to T-Mobile's Hulu activation page to confirm or reactivate your subscription.
Q2: I was told I would get a code via text to watch Hulu, but I never received it. How do I get this code?
A: Hulu used to require activation codes to link your carrier subscription to the Hulu app on your smart TV. However, this process can vary or may no longer be necessary. Instead, try downloading the Hulu app on your smart TV and sign in directly with your Hulu/T-Mobile credentials. If you don’t have an account or code, contact T-Mobile customer support for assistance in linking your Hulu subscription.
Conclusion
Watching Hulu on the large TV screen is an enjoyable experience. Installing the Hulu app and subscribing to an active Hulu plan is the most convenient way of watching Hulu on your smart TV. However, alternatives are available. We have discussed various options, including a bonus tool that enables you to download Hulu videos and watch them offline. Have a wonderful time enjoying Hulu on your smart TV.