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Yes, some smart TVs can listen for a wake word while the screen is dark—but only when a supported hands-free feature is enabled, and a dark screen does not tell you whether the TV is in standby or fully powered down. LG says supported models with Hands-free Voice Control may monitor locally for a wake word in standby. This does not establish what every TV does. Check your exact model’s hands-free settings, microphone controls, remote voice features, and—separately—viewing-data settings.
Is my smart TV listening when it’s off?
It depends on the model, region, software, and voice settings. “Off” can also mean different things: the screen may be dark while the TV remains in standby, rather than fully powered down.
LG Electronics said on September 12, 2026, that if a user enables Hands-free Voice Control, a supported TV may continue monitoring for its wake word while in standby. LG says detection is processed locally and that, if no wake word is detected, the audio is not converted to text, stored, or transmitted. Those statements describe LG’s feature; they are not independent device-test results or claims about other brands. LG’s support information should be checked against your model.
There is no established industry-wide statistic for how often TVs listen in standby. The practical answer is to identify which voice activation method your set supports and whether it is enabled.
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How is hands-free listening different from remote voice control?
Hands-free voice control uses a microphone built into the TV to detect a wake word, if the model supports it and the feature is enabled. A remote voice feature is typically activated when you press a voice button and speak into the remote’s microphone. One setting or microphone control may not cover both paths.
| Voice path | How it is activated | Microphone and control considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-free wake word | The TV listens for a configured wake word; supported LG models may do this in standby when the feature is enabled. | Uses the TV’s built-in microphone. Check the model’s hands-free or wake-word setting and any physical microphone switch. LG support |
| Remote voice command | The user presses a voice or search button and speaks a request. | Uses the remote microphone on the Samsung US feature described in its privacy supplement. Review remote voice controls separately from the TV microphone setting. Samsung US privacy supplement |
Samsung’s February 10, 2015 statement discusses voice-recognition modes, including predetermined commands handled by an embedded microphone, but it is historical corporate context—not a substitute for your current TV’s manual. Samsung’s 2015 statement
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How do I stop my TV listening when the screen is off?
- Identify the TV. Find its brand, full model number, region, and software generation in the TV’s settings or on its product label. Use the manual for that exact model; there is no universal menu path, and labels differ by model and software.
- Turn off hands-free activation if you do not use it. In the TV’s voice assistant, voice recognition, or privacy settings, look for terms such as “hands-free,” “far-field,” or “wake word.” Disable the relevant feature and check the manual for what the change affects. LG support
- Use a physical microphone switch if your set has one. Some supported LG and Samsung TVs have a hardware microphone control, but its availability and location vary by model and country. LG says switching off the hardware microphone stops hands-free recognition through the TV microphone; Samsung says voice commands are unavailable when its documented switch is off. Confirm the TV indicates that the microphone is off. LG support · Samsung Canada microphone-switch guidance
- Review remote voice use separately. Turning off a TV’s built-in microphone does not by itself explain what happens when you deliberately press a voice button on a remote. Check the remote and voice-recognition settings for your model. Samsung’s US privacy supplement describes button-activated requests spoken into the remote microphone and says Voice Recognition data collection can be disabled in settings. Samsung US privacy supplement
- Check viewing-data controls separately. If you also want to limit recognition of programs or connected-device content, look for Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) or Smart TV Experience settings. These are distinct from voice and microphone controls.
What does ACR have to do with listening?
Automatic Content Recognition concerns viewing information, not the wake-word microphone path. ACR and voice settings are separate controls, so changing one does not establish that the other is off.
- Roku: its policy places ACR controls under Settings > Privacy > Smart TV Experience and microphone access for voice-enabled devices under Settings > Privacy > Voice. The paths are separate. Roku privacy policy
- Samsung: its support page documents a separate setting to turn ACR on or off. Consult the instructions for your model and region. Samsung ACR support
Disabling a voice feature or ACR does not promise that every type of data collection is disabled. Review the TV’s privacy settings and policy for the specific data categories you care about.
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- Bright, clear picture: Bring entertainment to life on our 24" flat screen TV with bright 720p HD—perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and beyond. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
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- 1080p resolution - View your favorite movies, shows and games in full high definition.
- Alexa voice control - The Alexa Voice Remote lets you easily control your entertainment, search across apps, switch inputs, and more using just your voice. Press and hold the voice button and ask Alexa to easily find, launch, and control content, and even switch to cable.
- Access thousands of shows with Fire TV - Watch over 1.5 million streaming movies and TV episodes with access to thousands of channels, apps and Alexa skills, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, Disney+, ESPN+, Sling TV, Paramount+, and other services right from this TV.*
- DTS Virtual-X Sound - An immersive sound format creates a three-dimensional sound experience with your TV’s speakers.
- Supports HDMI ARC - Sends audio directly from the HDMI jack to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver, removing the need for an extra cable.
What should I verify before changing settings?
- The model number and the manual’s software or regional applicability match your TV.
- You have distinguished a TV microphone and hands-free wake word from voice input through a remote.
- If using a physical microphone switch, the set confirms the microphone is off; do not assume every model has the switch or puts it in the same place.
- You have reviewed ACR or viewing-data settings independently if that is part of your concern.
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