Hisense TV Error Code 116 Explained – Meaning, Causes & Fixes
Hisense TV error code 116 appears when the TV's smart platform — either VIDAA OS or Android TV, depending on the model — cannot establish a connection to the internet or a specific streaming server. It is most commonly seen when launching a streaming app (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+), during a firmware update attempt, or when accessing the Hisense app store. Error 116 is a network-layer fault: the TV's internal hardware is working normally, but something in the path between the TV and the internet is blocking or interrupting the connection. For most Hisense TV users, error 116 is resolved in under 10 minutes by restarting the router and TV. More persistent cases may involve DNS settings, router security features, or a Hisense server-side issue.
What it means
The TV cannot connect to the internet or a required server. Network request failed or timed out.
Severity
LowCan you fix it yourself?
Yes — router restart and DNS adjustment resolve most error 116 occurrences.
Call a technician when
Only if the TV's Wi-Fi hardware is suspected of failing.
What Does 116 Mean?
Error code 116 on Hisense Smart TVs is a network connectivity error used across both the VIDAA OS platform (used on most Hisense non-Android models) and Hisense Android TV models. While the error number appears identical, the underlying cause is the same in both cases: the TV has attempted to reach an external server or internet resource and the connection was refused, timed out, or returned an unexpected result.
On VIDAA OS models, error 116 appears most often when the VIDAA platform attempts to contact Hisense's content delivery infrastructure — for app updates, account synchronization, or the VIDAA home screen content feed. If any of these connections fail, 116 is displayed.
On Android TV models, error 116 can come from the Android TV platform itself (Google Play services connectivity) or from individual apps that have their own error code systems that map to the generic 116 on Hisense displays.
One important distinction: error 116 does not mean your Wi-Fi credentials are wrong or that your TV is not connected to your router. In many cases, the TV has a valid IP address and can reach local network devices — it specifically cannot reach external internet services. This is why checking whether your phone or laptop is online at the same time the TV shows 116 is a useful first diagnostic: if all other devices work fine, the issue is TV-specific on your network. If all devices are offline, the issue is your ISP.
What Causes This Error?
- Router or modem needs a restart — the most common and easily fixed cause
- ISP outage or degraded internet service
- DNS server issue — the TV cannot resolve domain names for Hisense or streaming service servers
- Hisense server maintenance or regional outage affecting VIDAA services
- Router firewall, parental controls, or content filtering blocking Hisense's server domains
- TV firmware bug causing network request handling errors in specific VIDAA or Android TV versions
- Wi-Fi signal too weak — packet loss during a data transfer causes the request to fail with error 116
- Google Play Services issue on Android TV models — corrupted cache preventing server communication
- Date and time incorrectly set on the TV, causing SSL certificate validation failures
How to Fix 116
- 1
Restart your router and modem. Unplug both from the wall, wait 60 seconds, then plug the modem in first and wait for it to fully connect (solid lights, typically 30–60 seconds), then plug the router in and wait another 30 seconds. While the network restarts, unplug your Hisense TV from the wall for 60 seconds and plug it back in. This full power cycle of all devices resolves the majority of error 116 cases.
- 2
On the TV, go to Settings → Network → Network Configuration (or Wi-Fi settings on Android TV models). Run the built-in network test or check the connection status. Confirm the TV has an IP address assigned. If it does but error 116 still appears when launching apps, the issue is beyond the local network connection.
- 3
Change the TV's DNS to a public DNS server. On VIDAA OS: Settings → Network → Network Configuration → select your network → Advanced Settings → DNS. Change from Auto to Manual and enter 8.8.8.8 (primary) and 8.8.4.4 (secondary). On Android TV: Settings → Network & Internet → your Wi-Fi network → Advanced → DHCP → change to Static and set the DNS manually. Restart the TV after saving.
- 4
Check and correct the TV's date and time. Go to Settings → System → Time → and verify the date and time are correct. Set it to automatic (network time sync) if possible. An incorrect system clock prevents the TV from validating SSL certificates for secure HTTPS connections, which shows as a connection failure with error codes like 116.
- 5
If you have parental controls, an ad blocker, or content filtering enabled on your router, temporarily disable them and test. Hisense TVs connect to multiple external domains for content, account services, and analytics. An aggressive filter on your router can block one or more of these domains and cause error 116 even though general internet access appears to work fine.
- 6
For Android TV models specifically: go to Settings → Apps → Google Play Services → Storage → Clear Cache and Clear Data. Then do the same for Settings → Apps → Hisense App Store. Corrupted cache in Google Play Services prevents proper server communication on Android TV and is a common cause of persistent connectivity error codes including 116.
- 7
Update the TV firmware. Hisense regularly releases VIDAA and Android TV firmware updates that fix network handling bugs. Go to Settings → Support → System Update → Check for Updates. If the TV cannot connect to check for updates due to error 116, download the firmware manually from Hisense's support website, copy it to a USB drive (FAT32 formatted, firmware file in the root directory), and install via Settings → Support → System Update → Local Update.
When to Call a Professional
Error 116 is almost always a software or network configuration issue, not a hardware fault. However, if the TV consistently fails the network connection test at the IP address acquisition step (not just the internet connectivity step), the Wi-Fi hardware may have developed a fault. Contact Hisense support at support.hisense.com with your TV model number and serial number — they can review connectivity logs if the TV is registered, and can advise on whether a Wi-Fi module replacement is warranted. Hisense TVs are generally not cost-effective to repair for Wi-Fi hardware failures given their typical price point; a replacement may be more practical for older models.
Can You Still Use the Device?
The TV functions normally for local inputs — HDMI devices, USB media, and antenna/cable broadcast television are unaffected by error 116. Only internet-dependent smart TV features are impacted: streaming apps, app store, firmware updates, and voice assistant services. Use a local input as a workaround while troubleshooting the network issue.
See Also
Official Resources
Related Error Codes
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional repair advice. CodeExplain is not affiliated with Hisense or any other brand mentioned. Always consult a qualified technician for complex repairs.