How to Rename Inputs on Your TV: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

The fastest way to rename inputs on a TV is to press the Menu or Settings button on your remote, find the Inputs or Input Settings option, and select the input you want to relabel. From there, you can type a custom name like “PS5” or “Cable Box.” It only takes a minute or two.

Renaming your inputs makes life so much easier. Instead of guessing whether “HDMI 2” is your game console or your streaming stick, you get clear labels every time. We found that most brands — Samsung, LG, Vizio, Roku TV, and more — follow a very similar process, so once you learn it, you can do it on almost any screen.

• Open your TV’s Settings menu and look for Inputs or Input Settings.
• Pick the input you want to rename, like HDMI 1 or HDMI 2.
• Type a new custom name using your remote or an on-screen keyboard.
• Save your changes and test it by switching inputs.
• We found the steps vary a bit by brand, so we’ll cover the most common ones.

Below, we break down exactly how this works step by step for the most popular TV brands. Grab your remote, and let’s get those labels sorted out.

Changing Input Labels on Your TV Step by Step

Renaming inputs is basically giving your TV a better address book. Instead of “HDMI 3,” you’ll see “Roku Stick” or “Xbox.” Here’s the general path most TVs follow.

• Press the Menu, Home, or Settings button on your remote.
• Scroll to Inputs, Input Settings, or External Inputs.
• Highlight the input you want to relabel.
• Choose Edit or Rename.
• Type your new name with the on-screen keyboard.
• Hit Save or OK, then switch inputs to confirm.

That’s the skeleton. Now let’s flesh it out brand by brand, because each one tucks the menu in a slightly different spot.

How to Rename Inputs on Samsung TVs

On most Samsung models, press the Home button, then head to Settings and pick General. From there, choose External Device Manager, then Device Name. Wait, that sounds backwards? Don’t worry. Samsung buries input names under “device,” which confuses a lot of folks.

Select the input, like HDMI 1, and you’ll see a list of preset names plus an option for a custom name. Pick or type what you want, then back out. It saves automatically. Newer Tizen models also let you rename right from the Home bar by highlighting an input and pressing up on the remote.

How to Rename Inputs on LG TVs

LG keeps things a little more obvious. Press the Home or Settings button, go to the inputs list (often a small icon in the corner), and select Edit or the pencil icon. LG was kind enough to put the pencil there, so use it.

Naming Inputs on webOS Models

Most newer LG TVs run webOS. After selecting Edit, click the input you want, then type your label on the on-screen keyboard. Some remotes work like a pointer, so you can literally click letter by letter like a mouse. It feels odd at first, but it’s quick once you get the hang of it.

Using Voice Input Instead

If your remote has a microphone button, some webOS versions let you speak the name instead of typing it. We found this works well for short labels like “PS5” but can stumble on longer ones like “Living Room Cable Box.”

How to Rename Inputs on Roku TVs

On a Roku TV, press the Home button, scroll down to Settings, then choose TV Inputs. Select the input — say, HDMI 1 — and pick Rename input. Type your label, confirm, and you’re done.

One nice touch: Roku also asks if you want to set a shortcut, so the input shows up right on the home screen. That saves you a step every single time you switch devices.

How to Rename Inputs on Vizio TVs

Vizio splits into two camps. On SmartCast models, press Menu, go to Input Settings, choose your input, and select Name. You’ll get preset names like “Blu-ray” plus a custom option.

On older Vizio remotes, there’s often an INPUT button that opens the list directly. Highlight the one you want, press OK, and look for the rename option there. If you get stuck, the on-screen guide is usually one menu deep, not ten.

How to Rename Inputs on Sony and TCL TVs

Sony runs on Google TV or Android TV. Press the Home button, open Settings, then go to Channels & Inputs and pick External Inputs. Choose Manage Inputs, select the port, and rename it.

TCL varies depending on the operating system. TCL Roku TVs follow the Roku steps above. TCL Google TVs follow the Sony-style path. So the real question isn’t “what brand is my TV?” — it’s “what software is it running?” Once you know that, the steps click into place.

Quick Comparison: Where Each Brand Hides the Rename Menu

Brand	Menu Path	Remote Button to Start
Samsung	Settings > General > External Device Manager > Device Name	Home
LG	Inputs list > Edit (pencil icon)	Home or Settings
Roku TV	Settings > TV Inputs > Rename input	Home
Vizio	Menu > Input Settings > Name	Menu or Input
Sony	Settings > Channels & Inputs > External Inputs	Home

We found this table covers the majority of TVs sold in the US over the past several years. If your model differs slightly, the words to hunt for are still Inputs, Edit, and Rename.

When You Can’t Rename an Input

Sometimes the rename option is grayed out. Don’t panic — this usually means one of three things, and each has a simple fix.

• The input has no device plugged in. Some TVs only let you rename active inputs. Plug something in first.
• You’re using an app, not an input. HDMI ports can be renamed; Netflix cannot (and doesn’t need to be).
• Hotel or restricted mode is on. Some TVs limit settings changes. A factory settings reset or checking the user manual can help.

It’s like trying to relabel a folder while the file is locked. Close the door, then change the sign.

Smart Tips for Naming Your Inputs

Good labels save arguments. Truly. How many households have squinted at “HDMI 4” wondering what lives there? Many experts on user interface design say clear, familiar labels reduce frustration, and your TV menu is no exception.

• Name the device, not the port. “Soundbar” beats “HDMI 2 ARC” every time.
• Keep names short. Long labels get cut off on screen.
• Be consistent. If every input starts with a room name or device type, scanning gets faster.
• Skip cute names. “The Nonsense Box” is funny once. “Cable Box” is helpful forever.
• Use CAPS for main devices if your TV supports it — they stand out.
• Update after upgrades. Sold the old console? Rename the port so it doesn’t lie to you.

Does Renaming Inputs Affect Anything Else?

No, it’s purely cosmetic — and that’s good news. Renaming an input doesn’t change picture settings, sound output, or HDMI-CEC controls. We found that names are stored in the TV’s memory and survive power outages, so you only do this chore once.

One small bonus: some TVs use your custom names to sort the input list or display them on the quick-switch bar. So a tidy set of labels can actually make flipping between devices feel faster, even though the ports themselves work exactly the same.

Conclusion

Renaming your TV inputs is one of those five-minute chores that pays off every single day. We covered the general steps, walked through Samsung, LG, Roku, Vizio, Sony, and TCL, and shared naming tips that keep the whole household from guessing what “HDMI 3” means. We found the menu names vary a bit by brand, but the words to hunt for are always Inputs, Edit, and Rename. Your labels stick around, too, so you only do this once per device. Grab your remote, open your TV’s settings, and relabel that first port right now. Once you see “PS5” instead of “HDMI 2,” you’ll wonder why you waited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rename inputs without the original remote?

Usually, yes. Most TVs work with a universal remote or a brand’s official smartphone app, which often mirrors the full settings menu. If your TV has a physical control stick on the back or bottom, you can also navigate the menus manually — it’s slow, but it works.

Why did my input names disappear after a factory reset?

A factory reset wipes your TV’s stored settings, including custom input labels. Unfortunately, most TVs don’t support backing up these names. The good news is that renaming only takes a minute or two per port, so redoing them isn’t a big chore.

Do input names show up when I use HDMI-CEC devices?

They can. If your console or Blu-ray player supports HDMI-CEC, some TVs automatically pull the device name and may override or lock your custom label. We found you can usually turn off CEC naming in the settings, or just let the automatic name do the work for you.

How many characters can I use in an input name?

It varies by brand, but most TVs cap names somewhere between 10 and 20 characters. That’s why we recommend short, clear labels like “Soundbar” or “Apple TV.” Long names get truncated on the input bar, which defeats the whole purpose.

Can I rename inputs on a non-smart TV?

Often, yes. Many older HD TVs include a basic rename option under an Input or Setup menu. If yours doesn’t have the feature, a workaround is writing small labels or using a label maker on the TV’s bezel near each port. Low-tech, but it gets the job done.