Can I connect a Logitech K400 to a Smart TV without the USB dongle?

No. The Logitech K400 and K400 Plus keyboards operate exclusively on a 2.4GHz radio frequency using the provided USB dongle. They do not have built-in Bluetooth hardware, so it is physically impossible to connect them to a TV without the USB receiver.

How do I put my Logitech keyboard into Bluetooth pairing mode?

To activate pure Bluetooth mode without the USB receiver, turn the keyboard on, locate the Easy-Switch keys (usually F1, F2, or F3), and press and hold the key for 3 seconds. The LED light will begin flashing rapidly, indicating it is ready to pair with your Smart TV.

Why is my Smart TV asking for a PIN code for my Logitech keyboard?

When connecting via Bluetooth, Smart TVs generate a random 6-digit PIN code as a security measure to ensure you are connecting the correct device. Simply type the numbers shown on your TV screen directly onto your Logitech keyboard and press Enter.

How to Connect a Logitech Keyboard to a Smart TV Without a Dongle (2026 Guide)

Wall-mounted Smart TVs and minimalist streaming sticks like the Chromecast with Google TV have created a new problem for living room setups: a severe lack of USB ports. If you are tired of juggling USB receivers, whether you are trying to type on a living room TV or setting up multi-device keyboards like the Satechi EX1 for your home office, mastering pure Bluetooth connections is essential.

If you want to use a wireless keyboard to search YouTube, browse the web, or navigate streaming apps, you can no longer rely on plugging in a clunky USB receiver. You must use a direct Bluetooth connection.

However, connecting a Logitech keyboard via pure Bluetooth without its proprietary Unifying or Logi Bolt receiver confuses thousands of users daily. The standard pairing process often results in the TV failing to discover the keyboard entirely. Here is the definitive, data-driven guide to putting your Logitech keyboard into pure Bluetooth mode and connecting it to any Samsung, LG, or Android Smart TV.

Does Your Keyboard Actually Have Bluetooth?

Before you dig into your TV settings, we must address the number one reason Logitech pairings fail: Not all wireless keyboards have Bluetooth. According to home theater troubleshooting forums, the most common mistake involves the highly popular Logitech K400 and K400 Plus (the keyboards with the built-in trackpad).

Crucial Fact: The Logitech K400 series operates exclusively via a 2.4GHz RF radio frequency. It does not have a Bluetooth chip inside it. If you have a K400, you must use the USB dongle. It is physically impossible to connect it via Bluetooth.

If you have a dual-connectivity model—such as the K380, K780, MX Keys, or Pebble Keys—you are in luck. These devices feature both a USB receiver and direct Bluetooth. Here is how to activate it.

Step 1: Force the Logitech “Easy-Switch” Bluetooth Mode

If you simply flip the power switch to “On,” the Logitech keyboard will spend 60 seconds searching for its missing USB dongle and then go to sleep. You must force it into Bluetooth pairing mode.

A close-up, macro photograph of the back edge of a silver Satechi EX1 wireless keyboard. The focus is sharp on a small physical sliding switch labeled with two positions: "Mac" and "Win". The switch is currently set to the "Win" position. A USB-C charging port is visible next to it. The background is a gently blurred, textured desk surface.

Power On: Slide the switch on the side or top of the keyboard so the background color shows green.
Locate the Easy-Switch Keys: Look at your top function row (F1, F2, F3). These keys usually feature small computer/phone icons.
The 3-Second Hold: Press and hold one of the Easy-Switch keys (e.g., F1) for exactly 3 seconds.
The Rapid Flash: The LED light above the key will transition from a slow pulse to a rapid, aggressive flash. Your keyboard is now broadcasting a pure Bluetooth signal and ignoring the missing USB receiver.

Step 2: Connect to Your Specific Smart TV

With your keyboard flashing rapidly, navigate your TV menus using your standard remote. Because TV operating systems vary wildly, follow the specific path for your brand.

A screenshot of the Windows 10 or 11 legacy Control Panel interface. The window titled "Add a device" is open, showing a searching animation. A device named "Satechi EX1 Keyboard" is listed. Below the device name, a small blue hyperlink text that reads "Or try entering a passcode on it" is brightly highlighted with a red circle drawn around it.

📺 For Samsung Smart TVs (Tizen OS)

Samsung hides its Bluetooth peripheral menus deep within its device manager.

Press the Home button and navigate left to the Settings gear icon.
Go to General > External Device Manager.
Select Input Device Manager > Bluetooth Device List.
Your TV will scan the room. Select your Logitech keyboard (e.g., “Logi K380”) when it appears.
The Security PIN: A 6-digit PIN code will appear on your TV screen. Type this exact code blindly onto your Logitech keyboard and press Enter.

📺 For LG Smart TVs (WebOS)

LG has streamlined its peripheral connections in recent WebOS updates.

Press the Settings (Gear icon) on your Magic Remote.
Navigate to General > Devices.
Select External Devices > Connect Bluetooth Controller.
Select your Logitech keyboard from the “Available Devices” list and input the pairing PIN if prompted.

📺 For Android TV / Google TV (Sony, TCL, Chromecast)

Statistically, Android TV accounts for a massive share of the Western smart TV market. This process applies to Sony Bravia, TCL, Nvidia Shield, and Chromecast devices. Android TV offers a massive ecosystem of apps, but just like when you are trying to limit visual distractions on your Android devices, navigating that clutter requires the right tools and shortcuts.

Go to the home screen and click the Settings gear in the top right corner.
Scroll down to Remotes & Accessories.
Click Pair accessory or Add Bluetooth device.
The screen will begin searching. Select your Logitech device to complete the pairing.

A close-up shot of a person's hand plugging a small, black Satechi USB-C wireless receiver dongle into the side port of a business-style Windows laptop. The laptop lid is partially open, showing a blurred spreadsheet on the screen. The Satechi EX1 keyboard is visible in the foreground, out of focus. The lighting is professional office overhead lighting.

Troubleshooting: Why Are Only the Numbers Working?

A frequent statistical anomaly reported on Reddit involves users successfully pairing their Logitech keyboard to a YouTube app on an LG or Samsung TV, only to find that the letter keys do not work, but the number keys do.

This is not a keyboard defect; it is a limitation of the TV’s app software. Many native Smart TV apps (particularly older versions of YouTube and Netflix) hardcode their on-screen keyboards to only accept directional arrow inputs from a standard remote.

The Fix: If an app refuses to accept alphabetical typing, you must use your TV’s built-in web browser to access the site instead of the dedicated app, or utilize the directional arrows on your keyboard to navigate the on-screen letters.

Now that your minimalist TV setup is complete and free of clunky USB dongles, you might be looking to upgrade your home office security without monthly fees using the latest local-storage cameras.