The method you use depends entirely on your TV’s webOS version. On most LG TVs made between 2020 and 2024, press the Home button, open Art Gallery, and pick a theme. On 2025 models running webOS 25, that’s been replaced by Gallery+. And on any 2022–2024 TV, there’s also an Always Ready mode with a clock, art, and photo options.
This guide covers all six methods — including how to add your own photos and what to do when your remote isn’t working.
Find Your webOS Version First
The menu paths differ across every webOS version. Following the wrong steps is the most common reason people can’t find the screensaver setting. Check your version before anything else.
How to Check in 10 Seconds
Press the Mute button three times quickly. A Quick Launch info overlay appears showing your webOS version. If that doesn’t work, go to Settings > All Settings > General > About This TV (or TV Information on some models).
Not sure which model you own? The TV Model Number Decoder tool breaks down the label on the back of your TV and tells you exactly what you have.
webOS Version to Model Year Reference
| webOS Version | Model Year | Example Models |
|---|---|---|
| webOS 3.0–3.5 | 2016–2017 | C7, E7, B7 |
| webOS 4.0–4.5 | 2018–2019 | C8, B8, C9 |
| webOS 5.0 | 2020 | CX, BX, GX |
| webOS 6.0 | 2021 | C1, B1, G1 |
| webOS 22 | 2022 | C2, B2, G2 |
| webOS 23 | 2023 | C3, B3, G3 |
| webOS 24 | 2024 | C4, B4, G4 |
| webOS 25 | 2025 | C5, B5, G5 |
Note: LG’s Re:New program is rolling webOS 25 to 2022–2024 OLED and QNED models. If your C3 or C4 updated recently, you may already have Gallery+ available instead of the old Gallery app.
Method 1 — Art Gallery App (webOS 5.0 to webOS 24 / Most 2020–2024 TVs)
This is the default screensaver path for the majority of LG TVs sold in the last five years.
- Turn on your TV and press the Home button on your Magic Remote.
- Scroll across the app bar and select Art Gallery.
- Browse the available themes. Hover over any image to preview it full-screen.
- Press Select (OK) to activate the theme you want.
The screensaver activates automatically the next time your TV is idle.
Audio and speed options: Some themes play background audio. While the screensaver is active, press down on the remote’s scroll wheel to open an options menu. From here, toggle the sound on or off and adjust slideshow speed — slow, normal, or fast.
Method 2 — Gallery+ (webOS 25 / 2025 Models and Re:New Updated TVs)
LG launched Gallery+ in August 2025. On webOS 25 TVs, it replaces the standalone Art Gallery app and the separate Always Ready menu — both are now handled in one place.
If your 2022, 2023, or 2024 model received the webOS 25 update, you’ll see Gallery+ where the old menus used to be. You can check which LG TVs got the webOS 25 update and confirm whether your model is eligible.
What Gallery+ includes:
- A free light tier with a curated selection of artwork
- A paid subscription with 4,500+ images covering fine art, photography, and cinematic stills
- Google Photos integration on supported models
- Adjustable background music, slideshow timing, and screen-off behavior
How to activate Gallery+:
- Press the Home button.
- Select LG Gallery+ from the home screen app bar.
- Browse collections and categories.
- Select a piece to set it as your active screensaver.
To adjust settings while the screensaver is playing, use the Magic Remote to click the V icon on-screen. That opens the options panel.
Method 3 — Always Ready Mode (webOS 22–24 / 2022–2024 TVs)
Always Ready is an ambient display feature that activates when you press the power button once rather than holding it down. It’s separate from Gallery Mode — it’s designed to leave the TV on at low brightness showing art, a clock, or photos.
On webOS 25, Always Ready is folded into Gallery+.
Steps for webOS 22, 23, and 24 TVs:
- Press the Settings (gear icon) button on your Magic Remote.
- Go to All Settings > General > Always Ready.
- Toggle Enable to On.
- Choose your display mode: Art, Clock, Movement, or personal Photos.
- For Art mode, select a theme from the available gallery.
- For Clock mode, set your location so local weather appears alongside the time.
The Movement option displays a subtle animated pattern — a good choice if you want something that avoids any static display at all.
Method 4 — Custom Photos as Your Screensaver
You can use your own images instead of LG’s curated library. There are two ways to do it.
Via USB Drive (All webOS versions):
- Copy your photos (JPG or PNG) to a USB drive.
- Plug the drive into one of your TV’s USB ports.
- Press Home and open Art Gallery (or Gallery on older TVs).
- Select My Photos and click Add.
- Browse to your USB drive and select the photos you want.
- Click Complete to confirm.
Your photos will rotate as a screensaver slideshow from then on.
Via Moment / My Photos (webOS 22+ only):
In the Always Ready settings, select Photos as the display mode. You can then pull images directly from a connected USB or from a linked Google Photos account, depending on your model.
Method 5 — Budget Models Without the Gallery App
Some LG TVs don’t include the Art Gallery app at all. These are mainly budget models from the UR and LQ series — the 43UR8000AUA, 55UR8000PUA, 32LQ630BAUA, and similar. On these TVs, your only built-in screensaver option is the Screensaver Promotion feature.
To enable it:
- Press Settings on your remote.
- Go to General > System > Additional Settings.
- Find Screensaver Promotion and toggle it On.
This displays promotional content from LG Channels when the TV is idle. It’s not customizable, but it prevents a static image from sitting on your panel.
To disable the ad screensaver: Toggle Screensaver Promotion back off. The screen will go black when idle instead.
Method 6 — Change Your Screensaver Without a Remote
If your Magic Remote is lost or not responding, you have two options.
Option A — LG ThinQ App:
- Download the LG ThinQ app (iOS or Android).
- Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV.
- Open the app and tap your TV from the device list.
- Use the in-app remote to navigate the settings exactly as you would with the physical remote.
Option B — LG TV Remote Control Plus App:
Available on iOS. Works via Wi-Fi and functions as a full remote replacement, including scroll wheel simulation.
If your Magic Remote has stopped responding, try the LG Magic Remote not working troubleshooting guide before going the app route. Re-pairing or a battery swap fixes the issue most of the time. If the remote is physically broken or lost entirely, the LG Magic Remote (MR23GN) is a direct replacement that works with all 2022–2024 LG TVs out of the box.
For navigating your TV’s physical buttons without any remote at all, check how to operate your LG TV without a remote — the hardware buttons on the TV body can get you into Settings in a pinch.
Older LG TVs (webOS 4.0 and Below / 2017–2019)
Models from 2017 to 2019 use the Gallery app — not Art Gallery. The experience is more limited.
- Press the Home button on your Magic Remote.
- Navigate to and open the Gallery app.
- Select My Photos and click Add.
- Browse photos from a USB drive connected to your TV.
- Select the images you want and click Complete.
These models display your selected photos as a rotating slideshow. There’s no curated art library — only your own content.
How to Turn Off the LG TV Screensaver Completely
This section is missing from every other guide on this topic.
On webOS 5.0–webOS 24: Go to Settings > All Settings > General > System > Additional Settings and switch Screensaver Promotion to off. If you’ve activated a Gallery Mode theme, open the Art Gallery app and simply don’t select any theme — with no active theme, no screensaver runs.
On webOS 22–24 (Always Ready): Go to Settings > All Settings > General > Always Ready and toggle Enable to Off.
On webOS 25 (Gallery+): Open Gallery+ and exit without selecting a theme. The feature only runs if an active theme is applied.
One important caveat for OLED owners: LG OLED panels auto-trigger a screensaver after roughly two minutes of detecting a static image. This is a built-in burn-in prevention mechanism protecting the organic pixel layer — not something you configured. You can’t fully disable it on OLED models, nor is doing so advisable. If you’re monitoring your TV’s long-term health, the TV Lifespan & Health Estimator can help you understand how your usage habits affect your display over time.
Troubleshooting
Ads Showing as Your Screensaver
Go to Settings > General > System > Additional Settings and switch Screensaver Promotion off. If promotional content is appearing elsewhere across your TV’s interface, the broader guide on how to block ads on your LG Smart TV covers all the related toggle locations.
Screensaver Activates During a Movie or Streaming App
This happens when your TV detects a static image — usually from a paused video or a streaming device sending an idle signal to the TV. First, check your HDMI cables and try a different port. If the problem is coming from a connected streaming device, disable Simplink (LG’s HDMI-CEC system) by going to Settings > General > Devices > HDMI Settings > Simplink (HDMI-CEC) and switching it off.
No Screensaver Option Visible
Two likely causes: your TV is a budget model without Gallery support, or the firmware is outdated. Start by updating your LG TV’s firmware — a pending update sometimes restores missing features. If the option still doesn’t appear after updating, your model genuinely doesn’t support Gallery Mode.
Wrong Theme Loading After a Firmware Update
Open the Art Gallery app, select your preferred theme again, and press Select to reapply it. Firmware updates occasionally reset the active screensaver back to default.
Black Screen Instead of Screensaver
A power-saving setting is likely overriding Gallery Mode. Go to Settings > All Settings > General > Eco Mode and check whether Auto Power Off is set to a short interval. Increasing it or turning it off lets the screensaver activate before the TV shuts the display down.
LG’s screensaver options have grown substantially. The path that works for you comes down to your TV’s year — but the options range from curated fine art and personal photos to animated clocks with live weather. Pick the method that matches your webOS version and you’ll have it set up in under five minutes.