Let’s be real: getting a free streaming service as a "perk" is awesome until you actually have to figure out the login process. If you’ve got a Walmart+ membership, you’re sitting on a free Paramount+ Essential subscription, but it’s not as simple as just opening the app and typing in your Walmart password. I’ve seen so many people get stuck in a loop of "invalid login" or "subscription not found" because the two accounts aren't talking to each other yet.
You're basically trying to bridge two different companies.
If you just try to sign into Paramount Plus with Walmart credentials directly on the Paramount app, it won't work. You have to do the "handshake" first. Here is the actual, no-nonsense way to get this running so you can finally watch Yellowstone or the NFL on CBS without pulling your hair out.
The Secret Handshake: Activating the Benefit First
Before you even touch the Paramount+ app, you have to go through the Walmart side. This is where most people mess up. They download the app and wonder why there isn't a "Sign in with Walmart" button. Spoiler: there isn't one.
- Open the Walmart app on your phone or go to Walmart.com on a browser.
- Make sure you are logged into your Walmart+ account. If you’re on a trial, check your email—sometimes the benefit only kicks in after the first paid month, though usually, it's active right away.
- Navigate to your Account tab.
- Look for the Walmart+ Membership section. This is usually a big, bright blue tile.
- Inside there, you’ll see a list of perks like free shipping and gas savings. Scroll until you find the Video Streaming benefit (it might specifically say Paramount+).
- Click Get Paramount+.
This is the "handshake." Walmart will redirect you to a special Paramount+ landing page. This page is the only place where the magic happens.
Creating or Linking Your Paramount+ Account
Once Walmart kicks you over to the Paramount site, you have two choices. You either create a brand new account or link an old one. Honestly, if you already have a paid Paramount+ subscription using the same email, things can get messy.
If you have an active, paid-for account, you usually have to cancel it and wait for the billing cycle to end before you can link it to Walmart+. It’s annoying, but the systems hate overlapping subscriptions.
If you’re starting fresh, just use the same email address you use for Walmart. It keeps things clean. After you create the account on that specific redirect page, that is when the link is established.
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How to Sign into Paramount Plus with Walmart on Your TV
Now that the accounts are linked, you can actually use your TV.
Fire up the Paramount+ app on your Roku, Fire Stick, or Smart TV. Now, don't look for a Walmart button. You are now a "regular" Paramount+ user in the eyes of the app.
- Select Sign In.
- Choose On my TV.
- Enter the email and password you just set up on the Paramount+ website during the activation step.
If the app asks you to pick a plan or start a free trial, stop. That means the linking process failed. You shouldn't be asked for a credit card by Paramount if you did the Walmart+ handshake correctly. If this happens, go back to your Walmart account hub and click the link again.
Why can't I find the "Sign in with Partner" button?
You might see a "Sign in with Partner" option on some devices. Usually, this is for cable providers like Xfinity or Spectrum. While Walmart is technically a partner, the integration works differently. You don't use the partner portal; you use the standard login credentials you created during the activation phase.
The 90-Day Choice: Paramount vs. Peacock
Something a lot of people missed in the recent 2026 updates is that Walmart+ now lets you swap between Paramount+ and Peacock. It’s a bit of a "pick your favorite child" situation.
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You can only have one at a time. If you decide you'd rather have Peacock for a specific sports season, you can switch in your Walmart+ dashboard, but you're usually locked into that choice for 90 days. If you switch to Peacock, your Paramount+ access will be cut off.
Troubleshooting the "Try Again Later" Errors
If you’re trying to upgrade to the ad-free version (Paramount+ with SHOWTIME) through Walmart and keep getting an error, check your credit card.
There’s a weird glitch where the credit card on file for your Walmart+ membership must match the card you use for the Paramount upgrade. Even if it's the same card, sometimes re-entering it in the Walmart "Wallet" fixes the "Unable to change plan" error.
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Actionable Next Steps for You
- Check your membership status: Go to the "Account" section of your Walmart app right now to see if the Paramount+ tile says "Active" or "Get Started."
- Clear your cache: If you're getting stuck on the redirect page, try using an Incognito/Private browser window. It clears out old cookies that might be trying to log you into an old, expired account.
- Check for the "Essential" tag: Once logged in, go to the account settings in the Paramount app. It should say "Plan: Paramount+ Essential" and "Billed through: Walmart." If it says anything else, you might be accidentally paying for a second subscription.
Make sure you actually finish the activation on the Paramount website after clicking the link in the Walmart app. Just clicking the button in the Walmart app isn't enough; you have to see the "Success" screen on the Paramount side for the login to work on your other devices.