The average lifespan of Vizio TVs is about 7 years, but this depends on how often you use them, and their constant high-setting configuration.
If you’ve only recently bought a Vizio TV and you’re already experiencing technical problems, you will be glad to know that some of them can be fixed in a jiffy. If your Vizio TV won’t turn on or can’t install apps, we’re here to solve common Vizio TV issues that will make your setup more convenient and hassle-free.
5 Common Vizio TV Problems Solved
Issue #1: My Vizio TV Shows Pictures But There's No Sound
The first thing you need to check is to make sure there are batteries in your Vizio remote control and your built-in speaker volume is not set to zero or muted.
But take an extra step and check the Audio Settings and turn the TV Speaker setting ON. If the issue is not resolved, you may need to replace the built-in speaker or try connecting to an external device, like Vizio sound bars.
Issue #2: Vizio TV Black Screen and LED Indicator Light On
You may have experienced the Vizio TV black screen of death before, but it is a common issue that’s not hard to fix.
First things first, turn the unit off by pressing the power button on the remote control and unplug the power cord from the TV. This is where the “Flashlight Test” comes into play. All you need to do is find a bright flashlight, position yourself two inches away and shine the light directly on the TV screen.
If you see an image but your Vizio TV still has a blank screen, then it’s safe to say it may have problems with the backlight on the display, the inverter board, or there may be other parts of the TV that are malfunctioning and needs to be looked into.
Issue #3: My Vizio TV Won't Connect to the Wi-Fi
It’s uncommon in today’s modern world if your TV wasn’t connected to the Wi-Fi network. But it’s also common for your Vizio Smart TV to disconnect from the Wi-Fi network.
Here are some troubleshooting tips to solve this Vizio TV problem:
- First, try troubleshooting your Wi-Fi connection by making sure you have a stable internet connection that can handle multiple devices.
- Check if the power cord is plugged in tightly or unplug it from the wall outlet and plug it back in again, just to make sure the power source is working.
Next, turn the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) [1] setting ON. By turning this setting on, it will be easier for your Vizio unit and a different device to connect to the same Wi-Fi network and router without any problems.
Here’s how to turn on the DHCP:
- Press the Menu button.
- Go to Network.
- Under Manual Setup select DHCP.
- Make sure the DHCP is ON.
- Now, turn off the TV and unplug the power cable of your TV and Wi-Fi router from the power outlet.
- Hold the power buttons of your TV and Wi-Fi router and release it after 10 seconds.
- Turn both of those devices on and connect your Vizio TV to the internet.
Another option is to connect your device through a wired Ethernet connection. A wired internet connection is more stable than connecting wirelessly.
Issue #4: Why Is My TV Menu Not Working?
If your Vizio TV menu is not working, this issue is possibly caused by your Vizio TV remote.
To resolve this, you can power cycle the remote and the TV. Power cycling is simply the method of turning off the device and turning it on again.
On the Remote
- Remove the batteries of the remote.
- Press the Power button and hold for 10 seconds.
- Press all the remaining buttons.
- Insert the batteries.
On the TV
- Turn off the TV and remove the power cable from the wall outlet.
- Located on the side of the TV, hold the Power button for 10 seconds then release.
- Reconnect the power cable.
- Turn the unit on.
Alternatively, if your menu is working but some of your applications are not, they can be power cycled from the TV menu:
Press Menu on your remote > Choose System > Reset & Admin > “Soft Power Cycle”
The TV turns on automatically after restarting and your menu should be responsive.
Issue #5: What's Happening to My Flickering Vizio TV Screen?
The black screen isn’t the only common Vizio TV problem. You may also encounter a flickering or blinking screen on Vizio TVs. Even high-end smart TV brands deal with this issue too.
Before you do anything else, unplug all of your cables and external devices from the power supply and restart your television.
If the issue isn’t resolved by then, check the Advanced Video Settings. There may be some effects that are active, causing the TV to flicker. Smart and OLED TVs can give you dazzling image quality with vibrant colors, however, they can be very sensitive and prone to unstable behavior.
If the flickering hasn’t stopped, conduct a power cycle or a factory reset.
How to Do a Factory Reset
If none of the other troubleshooting methods worked and the same issues persist, your best and last resort is to do a factory reset.
This method will erase your TV’s current settings and will return to its factory default settings. We’ll talk you through the easy and foolproof method of factory resetting your TV.
- Using your Vizio remote control, press the Menu button.
- Under System Menu, select Reset & Admin.
- Go to Reset TV to Factory Defaults.
- At this point, it may ask you for a code, enter the default PIN 0000.
- Select Reset.
You can also perform this method manually:
- Press and hold the Volume Down and Input Buttons together.
- When you see a message on the screen, release the volume button and continue pressing the input button for 10 seconds.
- Memory will be cleared.
By doing these two methods, the TV will automatically restart itself and the welcome screen should pop up.
Go to an Authorised Repair Center for All Your Vizio TV Needs
If your Vizio TV is still experiencing problems and you’ve tried all of the troubleshooting methods and studied the user manual, it’s probably best to bring your unit to an authorized Vizio TV repair center to check for any malfunctions to the power board, power supply, or display.
It’s incredibly important to bring your unit to an authorized repair center.
The advantage of bringing Vizio TVs to an authorized technician is they can diagnose the problem and fix it for you on the spot. If your Vizio TV is still under warranty, they could possibly replace it with no extra charge.
On the flip side, if you decide to bring your unit to an unauthorized technician, this method will void the warranty on your TV and we can’t guarantee the solution you’ll be getting is safe and reliable.
Conclusion
Vizio TVs may be budget-friendly, but their products offer enhanced picture and crisp audio quality giving you an entertainment experience that feels luxurious.
But if you do come across some problems like the above, it’s perfectly normal and easy to fix. We hope this guide on common Vizio TV problems, helped you understand and troubleshoot your TV. But if not, we urge you to seek professional assistance, especially for any hardware issues.
