If your Vizio TV won’t turn on, you can fix it by power cycling it, double-checking your cables and testing your power outlet. In addition, there are several other solutions.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of fixing your Vizio TV.
Here are nine methods, starting with the simplest.
Table of Contents
1. Power Cycle Your Vizio TV
When you turn your Vizio TV “off,” it isn’t truly off.
Instead, it enters a low-powered “standby” mode that allows it to start up quickly.
If something goes wrong, your TV can get stuck in standby mode.
To wake it up, you’ll have to perform a hard reboot of the TV.
Unplug it from the wall outlet and wait for 30 seconds.
This will give time for any residual power to drain from the TV.
Then plug it back in and try to turn it on again.
2. Replace the Batteries in Your Remote
If power cycling didn’t work, the next potential culprit is your remote.
Open the battery compartment and ensure that the batteries are fully seated.
Then try pressing the power button again.
If nothing happens, replace the batteries, and try the power button once more.
Hopefully, your TV will turn on.
3. Turn Your Vizio TV on Using the Power Button
Vizio remotes are pretty durable.
I still have the one for a TV I bought in 2012, and it still works.
But even the most reliable remotes can break.
Walk up to your TV and press and hold the power button on the back or side.
It should power on in a couple of seconds.
If it doesn’t, you’ll need to dig a bit deeper.
4. Check Your Vizio TV’s Cables
The next thing you need to do is check your cables.
Inspect both your HDMI cable and your power cable, and make sure they’re in good condition.
You’ll need a new one if there are any horrendous kinks or missing insulation.
Unplug the cables and plug them back in so you know they’re properly inserted.
Try swapping in a spare cable if that doesn’t fix your problem.
The damage to your cable could be invisible.
In that case, you’d only find out about it by using a different one.
Many Vizio TV models come with a non-polarized power cord, which can malfunction in standard polarized outlets.
Look at your plug prongs and see if they’re the same size.
If they’re identical, you have a non-polarized cord.
You can order a polarized cord for around 10 dollars, and it should solve your problem.
5. Check Your Vizio TV’s Power Indicator Light
Even if your TV won’t turn on, your power button can provide insight into its status.
Press and hold the power button, and watch the indicator light.
This can be the word “Vizio” spelled out in LED lights or a simple LED light bar.
When you hold the power button, you’ll see one of three patterns:
- The light flashes amber/orange and white.
- The light comes on dim, then turns bright.
- The light comes on bright white, then fades.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these patterns.
Light Changes from Amber/Orange to White
If the power light flashes amber/orange and white, give it a couple of minutes.
There could be a firmware update coming in.
If it’s still flashing after two minutes, something is wrong with your TV.
It could be a hardware or a software issue; it’s impossible to say.
You’ll need to contact Vizio support and see if your TV is still under warranty.
If it is, you should qualify for a free replacement.
Light Changes from Dim to Bright
When your Vizio TV is working properly, the power light will start dim, then remain bright.
If you still don’t see a picture, you most likely have a picture issue.
For example, you may have accidentally turned your brightness and contrast to zero.
Press your menu button and see if the menu appears.
If it does, Vizio offers a thorough guide to fixing your picture.
Light Turns on and Fades
On newer Vizio models, the power light will fade after the TV turns on.
If that’s the case, refer to my previous point.
That said, the light may turn on and suddenly blink out.
In that case, your TV has malfunctioned.
You’ll need to file a warranty claim with Vizio support.
6. Double Check Your Input Source
Another common mistake is using the wrong input source.
First, double-check where your device is plugged in.
Make note of which HDMI port it’s connected to (HDMI1, HDMI2, etc.).
Next press your remote’s Input button.
If the TV is on, it will switch input sources.
Set it to the correct source, and your problem will be solved.
7. Test Your Outlet
So far, you’ve tested many features of your TV.
But what if there’s nothing wrong with your television? Your power outlet may have failed.
Unplug your TV from the outlet, and plug in a device that you know is working.
A cell phone charger is good for this.
Connect your phone to the charger, and see if it draws any current.
If it doesn’t, your outlet isn’t delivering any power.
In most cases, outlets stop working because you’ve tripped a circuit breaker.
Check your breaker box, and see if any breakers have tripped.
If one has, reset it.
But keep in mind that circuit breakers trip for a reason.
You’ve probably overloaded the circuit, so you may need to move some devices around.
If the breaker is intact, there’s a more serious problem with your home’s wiring.
At this point, you should call an electrician and have them diagnose the problem.
In the meantime, you can use an extension cord to plug your TV into a working power outlet.
8. Factory Reset Your Vizio TV
Sometimes, Vizio TVs glitch out.
They work most of the time but require frequent power cycling to power on.
If you find yourself power cycling your TV every few days, there’s probably a firmware issue.
In this case, a factory reset will solve your problems.
Be warned.
Factory resetting your TV will erase all of your data and settings.
You’ll have to re-download any apps and re-enter your login information.
And if you’ve changed any of your picture settings, you’ll need to re-set those as well.
Now that I’ve given the obligatory warning, here’s how to factory reset your Vizio TV:
- With the TV on, press the Menu button on your remote.
- Using the arrow buttons, scroll down to “System” and select “OK”.
- Scroll down to “Reset & Admin” and select “OK”.
- Scroll down to “Reset TV to Factory Defaults” and select “OK”.
- The TV will ask for your password. This will be the same as your password for parental controls. If you haven’t set up parental controls, the password will be “0000”.
- Select “Reset” and press “OK” again.
Now, wait.
Your TV screen may flicker during the reset.
Eventually, it will shut itself off and turn back on again.
At that point, the TV will begin the Setup App process.
It will be as if you’ve just plugged in a brand new TV.
Some of Vizio’s SmartCast TVs also have a manual reset option.
Look on the back or the sides for the volume buttons.
Then, press and hold the volume down and input buttons simultaneously.
After ten or fifteen seconds, you’ll get a confirmation message.
To confirm, press and hold the input button until the TV resets.
Note that your TV still needs to be powered on for the manual method to work.
9. Contact Vizio Support and File a Warranty Claim
If none of these things has worked, your TV is probably broken.
You’ll have to reach out to Vizio customer support and file a warranty claim.
Fortunately, most electronics tend to fail right away or not at all.
If your TV has failed, it’s probably still under warranty.
In Summary
There are many reasons your Vizio TV might not turn on.
It could be due to an issue with the hardware.
Something as simple as a frayed cord can render your TV useless.
Thankfully, replacing a cable is cheap and easy.
Other times, there’s a software issue.
Your firmware may be buggy or out of date.
In these cases, you can usually fix things with a power cycle or hard reset.
The problem may also exist outside of your TV.
You may have tripped a circuit breaker, or your remote batteries may have died.
With all of these potential causes, there’s no silver bullet for fixing your Vizio TV.
You need to work through the steps and find out what works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a reset button on Vizio TVs?
Yes and no.
There’s a dedicated reset button in the system menu.
However, there’s an alternate reset method for people who can’t access their menu.
Press and hold the input and volume down buttons on your TV until a banner pops up.
Then follow the instructions on the screen.
Why won’t my Vizio TV turn on unless I unplug it?
If your Vizio TV requires frequent power cycling, it probably has a software issue.
Perform a factory reset and see if that works.
You should also make sure your cord is in good condition and replace it if necessary.
If the problem persists, you’ll need to file a warranty claim.
