Vizio is famed for manufacturing affordable soundbars and televisions. Vizio’s policy is to ensure the production costs are as low as possible, while still having a worthwhile product. The company has achieved this but still has a long way to go considering all the system malfunctions burdening their TVs. From a black screen to features like Airplay or SmartCast malfunctioning, there always seems to be something going wrong with a Vizio television.
A common issue Vizio Smart TV owners encounter is Netflix failing to work, yet everything is OK or seems OK. Paying for a Netflix subscription and having the app fail you can be devastating, especially if you cannot narrow down on the cause of the problem.
Keep reading as this article addresses what might cause Netflix to stop working on your VIZIO TV and what you can do to get the app working.
BEST TIPS
Check if Your TV supports Netflix. Some older VIZIO smart TVs do not support Netflix anymore.
Check your internet connection – if there’s an outage or if your speeds are too slow, you won’t be able to use the Netflix app.
Restart your modem and router.
Restart your VIZIO TV.
Clear the cache on your VIZIO TV.
Check for firmware updates.
If you see some kind of Netflix error code, google it.
Sign Out, then Sign In to Your Netflix Account.
Check for Netflix service outages.
Factory reset your VIZIO TV.
Why Is Netflix Not Working on My Vizio TV?
The most common cause for Netflix not working on your Vizio Smart TV is an internet outage. Netflix is a streaming service that allows users to watch various shows; hence it requires a stable internet connection.
Another reason could be that Netflix is temporarily down hence a widespread service outage. It could also be a result of outdated TV firmware or a bug in the firmware interfering with Netflix’s functionality.
Some Vizio TVs no longer support Netflix because the components are outdated and cannot facilitate smooth functionality. Here is the complete list of Vizio TVs that no longer support Netflix.
Netflix is no longer supported on these VIZIO TV models (source – VIZIO)
Possible solutions when Netflix is not working on your Vizio smart TV are discussed below.
Check Your Internet
Even if you are certain your internet is working as it should, it will help to run a speed test to ensure your connection has the appropriate speeds to connect to Netflix.
You can conduct a speed test using third-party websites like fast.com and speedtest.net, which will give you comprehensive results regarding your internet connection.
To run a speed test through these sites, open a web browser on a device connected to the same network as your TV and visit any of the above websites and some like fast.com will run the test automatically.
Once you run the speed test on these websites, ensure the download speeds are within range of Netflix’s recommended speeds for various resolutions.
You can also use the Vizio TV network test feature to check your connection speeds. To do this, press the Menu key on the remote and navigate to Network > Test Connection.
The TV will test the connection and display information regarding the network type, name, and download speeds.
If you can access the Netflix app on your TV, you can also check for network strength by navigating Get Help or Settings > Check your Network from Netflix’s home screen.
Should you note that the speeds are unreliable, you can move the router closer to the TV or use a wired connection since they are always faster than Wi-Fi and less susceptible to interference.
Restarting the router and modem is also a viable solution for improving the internet speeds; however, you should contact your ISP to rule out the possibility of a service outage first.
Netflix App Not Working on VIZIO TV – Troubleshooting Tips
Restart Your Router and Modem
Routers often go long periods without powering off, which can cause malfunctions that might affect Netflix functionality. A restart would stop all processes and then relaunch them, thus reducing strain on your network devices.
Depending on your preferences, you can restart the router and then the TV or restart both simultaneously.
Consult your modem/router’s user manual for the correct restart procedure or simply cut power to the router, then power it after a few minutes.
Restart the TV
If your internet connection is stable and Netflix is still not working, restart the TV to allow it to set up its systems afresh, thus sorting any temporary software malfunctions.
Most Vizio TVs have a restart option in the settings, and you can access it by navigating Menu > Admin & Privacy > Reboot TV. After that, wait for the TV to reboot, and check if Netflix is working.
Note that the reboot will also clear the TV’s cache memory.
How to Reboot Your VIZIO Smart TV
If not, perform a more aggressive restart by following these steps:
- Power off the TV and unplug it from the power outlet.
- Press and hold the power button on the TV for 15 seconds.
- Power on the TV and check if Netflix works.
If Netflix is still malfunctioning, restart it by navigating More Options>Reload Netflix.
Sign Out, then Sign In to Your Netflix Account
Signing out and then signing in to your Netflix account will resolve any software bugs affecting the streaming service’s normal operation.
To sign out, launch the app and go to its Settings option. Then navigate Deactivate/reset/sign out, then log out of your account.
You can restart the TV before signing in if you wish. Use the dedicated Netflix button on the remote to access the app once the TV restarts and select Sign in, then enter your credentials to log into your account.
You can sign in with a different account in case the issue is unique to your account.
Check for a Netflix Service Outage
Sometimes it could be that Netflix is experiencing problems on their end, resulting in a service outage. Service outages are hard to notice since they are rare, but you can visit Netflix’s social media platforms, like Twitter, where they share such updates.
You can also use the “Is Netflix Down?” page to find out if there is a service outage. If you find that there is an outage, your only option is to wait for Netflix to sort the issue.
Check for Firmware Updates
The manufacturer frequently updates the TV’s operating system. These updates are meant to fix any prevalent issues the TV might have, including your Netflix problem.
Software updates are essential because they ensure your TV has the latest version of the Netflix app. Older Vizio TVs allow updating of individual applications, which you can exploit if you do not wish to update everything on the TV simultaneously.
However, it is not advisable to update the individual app because other aspects of the TV’s OS that work with Netflix will remain outdated.
Navigate Menu > Admin & Privacy > Check for Updates, and the system will ask you to confirm the update if there is an update available. If the TV is up to date, the TV will also notify you.
How to Update Your VIZIO Smart TV
Factory Reset the TV
If the problem persists, you can resort to factory resetting your TV and router/modem. A reset will erase all previous configurations and restore the TV to how it was right after the purchase.
The reset will clear settings or stubborn bugs that could be causing Netflix to malfunction.
You can reset Vizio TVs by navigating Menu > Admin & Privacy > Reset to Factory Settings.
How to Reset Your VIZIO TV
Then enter the system PIN or use 0000 if you have never changed it from the default. Once the message “Select Reset to restore all TV settings to factory defaults and clear all account information” appears on the screen, navigate Reset > OK and wait for the TV to finish resetting.
You can also reset the TV using the buttons, but the procedure varies depending on the model; therefore, consult the user manual for the correct procedure.
How to Reset Your VIZIO TV Manually
Google the Error Codes
If Netflix malfunctions and displays error codes, search for what they mean on Netflix’s website. That way, you will better understand the problem and how to solve it.
If all efforts are futile, consider getting a streaming device like a Firestick or Apple TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do I reset Netflix on my Vizio Smart TV?
Answer: To reset the Netflix app on your Vizio TV, you would have to factory reset the TV to erase all configuration settings, including Netflix’s. There is no way of resetting only Netflix on Vizio Smart TVs.
Question: How Do I Add Apps to My Vizio Smart TV?
Answer: Newer Vizio TVs that use Smartcast do not allow you to download additional apps. The TVs come with a wide range of preinstalled apps; hence there would be rare cases where you need to add more apps.
Conclusion
Some of the procedures described above might vary slightly depending on your TV’s model. You can access specific instructions for your TV by visiting Vizio’s website, where all Vizio TV manuals are available for download.
If Netflix does not work after trying all the suggestions above, consult Vizio’s customer care for further assistance. They might send a technician to look at the TV, and if the TV is under warranty, you may get a new one that works.
You can also contact Netflix if you believe the problem is with the app, not the TV. Netflix also provides troubleshooting tips for when the app fails on different devices, including televisions.
However, if these are not possible options for you, consider purchasing a new TV, especially if yours no longer has Netflix support. You should also consider getting a streaming device before resolving to buy a new television.
