Vizio TVs have gradually become popular because of their affordability. The TVs also have features that make them fit for home or business use. Most people who purchase the TVs end up using them for over five years, provided the TVs are properly maintained.
Vizio TVs can be controlled manually using the buttons on the TV, but that allows a limited number of functions, such as adjusting the volume, changing inputs, and powering the TV on or off.
One would need a Vizio remote for more advanced controls, like connecting the TV to a Wi-Fi network. If the remote is damaged, the alternative is to purchase a universal remote. Before using the remote, you have to pair it to your TV, and you should read on to find out how.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
If your remote is unresponsive and not lost, try the simple fix explained below before buying a replacement remote.
If you have to buy the replacement remote, you can buy the original replacement remote from VIZIO or Amazon. They will save you the hassle of programming the remote.
Also, some slightly cheaper third-party replacement remotes don’t require programming. When buying these remotes, have in mind that they are compatible with some VIZIO TVs (not all VIZIO TVs). Always check the list of compatible TVs.
Your third option is buying a replacement remote that requires programming (RCA, GE, Philips, Harmony, etc.).
Universal remotes from different manufacturers follow different programming steps – you must consult the remote’s user manual before programming it.
Put the remote in programming mode using a series of buttons determined by the remote’s manufacturer. Then, press a combination of buttons to initiate an automatic code search and press either the power/play/pause button in 5sec intervals until the TV responds to commands from the universal remote.
If you want to enter the code manually, you can visit VIZIO’s website and find the list of Vizio universal remote codes there. If the remote does not work or only a few buttons work, try programming it with a different code.
About Universal Remotes
When you purchase a Vizio TV, it always comes with a remote that helps you update various settings on the TV. If you lose that remote, an alternative would be to purchase a universal remote and pair it to your TV.
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Universal Remotes for VIZIO TVs |
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Vizio VR1 (Old LCD/Plasma TVs)
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VIZIO Universal Remote
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Philips Universal Remote
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Universal XRT136 Remote
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Try This Quick Fix Before Buying a Replacement Remote
Universal remotes are remote controls built to work with different devices from different brands.
The remotes come in various shapes and sizes but have almost similar programming techniques, as we shall see.
There are universal remotes that are preprogrammed to work with select devices from different brands, also known as multi-brand remotes. Some of these preprogrammed remotes require no programming to the TV, and all you have to do is insert the batteries and start using the remote.
Universal VIZIO Replacement Remote that Doesn’t Require Programming
There are also learning universal remotes that can learn the functions of your device’s original remote control. To program a learning remote, you need the TV’s original remote, but if you cannot access it, you can still program it using a code search or manually entering the programming codes.
How to Program a Universal Remote to a Vizio TV?
Universal remotes from different manufacturers and some from the same manufacturer follow different programming steps to get them working with your TV.
Fortunately, most universal remotes have similar buttons and follow similar programming steps.
The requirement is to understand how to initiate specific functions on the universal remote. For instance, you should know how to get the remote into the programming mode, get it in code search mode, and save the programmed settings once you link the TV and the remote.
How to Program RCA Universal Remote
Using Code Search
To successfully connect a universal remote to a Vizio TV, you need a code to help the remote accurately match its IR signal to its IR receiver. This is necessary since remote controls send coded signals that the TV decodes to perform the intended function, such as changing channels or inputs.
Therefore, instead of manually entering these codes on the remote, you can allow the remote to search through the available codes until it finds one that matches your Vizio TV.
You can do this by following the steps below:
- Power on the TV using the power button on the TV.
- Ensure the remote has new and working batteries.
- Put the remote into programming mode.
From this step onwards, ensure the universal remote is pointed to the TV.
For some universal remotes like RCA remotes, you would have to press the device button on the universal remote (the TV button, in this case) and the power button simultaneously.
On other remotes, you have to press the Program/Configure/Code search/Setup button first until the remote’s LED or power button flashes, then press the device button. Also, some remotes, like the CISCO CTC remote, require you to simultaneously press and hold the TV and OK button for five seconds, then release.
You will know the remote is in pairing mode when the LEDs or power button flash or light steadily.
Note: The device button refers to the button on the universal remote corresponding to the type of device you want to use the universal remote with, e.g., TV, Soundbar, DVD Player, etc.
How to Program GE Universal Remote
- Initiate Code Search
The next step is to allow the remote to search for a code that matches your Vizio TV model. The universal remotes have different steps for initiating this procedure depending on the manufacturer’s programming.
You can initiate the code search by pressing a combination of different buttons or pressing and holding the TV button as you press the remote’s power button. These buttons are meant to help the remote cycle through different codes so expect this process to take some time.
Once the remote finds the correct code, the TV will go off to indicate that the correct code has been found.
How to Program the Philips Universal Remote
- Turn On the TV
Since the TV is now off, you have to turn it on. Some universal remotes can turn on the TV at this point by using the power button. Other remotes will turn on the TV when you press the button you were using to cycle through the codes.
Once done, you will have to press a dedicated button to save the found code.
How to Search for Codes Automatically on a Philips Universal Remote
Manually Program a Universal Remote
Instead of letting the remote search for codes, you can also enter the codes one after another until you find the right code. This method might seem cumbersome but is appropriate in instances where the code search method did not work.
To use this method, you have to get the remote in programming mode by following the steps determined by the manufacturer; however, a common procedure entails the steps listed below:
- Ensure the remote has batteries, then power on the TV.
- Press the correct combination of buttons to get the remote into manual programming mode. The buttons you will press depend on the remote’s manufacturer and model. Therefore, ensure you consult the user manual.
- Once the TV is in programming mode, you can enter the different codes one after the other until you find the right one. The remote’s LED or power button will flash to indicate that the code is wrong and that you should try another one.
- You will know you have found the correct code when the power button or LED on the remote goes off from lighting red. When it does, press the appropriate button to save the code on the remote.
- Once the remote is programmed to the TV, you can test whether all the buttons work. If any buttons on the remote do not work, restart the programming procedure and try a different code.
The programming codes are available on the remote’s user manual, Vizio’s website, or the remote manufacturer’s website. The remote’s manual will also indicate whether you need a 2-,3-,4- or 5-digit code.
Programming a Logitech Harmony Remote
Conclusion
Universal remotes from different manufacturers follow different programming steps; therefore, you must consult the remote’s user manual, especially if you encounter any challenges. You can also consult Vizio if you suspect there is a problem with the TV during setup. Remember to try different Vizio universal remote codes should one fail.
Assuming you want to avoid going through the programming procedures, you can purchase a Vizio replacement remote that does not require any programming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can you use a universal remote with a VIZIO TV?
Answer: Indeed, you can use different universal remotes with your Vizio TV. All you have to do is get the remote and program it to work with your TV. If the remote does not work or only a few buttons work, try programming it with a different code.
Question: How do you program a universal remote to a VIZIO TV without a code?
Answer: You can program a universal remote to a Vizio TV without a code by initiating the code search feature on the remote. This feature allows the remote to automatically try different codes until it finds one compatible with your TV.
To activate this feature, you have to get the remote in programming mode using a series of buttons determined by the remote’s manufacturer. Then you would have to press a combination of buttons to initiate code search and press either the power/play/pause button in 5sec intervals until the TV responds to commands from the universal remote.
Lastly, save the settings by pressing the dedicated button.
Question: Where is the 4-digit code on a VIZIO TV?
Answer: If you are looking for the four-digit code when pairing the TV to the Smartcast mobile app or when pairing it to an iPhone via Airplay, the code will appear on the TV screen as long as you follow the correct procedures.
On the other hand, if you are looking for the four-digit code when programming a universal remote to the TV, you can look for the code on the remote’s user manual. The codes are probably categorized according to device type and brand name, so they should be under ‘TV’ in the Vizio category. You can also find these codes on Vizio’s website.
Question: What can I use if I don’t have a remote for my VIZIO TV?
Answer: If you do not have a remote for your Vizio TV, you can purchase a replacement remote from Vizio. These remotes do not require any programming, as all you have to do is insert the batteries and start using them.
If the TV is already connected to your home Wi-Fi network, you can also use the Smartcast mobile app. Another option is to purchase a universal remote and program it to the TV.
