Vizio televisions are a common household commodity in many homes. Their popularity is enhanced by the fact that they are cheap and have excellent picture quality that rivals most brands with costly TVs. Also, Vizio TVs have all the necessary modern TV features making them a rational choice for standard home televisions.
Vizio TVs can connect to external devices through the traditional RCA method or via HDMI and USB. Many devices use HDMI connections because of their fast speeds, better resolutions, and convenient features like HDMI CEC. Unfortunately, Vizio TVs have the disadvantage of malfunctioning frequently and, in turn, degrading the user experience. The HDMI connections often stop working, leaving the user stranded as it is not a prevalent problem on other TV brands.
This article explains why the HDMI connection might fail on your VIZIO TV and what you can do to fix such a problem.
TOP FIXES
Change the input source – you might have selected the wrong input.
Check for damaged HDMI ports and cables – replace damaged cables and try connecting your audio/video sources to different inputs.
Restart your TV. If soft restart from your TV’s settings doesn’t help, try power cycling your TV.
Check display settings – the display resolution and refresh rate of the source device and your VIZIO TV should match.
Update your VIZIO TV.
Reset your TV to factory defaults.
Why Is VIZIO TV HDMI Not Working?
Various situations can lead to your Vizio TV not recognizing HDMI connections. Some of them can be internal, i.e., coming from the TV, or external, i.e., because of a bad HDMI cable or a malfunctioning source device.
If the TV is the problem, it could be either an HDMI port that has an issue, an HDMI-related component on the mainboard, or a bug in the TV’s system that is preventing HDMI connections.
Misconfigured settings, especially regarding resolutions, can also affect HDMI connectivity. The TV and source device should be configured with compatible resolution settings for seamless connections.
Other causes could be that you are on the wrong input source or the source device is not sending signals to the TV.
Below are some tips to get your TV’s HDMI working normally again.
Check the Input Source
Vizio TVs have multiple input sources that facilitate connection to external devices. Most Vizio TVs have up to four HDMI ports, so you could be on the wrong input channel, making you think the TV’s HDMI is not working.
Additionally, Vizio TVs allow users to rename the HDMI inputs, which can be confusing when someone else tries to connect an external device via HDMI.
Therefore, look at the numbering on the TV’s HDMI port the external device is using to connect to the TV. Ports on the TV are usually labeled HDMI 1(ARC), HDMI 2, HDMI 3, etc., and this is what you will be looking for. The ports are located at the back of the TV if you have trouble locating them.
Once you have noted the HDMI port the source device is using on the TV, use the remote controller to go to that HDMI port. Do that by:
- While the TV is on, press the Input button on the remote for the TV to display the input menu.
- Next, press the navigation keys on the remote to choose the appropriate input source. It should correspond to the HDMI port the source device is connected to on the TV.
Alternatively, use the Input key on the remote to navigate the different input menu options on the TV.
- Press OK or release the Input button to select the preferred input once it is highlighted
You can also use the Input button on the TV to select the preferred input source.
The button is located on the back of the TV under the volume buttons. Some Vizio models, like those in the M7 and D series, use one button as the power and Input button.
The button is on the bottom left end, right under the IR sensor, and you can press it to change between input sources. Do not long press it, i.e., for five seconds, as that would power off the TV.
Toggle between inputs, then revert to the correct one even if the TV was originally on the correct input source. This has temporarily fixed the HDMI problem with some Vizio TV users.
Once you are certain you are on the correct input source, and there is still a problem with the HDMI, move on to other solutions suggested below.
Check the HDMI Cables and Ports
An old or broken HDMI cable will undoubtedly cause problems when using the HDMI port. You must ensure the HDMI cable is in good condition and is a quality cable.
You can do this using a different cable; if the TV’s HDMI works, the cable is the problem.
If the problem persists, shift between the HDMI ports to rule out the possibility of a faulty port. Remember to change the input source on the TV to the correct port.
You can use a soft-bristled brush to clean the HDMI ports and connectors in case of dust on some of the HDMI pins. Also, ensure that the connectors firmly fit in the ports.
If changing ports and ensuring the cable is in peak condition do not solve the issue, there is still hope. However, if one specific port has a problem, consider having a technician visit later since the issue could spread to the other ports.
Common Issues with HDMI Cables
Restart the TV
Restarting or power cycling the TV will allow the TV to start its processes afresh, thus solving any bug that might have been hindering HDMI connectivity.
However, you should systematically restart the TV and external HDMI devices to fix the issue. The procedure is as follows:
- Power off the TV and unplug all external devices connected to the TV. Also, remember to power off the HDMI device, e.g., PS4, Blu-ray player, or a soundbar.
- Unplug the TV’s power cord from the socket.
- Press and hold the power button for at least fifteen seconds. This ensures any residual power left within the TV’s components is discharged.
- Reconnect the HDMI device and power on the TV. Reconnect only the HDMI devices to ascertain that it is not other devices causing interference.
You can repeat this process a few more times as you try different HDMI ports. If this does not work, try other suggested solutions.
Update the Display Settings
The external device you use to share content with your TV via HDMI can also affect the connection. Both devices need the display settings adjusted for compatibility when streaming over HDMI.
If you are using a laptop as the external device, ensure it is set to display on the secondary screen too. The exact procedure differs depending on the laptop’s OS and version, i.e., Windows or Mac.
Also, if the source device sends video in UHD format, lower the resolution to FHD or 1080p since some HDMI connections cannot support high resolutions. Toggling UHD on and off also works in some scenarios.
Check for Software Updates
Outdated firmware can also affect HDMI compatibility, thus affecting connectivity. Always ensure all devices on your home use the latest firmware to avoid such problems. You can check for updates on Vizio Smart TVs by navigating Menu > Admin & Privacy > Check for Updates, and the TV will update if any updates are available.
Update Your VIZIO TV
Also, check for updates on the external HDMI device. Consult the user manual for clear instructions on the procedure.
Factory Reset the TV
If the problem persists after all your troubleshooting efforts, try a factory reset to restore the TV’s settings to how they were when you bought it.
A factory reset will erase all updated settings and additional information on the TV, like Wi-Fi passwords. Therefore, note all important settings before resetting in case you need them again.
There are various ways of resetting Vizio TVs, including using the Vizio remote app, but we will focus on using the TV’s remote controller or the TV buttons.
To reset the TV using a remote, navigate to Menu > Admin & Privacy > Reset to Factory Settings.
Then enter the system PIN or use 0000 as the default if you have never changed it and confirm the reset by pressing OK.
You can also manually reset the TV if you press and hold the power button for twenty seconds on newer Vizio TV models.
The video below has more suggestions on troubleshooting connections on your Vizio TV, including HDMI connections.
VIZIO TV No Signal – Troubleshooting Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions: How do I reset the HDMI port On My Vizio TV?
Answer: You can reset the Vizio port by resetting the TV to its default factory settings. This ensures that all HDMI settings are reverted to their original state, thus removing any bugs that might be causing HDMI issues.
Press Menu > Admin & Privacy > Reset to Factory Settings to restore the settings via the remote.
Question: How do I change my VIZIO TV to HDMI without a remote?
Answer: You can change the input using the dedicated input button on the TV. Some TVs have the button at the back under the volume down button, while others use the power button as the input button.
If the TV has no dedicated input button, press the power button once to change inputs. Consult the user manual for instructions specific to your TV.
Conclusion
If HDMI problems persist, the ultimate solution is to have a technician look at the TV because, chances are, something within the TV is worn out and needs replacing. It is not advised for you to open the TV and try fixing it because you risk an electric shock that will cause injury or lead to death in extreme scenarios. You could also void your warranty if you try fixing the TV independently.
The best option is to contact Vizio support, and they will guide you on how to validate your warranty. But if all that sounds hectic, you can always purchase a new TV with more durable components since Vizio’s reputation for durability is not as good as we would wish it to be.
