Vizio TV Won’t Turn On (Fixing a Vizio TV that Won’t Turn On)

VIZIO televisions are a go-to option for many people who do not wish to spend too much but wish to have a good TV. They come in different models that cater to your daily viewing experience. From the Smartcast platform to the V Gaming Engine, VIZIO TVs are a trendsetter in TV production.

Although VIZIO strives to produce quality TVs, they do not always function as intended. Numerous users have pointed out that the TVs tend to malfunction without any possible cause. VIZIO has acknowledged some of these allegations, and they have improved the quality of their products. But some issues persist, and one of the major ones is that the TV refuses to turn on occasionally. A Google search will reveal articles on how you can fix the issue, but most suggestions require the TV to be on for them to work. 

This article provides solutions that will help restore the TV to normal functioning. 

VIZIO TV Won’t Turn On


Top Solutions

Check the power supply and power cables. If the cables are fine, the power outlet is fine, and the extension cord is fine, but you don’t see the power indicator on your TV turning on, the problem could be with the power supply board (internal component).

Carefully observe the power indicator light on the TV. If it behaves as it should, but there’s no picture, the problem could be with your TV’s main board.

Check the remote – replace batteries and reset the remote. Try using a universal remote or a VIZIO remote app if the original remote doesn’t work.

Check if You’re on the right input.

Try restarting the TV by unplugging it from the power supply and waiting for some time before plugging it back in.

Try manually resetting the TV to factory defaults.

Use a flashlight to test your TV’s backlights. If you can see something on the screen when using the flashlight, you need to replace the backlights (or an LED driver board or the entire power supply board).

Contact VIZIO support.


Why Won’t My Vizio TV Turn On?

If your Vizio TV refuses to power on, the primary cause could be the power supply. That includes components in the TV that manage power distribution and management and external power components like the power outlet the TV is connected to.

If the TV refuses to power on when using the remote, the problem could be with the remote batteries, obstructions between the remote and the TV, or the remote could be damaged. 

Also, the TV might take too long before it powers on or powers on after you unplug and plug it into a power source. In such instances, the problem could be with the TV firmware, power cables, or surge protectors. Below are things you can do to restore the TV to normal functioning. 

1. Check the Power Indicator

The first thing to do is observe the TV’s power indicator. The light will tell you if the TV is receiving power from the source and thus help narrow down the problem. 

If the indicator lights up, the TV is receiving power, and the problem might be with an internal component.

The different colors of the indicator mean different things. The lights behave differently depending on the TV model, but you can easily identify a problem if it behaves in the manner described below.

Some TVs show powering on by having the power light flash from orange to white. If this is the same with your TV, give it time to power on, approximately two minutes. 

If the light is still flashing, there is a problem with the TV’s internal power components. 

On the other hand, if the light shines bright white, give it time as you observe if it dims. If it does not and remains bright, it also means a problem with the TV’s components.  

If the light does not shine, there is no power supply to the TV. In this case, check the cables and power outlets. 

If the power indicator behaves as it should, and there is no display on the screen, the problem might be with the screen, or you could be on the wrong input source. 

So should the indicator behave abnormally, contact a professional to inspect the TV or contact VIZIO support to replace the TV if your warranty is still valid. 

Once you are certain the warranty is valid, contact Vizio to schedule a service visit. 

If you know about repairing TVs, you can follow the video below to help diagnose what component has a problem. 

Diagnosing and Fixing VIZIO TV That Won’t Turn On

2. Unplug the TV

If the power light on the TV is off, you can unplug it and plug it back into the power socket to perform a soft reset. 

Unplugging helps the TV restart, thus overcoming any software bugs that might interfere with the TV. 

To perform the soft reset, unplug the TV and wait for sixty seconds before trying to turn it on. Press and hold the power button on the TV (not the remote) for at least twenty seconds before plugging it back in. This would ensure any residual power in the TV is discharged. 

If this solution works, consider resetting the TV to avoid facing the same problem again. You can also retry this solution but wait for fifteen minutes before turning on the TV.

You can use buttons on the TV to reset, as illustrated later in this article. If the problem persists, try other solutions suggested here.

3. Change Inputs

You can also try changing the TV video inputs, especially if the power indicator lights, but there is no display on the screen. If you are in the wrong input source, you might be inclined to think the TV is not on yet that isn’t the case. 

To change the input on your TV, press the input button on the remote or the TV. It is preferable to use the button on the TV in case the remote also has a problem.

Change Inputs

If there is no change on the screen after you press the Input button, use the flashlight test to check whether the TV’s backlight is out. 

You can do this by ensuring the room is dark enough, then shining a flashlight on the screen while the TV is on. If the LED backlight is damaged, you will notice dimly lit content on the screen. You can also press the Menu button and observe if there are any changes on the screen while shining a flashlight on it. 

If the backlight is damaged, the solution is to change it, and luckily, you can find some online at a fair price. However, do not change them on your own as you might cause more damage or get electrocuted. 

Black Screen Flashlight Test

4. Check the Remote Batteries

Try turning on the TV using the power button, usually on the bottom right corner of the TV. If it powers on, the remote is damaged or has a problem with the batteries. 

If the remote batteries are worn out, the remote will not function. It is easy to forget to change the batteries, which leads them to be drained and not working whenever you want to turn on the TV. 

Press and hold the remote’s power key for thirty seconds after removing the batteries to soft reset it. Or you can try the fix in the video below.

VIZIO Remote Not Working – Try This Fix

You can also use a universal remote or your smartphone as a remote controller in case yours has issues.

The VIZIO Mobile App is available on the Play Store and the Appstore, allowing you to control the TV from your phone. 

5. Check the TV’s Power Cord

Sometimes there could be no power supply to the TV. You will notice this when the power indicator does not light or when the TV screen is black. 

In such cases, the problem could be the power cord is damaged due to wear and tear. It could also be because the cable is not correctly fitted in the power outlet. 

Some users have also reported that changing the non-polarized power cord for a polarized one solves the problem of the TV not turning on. A non-polarized power plug has one of its prongs slightly wider than the other, while a polarized one has both prongs the same size. More information on polarization is available here

6. Change the Power Outlet

A faulty power outlet will not power the TV, therefore, ensure the current outlet is in mint condition. You can plug another gadget into the outlet your TV is supposed to use to check it works. 

Alternatively, you could try connecting the TV to another outlet or removing any surge protectors to see if the TV powers on. 

If you do not use a surge protector, try plugging the TV into one and see if that works. 

7. Factory Reset the TV

A factory reset should be a last resort as it will clear all the information stored on the TV. It will be slightly challenging to reset the TV, considering you will not be able to see anything on the screen. But it is worth a try and will save you the trouble of visiting a technician. 

You can use the TV buttons to reset it:

  1. Power the TV as you would normally do, even if the screen won’t display anything. 
  2. Then press the Input and Volume down keys on the TV simultaneously.
  3. Wait for five seconds while still holding both buttons
  4. Next, press the Input key for ten seconds. Use a timer if you can to ensure it is ten seconds.
  5. Wait for at least five minutes before restarting the TV. With any luck, the TV will reset, and you can continue watching. 

You can try the reset procedure at least twice if there are no changes on the screen to ensure the reset works if the TV has a firmware issue stopping it from powering on. 

How to Manually Reset a VIZIO TV (No Remote)

8. Contact VIZIO

If nothing works, contact VIZIO; they might have a tailored solution for your model as they encounter such issues regularly. 

Contacting VIZIO will be highly beneficial, especially if your warranty is still valid. 

You can also contact a credible technician to diagnose the TV, but if that seems like a hassle, maybe it is time to buy a new TV. 


Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why is my VIZIO TV screen black?

Answer: VIZIO screens are known to malfunction occasionally. There are various causes, including; 

  1. A corrupted power supply
  2. A damaged screen
  3. A software issue, and many more. 

Question: Do VIZIO TVs have a reset button?

Answer: There is no dedicated reset key on Vizio TVs, but you can use the volume down and Input key to reset the TV. You can also use the system settings to reset the TV. 


Conclusion

VIZIO TVs are made to provide the market with cheap quality TVs. The company contracts with various manufacturers to produce and assemble the parts abroad to reduce production costs. This is an effective tactic but can result in quality issues since having cheap yet durable electronic components is difficult. That does not mean that the TVs are not good. It means such problems are expected.

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