Vizio is the first option for many when buying TVs or soundbars. Vizio products, especially TVs, are common in many homes and public spaces because of their fair price. Since its inception in 2002, Vizio has supplied the market with affordable electronics considering the features these electronics come with.
For instance, Vizio TVs have sharp resolutions and support advanced features like Dolby Audio at a lower price than their competitors. Vizio TVs also come with their proprietary platform called Smartcast. It has various streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and YouTube, not forgetting the WatchFree+ input that hosts free channels that do not require a subscription to watch.
Despite the TVs being equipped with all these modern and essential features, the TVs have a few drawbacks. One such disadvantage is that some streaming apps might malfunction and be a headache to the viewer since not much information is available on solving such problems.
Therefore, this article focuses on what you can do if YouTube on the TV stops working. Keep reading as we will also address what causes these problems so that you can avoid them in the future.
BEST FIXES
Test your internet connection and your network equipment (modem, router). Test your internet speed. Check all connections. If possible, move the TV closer to your router or use an Ethernet connection.
Log out, and then log in to your YouTube account.
Restart your TV. Additionally, restart your modem and router.
Check for YouTube service outages – try visiting YouTube on your phone or visit YouTube’s official Twitter channel.
Update your TV.
Factory reset your TV.
Use an external streaming device (Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV 4K, Fire TV Stick, etc.).
Why is YouTube Not Working on My Vizio TV?
A primary cause for YouTube malfunctioning is a poor/unstable internet connection. YouTube is a streaming service that relies on an internet connection to provide content for its viewers.
Also, some Vizio TVs are no longer compatible with YouTube, so users with older models might have difficulty getting on YouTube. YouTube made this decision because the TVs are now equipped to facilitate a smooth YouTube experience. Here is the complete list of Vizio TVs that are incompatible with YouTube.
Another reason could be that your TV’s firmware is outdated, thus causing compatibility issues between your TV and YouTube. Sometimes YouTube can fail to work because there is a service outage.
VIZIO TV YouTube App Not Working – Proven Fixes
There are a few things you can do to get YouTube working again on your VIZIO TV. They include:
Check the Strength of Your Internet Connection
A weak internet connection will result in issues like poor resolutions, and in extreme circumstances, it will hinder YouTube functionality.
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can test the internet connection to determine if it is strong enough.
You can use a website to check your connection’s upload and download speeds. Fast.com and speedtest.net are reliable network testing websites.
To use them, simply open a web browser on any device connected to the same network as your Vizio TV. Then open any of the mentioned pages and click Go for speedtest.net, while Fast.com will automatically run the test once you visit the page.
Ideally, your internet speeds should range between 3Mbps and 20Mbps, depending on the video’s resolution. Google has a detailed breakdown of the speeds and corresponding resolutions here.
Alternatively, you can use Vizio’s network test tool to check your internet connection speeds. To use the feature, navigate to Menu > Network > Test Connection, and the TV will display your connection type and speed.
If the connection is weak, consider moving the TV and router closer or use an Ethernet connection, considering they are faster than Wi-Fi.
If that does not help, you can also restart the router and modem (if your connection uses one) to fix any system malfunction within the router. If the connection continues to be unstable, contact your service provider for further assistance.
Log Out, then Log in to Your YouTube Account
Sometimes the TV might malfunction because of automatic log-ins to various accounts, such as your YouTube account. Hence signing out and in again can clear bugs affecting the YouTube app.
Launch the YouTube App and go to the Menu option. After navigating to the profile icon, select sign-out.
Exit the app, and restart your TV before opening YouTube to enter your email address and password to sign in to your account.
You could also try using your account on another device to ascertain that the issue is not isolated to your account.
Restart the Router and TV
A simple system restart can go a long way in solving software glitches affecting your TV’s YouTube app. When you restart the TV and any other devices connected, you allow the different operating systems to set themselves up afresh.
You can perform a soft power cycle using the TV’s reboot option. Access it by navigating Menu > Admin & Privacy > Reboot TV and wait for the TV to reboot.
If YouTube still isn’t working, you should restart the TV again, but this time cut out any power supply going into it. The procedure is:
- You power off the TV and unplug it from the wall outlet.
- Press and hold the power button on the TV for fifteen to thirty seconds to discharge any excess power in the TV.
- Power on the TV as you normally would and check if YouTube is fixed.
How to Restart Your VIZIO TV
Consult your router’s manual on the proper procedure to restart it before connecting your TV to the internet.
Update the Devices Firmware
Outdated firmware can cause incompatibility issues, and the updates are meant to fix any prevalent problems on a device’s system.
Vizio TVs are meant to update their firmware automatically, but that is not always the case; therefore, checking if a system update is available is essential.
Press the Menu button and go to Admin & Privacy > Check for Updates; if any updates are available, the TV will prompt you to confirm the download.
How to Check for Updates on a VIZIO TV
Also, follow your router manual to check if an update is available.
Ensure There Is No Service Outage
On rare occasions, YouTube’s servers go down, affecting thousands of users. When this occurs, YouTube uses its official social media accounts to communicate; hence, you should check their social media accounts for such information.
YouTube has a verified Twitter account, thus making it a reliable source for such information.
Image credit – Team YouTube Twitter Account
Factory Reset the TV
Factory resets are vital when solving persistent software issues. When you reset the TV, you restore the settings to their original state, i.e., how they were when you bought the TV.
A factory reset will also get rid of any bugs that might be preventing YouTube from functioning normally.
Reset a Vizio TV with the remote by pressing the Menu key. Then navigate Admin & Privacy > Reset to Factory Settings.
At this point, the TV will require you to enter the passcode 0000, the default passcode, or the one you set, if any.
When the next screen appears, highlight Reset and press OK. All you have to do now is wait for the TV to restart.
Resetting a VIZIO TV to Factory Default Settings
You can also reset Vizio TVs without a remote if you press and hold the power button for twenty seconds while the TV is powered on.
Some older models have a more complex resetting procedure, as shown in the video below.
Resetting a VIZIO TV to Factory Defaults (Without Remote)
Also, remember to reset the router and modem in case they are the source of your problem.
Use an External Streaming Device
It is no secret that Vizio has a lot of issues, especially with the streaming services incorporated on Smartcast. If you succeed in solving an issue with YouTube, a new problem is bound to occur with Netflix or Hulu.
You can overcome the recurring issues by purchasing a streaming device like an Apple TV, Roku, or a Chromecast dongle.
| Best External Streaming Devices to Use as SmartCast Replacement | ||
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Roku Streaming Stick 4K
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Chromecast with Google TV
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Apple TV 4K
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Alternatively, depending on the device’s OS, you can cast video from your phone or laptop via Airplay or Google Chromecast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do I update the YouTube app on a Vizio TV?
Answer: You cannot update a specific app on Vizio TVs that use Smartcast. Earlier models that use VIA and VIA+ allow users to update and delete individual apps. However, most TVs that use these platforms are no longer supported by YouTube.
You can download the user manual for your TV for the exact procedure.
Question: YouTube stopped working on my TV all of a sudden. What’s going on?
Answer: YouTube will stop working if your internet connection is interrupted. If the TV’s firmware is outdated, it can also cause YouTube to stop working suddenly.
You can prevent this by updating the firmware and providing a stable internet connection.
Question: Why are the apps on my Vizio TV not working?
Answer: The apps on your TV will stop working if the TV is outdated or malfunctioning due to a temporary glitch.
You can overcome this by updating the firmware and restarting the TV. Also, ensure you have a stable internet connection.
Conclusion
If these solutions do not work for your TV, consider contacting Vizio’s customer care for further assistance or ask them to send a technician. Note that the procedures described above will vary slightly depending on your TV’s model. But you can find your model’s user manual with specific instructions on Vizio’s website.
Alternatively, you can visit YouTube’s customer support page, as there might be more solutions, especially if the issue is on their end. However, if there seems to be no proper solution, it might be time to upgrade to a better-quality television.
| Best 4K VIZIO TVs to Buy Right Now | ||
| Best Budget | Best Under $1000 | Best Overall |
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V-Series V435-J01 (43”)
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M-Series M70Q7-J03 (70”)
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P-Series P75Q9-H61 (75”)
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