As an owner of a Vizio sound bar, you likely appreciate the enhanced audio experience it provides when watching TV or movies. However, it can be frustrating when your Vizio Sound Bar not turning on with TV.
There are a few common reasons why a Vizio sound bar may not power on with the television and some simple steps you can try to resolve the issue. Before contacting Vizio customer support or performing a hard reset of your devices, work through some basic troubleshooting. With a few quick fixes, you’ll be enjoying loud and clear sound from your Vizio sound bar again.
Check All Connections Between the TV, Sound Bar, and Subwoofer
To fix a Vizio sound bar that is not turning on with your TV, first, ensure all connections between the devices are secure and correct.
Be certain that the optical cable is plugged firmly into both the “Optical Out” port on your TV and the “Optical In” port on the soundbar. If using HDMI ARC instead, confirm the HDMI cable is connected to the “ARC” or “eARC” HDMI port on both the TV and sound bar.
Verify the power cables for the sound bar and subwoofer (if applicable) are plugged securely into working wall outlets. If using a power strip, try plugging the devices directly into the wall to rule out any issues with the power strip.
Recheck if the correct input source is selected on your sound bar. It should be set to the input you are using to connect it to the TV, such as “Optical” or “HDMI ARC”. If it is not on the right input, you will not get audio from the TV.
Perform a Hard Reset of Your Vizio Sound Bar
To perform a hard reset of your Vizio sound bar, follow these steps:
- Locate the power button on your Vizio sound bar. It is typically found on the side, front or top of the unit.
- Press and hold the power button for at least 10-15 seconds. Release the button once you see the power light start flashing.
- Wait 30 seconds for the sound bar to fully shut down. This ensures all components have powered off completely.
- Press the power button again to turn your Vizio sound bar back on. The sound bar should now be reset to factory default settings.
- Re-pair your Vizio sound bar to your TV and any external devices like streaming players or gaming consoles. You may need to re-scan for available CEC devices on your TV. Consult your TV’s menu options to locate CEC settings.
- If the issue persists, you may need to perform a hard reset of your TV in addition to the sound bar. Unplug the power cables for both devices for 3-5 minutes.
Resetting your Vizio sound bar and ensuring proper connectivity to related devices should resolve the power on issue in most cases. Taking the time to reset your devices and re-establish connections is well worth the effort to get your home entertainment system functioning properly again.
Update Firmware for Your Vizio Sound Bar and TV
To ensure your Vizio sound bar is powering on with your TV, it’s important to verify both devices have the latest firmware installed. Outdated software can sometimes cause connectivity issues between components.
Update the Firmware on Your Vizio Sound Bar
You’ll need to update the firmware on your Vizio sound bar first. Firmware refers to the software program installed on the device that controls its basic functions.
- Locate your Vizio sound bar model number. It can typically be found on the back or bottom of the sound bar.
- Visit Vizio’s website and enter your sound bar model number. Select “Firmware” or “Downloads” to locate the latest update file for your model.
- Download the update to a USB flash drive. The update will have a filename like “SB2821-U6-1.0.7.1.FW”.
- Plug the USB drive into the USB port on your Vizio sound bar.
- Turn on your Vizio sound bar and TV. The sound bar should automatically detect the update on the USB drive and begin installing it. The power light will flash while it’s updating.
- When the update is complete, the soundbar will restart. Remove the USB drive. Your Vizio sound bar now has the latest firmware installed.
Update the Firmware on Your Vizio TV
Repeat the same process to update your Vizio TV firmware. With the latest software on both devices, your Vizio sound bar should now power on automatically with your TV. If it continues to not turn on, contact Vizio support for further troubleshooting. They can determine if there may be an issue with the HDMI cable or if a hard reset of the devices may resolve the problem.
Other troubleshooting tips
If your Vizio sound bar is not still turning on with your TV, here are some additional troubleshooting steps to try:
Check for any damage or blockage
Inspect the power cable for any visible damage and ensure it is securely plugged into both the sound bar and wall outlet. Also check that the optical audio cable connecting the sound bar to your TV is fully plugged in at both ends and undamaged. Ensure there are no obstructions blocking the IR sensor on the front of the sound bar, which could prevent the remote signal from being received.
Factory reset
If other troubleshooting has not resolved the issue, you may need to perform a factory reset of your Vizio sound bar to restore default settings. To do this, press and hold the Bluetooth and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for 10-15 seconds until the power light starts flashing. Unplug the sound bar for a few minutes, then plug it back in. The sound bar should now be reset to factory defaults and ready to pair with your TV.
Performing a combination of these troubleshooting steps may help get your Vizio sound bar turning on again with your TV. However, if issues continue, it is best to contact Vizio support for further assistance or potential servicing.
Conclusion
As a consumer, the last thing you want is to come home after a long day looking to relax in front of the TV only to find your sound bar isn’t working. The steps outlined here should resolve most common power-on issues, but if problems persist, professional service may be required. With the right solution, you’ll be hearing what you’ve been missing.
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