Vizio Soundbar Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting

Vizio Soundbar Troubleshooting

August 13, 2020

There are several Vizio soundbars models with varying features and capabilities. This gives customers options when looking to buy a soundbar. With their good quality build, they can last long without any major issues.  But like is the case with other modern electronic devices, some people may have difficulties with the setup. The soundbar may also “act up” from its day-to-day use.

If you are having issues with your Vizio soundbar, it is likely a minor problem which can be a simple DIY that should not cost you money. This is an easy-to-follow how to and troubleshooting guide that should hopefully help you clear any problems you might be having with your Vizio soundbar.

Vizio Soundbar Subwoofer Troubleshooting

If there is no sound from satellite speakers the wires may have come loose during shipment or on setup. Try to remove and re-insert the wires, or change the wires by following these steps:

  • Remove the back panel cover from the back of the satellite speakers.
  • Carefully pull on the plug containing the speaker wires to remove unplug it from the speaker.
  • Loosen the screws in the plug and remove the speaker wire.
  • If you have to change the speaker wire, you can insert your own bare wire cables into the plug. Make sure you correctly match left and right.
  • Tighten the screws in the plug.
  • Securely re-insert the plug containing the speaker wires.

If the sound is reversed from the satellite speakers, the right and left rear channels may be plugged backward. Switch the connections on the back of the subwoofer and then try again.

Vizio Soundbar Bluetooth Problems fix

If your Vizio soundbar is not connecting to Bluetooth, it could be because of the distance or obstacles between the device and your soundbar.  Make sure you keep your device within 30 feet of your soundbar.

If the Bluetooth sound quality is less than optimal:

  • Move the source device closer to the soundbar if you hear any breakup or disconnect while streaming music from your device.
  • Be sure there are no solid obstructions in the line-of-sight between the soundbar and the source device.
  • Turn off or move other wireless devices to improve the Bluetooth range.

Vizio Sound Bar Remote Troubleshooting

Issues with the remote could be because of dead batteries, not pointing it properly to the soundbar, or the button may not be supported. Try the following things to see if your remote works:

  • Replace the remote batteries with new ones.
  • When pressing a button, point the remote directly at the center of your soundbar.
  • If you are using a Bluetooth connection, some of the buttons on your remote may not be supported by the streaming application. For example, Pandora doesn’t support the Black button.

How to Connect a Macbook to a Vizio Soundbar

You can connect a Macbook to your soundbar using Bluetooth. You will first need to pair the two by following these steps:

  • Press and hold the Bluetooth button on the soundbar or the Bluetooth button on the remote for 5 seconds.
  • When the soundbar is in Bluetooth pairing mode, the LED indicators on the display panel on the front of the soundbar will light sequentially from bottom to top and back again. The LED indicators will stop once the Macbook is paired.
  • On your Mac, choose the soundbar from the Bluetooth status menu in the menu bar, then choose Connect.
  • If the Bluetooth status menu isn’t in the menu bar, choose Apple menu> System Preferences, click Bluetooth, then select the “Show Bluetooth in menu bar” tickbox at the bottom of the window.
  • To select the soundbar as your computer’s output device, go to Apple menu> System preferences, then click Sound. Then click output.
  • Select the soundbar in the list of devices.

Connecting a TV to a Vizio Soundbar

You can connect a TV to the optical jack on your Vizio soundbar if it has an optical digital audio output. Follow these steps for the digital connection:

  • Turn the power to your soundbar and TV off.
  • Connect one end of the optical (S/PDIF) cable to the optical jack on your soundbar.
  • Turn on the power to your soundbar and the TV.
  • Select the optical input by pressing INPUT on the top of your soundbar or by pressing OPTICAL on the remote control.

For an analog connection:

  • Turn off power to your soundbar and TV.
  • Connect one end of the audio cable (white and red connectors) to the analog audio output on your TV.
  • Turn on power to your soundbar and TV.
  • Choose the associated input by pressing INPUT on the top of your soundbar or by pressing IN on the remote control.

Vizio Soundbar Troubleshooting No Power

If there is no power in your Vizio soundbar, here are some of the things you can try to fix it:

  • Press the power button on the top of your soundbar or on the remote control.
  • Check to ensure the power cord is securely connected to the electrical outlet and on the back of your soundbar and subwoofer.
  • Make sure all the power LEDs on the power adapters are glowing green.
  • Verify that the electrical outlet is working correctly. Plug a different device into the outlet to confirm.

No Sound from Soundbar Troubleshooting

If there is no sound, try the following things to see if you can get sound:

  • Press Volume Up on the remote control to increase the volume. You can also use the volume button on the top of your soundbar.
  • Try to unmute the soundbar by pressing the MUTE button on the remote control.
  • Press INPUT on your remote or on the top of the soundbar to choose a different input source.
  • If there is no audio when using either of the digital inputs, try setting the TV output to PCM. If this doesn’t work, try connecting directly to your Blu-ray/other source, some TVs don’t pass through digital audio.
  • Confirm that the audio output setting in your TV is set to FIXED or STANDARD. It may be set to variable audio output which shouldn’t be the case.
  • If you are using Bluetooth, make sure the volume on your source is turned up and that the device isn’t muted.

Check this too: Nexia Troubleshooting and How to Guide

Vizio Soundbar 5.1 Troubleshooting No Sound from Satellite Speakers

If there is no sound from satellite speakers the wires may have come loose during shipment or on setup. Try to remove and re-insert the wires, or insert your own wire cables:

Another possible reason for no sound from satellite speakers is because your soundbar is in SRS WOW HD mode. If the LED under the SRS logo on the bar is orange, you are in SRS WOW HD mode. Press the SRS TSHD button on the remote control.

Vizio Sound Bar Troubleshooting Blinking Lights

If the subwoofer LEDs blink Short On/Long Off, it shows there is no communication between your soundbar and the subwoofer. To clear the problem, make sure that the soundbar is Hub mode and that the soundbar and subwoofer are paired.

If subwoofer LEDs blink Long On/Short Off, it shows the soundbar and subwoofer are communicating but an audio connection needs to be established. Do this by “next sourcing” your subwoofer.

Fix Constant Hum Coming from Vizio Sound Bar

Try these steps to fix buzzing or humming coming from your soundbar:

  • Ensure all wires and cables are securely connected.
  • Try connecting a different source device to see if the buzzing persists. If it doesn’t, the problem may be with the original device.
  • Connect your device to a different input on the soundbar.

How to Factory Reset a Vizio Sound Bar

Factory resetting your soundbar erases all settings and preferences that you have set. To perform a factory reset:

  • Press and hold the Bluetooth and Volume Down (-) buttons for 5 seconds.
  • For other models (including Vizio 5.1 soundbar), press and hold power, volume up, and volume down for 10 seconds to return your soundbar to factory default mode.

How to Pair Vizio 5.1 Sound Bar with a Subwoofer

Your soundbar operates in unison with the wireless subwoofer and they come paired from the factory. But if the pairing is needed, follow the procedure below:

  • Connect cables to your soundbar.
  • Connect the power adapter to the back of your soundbar and the power cord to the back of the subwoofer and then plug them into a wall outlet.
  • Turn your soundbar and subwoofer on.
  • Then start by pairing the subwoofer and your soundbar. On the subwoofer press and hold the LINK button for more than 5 seconds until the LED display starts flashing slowly (after flashing fast). The subwoofer will start pairing mode.
  • On the soundbar, press INPUT for more than 3 seconds until the link led flashes fast. The soundbar is now in pairing mode.
  • Then link subwoofer to your soundbar by pressing and holding the LINK button on the subwoofer for 1 to 3 seconds. The LED display will begin flashing fast. The subwoofer selects the soundbar as an audio source.

If you need more answers on Issues concerning your Vizio soundbar, you can contact the Vizio support team for assistance. They will be glad to assist.

Soundbars