Vizio TV remote not working: problems & solutions

Updated: June 19, 2023
6 min read
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Vizio TV remote not working: problems & solutions
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by Jolene Haston
Tech Expert & Writer
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Quality Control team

It happens that a device intended to simplify our life suddenly starts malfunctioning or ceases to work at all, and Vizio remote issues are especially annoying. Indeed, it’s not only about convenience but also about the overall TV experience since you lose access to a variety of features if your remote functions improperly. Hence, you may want to fix your problem as soon as possible, and Howly is here to make troubleshooting easy and smooth. This guide covers the best solutions to all kinds of Vizio control not working issues, so make yourself comfortable, and let’s deal with it!

Before we start

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Reasons why Vizio remote not working for TV

The issue of Vizio remote control not working is very popular, it’s hard to even imagine how many users have already asked Howly experts to help them with troubleshooting. After analyzing customer reports, our techs managed to identify the principal causes of such issues. Keep them in mind to fix your Vizio remote problem and prevent malfunctions in the future.

  • blocked/obstructed TV sensor;
  • dying batteries;
  • non-working IR sensor;
  • electronic interference;
  • faulty source of power;
  • improper Vizio remote setup;
  • faulty TV software;
  • physical damage.

How to resolve Vizio smart TV remote not working issues

Even though you comprehend what triggers Vizio TV remote problems, it might be difficult to determine the actual cause of your issue if you know little about such devices and the principles of their functionality. Thus, leave this task to Howly, and our experts will provide you with a suitable solution right away, or try out the following troubleshooting options one by one.

Replace the batteries

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This quick and uncomplicated solution often proves to be helpful. After all, if the batteries are low or discharged, the remote will have insufficient power to function and send signals to your TV. So to troubleshoot the problem, lift the back cover of your Vizio remote and carefully place fresh batteries, matching the negative and positive terminals. If your Vizio TV won’t work with the remote anyway, move on to other solutions.

Vizio TV remote not working

Check if IR emitter is working

Normal functioning of the IR (infrared) sensor is critical for proper communication between your Vizio TV and remote. And you can check whether the emitter is working with a quick camera test:

  1. Launch your phone camera and point its focus on the top of your remote (on the small IR LED).
  2. Start pressing different buttons – if the emitter is working, you’ll spot a red flashing light on the display of your phone.
  3. Make sure to check every button. If none of them is working, chances are you’ll need to repair or replace your TV remote. If just one or two buttons refuse to function, a simple cleaning may work well for you.
Vizio TV remote not working

Ensure TV sensor is working

Your Vizio television possesses an IR sensor to get and process signals from the remote. You’ll find the sensor at the left bottom corner of your TV – ensure it’s not blocked or dirty. Otherwise, you’ll face a Vizio TV not responding to remote problem as the device will simply fail to receive signals. Moreover, point your remote control right at the sensor and stay within 10 feet from the TV since the radius of action is rather small.

Vizio TV remote not working

Try another source of power

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A dirty source of power may affect the quality of electricity the Vizio TV receives. Such abnormalities include poor power factor, power surges, frequency changes, and voltage fluctuations. This all makes your Vizio TV not responding to the remote or buttons, but it’s easy to handle the issue. Simply put, find another, good-working source of power and replug your TV.

Vizio TV remote not working

Reset Vizio remote

In fact, Vizio remote resetting is a great solution to fix memory issues and eliminate various firmware bugs that may prevent your device from normal operation. Thus, you’ll need to reprogram Vizio remote using special codes, and it takes a few minutes:

  1. Long-press the remote’s Power button and release it when the LED light flashes two times.
  2. Take advantage of the number pad to enter the code matching your device model (check out the remote’s manual for a suitable code, it’s often 977 or 981).
  3. You’ll notice the light blinking two times if the system recognizes the code – direct your Vizio remote at the TV and check it out by clicking a button or two.
Vizio TV remote not working

Power cycle your television

It might happen that some system glitches or bugs cause Vizio TV remote control not working. Power cycling will help you reset the faulty settings and eliminate possible faults.

  1. Pull the power supply cord of your Vizio television from the outlet.
  2. Find the Power button and hold it for some time (30 seconds will be enough) to get rid of the residual power.
  3. Leave the TV for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Replug the power cord and turn on your Vizio TV.
  5. Wait for another minute and check whether the remote control is now operating well.
Vizio TV remote not working

F.A.Q.

Are there any alternative ways to control the TV in case of Vizio remote problems?

You have the option to download a Vizio remote app for your iOS or Android phone and then link your device to the TV via Wi-Fi. It’s a great solution for those who are unwilling to purchase a new remote.

My Vizio remote doesn’t work at all. How to reboot it?

Take out the batteries and leave the remote for several minutes. Meanwhile, long-press various buttons to ensure there’s no residual power left. Insert the batteries back (or change them if you wish), wait for another minute, and try out the remote.

What is the best solution to fix a Vizio TV remote app not working issue?

The problem is commonplace and often arises due to phone system bugs, so a quick device restart may be helpful. You can also try reinstalling the Vizio TV app or clearing its cache. A good internet connection is also crucial.

Conclusion

It's easy to fix a Vizio remote until it's completely broken. In this case, you’ll need to contact the company's support service to replace the device. If you’re unwilling to waste your precious time and effort searching for a suitable solution to your problem, contact Howly and our experts will advise you how to revive your remote. Indeed, you can get answers to any questions online in mere minutes. What’s more, we offer simple Vizio remote troubleshooting solutions – just follow the provided steps to get it done. Handle your remote control with care, and it’ll serve you well!

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Comments

18 comments
Only Child
Invalid Date
The Visio remote is back in action after following the detailed instructions in this article. Great job! 👏
Mitchell
Invalid Date
Frustrating 😞
Mammoth
Invalid Date
My vizio tv remote suddenly stopped working, and none of the troubleshooting steps mentioned here resolved the issue. Disappointed 😞
meme banker
Invalid Date
it's still not responding
Sofia
Invalid Date
The solutions provided in this article saved me from buying a new remote. Thank you! 🙌
Foul Play
Invalid Date
I tried all the troubleshooting steps but my viziotv remote is still not working. It's frustrating 😞
JulLYY
Invalid Date
I had a similar problem with my remote and cleaning the contacts inside the battery compartment fixed it. Give it a try!
David
Invalid Date
If your Vizio remote is not working try replacing the batteries!!!! Sometimes a simple battery change can resolve the issue.
Soulfuel
Invalid Date
Can a universal remote be used as a replacement for the Vizio TV remote if it's not working? Are there any compatibility issues to consider?
Boomstick
Invalid Date
Big thanks to the author for sharing these troubleshooting solutions.
William Walker
Invalid Date
The troubleshooting steps in this article were a lifesaver. My tv remote is now back to normal 👍
Funky Keyz
Invalid Date
I've tried resetting my remote as suggested but it didn't solve the problem. Any other suggestions?
ChromeCaddy
Invalid Date
My remote was acting up but now it's working perfectly. Thank you!!! 🙏
Stitched_Serenade
Invalid Date
Thanks for the helpful tips! My vizio tv remote is working again 🙌
Nether Strider
Invalid Date
Has anyone else experienced issues with the vizio tv remote not responding properly? I've tried all the troubleshooting steps but nothing seems to work!!
1 reply
  1. Peterson
    Invalid Date
    Nether Strider, I had a similar problem and performing a factory reset on the TV itself helped.
Ava Lepley
Invalid Date
I'm facing problems with my remote. The buttons are not responding as they should even after trying various troubleshooting methods....
Eclipse
Invalid Date
Vizio remote has been a disappointment. It frequently becomes unresponsive 😔

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