Vizio TVs may be one of the more affordable TVs on the market, but this still doesn’t make them readily replaceable if something goes wrong. One issue people have found is that the screen will go black, whether completely or just partly. If this is your experience, this guide aims to provide solutions that do not involve costly repairs or replacements for your TV.
A Vizio TV screen may go black due to features such as ‘Screen Mute’ or ‘Sleep Timer’. It may also be a result of a loose/faulty connection, power issues, software error/bug or broken hardware. Most issues can be fixed by updating or resetting the TV, securing all cable or changing the TV settings.
I will explain these issues in more detail throughout this article. You can also find how to reset your TV when the screen is not working.
What Causes a Vizio TV Screen to go Black
There are several possible causes for a black screen on a Vizio TV. Below is a compilation of all the possible causes you will find throughout this article. You can find the solutions to each of these below.
If your screen is black intermittently, it may be because of the following.
· Muted screen
· Sleep timer
· Faulty or incompatible cable
· Faulty port
If the screen is always black, whether entirely or just partly, it may be one of the following causes instead.
· Firmware bug
· Processing error
· Power issues
· Broken circuit board
· Broken LCD screen
If you can still access the menu over the black screen, this is a different cause. For example, you may be on the wrong input channel or have a faulty cable for your device.
Vizio TV Screen Going Black
A Vizio TV repeatedly going black can be attributed to several potential causes. Here are some common reasons and corresponding troubleshooting steps to fix the issue:
- Power Saving Settings:
- Vizio TVs often have power-saving features that dim the screen or put it to sleep after a period of inactivity.
- To fix this, access the TV’s settings menu and adjust the power-saving options. Disable or extend the sleep timer to prevent the screen from going black too quickly.
- Faulty HDMI Cables or Ports:
- Loose or damaged HDMI cables or ports can result in intermittent blackouts.
- Check the HDMI connections between the TV and external devices (e.g., cable box, gaming console) to ensure they are securely plugged in. If necessary, try different HDMI cables or ports.
- Software/Firmware Issues:
- Outdated software or firmware can cause various glitches, including black screen problems.
- Check for available updates for your Vizio TV on the manufacturer’s website or through the TV’s settings menu. Install any pending updates to address potential software-related issues.
- Overheating:
- Overheating can trigger automatic shutdowns to protect the TV’s components.
- Ensure that the TV has proper ventilation and is not placed in an enclosed area. Clean any dust or debris from vents or fans that might be obstructing airflow.
- Incompatible Content or Apps:
- Some specific content or apps may not be fully compatible with your Vizio TV, leading to black screen occurrences.
- Test different content sources or apps to determine if the issue is limited to certain sources. If identified, contact the content provider or app developer for support or use alternative sources.
- Factory Reset:
- If none of the above steps resolve the problem, consider performing a factory reset on your Vizio TV.
- Keep in mind that a factory reset will restore the TV to its default settings, erasing any customized settings or preferences. Refer to the user manual for instructions on how to perform a factory reset.
Vizio TV Black Screen with Audio
Vizio TVs have an in-built feature where the screen can be ‘Muted’ when audio is playing. For example, if you have an app such as Spotify on your TV, this allows the music to be played in the background without the distraction of the display. This feature is enabled and disabled by holding down the ‘Mute’ button for approximately five seconds.
Vizio TV Stuck on Black Screen
If your screen seems to be permanently black, there may be a more serious problem with your TV. First, you should check that the TV has power. You should see the small LED at the front on the TV light up when the TV is receiving power.
If the LED does not light up, try plugging your TV into a different wall socket and check that your power outlets are working. There may have been an electrical overload or power outage in your area.
Another possibility is that the hardware is broken. This can include the backlight, the screen itself, or the circuit board.
If it is the backlight that has broken, you should still see an image when you shine a flashlight over the screen. Make sure that there is some form of image displaying in the background when you do this (not just a blank input screen). For example, you can bring up the TV menu and try to see this with the flashlight.
If your TV has a damaged screen or circuit board, you will not be able to see any image and your TV will need to be repaired or replaced. Some people have tried purchasing used circuit boards and replacing it themselves, but this will void your warranty. If your TV is still within the warranty period, there should be no hassle having the entire TV replaced.
Vizio TV Keeps Going Black for a Few Seconds
An intermittent black screen usually related to a connection issue with your device. If this is the case, you should notice that it only occurs on one input channel.
This can be the result of a faulty or incompatible cable, or a faulty port. You should try plugging your cable into a different port or using a new, higher-quality cable.
It also might be caused by an error or bug in the TV’s firmware. If it is an error, this can be fixed by resetting the TV, which you can find at the end of this article.
If it is a firmware bug, Vizio each new firmware update will fix the bugs of the previous update. Therefore, if your firmware is out of date, you can update through the following settings.
Menu > System > Check for Updates
If your TV is already up to date, you may need to reset to factory settings to restore an older version of the firmware that does not have the bug. You can find out how to do this below.
Black Line on Vizio TV Screen
If you are experiencing a constant black line on your TV, it is likely a faulty LCD screen. Unfortunately, this means the entire screen needs to be replaced, which can be just as costly as a replacement TV. If your TV is within warranty, this will be a free replacement.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on June 3, 2021.
However, it may also be an issue with the TV’s processor. If this is the case, performing a hard reset, detailed below, will clear the TV of the error and fix the issue. Another possibility is that it is the result of a faulty connection with one of your devices. If this is the case, you should only see the line on one input channel.
How Do You Fix a Half Black Screen on a Vizio TV
If your TV screen is half black, this is the same issue as above. The pixels on the screen are oriented in vertical lines across the screen.
Therefore, if it is only one set of pixels, you will see a single line on the screen. If it is a large group of pixels, you will see a thick band or half the screen will be black.
Vizio TV Black Screen after Update
A black screen that occurs after a firmware update is likely a bug. Unfortunately, you need to wait for another update to be released to fix the bug. However, you can perform a factory reset to restore an earlier version of the firmware until a newer version is released by Vizio.
How to Reset Vizio TV with Black Screen
Resetting your TV is difficult if you do not have a screen to navigate through the settings. However, you can still perform both a hard reset and factory reset without the screen.
Hard Reset
This will not clear your saved preferences or downloaded content, but will erase any short-term errors that have occurred within the TV.
Step 1: Turn off the TV and unplug all devices.
Step 2: Unplug the TV from the power outlet.
Step 3: Hold the power button on the TV for 30 seconds.
Step 4: Allow another 10 minutes before plugging the TV back in.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on June 3, 2021.
Step 5: Reconnect all devices and turn the TV back on.
Factory Reset
This will erase all preferences and downloaded content, so be prepared to set up your TV from scratch once you have defaulted to factory settings. This is very effective if there is a firmware bug or a more serious error in the software.
Step 1: Press and hold the ‘Volume Down’ and ‘Input’ buttons on the back of the TV.
Step 2: Release both buttons after 10 seconds.
Step 3: Press and hold the ‘Input’ button on the back of the TV for another 10 seconds.
Step 4: Wait for the TV to restart.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on June 3, 2021.