Vizio TVs are a great way to integrate all the streaming services into one and are much more affordable compared to some of the other brands out there. But it’s no use having all the apps on the one TV if you can’t connect it to your WiFi. This article will outline all the possible reasons why your Vizio TV won’t connect to WiFi and how to fix them so that you can enjoy all your favourite TV shows again.
A Vizio TV will not connect to the internet if your modem, router or Ethernet are not working, the settings are incompatible, password is incorrect, you are connecting to an unauthorised public network or the WiFi chip is broken. Also, if the signal is weak or disrupted, it will often disconnect.
I will explain these issues in much more detail below, including what you should do in each situation. You will also find a step-by-step guide to general troubleshooting tips that fix most issues with WiFi connection issues.
Vizio TV Won’t Connect
Below are some general troubleshooting solutions you can try if your Vizio TV won’t connect to the internet. Most of these solutions are easy to do and apply to most situations. This is why Vizio support workers will start by running you through these steps before attempting to find a more unique solution.
Restarting the Modem/Router
You can perform a hard reset on your modem or router using the steps below.
Step 1: Unplug your modem/router from their power supply.
Step 2: Wait one minute.
Step 3: Plug the modem, then your router back into the power.
Step 4: Wait until they have fully started before you attempt any connections.
Make sure you have taken any backup batteries from your modem or router. They need to be completely disconnected from any power in order for this process to work.
Performing a Hard Reset on the TV
Performing a hard reset will clear the TV of any small errors that are preventing it from connecting to the WiFi. This will not clear any of your saved preferences or your downloaded content.
Step 1: Turn off your TV and disconnect all connected devices.
Step 2: Unplug the TV from the power source.
Step 3: Press and hold the power button on the TV for 30 seconds.
Step 4: Wait another 10 minutes.
Step 5: Plug the TV back in and turn it on.
Step 6: Reconnect your devices.
Performing a Factory Reset on the TV
Resetting your TV to factory settings will fix most software issues, but will also erase all preferences and downloaded content on your TV. For this reason, this should only be done as a last resort. Below are the steps to performing a factory reset.
Step 1: Press the ‘Menu’ button on your remote.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘System > Reset & Admin.
Step 3: Select ‘Reset TV to Factory Defaults’.
Step 4: Enter your TV passcode or the default code, ‘0000’.
Step 5: Select ‘Reset’ to confirm the factory reset.
Step 6: Wait for the TV to reboot.
Vizio TV WiFi Not Working/Connecting
If you suspect your Vizio TV’s WiFi is not working, you should check whether you have any internet connection on other devices attached to your home network, such as an iPhone or laptop. If the internet is not working on these devices as well, the issue is most likely due to your modem, router or service provider.
Try resetting your modem and router using the steps mentioned above. Failing this, you can contact your service provider to determine if the whole network is down. However, if all other devices in the home are connected to the internet, this confirms that the issue lies with the TV.
Below are some possible reasons why your TV might not be able to connect to the internet.
· Poor or disrupted WiFi signal
· Issues with your modem or router settings
· Incorrect password or connecting to an unauthorised network
· Firmware bugs
· Hardware malfunction (WiFi chip)
You can test the internet connection on your Vizio TV to help determine whether or not you are connected to a network. This process is outlined below. This test will also allow you to check the speed of your internet.
Testing You Vizio TV Network Connection
Step 1: Press the ‘Menu’ button on your remote.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘Network > Test Connection’.
Step 3: Select ‘Ok’ to begin the test.
Once the test is complete, you will be able to see if the TV is connected to WiFi and the internet speed of that connection. Ideally, a speed of 3MB/s will allow you to stream movies and TV shows seamlessly, but any 4K content requires at least 25MB/s.
Therefore, if you are not connected to the internet or your internet speed is too slow for what you are using it for, you know it is the network connection causing the issues.
Vizio TV Not Connecting to Router
Some Vizio users have struggled connecting their TV to a router. This is because routers have their own settings that may not be compatible with your Vizio TV. Below are a number of settings you can check on both the TV and the router.
DHCP Settings
DHCP refers to the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, which is a setting that supports the communication between the router and TV. Turning this setting on or off may be all that is needed to fix the connection between you TV and router. You can toggle your TV’s DHCP settings using the steps below.
Step 1: Press the ‘Menu’ button on the remote.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘Network > Manual Setup > DHCP.
Step 3: Toggle to ‘On’ or ‘Off’ to see if either fix you’re your issue.
Security Settings
Routers also have security settings that may not be compatible with your Vizio TV. Vizio TVs are known to work well with the ‘WPA-PSK [TKIP]’ encryption. In order to enable this encryption, you will need to change the settings from your router.
To adjust these settings, you will need to find the router’s IP address. This should be located on the back or bottom of the router, but may also be found in the operating manual. Once you have this number, follow the steps below to access your router’s settings.
Step 1: Enter the IP address of the router into your computer’s web browser (the address bar) and press ‘Enter’.
Step 2: Enter your router’s username and password. This should also be found in the operating manual.
Step 3: Every router is different, but look for the wireless settings. You may also need to look through the manual network settings.
Step 4: Find the wireless security and set this to WPA-PSK [TKIP].
If the WPA-PSK [TKIP] encryption does not work, you can try some of the other options to find one that suits. Keep in mind that WPA2 encryptions are the most secure, whereas WEP options are the oldest and least secure.
Wireless Frequency
Most wireless frequencies will default to a 5GHz connection. However, some Vizio TVs do not support the 5GHz connection and will need to connect via the 2.4GHz frequency instead. This is something that can be changed in the same router settings mentioned above.
There should be an option to change this frequency to 2.4GHz, usually found under ‘Wireless Channel’. On this frequency, you should only use channels 1, 6 or 11 because this ensures there is no channel overlap.
Vizio TV Ethernet Not Working/Connecting
Ethernet connections are usually the fastest and most reliable way to connect your Vizio TV to the internet. However, if this does not seem to be working, you should check the issues mentioned below.
Some Vizio TVs don’t have an ethernet port.
Faulty Cable or Port
Check that your Ethernet connection has not been compromised by a faulty cable or connection point. First you should try unplugging the cable at both ends and reconnecting it. Sometimes the problem may be as simple as a loose connection.
If that does not work, try using your cable with a different device to see if it still works properly. If not, you may need to source a new cable.
However, you should also try a different port in your router or modem. Sometimes a single port may become damaged if it is used too often. If none of the ports are working with that cable and you have tried multiple devices, you know it is definitely the cable causing the issue.
TV Settings
Like any wireless network connection, Ethernet connections also need to be set up in the TV’s network settings. This is simple, but some people may assume that Ethernet connections are detected automatically. To set up your Ethernet, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Connect the Ethernet cable from your TV to your modem/router.
Step 2: Press the ‘Menu’ button on the Vizio remote.
Step 3: Select ‘Network’.
Step 4: Select ‘Wired Network’.
Step 5: Wait for confirmation that the connection is complete.
Type of Ethernet Cable
If your TV has successfully connected to the internet via your Ethernet cable but you are experiencing poor connectivity, check the type of cable that you are using. This is only an issue if you are attempting to access high-speed internet.
Ethernet cables are divided into different categories, such as ‘Cat-5’ or ‘Cat-8’. Generally, as the number increases, the transfer speed also increases. Cat-5 cables support 10-100MB/s, whereas Cat-5e cables will support 1,000MB/s (1GB/s).
If you are streaming 4K content, you should have an internet speed of at least 25MB/s to stream without any interruptions. Therefore, for any high-speed internet services, it is best to have a Cat-5e cable or anything higher than that. You should also make sure your router supports these speeds, which you should find in the operating manual.
Vizio TV Wired Connection Disconnected
If your Vizio TV’s wired connection is disconnected, the issue may often be with the Ethernet cable or the port. Ensure the cable is securely plugged into both your TV and router. Sometimes, simply replacing a faulty Ethernet cable or using a different port on your router can re-establish the connection.
Another potential cause could be the network settings on your Vizio TV. It’s like trying to dial a phone number that’s been changed; if the TV’s network settings are incorrect, it won’t connect to the internet.
To fix this, navigate to the network settings on your TV menu, select ‘Wired Connection,’ and then ‘Set Up Connection.’ The TV will automatically attempt to connect to the network with the correct settings. Ensuring these are accurate allows for a seamless connection, much like updating your contact list to make sure you’re dialing the right numbers.
Lastly, a problem with the TV’s software could also result in a disconnected wired connection. Outdated firmware may prevent your TV from recognizing or maintaining a stable connection. Check for any available software updates for your Vizio TV by going to the settings menu, selecting ‘System,’ and then ‘Check for Updates.’
Installing the latest firmware version can solve connection issues by improving the TV’s compatibility and performance with your home network, ensuring your wired connection stays as stable as a rock.
Vizio TV Won’t Connect to Internet (Connected To WiFi)
Your TV may encounter problems connecting to the internet for the following reasons.
Firmware Bugs
Sometimes firmware updates are released and there are bugs that affect the normal functioning of your TV. If you are struggling to connect to the internet, this could be one of the reasons. Staying up-to-date with your firmware will ensure that you have the latest fixes for these bugs.
You Vizio TV should automatically update when new firmware is released. However, to manually check for these updates, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Press the ‘Menu’ button on the remote.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘System > Check for Updates’.
Step 3: If a new update is available, confirm that you would like to download and install the latest firmware.
Using a Public Network
If you are using a public network, such as in a dorm room, you may not be able to connect to the internet without entering a username and password. Vizio TVs are tailored to home network connections and therefore are not designed to accommodate this setup.
However, you can still connect to a public network by gaining authorisation from the network administrator. They will need you to quite your TVs Mac Address, which can be found in the following two areas.
· Menu > System > System Information
· Menu > Network > Manual Setup
Incorrect Password
Make sure that you have entered the correct password. If may seem obvious, but it may be something as simple as forgetting to make the password case sensitive. Your default network password is usually found on the back or bottom of your modem.
Vizio TV Keeps Disconnecting from Internet
If you are connected to your WiFi but the signal keeps dropping out, you may have poor signal strength. This can be caused by one of the following issues.
Modem or Router is Far Away
You modem and router should be no more than 30 feet away from your Vizio TV. Anything further than this will experience signal drop-out, assuming you can connect at all. This is common in larger homes.
The WiFi Signal is Disrupted
Even if the modem or router is within 30 feet of your TV, the signal can still be weakened by interference. Other WiFi devices play a large role in disrupting your TV connection. These devices include the following.
· Bluetooth devices, such as headphones or keyboards
· Microwaves
· Baby monitors or other radios
· Other wireless networks, such as a neighbour’s WiFi
There are also a number of obstacles that may block some of the WiFi signal. You need to make sure these obstacles do not stand between your TV and modem or router. Examples of these are listed below.
· Concrete or thick timber walls
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on June 13, 2021.
· Floor heating
· Water, such as hydronic heating systems or aquariums
Using a Personal Hotspot
A personal hotspot, which involves accessing your internet via your mobile’s cellular network, may not provide the signal strength required for your TV to function normally. These connections are known to continuously drop in and out, depending on interference and the signal strength. For this reason, using a hotspot for your TV is not recommended.
Vizio TV Won’t Detect/Recognize WiFi
Modem or Router Issues
If you notice that the WiFi is not being detected by any other device on your home network, you know that the issue lies with your modem or router. Try resetting both with the method mentioned at the beginning of this article.
If this still doesn’t work, you may need to contact your service provider. The internet could be temporarily down or your modem or router may need to be replaced.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on June 13, 2021.
Hardware Malfunction
WiFi connections are made possible through a small computer chip located inside your TV. This WiFi chip is separate from the motherboard and power board and is connected to an antenna that is also located inside the TV.
If any of these components are broken, your WiFi will not work, even after a factory reset and resetting your modem/router. This component can be replaced, but should be done by a technician to prevent further damage to the internal components of the TV. You will also void your warranty if you attempt to open the TV yourself.
Vizio TV Won’t Stay Connected (Keeps Disconnecting) to WiFi
As mentioned previously, there are several reasons why your WiFi signal may be poor or disrupted. Another reason why the WiFi won’t stay connected is that the WiFi board within the TV is not well made.
Unfortunately this is common in cheaper/affordable TVs and will make the TV more prone to internet dropout. One thing you can do to overcome these issues is to install a WiFi booster in your home.
These boosters connect to your home network and are able to extend the signal to cover drop-out zones. It may be the case where your modem or router can only be situated in a specific room or area, and that your TV is also unable to be moved.
To use a WiFi booster effectively, plug it into a power point that is located halfway between the modem/router and the TV. This should help prevent any signal loss in the home.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on June 13, 2021.