Vizio Smartcast Not Working [2023]
Turning on your Vizio TV and seeing the words SmartCast Starting Up, Please Wait or SmartCast TV Not Available is never something you want to see right as you are ready to binge-watch your favorite streaming program.
However, it seems that SmartCast not working is a very common problem for Vizio TV owners.
The good news is that there are a few simple solutions that work for most users.
ℹ SmartCast Not Working? Try this quick fix first…
If your Vizio SmartCast isn’t working, you must reset the TV. Unplug your television from the wall and wait exactly 60 seconds. Next, reconnect your TV to the power source. This will perform a safe soft reset on your TV, allowing it to start right up and SmartCast to function without any issues.
The above method will most likely cure the issue, but if it doesn’t don’t worry….because we have compiled a list of alternative ways to fix your Vizio SmartCast not working problem.
How to Troubleshoot Vizio SmartCast Not Working
Check Your TV Internet Connection
If SmartCast or a particular streaming app like Netflix isn’t working on your Vizio TV, then you should immediately check to see if your television is properly connected to the internet.
Press the Menu button on the remote and select Network, then pick Test Connection to see if your internet is working.
Try Another Network (Use a Mobile Hotspot)
The quickest way to diagnose whether the SmartCast problem is the Vizio TV itself or your home internet connection is to switch from your home WiFi network to your phone’s mobile hotspot network.
Most mobile phone carriers allow you to connect external devices to your LTE signal.
Check the settings for your particular phone to enable a mobile hotspot network and set the password.
Lastly, connect to the hotspot network from your Vizio Smart TV.
If SmartCast works, you have a problem with your WiFi connection or broadband internet service.
Power Cycle Router/Modem (Disconnect for 60 seconds)
First, make a trip to your router and modem to verify that the internet is working properly. The most important thing to look for is the lights.
Check to see that all of the lights are on or blinking and that none of the lights is a warning color like red or orange.
Next, try turning the router/modem off and on again.
Alternatively, you can simply unplug and re-plug them back into the power source. Wait 60 seconds after you unplug the device before plugging it back in again.
Make sure to give SmartCast some time to connect to the WiFi network again. This could take about a minute.
When the lights on your router turn green, try loading SmartCast again.
Refresh Network DHCP Settings
SmartCast might not work if you have your network’s DHCP settings set up wrong or not in the best way.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) gives each device on your network an IP address on its own.
So that there aren’t any connection problems, DHCP makes sure that no two devices have the same IP address.
However, there are times when this module doesn’t work and doesn’t give the SmartCast system an IP address.
The best solution is to turn on DHCP again, which may make SmartCast work again:
- Turn off your television
- Start up your web browser
- Go to the URL for your router and type in your user name and password.
- Type in your router’s username and password.
- Access the page for setting up your router.
- Now, look on your router for the DHCP section
- Then, turn on DHCP. If it is already turned on, turn it off and then back on again
- Save your changes, and then leave the setup
If you’re still having trouble, it may be time to take update your Vizio TV’s software 👇
Update Your Vizio TV’s Software
If the software on your Vizio TV is out-of-of-date, you may encounter a variety of problems like SmartCast not working and even your Vizio turning on by itself.
Checking for and installing new Vizio TV OS updates can often be the solution to your problem.
It’s as simple as checking to see if your TV model has a firmware update available. Sometimes these updates are missed, but they are usually done automatically.
First, turn on your Vizio TV and press Menu on the remote. After that, select System from the drop-down menu.
Click on Check for Updates if it appears.
The Vizio TV Firmware Upgrade is now available for download.
Now, your TV will automatically start looking for updates.
If there are any software updates available for installation they will be done automatically by your TV.
Make sure to keep your Vizio TV up-to-date with the latest software by performing regular updates.
How to Factory Reset a Vizio TV
The factory reset option is recommended if either of the two steps above fixes your Vizio SmartCast problem, but the problem returns at a later date.
If your Vizio SmartCast isn’t working, it could be because of a software error. A factory reset of your television can resolve this.
- If you have access to a functioning remote control then try this method first (It’s the easiest):
- To access the menu, press the Menu button once the TV has been turned on (you may have briefly powered it up by disconnecting it or removing the remote batteries).
- Click the System option that should be present in the menu.
- Find Reset & Admin and Reset TV to Factory Defaults and then press Reset
Before performing a factory reset, the TV may request a code from the user. If it does, the default code is 0000, which is four zeros.
If you can’t find your remote or it doesn’t work then try performing a factory reset by using the buttons located on the Vizio TV itself.
- Find the Power (which is normally located on the side of the screen) and press it to turn the TV on
- Hold down the Volume and Source buttons
- A few seconds later, the TV will display a message that says Press and hold the input button for a few seconds
- About 10 seconds after pressing Input, let go of the button
- The TV will immediately reboot and enter factory reset mode. Rebooting and resetting your TV takes a few minutes.
Once the process is finished, your Vizio TV will return to the settings it had when it was purchased.
Still, having issues? It might be time to call in the professionals…
Contact Vizio Customer Support
Contacting customer support may be necessary if none of the above solutions work for you.
Vizio customer support is available via text message, internet live chat, and phone.
You can contact customer support at 1(844) 254-8087 if you want to speak with someone directly.
Customer service hours are 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday
On the weekend the hours are 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. CST
You can also try out the Text Support or Live Agent Chat options if you prefer to communicate via typing.
While contacting support may resolve the issue, there may be other problems with your TV that you are unable to resolve on your own.
They can help you by working with you over the phone or by providing instructions on how to send in your TV for repair, if necessary.
Before contacting Vizio, verify that you have a warranty.
When you purchase a TV from Vizo, it comes with a standard one-year warranty.
If you purchased an extended warranty from a retailer like Walmart or Best Buy, verify what the terms and length of that third-party warranty entail.
Other Options (Nothing Has Fixed the Problem)
If you can’t find a solution to your Vizio SmartCast problem, and your TV is out of the warranty window then you really have two choices:
Purchase a New Vizio TV
If your Vizio TV is out of the warranty window, it may make more sense just to purchase a new television set altogether.
Smart TVs have never been so inexpensive, so you may be able to get a brand new TV that’s larger and has upgraded features for the same price (or less) as fixing your current model.
Repair your Vizio TV
You have the option to send your TV back to Vizio for repair, even if it isn’t covered under the initial warranty.
But a certified repair specialist in your area is most likely the best option.
In order to dismantle something, you must be extremely careful. There are a lot of fragile wire connections and high-powered circuits in the TV that might cause damage (or even electrocution) if you make the wrong move.
This is why we suggest sending your smart TV back to the factory (even if the warranty has lapsed) or finding a certified TV repair specialist on your own.
Unless you are highly skilled at fixing electronics we never recommend trying to replace internal parts (like a WiFi board) yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about troubleshooting your Vizio TV SmartCast system 👇
How do I reset my Vizio SmartCast?
SmartCast TVs can be reset by holding the Input and Volume Down buttons. After 10-15 seconds, a banner appears advising to hold the Input button to reset the TV.
What to do if SmartCast is not working?
SmartCast Home needs an update.
- Change your TV’s input to SmartCast
- Pull up the TV’s Menu
- Get to the System Menu
- You can change it to Spanish or French. Don’t close the menu
- Wait until SmartCast Home is done loading
- Change the menu language back to English after SmartCast Home has loaded
In Conclusion…
As mentioned previously, your Vizio SmartCast may have stopped working for a variety of reasons.
Here is a summary of the ways to fix your Vizio TV when SmartCast displays errors like SmartCast Starting Up, Please Wait or SmartCast TV Not Available:
- Perform a soft reset
- Check your TV internet connection
- Try connecting to a mobile hotspot
- Power cycle your router and modem
- Refresh network DHCP setting
- Update software
- Factory reset TV
- Contact Vizio customer support
- Purchase a new smart TV or hire a certified repairman to fix the current unit
Let me know if this managed to help you fix your Vizio smart television. Leave a comment if you have a different tip or method that helped you get SmartCast working again!