Vizio TV Turns on by Itself [2023]
What would you do if your Vizio TV kept turning on by itself on without you instructing it to?
Before you jump to conclusions and think that a ghost is responsible, you should know that many Vizio owners complain about their smart TVs turning on without their permission.
Luckily for you, we know the reasons it happens and exactly how to fix this problem if it is occurring in your house.
ℹ Vizio Turning on by itself? Try this quick fix first…
If your Vizio television turns on by itself, HDMI-CEC is most likely activated. Some HDMI devices (such as your DVD player) automatically turn on your television when they turn on. To deactivate HDMI-CEC, select SETTINGS >> SYSTEM >> CEC >> OFF.
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 the problem of your Vizio TV turning on by itself.
How to Troubleshoot when Vizio TV Turns on by Itself
Disable HDMI-CEC Mode
In order to give you additional control over your home entertainment system, HDMI-CEC was developed.
It lets smart TVs send commands to other devices connected to the same TV, for example switching inputs and regulating volume.
You can manage them all with the TV remote, which eliminates the need for several remotes.
When you connect your Chromecast or DVD player, your TV may turn on as a result of this communication.
To disable HDMI-CEC navigate to SETTINGS >> SYSTEM >> CEC >> OFF.
If HDMI-CEC is turned off, your TV’s remote will no longer be able to operate any other devices.
Alternatively, the problem could not be caused by HDMI-CEC at all. If this is the case, then the culprit is usually your Vizio TV’s remote control.
Remote Control’s Power Button is Stuck (Are you Sitting on it?)
This fix seems silly, but you might be surprised by how often people say that their Vizio TV turns on and off by itself because the power button on the remote control is stuck.
Even funnier is that many times it’s stuck because they are sitting on the remote control, or it has become lodged in between the couch cushions.
A stuck button on a remote control can also be responsible for problems such as your Vizio TV’s volume being muted or too loud.
So, do yourself a favor and examine your Vizio remote control to see if the power button is stuck.
Or….make sure you aren’t sitting on the remote!
Remove/Change Remote Control Batteries
After you have checked to see that the power button isn’t stuck, the next step is changing the batteries in the remote control.
Remove the batteries from your remote control and hold the power button down for 30 seconds before replacing them. This drains any residual power from the remote itself.
If putting in fresh AA or AAA batteries doesn’t fix your problem don’t fret!
There are a few more tricks you can try to get your Vizio TV to turn on 👇
Disable ECO Mode
A feature called ECO mode is also included in Vizio TVs. Saving energy is usually a priority for most consumers, so this mode automatically takes care of it for you.
If you’re already experiencing problems, it may be a good idea to turn these settings off to avoid further problems:
- Select Settings on your remote control to turn off your ECO mode.
- Then select System
- Next choose Power Mode
- See if ECO Mode is selected in the menu
- Switch to Quick Start will disable it if it is
This should permanently solve your TV turning on by itself, but if not there is another setting you can turn off that may fix your problem.
Turn off any Automatic Timers
If you have an automatic timer enabled, your TV may turn on and off by itself.
An internal timer may have been intentionally (or accidentally) enabled in the TV’s settings.
For example, someone in your home may have set a timer to watch an episode of a live broadcast or event.
This would cause your TV to turn on seemingly by itself, when in fact there was a command in place for it to power on at a particular time.
Navigate to Menu>>Timers to view and turn off all timers that may be set in advance.
Disconnect External Devices
If nothing has fixed your tv turning on by itself problem yet, then disconnect all other devices from your Vizio TV to see if they are contributing to the problem.
Some devices you want to disconnect include:
- Streaming sticks/boxes
- Gaming Consoles
- DVD Players
Disconnect each of them one by one to diagnose if any of your devices is causing the issue.
While it’s a long shot, there are users that have reported external devices as the culprit for their TV randomly turning on and off as well as SmartCast not working.
No luck yet? It’s time to check your cables and connections👇
Check Cables and Connections
A faulty cable is another possible cause of your TV powering on by itself.
An issue with HDMI cables in particular is that they can fail unexpectedly.
For this reason, make sure to inspect your HDMI cable if you’re currently using one.
Try to remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated with a soft brush or cotton swab.
Make sure you’re using an up-to-date HDMI version 2.0 or 2.1 cable as well.
Unexpected powering on of your television could also be the result of a faulty port.
If you still have problems, then it may be time to update your TV’s software.
Update Your Vizio TV’s Software
If the software on your Vizio TV is out-of-of-date, you may encounter numerous problems. Checking for new Vizio TV OS updates can often fix the unassisted turning on of your television.
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 TV problem, but the problem returns at a later date.
If your Vizio Smart TV is turning on by itself or 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 TV turning on by itself 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 power inverter) yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about troubleshooting your Vizio TV that keeps turning on by itself 👇
How do I stop my Vizio TV from turning on by itself?
If this is happening, press the menu button on your Vizio remote and choose System then CEC. Turn off the CEC feature to fix it.
What is CEC on a Vizio TV?
CEC lets HDMI devices be controlled with one remote. If you cast to a CEC-supported TV while on a different source input (local TV channel, Cable, USB), source input will switch to the Chromecast’s HDMI port.
Why is my Vizio TV turning on and off?
Auto-Off may be enabled if your Vizio TV keeps going off. Try deactivating Auto-Off and using the remote to change channels and volume.
In Conclusion…
As mentioned previously, your Vizio TV may turn on by itself for a variety of reasons.
Here is a summary of the ways to fix your television when it turns on by itself without assistance:
- Disable HDMI-CDC mode
- Check remote control power button and batteries
- Disable ECO mode
- Turn off automatic timers
- Disconnect external devices
- Check cables and connections
- 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 stop your TV from turning on by itself!