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How to Fix Netflix Not Working on VIZIO Smart TV

How to Fix Netflix Not Working on VIZIO Smart TV

If you’ve been longing to get your fair share of Netflix, we would understand how frustrated you’d be to find the streaming service having hiccups on your Vizio TV. Indeed, the most popular service has one too many exciting shows to miss. 

So, how can you quickly fix Netflix when it’s not working on your Vizio TV? 

To make Netflix work again on your Vizio TV, power cycle the unit by unplugging the device and letting it sit for 60 seconds. After which, hold the power button on the TV for another 30 seconds. 

That’s the easy part. But if the issue persists, there’s no need to be alarmed as we’ll walk you through eight workarounds that should give you your Netflix back on Vizio in all its splendor in no time. 

FIX 1. Power cycle your Vizio TV

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps4
Time to Perform Fix1 minute and 10 seconds
Things NeededA Vizio smart TV
A working power cable
A working wall outlet

You may have doubts about the process, but power cycling your Vizio TV can be the best solution you can do to get your Netflix working again. It is a more drastic process than the usual recourse: turning off your unit. 

When you reboot your Vizio TV, you address software glitches, allowing you to settle certain TV issues. But a power cycle does more than just that, as it addresses hardware and software bugs—possible reasons your Netflix is acting up. 

A power cycle drains all the remaining power stored in your TV’s internal circuit. In essence, you clear out the unit’s RAM, throwing out unneeded files that sabotage the device’s performance and your overall TV viewing experience. 

Step 1: Turn off your TV, then unplug it from the wall. Wait for 60 seconds. 


Note: You can unplug its power cable without turning the TV off to force the reboot.
Step 2: Find the power button of the TV and hold it for another 30 seconds to discharge the residual electrical energy.


Note: Alternatively, keeping the device unplugged for 30 minutes minimum should achieve the same results as pressing the power button.
Step 3: Power your TV back up. 

Step 4: Operate the TV using your remote and test if Netflix is back on. 

Power cycling is an effective tool that we recommend you apply on your internet router. The process is virtually the same yet simpler: put off your router by plugging it off the wall, then bring it back to life after a minute or two. 

FIX 2. Clear the Vizio TV cache

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps4
Time to Perform Fix40 seconds
Things NeededA Vizio smart TV
A Vizio TV remote control

When you use an app on your Vizio TV, temporary files are stored in the cache. However, the same may not apply to newer Vizio SmartCast TVs since they don’t natively store the apps in the system storage.

In other words, the apps on your Vizio TV work like a link or web portal redirecting you to that service or platform’s server. As such, there’s no way to clear the individual cached data of every built-in app.

Therefore, you can only fix the issue with Netflix by clearing the device’s cached storage through a system reboot. This way, your Vizio TV can reset its system and refresh its memory, removing all temporary data.

Since the app cache stores temporary files, the restart process should delete them. Once your Vizio TV reboots, you can try relaunching Netflix to see if you can finally stream content from there without issues.

Step 1: Tap your TV remote control’s Menu button to go to the Vizio settings menu.

Step 2: Go to System.

Step 3: Go to “Reset & Admin.”

Step 4: Select Reboot TV to refresh your Vizio TV’s system memory.

FIX 3: Reload Netflix on your Vizio TV

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps1
Time to Perform Fix10 to 20 seconds
Things NeededA Vizio smart TV
A Vizio TV remote control

Sometimes, apps malfunction due to minor software errors you can correct after relaunching them repeatedly. To address this, close the app (in this case, Netflix) and reload it.

This way, you don’t spend unnecessary effort troubleshooting your faulty Netflix app when it only needs a simple reload. It’s important to note that not all software-related issues require extensive troubleshooting procedures for you to fix them.

FIX 4: Delete and reinstall the Vizio Netflix app

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps6
Time to Perform Fix60 seconds
Things NeededA Vizio smart TV (VIA Plus)
A Vizio TV remote control

As mentioned, the built-in apps on Vizio SmartCast TVs don’t work like those installed natively on other smart TV brands. After all, they act like gateway links to these specific services instead of being standalone software on your Vizio TV.

However, it used to be that you’d have to add and remove apps on older Vizio TVs. In particular, you could do this with Vizio Internet Apps (VIA) and VIA Plus TVs available from 2009 until 2017.

If you still own one of these older models, you can delete and reinstall its Netflix app whenever it suffers from software issues. It’s the only way to fix the problem with Netflix not working on a Vizio TV with the VIA platform.

Since VIA TVs are legacy products, they may not work like they used to. Therefore, if this method doesn’t fix your Netflix app issues, you might need to replace your old one with a built-in SmartCast platform.

Step 1: Press your Vizio remote’s VIA button to open the main TV menu.

Step 2: Go to the My Apps tab and highlight Netflix.

Step 3: Hold your Vizio remote’s OK button for 3 seconds and press it once to remove the Netflix app.

Step 4: Click Delete on a tiny confirmation window to proceed.

Step 5: Go to the Featured, Latest, or All Apps tab and search for the Netflix app.

Step 6: Highlight the Netflix app and click the Vizio remote’s OK button to add it to your TV.

FIX 5. Update TV firmware

Difficulty Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps4
Time to Perform Fix10 minutes
Things NeededA Vizio smart TV
A Vizio TV remote control
A working internet connection

Because updating apps on SmartCast models is impossible, you must update the system firmware to fix the issue with Netflix not working on a Vizio Smart TV. Doing so should resolve the software-related issues causing your Netflix app to fail.

If you think about it, it’s one of SmartCast’s most convenient features since you don’t have to worry about updating each app separately. Since they don’t work like regular apps, these platforms and services should automatically update from their servers.

Thus, your Vizio TV only needs constant internet access, and the updates should download in the background. 

However, you need to perform the manual firmware update via the system settings menu when one of the built-in apps stops working. This action should fix bugs and compatibility problems quickly.

Step 1: Tap your TV remote control’s Menu button to go to the Vizio settings menu.

Step 2: Go to System.

Step 3: Select “Check for Updates.”


Note: Click Yes on the tiny confirmation window to let your Vizio TV access the Internet and search for the latest firmware.
Step 4: Click Yes again on the tiny confirmation window to download and install the latest firmware update for your Vizio TV.

FIX 6. Factory reset your Vizio

If the issue with Netflix not working on your Vizio Smart TV persists, we suggest a factory reset this time. With this method, you can fix any software-related problems that even a firmware update can’t handle.

Among these are malware and viruses that you can’t usually eliminate from your Vizio TV with more straightforward reboot methods. Unfortunately, this will come at the cost of losing your Vizio TV’s saved files and data.

Compared to the firmware update, the factory reset will revert your Vizio TV to a previous state instead of building on its current system version. However, while the drawbacks of this solution might seem more significant, so are its rewards.

If you lost your Vizio TV remote, the good news is we’re also detailing a fix that can help you perform the factory reset. Follow the instructions below to get started.

Using its remote

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps5
Time to Perform Fix3 minutes
Things NeededA Vizio TV
A Vizio TV remote control

The factory reset method that requires a working Vizio TV remote involves navigating the device’s system settings menu. As such, you can’t perform this action unless you have other ways of operating your Vizio TV, like using a USB keyboard.

Step 1: Tap your TV remote control’s Menu button to go to the Vizio settings menu.

Step 2: Go to System.

Step 3: Go to “Reset & Admin.”

Step 4: Click “Reset to Factory Settings.”

Step 5: Click Reset on the tiny window that appears to factory reset the Vizio TV.
Note: Follow the on-screen setup when the Vizio TV reboots after the reset.

Using TV buttons

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps3
Time to Perform Fix5 minutes
Things NeededA Vizio TV

Losing or breaking your Vizio TV remote isn’t much of an inconvenience when performing the factory reset. Since this method is essential for troubleshooting a faulty TV, Vizio made it doable even without a remote control.

Step 1: Hold your TV’s volume down and input keys simultaneously for 10 seconds to start an emergency factory reset.



Note: You must check your Vizio TV’s user manual to find where its physical buttons are since they vary between models. Also, you can factory reset some Vizio TVs using only their input key.
Step 2: Wait for the “Memory is being cleared” message. 


Note: Your Vizio TV should reset shortly after.
Step 3: Wait until the TV reboots and follow its on-screen setup.

FIX 7. Check your internet connection

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps1
Time to Perform Fix30 to 60 seconds
Things NeededA PC or smartphone
A working internet connection

Aside from just tweaking settings on your Vizio TV, you must also troubleshoot your WiFi network since a faulty internet connection can prevent apps from working correctly. 

In particular, Netflix recommends at least 3 Mbps to load standard-definition content. Your WiFi network must provide at least 25 megabits per second of internet speed to play content at 4K resolution.

Therefore, you must know your internet connection’s limit to determine the quality of content you can consume without lag or buffering.

It’s a necessary compromise if you can’t afford to upgrade your current data plan while also having a smooth viewing experience. To check your internet speed, we recommend visiting fast.com, a speed-testing website developed by Netflix.

FIX 7. Check your internet connection

FIX 8. Restart your WiFi

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps6
Time to Perform Fix2 minutes and 20 seconds
Things NeededA WiFi router and modem
Working LAN cables
Working power cords
A working power outlet

If your WiFi network doesn’t provide the minimum internet speed required by Netflix, you can restart your router or modem to refresh the connection. This action should be your go-to move whenever your Vizio TV has a connectivity issue.

It’s important to note that troubleshooting your WiFi router or modem won’t improve your internet connection if your data plan has a slow speed cap. Once your WiFi restarts, it should fix the issue with Netflix not showing on your Vizio smart TV.

Step 1: Unplug the modem’s LAN cable and power cord.

Step 2: Unplug the router’s LAN cable and power cord.

Step 3: Keep them unplugged for around 2 minutes to ensure a complete shutdown.
Step 4: Plug in the modem’s LAN cable and power cord.

Step 5: Plug in the router’s LAN cable and power cord.


Note: Secure all cables to prevent connection problems.
Step 6: Wait for these devices to boot up and check if their LED lights turn on.


Note: Their globe icons will glow green or white when connected to the Internet. Their WiFi icons should have a solid green light before your Vizio TV can connect.

Restore the WiFi router or modem’s default factory settings

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps4
Time to Perform Fix3 minutes
Things NeededA WiFi router or modem
A SIM ejector pin
A working ethernet cable

Sometimes, troubleshooting your WiFi network requires more than a simple restart process. Restore your WiFi router and modem to factory settings if Netflix still isn’t working on your Vizio TV after restarting them. 

Step 1: Unplug your router and modem’s LAN cable.


Note: You must keep both devices running during the factory reset process, so don’t pull their power cords.
Step 2: Use your phone’s SIM ejector pin to hold both devices’ hidden reset button for 10 seconds.


Note: The reset button is usually inside a pinhole with a Reset label.
Step 3: Wait for the modem and router to turn off and on.


Note: Most WiFi routers and modems have an orange light indicator during factory resets.
Step 4: Plug in both LAN cables once they turn back on.
Note: Reconnect your Vizio TV to the WiFi network and check if Netflix is working again.

FAQs about Netflix on Vizio Smart TV

How do I power reset Netflix on my Vizio smart TV?

Signing out of your Netflix account is the simplest way to reset the app on your Vizio smart TV. If it doesn’t work, input the secret combination on your Vizio remote (Up/Up/Down/Down/Left/Right/Left/Right/Up/Up/Up/Up) and select the Reset option.

How do you update Netflix on your Vizio TV?

The Netflix app automatically updates on a Vizio SmartCast TV because it doesn’t work like a regular app. Since it’s more of a web portal or link to the streaming service, it should update on your TV every time its content updates from their server.

How do you perform a reset without navigating the menu?

Unplug your Vizio TV from the wall outlet to reset it without going through its menu settings. Once your Vizio TV is out of power, its system should reset automatically after shutting down.


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