How To Update Vizio Soundbar? – Complete Guide

How to update Vizio Soundbar? Updating your soundbar is a very important process that helps it stay up to the best firmware.

Without it, the soundbar might not function correctly when connected via Bluetooth, for example.

Updating the Vizio soundbar firmware can be done through many methods: you can use Vizio SmartCast, the soundbar’s on-screen menu (requires HDMI connection), do it via USB, or use the OTA feature.

Vizio soundbars nowadays are full of incredible features. You can see that simply from the multiple ways of updating one of them.

The guide below will help you through every step you need to follow.

How To Update Vizio Soundbar

Suppose you are looking for how to update Vizio soundbar firmware. In that case, you are about to discover that your device has many methods for updating. 

Updating the Vizio soundbar can be used as a troubleshooting step when some of its functionalities do not work correctly. 

Methods To Update The Vizio Soundbar

There is a wide range of Vizio soundbars in the market right now. Thus, there are a few different updating methods available too.

Depending on the model you have, perhaps all of the methods below apply. Other times, only one of them will be useful.

Before trying, you must check if your soundbar has the functionalities required for each method.

Method #1: Download Vizio SmartCast Mobile App

Updating via the SmartCast mobile app is only possible if your specific Vizio Soundbar has the SmartCast functionality.

Along with the SmartCast feature, it needs to be able to connect to Wi-Fi. 

Connect The Vizio Soundbar To Wi-Fi

So, the first step on this Vizio soundbar update method is connecting to Wi-Fi:

1. Connect the soundbar to the TV via HDMI;
2. Press the “Menu” button on the soundbar’s remote;
3. Navigate to “Wi-Fi Setup”;
4. Press “Play” or “OK”;
5. The soundbar will enter Wi-Fi mode;
6. Enter the credentials for your Wi-Fi;

Pair The Soundbar To The App

If you’ve never paired the soundbar to the SmartCast app before, here is how to do it:

1. Download the app from the app store;
2. Set up your account on the app;
3. Tap on the “Devices” icon;
4. Select your soundbar;
5. A code will show up;
6. Press the Bluetooth button on the remote for 5 seconds;
7. Enter the code on your soundbar using the remote;
8. Now the devices are paired.

Update Using The App

After your device has connected to the Wi-Fi network (2.4GHz network), do the following:

1. Open the Vizio SmartCast app on your phone;
2. Tap on the devices icon;
3. Select your soundbar;
4. If an update is available, a notification will show up;
5. Tap “Update”;

Note: Updating can take a few minutes. Once it is finished, the app will notify you.

Check For Updates Manually

Suppose you suspect that there should be an update available, but it does not show up automatically.

In that case, you can check for it manually. Here is how:

1. On the app, go to Settings;
2. Check System;
3. Click on Check For Updates

That way, the app will force itself to retrieve data from the Vizio servers.

Then, if any update is available, it will appear and make itself available to install on your device.

Note: If your Vizio soundbar is malfunctioning, updating is not the only troubleshooting step. You can also try resetting it.

Method #2: Use Soundbar’s On-Screen Menu

If your Vizio soundbar has an HDMI port, it is possible to update it via the on-screen menu that shows up when you connect it to your TV.

First of all, you will need to connect it to the Wi-Fi. 

Connect To Wi-Fi First

Suppose you are unsure that your soundbar remains connected to the Wi-Fi each time you turn it on and off.

Then do the following:

1. Press the “Menu” button on the soundbar’s remote;
2. Navigate to “Wi-Fi Setup”;
3. Press “Play”/” OK”;
4. The soundbar will enter Wi-Fi mode;
5. Enter the credentials for your Wi-Fi (if necessary).

Check For Updates

Now, your soundbar is ready to contact the servers and receive a firmware update.

Do the following:

1. Press “Menu” on the remote;
2. Navigate to “System”;
3. Press “Play” or “OK”;
4. Go to “Check For Updates”;
5. If available, you will be able to download the update.

Tip: Updating via the on-screen menu is quicker than via the SmartCast if you don't have the SmartCast set up yet. 

However, the SmartCast app helps set further options when the soundbar is not connected to a TV or computer.

Method #3: Install Via USB 

If your Vizio soundbar model doesn’t support HDMI or simply doesn’t have SmartCast, then you can update its firmware via USB.

Such a method is a bit clunkier, but all you have to do is follow the steps accordingly. 

1. Visit the Vizio website on your PC;
2. Find the page with firmware updates;
3. Check your soundbar model;
4. Download the matching update for your device;

Updates are usually downloaded in .zip or .bin formats (technically called “extension”). 

Transfer The Update To A USB Flash Drive

After the firmware update file has been saved to your PC, you must grab a USB flash drive and ensure it is formatted to FAT32:

1. Plug the flash drive on your PC;
2. Open the File Explorer/Find;
3. Locate the flash drive on the list of drives;
4. Right-click the device
5. Select Format/Get Info
6. Select the file system type as FAT32;
7. Choose “Quick format.”
8. Click on Start/Erase

After the process is complete, you must find the location of the firmware update and copy it to the USB flash drive.

Note: Above, the "/" separates the respective option names for Windows and Mac. 

Install The Update

Now is the final part, where you will finally be able to install the update into your soundbar:

1. Turn your soundbar on;
2. Plug the flash drive into the USB port;
3. The lights on the device will begin to blink;
4. Wait while the update installs;
5. Once the lights stop blinking, you can remove the flash drive;

Tip: If plugging the USB doesn't prompt anything, plug the drive back into your PC. 

If the update file is .zip, unzip it on the drive and delete the .zip file. If only a .bin file remains now, plug the drive into the soundbar again.

Method #4: Install Via OTA Feature

A few Vizio soundbars have the Over-The-Air feature (also called OTA), which means the Vizio soundbar connection to the internet is an active connection. 

Instead of waiting for you to check for updates manually, the Vizio soundbar will receive info from the servers as long as it is connected to the internet.

However, your soundbar must also be connected to a TV via HDMI to receive OTA notifications.

1. Access the on-screen menu on your TV;
2. Ensure the soundbar is connected to the Wi-Fi;
3. A notification will show up if any update is available
4. Click on the notification
5. Select “Update.”

What We Learned

Were you looking for a guide on how to update the Vizio soundbar? We truly hope the guide above has cleared all your doubts.

We’ve tried writing it in a way people with all tech backgrounds can follow it..

However, if your Vizio sound bar still can’t update because no method applies, you must check your model’s user guide.