vizio smart tv running slow

The Vizio smart TV is a great option when you are looking for a TV system that offers everything. And when glitches happen, they are quick to fix. Is your Vizio smart TV running slow?

To address a slow Vizio TV, check the network connection, power cycle the device, or adjust sound and picture settings as necessary.

Additionally, clearing some of the storage, updating, or resetting the system can also do wonders.

So let’s fix it.

Why Is The Vizio Smart TV Running Slow?

why the vizio smart tv running slow

Vizio has flooded the market with top-notch TVs with features that cater to all tastes.

However, some glitches might make you annoyed. Are your Vizio Smart TV apps running slow?

We have to find out what is causing it:

✅ Bad Internet Connection

Navigating the apps requires a good Internet connection so you can access any content instantaneously. Bad internet will make your TV slow.

✅ Software Is Outdated

Some devices start running slow when the system’s OS is outdated. You might need to check if an update is available.

✅ Corrupted Firmware

Instead of being outdated, the firmware might be glitched, causing many problems in the overall system’s functioning.

✅ Storage

If you have too many apps and maybe other files on your TV, the amount of data is slowing the system.

Fix The Vizio Smart TV Slowness

fix your vizio tv slowness

Why is my vizio tv so slow? Now you know why, according to the reasons we listed above.

Some other reasons might also apply, and we will cover solutions for them in the topics below.

Reading carefully and following the instructions will help you fix the problem.

1. Check The Network

Many times, a slow TV means that your network is bad. That’s simply because your TV needs data to stream your favorite shows smoothly.

Even navigating each app’s catalog is affected by it.

So here are some things you can do:

  • Go to the TV’s network settings and check which network it is connected to. If it uses the 2.4GHz network, you must switch to the 5GHz.
  • Check if your TV is too far from the router. You can know that by looking at the Wi-Fi icon on the network settings or your phone if you have it beside the TV.
  • One of the best solutions is to use an ethernet cable to strengthen the connection.
  • Alternatively, you can install a signal repeater to send a stronger signal from the router to the TV.

2. Power Cycle Your TV

power cycle your tv

If your TV has started getting slow lately, one quick solution is power cycling it. Many TV owners forget that this is an option, moreover, an effective one.

Here is how to power cycle your Vizio smart TV:

  1. Unplug the power cord from the wall;
  2. Hold the TV’s power button for 5 seconds;
  3. Plug the cord back in;
  4. Turn the TV on.

Sometimes, you need to power cycle it more than once. Just wait a bit between each power cycle, or else you risk frying the circuits.

3. Adjust The Picture Settings

adjust your picture settings

Even though the Vizio smart TV has plenty of picture settings, some will conflict with other configurations you have set up.

The picture settings tell the software how to manage data, which can cause slowness.

So let’s change the picture mode:

  1. Open the TV’s Menu;
  2. Go to “Picture”;
  3. Select “Picture Mode”;
  4. Choose a different picture mode than the one currently selected.

Check The HDR

Even though HDR (High Dynamic Range) improves the image, it can also cause issues if your TV’s settings are not right.

In that case, it can be a good idea to turn HDR off:

  1. Open the TV’s Menu;
  2. Go to “Picture”;
  3. Select “More Picture” (or “Expert Settings” if your TV is a bit older);
  4. Choose HDR;
  5. Toggle it off.

After that, check if the TV’s slowness persists.

4. Tweak The Sound Options

tweak tv sound options

Beyond video, your TV also has to process a lot of sound data. Depending on the format and overall settings of the processing, it can make the entire system slow.

The most important feature you need to get right is the digital audio:

  1. Locate the TV’s “Settings”;
  2. Navigate to the audio settings;
  3. Choose “Digital audio out”;
  4. Switch the format to “PCM.”

Adjust The Surround Audio

Depending on how you use your TV, you might need surround audio. It makes the sound “fit” the environment better.

However, that processing might slow the system if other settings take a toll on the TV’s processor.

So let’s disable the surround:

  1. Locate the TV’s “Settings”;
  2. Navigate to the audio settings;
  3. Enter the “Surround audio” option;
  4. Disable it if it is active.

5. Manage The Storage

One potential cause behind your TV’s system being too slow is the storage.

If you have many apps installed, you are not allowing enough storage for the system to operate smoothly.

manage tv storage

When there is too much data, the processor needs to work more to find the necessary files.

  1. Select “Settings” on the TV menu;
  2. Choose “Apps”
  3. Navigate to “System apps.”
  4. Choose apps you are no longer using;
  5. Click on “Uninstall.”

Clear The Cache

Perhaps you don’t have many apps installed on your TV, but you have had the TV for a while already. In that case, the apps have created too much cache data.

It is time to clear it:

  1. Select “Settings” on the TV menu;
  2. Choose “Apps”
  3. Navigate to “System apps.”
  4. Locate “Clear Cache”;
  5. Click on it.
Note: Just because it is possible to clear the cache, you must not underestimate the number of apps.

6. Update The Firmware

update tv firmware

We shouldn’t discard the possibility that your TV desperately needs a system update.

Updating the firmware should correct many glitches in the system and make the navigation experience smooth again.

  1. Make sure your Vizio TV is connected to the internet;
  2. Press the V button on your TV remote to open the Vizio SmartCast menu;
  3. Select “System” from the menu
  4. Select “Check for Updates”;
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to check for available updates.
  6. Select “Install Update” (if available);
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the firmware update. 

If no update is available, check the next solutions.

7. Soft Reset The TV

soft reset your tv

“My Vizio smart TV is running slow.” Fortunately, the Vizio Smart TV counts with a feature called “soft reset.”

It is a solution that stands halfway between a power cycle and a factory reset. It will not erase all of your files, but it should refresh the system.

  1. Press the Menu button on the remote;
  2. Choose “System”;
  3. Choose “Reset & Admin.
  4. Choose “Soft Power Cycle.”

Wait for the procedure to end and check if the app navigation has improved.

8. Factory Reset The TV

Finally, it might be necessary to erase everything and start from scratch. If the failure causing slowness in your TV is fatal, you will need to perform a factory reset.

That means your TV’s conditions will return to the factory default. 

factory reset your tv
  1. Disconnect the TV from the Wi-Fi network;
  2. Press the Menu button on the remote;
  3. Navigate to “System”;
  4. Choose “Reset & Admin”;
  5. Find Reset TV to Factory State and select it;
  6. Input the PIN code of your Vizio TV (if you don’t have a custom PIN, the default is 0000);
  7. Select Reset;

All your account details, apps, and data will be lost during the factory reset. You will have to log in again after that. 

What We Learned

Is your Vizio smart TV running slow? We bet it isn’t anymore after checking the solutions above. The slowness is 99% due to the software.

Thus, updating, cycling, or cleaning it will do wonders. If the issue persists, you must contact Vizio support!

Read Next: How to Fix Vizio Smart TV Audio Delay?

Nicole B
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