Vizio Sound Bar Not Working With Netflix? – Fix In Minutes!

Wondering why Vizio sound bar not working with Netflix? Keep reading to learn more!

Netflix provides users with a dedicated menu from where the audio output source has to be selected.

When we have only 1 singular audio output, it would be selected by default, but the issue occurs when we have a soundbar + TV where more than one output is available.

When the Vizio soundbar does not output the audio from Netflix, users should choose the correct sound output in the settings of the platform. In case that doesn’t help, the HDMI connection should be inspected and the soundbar restarted.

Let’s next learn more about why the Vizio Soundbar does not work with Netflix!

Why Is Vizio Sound Bar Doesn’t Work With Netflix?

Before we proceed to the root cause troubleshooting of your Vizio sound bar problems, we will first look up the causes that are most likely to be associated with this problem.

First, Netflix has its own audio settings that can select a certain output audio device. 

When your Vizio sound bar is not selected through Netflix, the audio won’t work!

Here’s what’s preventing the Vizio soundbar from working on Netflix:

• The soundbar is not selected in Netflix’s settings!
• A connectivity problem between the soundbar and the TV
• The soundbar has its own software complications or isn’t receiving power
• A problem with the Netflix application on your device or web source

Note: Your setup might be impacted by more than one of the above-described issues!

Keep reading to learn what are the best solutions to resolve the Vizio-Netflix issue:

How to Fix When Vizio Sound Bar Not Working With Netflix?

After reviewing what could potentially cause the problem with your Netflix application and Vizio soundbar, we will start reviewing the best-recommended solutions by the community. 

Follow the solutions in order for the best effect in the troubleshooting!

Solution #1 Reopen Netflix

The first and most easy solution you should test out is to re-open the Netflix source on your device.

Regardless of whether you’re using the Netflix application or the browser version, restarting the service could always resolve the glitch you’re experiencing.

Simply exit the Netflix app or the browser that is opened on your device! 

Wait for a couple of seconds. Once several moments have elapsed, re-open the Netflix service on your device and sign back into your account if you have to.

Lastly, play a TV show or a movie and check if the Vizio soundbar is going to work with Netflix now.

Note: On devices with the Netflix app, make sure to clear the application from the background services.

Solution #2 Select Vizio Soundbar In Netflix Settings

As we’ve already mentioned back at the beginning of our post, Netflix has audio settings of its own that can select an output audio device.

When you have multiple audio outputs, for example, your TV and the Vizio Soundbar, the audio might be coming from the TV’s speaker.

Here’s how to select your Vizio soundbar in the settings of Netflix:

1. From the Home Screen of your Netflix, press the Settings icon.
2. Next, go to Display & Sound.
3. Press on Audio output.
4. Select the output of your device that has the soundbar plugged in.

Note: If the soundbar is connected to “HDMI 1” on your TV, you must select “HDMI 1” in the Netflix audio settings. Choose the input respectively.

Solution #3 Physically Reconnect the Soundbar

There could be a physical connection problem between your Vizio soundbar and streaming device.

Next, we suggest physically reconnecting the soundbar from your device to refresh the connection.

Here’s how to reconnect the Vizio soundbar from your device in easy steps:

1. Go to the back of your device.
2. Locate which one of the cables is your soundbar HDMI.
3. Disconnect the cable of your Vizio soundbar.
4. Wait for 5 minutes while the soundbar is disconnected.
5. Reconnect the cable of the soundbar.
6. Go back into the Netflix audio settings and verify the correct source!

In case the problem is persistent, plug the HDMI cable into the alternative input and select that input in the sources menu on Netflix.

The audio should start coming out of the soundbar.

Tip: Perhaps the HDMI cable is not functioning properly. Test with another cable!

Solution #4 Relog From Your Netflix Account

Some users have suggested that re-logging from their Netflix account, actually resolved audio problems they were experiencing with Vizio soundbars.

In that regard, your next step is to sign out of your Netflix account and then hop back in.

To sign out of your Netflix account, press the “cogwheel” icon and choose “Log Out”. 

After that, you will be redirected to the login screen, where you insert your email/password and press the “Log In” button. 

Once you’re inside Netflix again, check if the problem with your Vizio soundbar is resolved. Don’t forget to verify the Netflix audio output source!

Solution #5 Update Netflix Firmware

If the version of Netflix is outdated on your device, there could be random glitches that will be occurring.

The problem with your Vizio soundbar could be originating exactly from an outdated Netflix version, therefore you need to update it before proceeding further!

Here’s how to update the Netflix app version on your device:

1. Go to your device’s App Store.
2. Go to “Manage Installed Apps”.
3. Select the Netflix app.
4. Press “Update”.
5. Wait for Netflix to finish updating.
6. Check if the issue is now resolved.

Updating apps on each device is different. In the worst-case scenario, remove the Netflix application completely, and download the app back.

This will guarantee that the version will be the most recent one.

Note: The browser users should clear the cache data and cookies on their browsers!

Solution #6 Hard Reset Your TV/Device

If the issue on your Netflix still persists, we suggest performing a hard reset on your device.

If you’re using a TV, this solution could come in handy, as it will refresh the software of the device and restart ALL services. That might just be enough to solve the problem!

To hard reset devices with an AC power adapter:

1. Disconnect the device from the power.
2. Wait for 5 minutes.
3. Reconnect the adapter back into power.

To hard reset mobile devices:

1. Press and hold the Power button.
2. Slide left to turn the device OFF.
3. Wait for 3 minutes.
4. Turn the device back on.

When the device is back ON, start the Netflix app, check the sources and play any movie or TV show to find out whether the audio is now coming from your Vizio soundbar.

Note: Keeping the device turned OFF for longer, provides a complete discharge!

Solution #7 Reinstall the Netflix App

Keep in mind that this solution will only help users who experience this problem on the Netflix application.

Before searching for assistance regarding this problem, you should also attempt to reinstall the Netflix application and see how that goes.

Alert: The solution won’t work for browser users!

Here’s how to reinstall Netflix on your device in easy steps:

1. Go to the Settings of your device.
2. Access the Storage section.
3. Head to “Devices”.
4. Search for the Netflix app.
5. Choose the “Uninstall” button under the Netflix app settings.
6. Go to your device’s App Store.
7. Download Netflix again.
8. Sign back into your account.
9. Check if the issue would still be there.

When the application is cleanly installed, there would be a default audio output source selected.

Make sure to scroll up to Solution #2 and choose your Vizio soundbar for the Netflix audio output.

When you’re ready you should be hearing the sound coming from the soundbar.

Note: Make sure to turn the volume up a bit to make sure that you’ll hear the Netflix audio!

Quick Recap:

Hence, the Vizio soundbar is not working with Netflix because the correct audio output source is not selected. Further solutions include performing a Netflix reinstallation or hard resetting the soundbar. Lastly, users should also update the Netflix firmware!

Wrapping Up:

What we’ve learned here is that the Vizio sound bar not working with Netflix because the audio is either coming from another output or the soundbar is not properly connected to the host.

In both cases, the entire equipment and Netflix application have to be inspected so following the solutions in this guide, you can go wrong!

We hope that you’ve learned something new and the problem is now gone. For more relevant content follow our tech blog and discover the solution you need.