Fix Vizio TV Tuner Not Working Issue In 3 Easy Steps

If your Vizio TV tuner not working you will definitely receive an error saying “No Signal” or there will be no channels in the master list.

Either way, this is an indication that the tuner is not working properly and in this post, we will resolve that issue.

To fix your Vizio TV tuner you should inspect the wiring and make sure there are no loose cables. Then you should check and possibly select the right TV source and search for channels. If it does not work, you’ll need to perform a power refresh or possibly a factory reset.

We strongly recommend following the article’s guidelines and not just straightforward to the solutions as your tuner might not have been set up properly.

Let’s learn more, shall we?

How To Fix Vizio TV Tuner Not Working Step-By-Step?

Here we will introduce a step-by-step tutorial and will not only resolve the issue but most likely reveal the true cause.

This will help you prevent the issue from appearing in the future and scan for channels uninterrupted.

Let’s start with the inspection first:

Step #1 Setup Inspection

First of all, you need to make sure that both your Vizio TV and tuner are plugged into the power and working. The most secure way of doing so would be to remove power dividers and plug both devices in separate (standalone) wall outlets.

Next, you should inspect the setup for any loose cords. Cables usually come loose for a variety of reasons over time, and it is good to make sure that both ends are plugged all the way in.

Moreover, it is recommended to unplug everything and reconnect from scratch to exclude the possibility of a faulty connection.

Lastly, take a last look if there is a cable that is severely twisted or under pressure. If you locate anything like that, simply straighten the cable and proceed with the next step.

Step #2 Choose the Correct Source

There is a misconception regarding the faulty part whenever something does not work. In case you’ve selected the wrong input source, your tuner will appear not to work, so let’s take a look.

Note: Each of your TV inputs should have a label right above the port (HDMI1, HDMI2, RCA, etc..)

1. Take a look at the inputs of your TV to find where your tuner is connected.
2. Memorize the label above the port.
3. Take your Vizio remote and press the Input key.
4. From the Input menu, select the port your tuner is connected to.
5. Confirm the port selection by pressing OK.

If you’re using a newer Vizio TV model, the port your tuner is connected to should appear first in the list.

Once you’re ready you should now have selected the right tuner input and it should be working as intended.

Where Is the Tuner On My Vizio TV?

If you cannot see the input your tuner is connected to, for instance, HDMI1 it might be renamed. Newer Vizio TVs automatically rename the input, according to the device connected to them.

For example, if you connect a computer to HDMI1, in the TV sources menu, it will appear as a Personal Computer, instead of HDMI1. If you connect a gaming console, for instance, it will appear as Playstation4 or Xbox.

Make sure to check the model or supplier of your tuner so you can realize which input to select.

What To Do If the Input Is Not In The List?

If you are certain that the input is not in your list, then it might be hidden. To unveil it follow the bullets below:

• Press the menu button on your Vizio TV remote
• Go to System and then choose Input Settings.
• From ALL inputs you can select which one to be Visible and which one to Hide.
• Check if your input is hidden and make it visible.

Step #3 Set Up Tuner

Some newer Samsung TV models might recognize the tuner immediately after the rightful source was selected and you’ll be ready.

For older TV models, especially the ones using Coaxial Cable, a message asking you to run a channel scan may appear.

For newer TV models with coaxial cable, the message might read “Tuner has not been set up, press the OK key to begin searching for channels”.

If by following the message you could not receive any channels when scanning you would need to do it manually:

Note: Depending on your TV release year, the labels in your menu might be different. In that regard, we’ve included both alternatives.

1. Press the Menu key on your Vizio TV remote.
2. Locate and press a feature labeled Channels or Tuner.
3. Find and choose Auto Channel Scan or Find Channels.

Observe the progression bar and by the end of it, your TV should have discovered all available channels. This is an indication that your tuner is working well, and the issue was resolved.

What To Do If My Vizio TV Tuner Not Working…

If your master channel list is empty after performing a channel scan, there are a few possibilities.

Many people recommended performing a power cycle on both your TV and tuner after you’re ready with setting them up.

How To Perform a Power Cycle?

To perform a power cycle simply unplug both devices from the power and wait for a couple of minutes before connecting them again.

This will refresh the power and provide a clean boot after which you should scan for channels again.

If that does not work, try factory resetting the tuner.

How To Factory Reset My Vizio TV Tuner?

Disconnect your tuner from the power supply. Wait for 15 seconds and plug it back in. Then hold the power button until the device reboots.

Lastly, scroll up to step 3 to configure the tuner from scratch.

If nothing works and your tuner is still not functional, there could be a hardware problem and you should deliver it for repair.

To fix your Vizio TV tuner you should inspect if all cables are rightfully connected and make sure that the correct input source is selected. Once done you should set up your tuner and scan for channels.

Read Next: How to Fix Vizio TV Sound Issue?

Last Thoughts

Now that you know what to do whenever the Vizio TV tuner not working, you should be able to avoid the same issue in the future.

If it however appears again, you can always come back to this post and set everything rightfully!

If this post was helpful and you’re experiencing other issues with your Vizio TV setup, you will definitely find a solution in our tech blog.