Vizio Remote Not Working: How to Fix [2023]

Recently, I noticed that my Vizio remote does not work as intended, and after a brief fit of working when it wishes, it ceased to function completely.

Researching this issue only got me in contact with others who faced similar issues with their Vizio remote controller.

This got me to write this one-stop troubleshooting article on what you can effectively do if your Vizio remote won't work.

If your Vizio remote is not working, check the hardware of both the Vizio TV and its remote controller. Check if the input source is set correctly and remove any obstacles between the TV and the remote controller. You could also power cycle the Vizio remote controller and TV. If these don't work, get a replacement Vizio remote controller.

Here's a brief look at the many instances where your Vizio TV Remote fails to work:

Scenarios	Causes and Fixes
Remote not lighting up	Damaged Remote/Remote components like the IR sensor; check for damage and replace the broken remote
Remote not communicating with the TV	Communication path compromised; check for obstructions and interference from nearby devices
Remote works sometimes	Drained battery; replace the batteries

BlinqBlinq is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Check the Vizio TV and Remote Controller Hardware

If your Vizio TV and its remote controller have sustained damage in recent times, it can lead to a situation of malfunction.

The Vizio TV remote controller, despite being built well, is an electronic device after all, and is susceptible to wear and tear over time.

This wear and tear can include damages caused over time naturally, as well as accidental damages such as liquid damage and general physical stress.

A small rupture in the body can lead to dust settling inside over time, leading to further complications.

Check your Vizio TV and its remote controller for any dents and wear in its body.

If there are any holes or ruptures on the body, it is best to contact a Vizio technician to get it checked and patched up.

Since the remote controller uses an IR sensor to send commands to the Vizio TV, it is imperative to check whether the sensor is properly working.

This might rise a predicament in your mind, as IR rays lie in the spectrum of lights not visible to the naked eye. This might make checking the sensor a hassle.

But worry not, as there actually is a hack that can help in checking if the IR rays are actually emitted from your remote controller.

All you need is your smartphone camera. Unlike the human eye, a camera sensor can detect even IR light rays, and the end footage makes the light visible to human eyes too.

So all you need to do in order to verify the workings of the IR sensor on your Vizio remote controller is the following:

1. Open the camera app on your smartphone or tablet. Any camera should work.
2. Point your Vizio TV remote controller to the camera and click the buttons.
3. If you notice a light flash in the viewfinder of your phone, near the sensor area on top of the remote controller then the Vizio TV remote is working as intended.

If you don't notice any light coming from the area, it is best to swap batteries and check again.

If the issues persist, the problem is with the hardware of the Vizio TV remote control unit in hand.

Check the Input Source

Thanks to Vizio TVs supporting the operation of multiple inputs, it can be easy to forget which input source has been selected.

Make sure that your input source is set properly.

Like other TVs, the main channel up and down buttons will only work properly if your Vizio TV is connected to regular channels via an antenna or a coaxial cable.

If your Vizio TV has a built-in tuner, it can also help in checking the functioning of the TV as well as identifying the proper input source.

If you have programmed your Vizio TV to control your set-top box, make sure that the source is properly set up as well.

Check for Obstacles Blocking the TV Sensors

The IR communication that takes place between the Vizio TV and its remote controller is dependent on a line-of-sight communication channel.

This effectively means that there shouldn't be any obstacles that can cause hindrance to communication.

These obstacles can any anything, from a person standing in between to a simple sticker that has been stuck to the surface of the sensor.

So make sure that there are no obstacles in the line of sight of the Vizio remote controller to the Vizio TV.

Power Cycle the Vizio Remote and TV

A power cycle can help in solving almost all temporary bugs relating to the hardware and charge cycle of the Vizio remote.

A power cycle, barring its initially intimidating name, is simply put a hardware-level reboot for your Vizio remote and TV.

It basically helps reset all the charges from the internal components, ensuring a proper and balanced charge delivery.

Unbalanced charges within the system can wreak havoc and cause the Vizio remote controller to temporarily malfunction.

A power cycle helps in depleting all the charges from within the system and recharging the whole circuit in a balanced manner.

In order to perform a power cycle on your Vizio remote controller, you can follow the steps given below:

1. Remove the batteries from the Vizio TV remote controller.
2. Let the Vizio TV remote controller sit idle in its power-off state for about a minute.
3. During this minute-long wait, long press the buttons on the remote controller to ensure that the charges get depleted completely.
4. Put the batteries back into the Vizio TV remote controller. If the batteries are old, it is best to swap them with a fresh set.
5. Let the Vizio TV remote controller sit idle in its power-on state for about a minute.

This properly power cycles your Vizio TV remote controller.

Since the Vizio TV is also an integral component in having your remote controller working, it is best to power cycle the TV too.

It helps in solving plenty of hardware bugs that are common with Vizio TVs, such as the Vizio TV not staying on, not turning off, and color problems associated with the picture.

In order to perform a power cycle on your Vizio TV, you can follow the steps given below:

1. Unplug the Vizio TV from its power source.
2. Let the Vizio TV sit idle in its power-off state for about a minute.
3. During this minute-long wait, long press the buttons on the Vizio TV to ensure that the charges get depleted completely.
4. Plug the Vizio TV back into its power source.
5. Let the Vizio TV sit idle in its power-on state for about a minute.

This properly power cycles your Vizio TV.

Change Vizio TV Remote

If the issues still persist, then your best option should be to change your Vizio remote control.

You can contact Vizio in getting you a replacement unit that is specific to your Vizio TV model.

Alternatively, you can look into the world of universal remote controllers. Vizio themselves have quite a few universal remote controllers such as the Vizio XRT136.

With such a remote controller, you can also program other compatible devices such as a DVD player or set-top boxes to the Vizio controller.

This negates the use of multiple remote controllers, making the Vizio universal remote controller the sole device you need to control your entertainment hub.

Alternatively, you can use universal remote controllers from other popular brands, such as DirecTV, DishTV, and Xfinity to take control of your Vizio TV.

SmartCast can also be a viable option to temporarily connect with your Vizio TV, till you get a replacement remote controller.

Final Thoughts

If you have further doubts regarding your Vizio remote controller not working, please contact Vizio Support.

I hope my article on how you can fix your Vizio remote not working has been a helpful read and has aided you with the same.

Have a good day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are all Vizio remote controllers universal remote controllers?

All Vizio remote controllers with the SmartCast feature enabled should be universal remote controllers.

Can Vizio remote controllers run on rechargeable batteries?

Vizio remote controllers can easily run on alkaline rechargeable batteries due to their low power requirements.

You May Also Enjoy Reading

• Vizio TV Stuck On Wide Mode: How To Fix [2023]
• Vizio TV Sound Delay: How to Fix [2023]
• Vizio TV No Antenna Input: Alternatives And Fixes!
• Best Audio Settings for Vizio TV: Improve Audio Quality!
• Are Vizio TVs Good For Gaming? Explained!
• Vizio TV Channels Missing: How To Fix [2023]
• Vizio TV Flashing Different Colors: How to Fix [2023]