Vizio Satellite Speakers Not Working: How to Fix [2023]

written by

Doug Stevenson

updated January 21, 2023

Vizio's home theatre speakers are meant to be the perfect companion for their brilliant Smart TVs. But what will you do when the satellite speakers stop working?

Recently, while streaming a show on my TV, a dip in the overall sound experience came to my notice. Upon further investigation, I found that the rear Vizio satellite speakers were at fault.

After rigorous research and a healthy amount of time spent trying out the various fixes, I did eventually fix the issue. Here's what I came up with:

If Vizio satellite speakers are not working, first, check the condition of the wires and ensure to plug them in tight. Check the Vizio Speakers audio output settings and the selected media for sound output. Also, check and update the speaker firmware to the most current version.

Keep reading for detailed troubleshooting steps on how to fix this issue.

Check Connections

The first check you need to do is to make sure that all wired connections are in good condition and connected firmly.

The satellite speakers are hard-wired to the subwoofer. Check this connection and make sure it is secure.

Check the wires for wear and tear, crooks, kinks, and signs of corrosion at the lead ends. If you notice any such inconstancies, better replace them.

Worn-out cables and precarious connections are the prime reason for power-related issues on Vizio, including the Vizo TV won't turn OFF issue.

You should also turn on the subwoofer for the satellite speakers to work. These subwoofers have an LED indicator to indicate the power status.

Satellite speakers are responsible for dispersing background audio. So, without them, the audio hence derived won't have the depth redolent of modern surround systems.

For example, if you are watching a movie on your TV hooked up with Vizio satellite speakers, bringing out the sound of the wind or birds chirping in a forest scene is the function of these speakers.

So when you are checking these speakers, make sure you are watching something with background noise.

You can also search on YouTube for 'surround sound' videos for doing checks of your satellite speakers.

Check Audio Output Settings

Once you have confirmed the wiring between the subwoofers and individual speakers is secure and all good, move on to the audio output settings.

Primarily, your TV has to recognize the Vizio soundbar/system and pair with it for the whole setup to work.

Since Vizio TVs come with their own speakers, for employing the Vizio speakers, the TV has to switch the audio output.

If you have already set your TV/device with Vizio surround system, do the following steps:

Turn your TV on and play something with ambient sound.
There is an 'Input' button on your Vizio sound system.
Press and hold this button until the LED indicator starts to flash.
When it stops flashing, it is indicative that the TV has found your sound system and switched the audio output.

Additionally, you can access the settings on the TV and check the output audio settings, maybe even configure the best audio setting for your Vizio setup.

If your TV has not switched over to your Vizio sound system, manually choose it over the TV speakers in the audio settings.

Re-pair Subwoofer

Another potential cause for the loss of functionality could be connection issues between your TV/device and the subwoofer.

Evidently, the Vizio subwoofer has had some issues pairing with Vizio Soundbar. Checking the connections and re-pairing the subwoofer have yielded results.

You can attempt to reconnect the TV with the subwoofer to check if this can solve the issue.

To do the same, follow the steps below:

Turn the subwoofer ON.
Press and hold the 'Pair' button located on the back for 5 seconds or till a red LED indicator flashes.
Release the 'Pair' button.
Now, press and hold the 'Power' button on top of your soundbar.
Wait for the LED indicator to flash 3 times which indicates successful pairing.
Release the 'Power' button.

You have successfully re-paired the subwoofer with the TV. Play a video with ambient sound to check the functionality of your satellite speakers.

Check for firmware updates

You could be facing issues with the satellite speakers as a result of running on an older firmware version.

So checking for available patches to download for your soundbar is worth your time.

Vizio does come out with routine patches to mend bugs and flaws with the current software. These are iteratively solved with each version.

Doing so could also fix issues of a much worse severity like Vizio TV freezing at random.

Update via Vizio SmartCast App

To update your Soundbar using the Vizio SmartCast App, follow the instructions below:

Once you have already added the Soundbar to your list of devices on the app, execute the following steps.

Open your Vizio SmartCast App
Go to 'Settings'> 'System'> 'Check for Updates'
If there is an available update, the Soundbar will power off and download the new firmware. It will install the update automatically.

Manual Update

To manually update your Soundbar, follow the instructions below:

Open a web browser on a PC or laptop and navigate to the Vizio support page.
Click on 'Find Your Firmware'.
You will be forwarded to a page where you will have to give the serial number of your device.
Once you have filled that field, tap on 'Get Firmware Data'.
You can now download the latest available firmware and the instructions for that particular device.
Once the download is complete, transfer the file to a USB device.
Now, plug in the Soundbar.
While powered on, disconnect the power cord.
Plug the USB with the downloaded patch into the soundbar.
Reconnect the power cord to the Soundbar.
Once reconnected, two (third and fourth) LED indicators will flash. This indicates that the device is undergoing an update.
Once these LED indicators cease to flash, the update is complete and you can safely remove the USB.

Final Thoughts

Apart from the reasons discussed above, there have been instances by which the problem of the satellite speakers not working could be due to the TV itself.

If you have trouble narrowing in on the cause of the problem, we recommend contacting Vizio customer care for further assistance.

If your device is within the warranty period, you can definitely ask Vizio support for assistance to validate your warranty and request a replacement.

Hope the solutions in this article have been helpful to you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Vizio satellite speakers wireless?

Vizio offers a wireless subwoofer and rear satellite speakers with the model description VIZIO SB4051-C0 soundbar system. This system delivers 102 dB surround sound for your entertainment along with Bluetooth connectivity.

How do satellite speakers work?

Satellite speakers work by concentrating on higher frequencies while allowing the entire system to achieve lower sound distortion. However, these speakers have both high and low-frequency sound drivers.

Can you pair any subwoofer to Vizio soundbar?

Technically, you can get any subwoofer to work with the Vizio soundbar. For wireless subwoofers, you can get a matching wireless transmitter to plug into the sub out of the soundbar.

You May Also Enjoy Reading

Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

Connect With Me