Vizio TV Cuts Off Edges: How To Fix [2023]

written by

Doug Stevenson

updated September 08, 2023

Scanning, a.k.a scaling images to the TV's native aspect ratio, has been a founding principle of modern-day TVs since the transition into the digital era.

And Vizio TVs, like any other TV, implement scanning by cutting off the edges with black bars.

But what if the scanning process goes wrong? What if your Vizio TV fails to scale the image to fit the screen?

If your Vizio tv cuts off edges, check the aspect ratio and external device settings on your Vizio TV. Turning off HDR and adjusting the active full array backlighting setting could also solve the issue. If none of these works, factory reset your Vizio TV

I have compiled a comprehensive list of troubleshooting tips to help you fix a Vizio TV that cuts off edges.

Check the Aspect Ratio Settings on Vizio TV

Aspect Ratio is, by all means, a foundational element of entertainment.

Ever since the fledgling days of cinema, filmmakers have had a fascination for newer, wider aspect ratios.

From the standard 4:3 format to the wide aspect ratios of cinemascope and IMAX, the film and the television industry have come a long way.

Back in the old days, theatres and movie halls complied with the changing geography of Aspect ratios from film to film by introducing black bars to make up for the change.

Pillar boxing and letterboxing are some of the terms used by the entertainment industry to address such implementations.

Nowadays, everything has transitioned to digital. TVs have adapted to accommodate different Aspect ratios seamlessly and inconspicuously.

But not all transitions (from one aspect ratio to the other) are perfect. In fact, modern smart TVs mess up the so-called scanning process on a regular basis.

Most of the time, TVs tend to overscan the content and clip the picture at the edges.

Vizio TVs are not in any way immune to this issue. Fortunately, there exist provisions with the Vizio TV menu itself to rectify such mishaps.

If you find a discrepancy in image scaling, open the menu tab and follow these steps:

1. Open the Menu tab by pressing the Menu button on your TV Remote.

2. Scroll and select the System option.

3. Click open the Wide option. (Aspect Ratio/Picture ratio in older models)

4. Toggle ON the Normal option.

Exit the menu and restart the TV. Check for the issue now.

Within the Aspect Ratio menu on your Vizio TV, you can find a couple more options other than the Normal setting option.

Wide: Makes the picture adopt a wider aspect ratio. The root cause for over-scanning.
Zoomed: As the name suggests, scan the picture to a more compact frame.

Check the External Device Settings on Vizio TV

As in the case of Vizio TVs, external players and devices connected to the Vizio TV can take the blame for the issue.

Apart from setting the aspect ratio right on the Vizio TV, you may also want to check and ensure optimal settings on your external device, especially with the aspect ratio settings.

To do so, follow these steps on the device connected to the Vizio TV:

1. Access the Settings menu of your external device.

2. Look for Aspect ratio settings. (Can come under the metonymy Wide/Picture Aspect)

3. Switch to the default setting or toggle ON the Auto option.

Exit the menu and refresh the TV and the external player.

One other aspect to keep an eye on is the output resolution.

Make sure the output resolution of the player/device corresponds to that of the TV.

You can access the Resolution settings from the Settings menu. Look for them within the Picture or the System setting menu.

Turn OFF HDR on Vizio TV

Next up on the list of troubleshooting is to check and modify the HDR settings.

The aspect ratio setting may be the prime reason for this issue. But what changing the aspect ratio does is introduce conspicuous black bars to make the picture fit in the frame.

At times, the cutting-offs may be gentle and fairly unobstructed to a discerning viewer, but a cut-off nonetheless.

If that's the case, better look at the HDR settings on your Vizio TV.

HDR can induce noise in the picture. And noise can make the edges a bit blurred, or in our case, cut-out edges. It can also bring about color issues on your Vizio TV.

Now, you can reduce noise from HDR through the Menu settings on your Vizio TV.

Follow these steps to do so:

1. Open the Menu tab on your Vizio TV.

2. Click open the Input Settings option.

3. Go to the Full UHD color option.

4. Toggle OFF the feature.

Exit out of the menu and restart the TV. Check for the issue now.

Do keep in mind that HDR works only with 4K content.

Ensure that your external device is connected to the recommended HDMI port on the TV before tinkering with the HDR.

Adjust the Active Full Array Backlighting Setting on Vizio TV

Active Full Array is Vizio's version of Local Dimming on their TVs.

Local Dimming controls and calibrates the backlighting of your TV to give the picture more contrast and brightness.

With Active Full Array, you get to boost HDR capabilities even more than its usual self.

But it also shares the same disadvantages as HDR. Active Full Array will induce noise and blooming on your image if implemented on unsupported content.

In other words, better turn down this feature if you observe the edges become fizzy or pixelated in dark lighting conditions and scenes.

To configure the Active Full Array feature on your Vizio TV, follow these instructions:

1. Open the Menu tab and locate the Picture option.

2. Under this setting tab, open the More Picture/Advanced Picture settings option.

3. Click open the Active Full Array option.

4. Select OFF or Low.

Exit the menu and restart the TV. Check for the issue now.

Update Vizio TV

Updates always help. May it be with a mere bug error or with a color issue on Vizio TV, updates always help.

Outdated firmware on your TV can make way for a lot of issues to rise. Bugs and errors slither their way into the TV in the absence of proper updates and cause all sorts of problems.

Hence, it's imperative to always keep your Vizio up-to-date with proper security and firmware updates.

Updates uphold the strength of the security firewall and help fend off all unwanted interlopers. Also, it's quite a great fix for Vizio TVs freezing at random issues.

To update your Vizio TV, follow these steps:

1. From the Menu tab, click open the System option.

2. Scroll and select the Check for Update option.

Perform the update and restart the TV. Check for the issue now.

Another way to eradicate bugs, errors, and stale files on your TV is to power cycle it.

A Power cycle test not only refreshes the TV but also depletes the system off any internal static charges.

Follow these steps to do so:

Unplug all the cables connected to your Vizio TV.
Press and hold the Power button for a couple of seconds. (Perform this step a few times)
Plug back in the cables and power ON the TV after a minute or so.

Factory Reset Vizio TV

In case you still can't get rid of the issue, as a last-ditch effort, factory reset your Vizio TV.

The edges being shaven issue can arise as a byproduct of the troubles caused by menacing bugs. And the best way to wipe off such erroneous files is to factory reset the device.

With a factory reset, all the system preferences will get reset to their factory defaults, including user configs and downloaded content as well.

Not to mention, every residual file and error, too, get removed.

To factory reset your Vizio TV, follow these steps:

1. Open the Menu tab and select System. (Select Help on older models)

2. Proceed to select Reset TV to Factory Settings.

3. Next, confirm by selecting Reset TV.

Confirm your selection and wait for the reset to complete. Reconfigure the TV once the reset completes and check for the issue now.

You could perform a factory reset to counter issues with missing channels on the Vizio TV.

On modern Vizio SmartCast TVs, you can initiate a factory reset with the help of the onboard controls on the TV:

First, press and hold the Volume Down and the Input button together for a few seconds.
The TV will now display a popup message asking you to press and hold the Input Button to initiate a reset.
Hold down the Input button to reset your Vizio TV.

Final Thoughts

Display issues are nothing new to a TV. But being naive about how to fix it is something worth mulling about.

The edges being cut off on Vizio TVs also affect the gaming display. If you are into gaming, you may enjoy our article: Are Vizio TVs Good For Gaming?

With this article, you get a quick crash course on how to tackle the edges being cut off problem on your Vizio TV. Also, physical damage and internal circuit failures can cause this issue.

If none of these fixes work, consider the chances of a fried T-Con board or any other internal component. Contact a professional if that's the case.

You may also get in touch with Vizio support team for further assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I get my VIZIO TV picture to fit the screen?

If the picture seems to be too zoomed in or vice-versa on your Vizio TV, go to Menu>System>Wide/Aspect Ratio and manually toggle on the Normal mode.

How do I change the Picture Settings on Vizio TV?

To access and configure the various picture settings on your Vizio TV, head on to Menu>Picture. Here, you can find numerous picture-related settings like Picture mode, contrast, brightness, tint, gamma, etc. If you want even more options, select the More Picture Settings option.

Why is my VIZIO Smart TV glitching?

If you find your Vizio TV glitch at times, better check the status and the condition of the power and input cables. Make sure they are connected tautly. Perform a power cycle test to fix this issue.

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