Vizio TV Keeps Changing Input to Smartcast: How to Fix [2023]

My Vizio TV keeps switching to SmartCast Home whenever I boot my TV.

Since I have a Roku connection, I no longer use SmartCast for my media needs, so it is quite a tedious chore to make sure I switch my inputs.

So I figured I fix this and identify whether this is intentional or a mere bug.

I have curated this troubleshooting article with every piece of information I could gather from my personal experimentations, as well as users' online.

If your Vizio TV keeps changing the input to SmartCast, change the Input at Power On option to Previous Input. Next, check the Vizio TV hardware for issues and power cycle the device. If all else fails, factory reset the Vizio TV.

Change the Input Settings on Vizio TV

What many don't realize is that Vizio had silently changed the default input configuration to SmartCast a good while ago.

In fact, this change happened way back in 2021 with an over-the-air firmware update.

If your Vizio TV does not detect any signal when booting an input source, it is configured to automatically switch to SmartCast Home.

The fact that many external devices like a Roku or BluRay player plugged into the inputs of the Vizio TV takes a few seconds to boot and send signals doesn't help the situation much.

Fortunately, Vizio has included a feature on these devices that allows you to switch your default input configuration.

This can be configured under the setting titled "Input at Power On", which you can access by following the steps below:

1. Open the Menu on your Vizio TV.

2. Select System.

3. Select the Input at the Power On option.

4. Toggle the option, from Automatic to Previous Input.

The Automatic option is what boots up SmartCast Home when the TV detects no signal from its input sources.

Setting the option to Previous Input will always invoke the input signal that you used the last time to boot up instead of SmartCast Home.

Toggle Internet Access off for Vizio TV

You will require a Vizio remote controller to invoke this menu.

If you don't have immediate access to a Vizio remote controller or have an incompatible TV, then your only option might be to avoid connecting the TV to your internet.

This is a rather unfortunate method to get past this issue, but if you don't use the SmartCast feature this can be a neat step.

Alternatively, you can even invest in an external multimedia streaming device such as a Roku. It should be much faster than SmartCast.

Check the Vizio TV Hardware

If your Vizio TV has some fault with its hardware, it can also be a root cause of your Vizio TV recognizing input swaps.

If the connections are improper, the Vizio TV won't recognize any input signal.

This can even lead to weird issues where the SmartCast screen gets stuck on boot, similar to how the Vizio TV logo gets stuck.

This can also happen if the input port has succumbed to wear and tear over time.

So make sure that the condition of your TV is mint at best. All the ports and cables should be in proper working condition.

If you notice any wear and tear in the peripheral cables, swap them out for a fresh cable rated to withstand the cable requirements of your respective input source.

Also, make sure that there aren't any ruptures or wide crevices on the body of the Vizio TV as well.

Even a tiny hole in the body can be the reason for dust settling inside the TV over time, leading to further issues with the internal components over time.

It is best to contact Vizio and have a certified technician take a look if such is the case.

Power Cycle the Vizio TV

Power cycling your Vizio TV can reap many benefits, with its primary intention being getting rid of unwarranted hardware bugs related to power delivery.

Since Vizio TVs are devices that are constantly plugged into power in one way or another, it is bound to face issues relating to power delivery once in a while.

The most common issue that is faced is the uneven distribution of charges within the internal components.

This can lead to several issues with your Vizio TV.

The most common issues with Vizio TV, such as being flickering screens, flashing colors, and black screen issues can be solved with power cycles.

To perform a power cycle on your Vizio TV, follow the steps given below:

• Unplug the Vizio TV from its power source.
• Let the Vizio TV sit idle in its unplugged state for about a minute.
• Plug the Vizio TV back into its power source.
• Let the Vizio TV sit idle in its plugged state for about a minute.

It is recommended to perform power cycles multiple times to extract the best possible performance from your Vizio TV.

Factory Reset the Vizio TV

If the above steps fail to generate any meaningful result for your input issues with SmartCast, it is best to reset your Vizio TV to factory defaults.

This can help reset all the settings in your Vizio TV while ensuring that the system runs smoothly after boot. Factory resetting also happens to be a prime fix for Vizio Chromecast not working issue.

Do note that you will lose all your personal data. So take backups if necessary.

Now, there are two primary ways with which you can reset your Vizio TV: using your Vizio Remote Controller, and via the Vizio TV interface.

To factory reset your Vizio TV using just a Vizio TV remote controller, follow the steps below:

• Locate the input and volume down buttons on the Vizio TV remote controller.
• Press and hold both buttons together till a pop-up message appears on the screen initiating the factory reset menu.

To factory reset your Vizio TV using the Tv's interface, follow the steps below:

1. Open the menu on the Vizio TV.

2. Select System.

3. Select Reset and Admin.

4. Select Reset TV to Factory Defaults.

5. Enter the parental code if applicable. The default code should be 0000.

6. Select Ok.

You can use either method to reset your Vizio TV.

Final Thoughts

If you have further queries regarding your Vizio TV and its often erratic behavior, feel free to contact Vizio support.

I hope my article on fixing your Vizio TV from constantly booting the SmartCast service has been a worthwhile read and has aided you with the same.

Have a good day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can Vizio TV run Android apps?

Vizio TV cannot run Android-based apps that are not listed on its app store, as it runs on a proprietary operating system called SmartCast.

Does Google own Vizio?

Vizio is not owned by Google and is owned by Vizio Holding.

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